The Louisville – Grade 3 – $225.000

CD – 1 ½ Mile – Turf

For Four Year Olds and Upward

May 20, 2023

1 Lantern Yard (Avenue Z)

After a string of near misses in graded company, this four-year-old colt was dropped down to optional claimer level and couldn’t make it to the winner’s circle there either. He is good for the distance, and if he can run back to his form in the HOL Turf Cup back in November, he has a real shot here.

2 Champion In Action (Night Rider Stables)

Last win was back in October in the Lukas Classic (G2) on dirt.  Finished a close fourth last out in the Grade 2 Whittingham going 1 ¼ mile on turf. Will need a big effort to win here.

3 Dreams Of Men (Maximillion Farm)

Another one that’s been knocking on the door in graded company but just can’t quite get there first. Finished a well-beaten third two starts back with the same conditions. Should be competitive but may have a hard time closing the deal.

4 Show Me How To Live (Mo Mentum Farm)

Coming in off a win at optional claiming level after a couple of off the board finishes in graded company. Has never run this far before, and has never won beyond 1 1/16 mile, so distance is a question mark for this four-year-old gelding. Likes off-going, so that’s an advantage he may have over some of these.

5 The Natural (First Flight Stable)

Has turned in some solid performances at this distance and surface in allowance company, including a win on good turf two starts back. Won convincingly at 1 ½ mile last out, so distance is not a question. Class may be, but this one looks ready to run.

6 Blue Koala (D J C Racing Stables)

You’d have to go back to October for a win from this gelding, and that came at six furlongs. In fact, he has never won beyond a mile. Stakes winner hoping for his first graded win. Likes off-going, so that’s in his favor, but distance has to be a question.

7 Outdated (Threshold)

Won in allowance company last out going 1 1/16 mile. That and a maiden win at the same distance are his only two wins in fourteen starts. Making his graded debut and his first start beyond 1 1/8 mile. May be a bit outclassed in this field.

8 Buffalo G (Nakamura Stables)

Took the field wire-to-wire and pulled away by 4 in his last start on off-going in allowance company. More impressive than that was his graded win on yielding turf at the same distance as this race three back in the Connally BC Turf. Looks like the one to beat and it won’t be an easy task.

Picks: 8-5-1

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES