CA Cup Sprint
3:00 SA Race #6 6f Dirt Stake
Purse $125.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward Foaled In CA.

1 Eternal Dispute Riggins Racing Alvarado F T 123 —

This is a pretty open race, and this one typifies the problem with picking the winner. Working 1.10 and 2 for six furlongs signified a top-quality stakes horse not so many years ago at HRP but these days it is more of a benchmark work for overnights. That is where this one is at the moment but as a lightly raced five-year-old there may be some improvement due. He finished strongly over this trip last time and generally comes from mid field or worse so he will have to negotiate a path from this gate if he is going to get in the finish. A chance if things go his way.

2 Finding Nemo Black N Gold Stable Prat F 123 —

Racked up six wins last year in his best season so far and as a six-year-old looks to be one of those late improvers who could be due a big year. This trip is his best and we can forgive him a poor run last time on an off track, so if those conditions do not prevail in this race, I would expect him to be in the race for a long way from this nice gate.

3 John Dutton Chili King Stables Dettori L 123 —

A fair enough type but his running style has stunted his form figures somewhat. Deep closers find it hard to find consistency on this race engine so he is a hard one to look at with any confidence, but he does have ability and if things fall his way you never know.

4 Smiling Mike Maxmillion Farm Maldonado E 123 —

Another lightly raced type working that 1.10 and 2 which seems a benchmark for overnights and is only a tenth or two shy of being a stakes type. Thus, regardless of form we must look at him as having a serious chance. He lacks a bit of early speed so may settle back into mid-pack with a few others so the gaps will have to present themselves at the right time to favor him over others. He will be there at the end but where that ends up being when they cross the line is anyone’s guess.

5 Almighwar Night Rider Stables Gutierrez Mario 123 —

There is a lack of speed in this race so this one may get an easy lead and could be difficult to get past. The winner of his last two and stakes placed he has the credentials but more importantly that running style could be key.

6 Peace Pipe Spankys Barn Smith M E 125 —

Bought from Mb Stables for $125.000 he is grade one placed and a stakes winner, so looks the one on paper to have the best chance of winning. He carries a penalty which levels out his superior form somewhat but as the only other speed influence in the race he could get over from the wide gate pretty easily and his class will carry him a long way in this race.

7 Handsome Devil Night Rider Stables Espinoza V 123 —

The trainer has two runners here and both have shown early pace so they won’t want them cutting each other’s throat early on. This one was claimed pretty cheaply but has been better than that in three starts for the new owner and may be more competitive than he first looks.

SUMMARY

Well Peace Pipe is head and shoulders the best horse in this field on paper, but the weight penalty may be enough to stop him winning and I rather like Almighwar leading all the way to win this.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded