1 Butterscotch Kandy, trained by Blushing Meadows

After two good maiden placings and a decent win this gelded son of Pan For Gold took on the FL Sire Stakes – Fager a month ago and ran a decent race to dead heat for second just a half length off the winner. He ran on pretty well that day suggesting that this trip won’t be a problem and you must give him a decent shout with that experience.

2 Xmas Grey, trained by Barcelona Farms

This stable has had plenty of success with their juveniles so you have to like this one even though he only has a maiden claiming win. He won that race by a very easy four lengths and has been breezing very nicely since hence this big step up in class.

3 Eastern Townships, trained by Chili King Stables

It’s not unusual in these state bred races to see horses race against each other more than once and this is the case with this one. Last time out he landed the FL Stakes – Fager by a game half-length from Butterscotch Kandy but with this extra furlong there won’t be much between them today. A nice maiden winner he failed when upped in grade the first time but turned that around last time out and must be given plenty of respect.

4 Champagne Supernova, trained by Eastern Equine

A good maiden winner first up he ran on well when beaten into fourth next time up but has the sort of works that suggest he is much better than that. Bought for just ten dollars he has a chance in this as the trip will suit but he may find a couple too good today.

5 Speeding Prince, trained by Grimley

Two excellent maiden runs have not resulted in a win yet but they were both good enough to give him a big chance of breaking his maiden at black type level today. Beaten just a half-length at CSCAR last time he was hitting the line strongly over a muddy six furlongs so this trip will be right up his alley today. His works are right up there so despite his small stature I can see him running big today.

6 Flawless Rajiv, trained by Nightrider Stables

Another maiden he has already tried to break his duck in a stakes race as he was just a half-length off Eastern Townships when dead heating with Butterscotch Kandy in the FL Sire race. That run was very good and backed up a couple of good maiden efforts. His work and form is very similar to speeding prince so they make up a good challenge for the maidens in this race.

7 Rising Light, trained by Nakamura Stables

Two easy wins on this surface and a bullet work suggest he is very much up to this grade. His failure in between was on turf but he still ran a decent race staying on into fifth in the Victoria Stakes. I must admit I like this one as a dark horse and he could come out on top if he can overcome this widish draw.

8 Fast Moving Rock, trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy

A maiden claimer winner last time I think this wide draw and a lack of experience at this level will be his undoing today.

SUMMARY

This is a very interesting race with the top three in the FL Sire Stakes Fager, separated by only a half-length, take each other on again today. I think this extra furlong will suit Flawless Rajiv the most and along with Speeding prince we may see a maiden winner today. Having said that I am going for Rising Light to step up on his favoured surface.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded