Durham Cup Stakes – Grade III
WO   Race #3   1 1/8m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $150.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Twice patriotic, trained by Gdp Inc
An improver this season he has come a long way since being well beaten in his first two starts of the season. A good allowance win was followed by an impressive win in the Long Branch BC but it was in his last start that he signalled that he was good to go for a race like this. Running up on the pace he finished a one length fourth in the competitive WV Derby and has since been working pretty well. We all know a three year old will win this race and he has plenty of good reasons it could be him.

2 Through The Tulips, trained by Yahudi Stables
Great works havent really translated to the track although he did win the Danzig Stakes nicely. is route form is a bit patchy but if his trainer can get the instructions right then he has a chance.

3 Gentile ll Buono, trained by Sc Lanciano
Won The Brubaker Stakes pretty well last time in a good racetime so must be respected on that but there isnt much else in his form to suggest he has a serious chance. I dont hate his chances but without that last win i wouldnt really consider him so i would have to watch him against this class for now.

4 Smokinngrinnin, trained by Wolfs Den
Has struggled a little recently but he is a consistent sort so deserves a shot. Apart from consistency there isnt much else to recommend him so he may be battling for the minors.

5 Pinnacle West, trained by Tiratzo
Apart from his age he has a lot going for him. He hasnt won this year but has placed in plenty of good races and has pulled triple digit speed figures in three of his last four races. He is sure to be in the fight at the end but i suspect the weight allowance the three year olds get may again be the difference.

6 Roxys Triple Crown, trained by Aer Stables
Another decent four year old he too has struggled against the weight allowance in the second part of the season. He was a gutsy winner of the Alysheba and has been close up in top sprints since so again has plenty going for him and along with Pinnacle West looks to have the best chance the four year olds have had in a while of beating less good three year olds.

7 Indy Harmony, trained by Mb Stables
Has won three from three since being bought from Hunterman Stable but has yet to tackle this class. Looking at is works times and his speed figures the better older horses will struggle to give him three pounds it just remains to be seen what the wide gate speed push does and whether he can last out the trip.

SUMMARY
This is the usual story, four year olds with dominant form looking to try and beat sub standard three year olds getting a little weight allowance. The fours have been faring better recently and this may be their best chance of beating the three’s for a while but i still cant bring myself to pick one. So which three year old will beat Roxy’s Triple Crown and Pinnace West? Indy Harmony is the obvious choice but i dont like wide draws apart from that the rest are much of a muchness. I am wondering whether Through The Tulips will come good at odds.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES