The Skip Away – Grade III
GP   Race #7   1 1/8m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $100.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Blowin Smoke, trained by Jader Stable
This would be some coup by this stable who has only just had their first ever winner but considering they managed to buy this grade one winner for just eighty dollars it seems they have some experience on their side to counteract their virtual youth. I liked his seasonal reappearance where he closed hard to be sixth in the Pacific Classic and on the balance of that run and his win in the grade one Cigar Handicap he would have to be seriously considered of the winner of this race. The big thing that puts me off is the second he lost in work out times between January and March as you have to be careful with big drop offs in older horses.

2 Dogs Infowarrior, trained by Grimley
Peaked last year to win the grade one Whitney but lost his form after that running down the field in both the JC Gold Cup and the BC Classic. His works have started to look sharper recently so he may still have a big win in him but they are plenty of ifs to consider if you are going to wager on him.

3 Bravo Whiskey, trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy
A consistent sprinter at ungraded level he stepped up to a mile to win on seasonal debut and in HRP land you can win sprints and routes regardless of speed or stamina so there is no reason he cant win over this mile and an eighth. He works like a mile is too far though so i shall pass him over in a tough field.

4 Menagerie, trained by Pocket Aces Racing
Ran well to be third in the grade two LA Derby but has struggled to really break through at this level. He reappeared to be beaten in the ungraded LA Stakes and with good works but not outstanding it may be too much to expect a win today.

5 Spanish Showboat, trained by Mb Stables
This great old campaigner has a long list of achievements already and i am pretty sure he could add this race to his roll of honour. He won the Northern Dancer last year before failing in the BC Turf and after two efforts on the turf this year have failed to show his usual sparkle the trainer has decided a change of scenery. Its not that he hasnt run well on dirt before finishing second in the BC Marathon and wining the grade two Californian Stakes so if he can find his old form he would be the answer in this tricky to read field.

6 Mach Love, trained by Mb Stables
The second runner from the stable he is a lightly raced five year old who has accomplished a lot in a short career. When he ran second in the Awesome Again after just a five race career and it looked as if he was a star in the making but he has been beaten again twice since then and may have peaked. That may be a harsh assumption when you look at his very good career so far and he could find his winning ways here with no trouble.

7 Skeleton Balle, trained by Oval Express Farms
Sold pretty cheaply by Mb Stables he has looked pretty solid since winning the grade two Marathon last year. This will be his first start of the season so he may need the run but he is talented at best and will be sure to give a good account.

8 Make A Fortune, trained by Night Rider Stables
Another previously in Mb Stables yard he was beaten in a  claimer last time and has been a bit of an enigma so far in his career. His new owner seems convinced that he still has a stakes race in him and his works are still good enough if he still has the enthusiasm.

9 Thank The Stars, trained by End Run Farm
Has won two from five but this is a big rise in class for the four year old. A nice sort with decent enough work times but he may be outclassed.

10 Snowmizer, trained by D J C racing Stables
Won the Brett Futurity as a two year old and looked a TC contender early on as a three year old when a good second in the Wood Memorial. It all fell apart for him after that though, failing badly in the KYD and unable to get in the first four in his remaining races of last year. His work times are still sharp and he ran well enough on seasonal debut to suggest there is still a good win in him.

11 Bo Jangles, trained by John Henry
Another one the trainer bought from Australia Wide he had won the grade one Travers prior to his sale but has failed to live up to that since. He was a little lack-luster in the San Antonio on seasonal debut and this may be his final chance at recapturing his form before more drastic action is taken.

12 Copper Non Stopper, Eastern Equine
A horrible draw, average work times and no black type form to write home about make this a very tough call for this one.

SUMMARY
A big field of varying ability this may come down to whether Spanish Showboat can recapture his mojo. If he does he should win if he doesnt it may be a great day for new trainer Jader Stable with Blowin Smoke.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES