The CT Classic- Grade II
CT Race 3 1 1/8M- Dirt
Purse $1,200.000
Four Year Olds and Upward
A very good field assembled for this year’s edition on the CT bullring. Last year’s BC Classic winner and this year’s SA Handicap, Pegasus World Cup, Razorback Handicap and New Orleans Handicap winners are entered up as well as a grade one winning filly. The main thing is finding an instruction to navigate the small oval and not go too quick, too wide or fall too far back.
1. Withdrawn (19-3-1-4 $792.880), trained by John Henry
With only one start on the year in a very disappointing effort in the Pegasus he need to find his form from last year to have any say in the race. He was a graded stakes winner last fall at KEE in the Fayette at the CT Classic distance. He’s definitely a classy horse but he hasn’t shown he can win on the biggest stage in the biggest races.
2. Chrystal Pip (33-10-5-8 $3,567.920), trained by Mb Stables
The likely favorite for the race and recent SA Handicap winner. And earner of over $3500 in his career he’s been on a two race winning streak this year. An allowance win and the grade one win shows that he is still performing at the top level and is definitely a very good shot to win the biggest race on the weekend.
3. Bronx Bomber (17-6-2-0 $1,754.100), trained by Aer Stables
Last year’s Travers winners is coming into this race after a fifth in the Pegasus World Cup. He’s definitely a very good horse and has a really good chance to win the race with his good draw. Hopefully he finds a nice position and can make out a trip because he has a nice turn of foot and can win this race with a nice honest pace.
4. Shake (13-6-4-0 $493.780), trained by Mb Stables
This horse may be Mb Stables third string horse but he has showed he’s no such for sure. A good win last out in the Razorback Handicap shows he’s capable of winning a big race against the routing handicap division. Last start he can from way back so we’ll see what tactics he goes with in here.
5. Silver Dancer (42-10-5-9 $1,668.180), trained by Night Rider Stables
The horse with the most starts in the field will line up for his 43rd career start. He has done most of running in sprint races but he has earned the majority of his earnings in route races. He’s coming in here off of a tenth place finish in the Triple Bend going seven furlongs. Looks like he’s not the best choice to win in here but maybe he can dance into the winners circle.
6. Winter Is Coming (21-3-4-3 $512.100), trained by D J C Racing Stables
After a second last year in the Awesome Again, he’s only hit the board twice in five races since then, and both of those efforts were sprinting. Doesn’t look like a major shot to win the race but you never know with the old wizard D J C Racing Stables as the trainer. He’s most likely the second string horse with Port On The Horizon in here also.
7. Black Mojo (19-6-4-2 $5,462.610), trained by Mb Stables
Last years BC Classic winner, although he didn’t repeat that performance in the Pegasus he came back and won an allowance at SUN to prep for this. He’s drawn a little wide for this track but it definitely could’ve been worse. If he can repeat that BC Classic performance he can definitely win this face.
8. Port On The Horizon (35-6-5-5 $3,923.800),trained by D J C Racing Stables
The old gutsy gelding will be making his 36th start here. He’s lost a step or two since back in the day but maybe he can be as good as he once was for this race. If this was two years ago I’d count him as a contender no doubt, but with him having lost a step I’m not sure what he can do in here. Maybe a resurgence can happen in here.
9. Copper Beast (22-4-6-0 $3,141.460), trained by Night Rider Stables
If you want to find a win from him you’ll have to go all the way back to the 2016 Travers. He’s been banging on the door but just has not been lucky enough to win since that race. He ran second in his last race which was the Razorback Handicap so he’s still running at his top level and may be a chance to win if everything goes right.
10. Sporty Greyjoy (13-6-4-1 $622.480), trained by Saratoga Stud
The Pegasus winner is coming into this race in top form. He’s won his last two starts, both in graded stakes action, and he’s won four of his last five. If he wasn’t drawn so wide with the short run to the first turn he’d be a no brainer, but if gets to wide he might not be able to work out a trip to win it.
11. Shake It Off (20-7-2-6 $2,153.600), trained by Smokey Stover
Some people might look at this entry and think, why, a filly in one of the toughest male races of the year, that’s crazy. But considering how good of a mare she really is, and the weight break she’s getting, she has a legitimate shot. A grade one winner last out, she’s definitely good enough, but the post position hurts a lot.
12. Bay Of Plenty (15-7-4-2 $801.780), trained by Team 7 Illusions
A pretty good sprinter turned route horse last out when he won the New Orleans Handicap by a head. He’s one for one in route races so that shows he can get the distance but from the outside post he’s going to have to be way better than the field, or work out a dream trip. I’d put him as a top pick if he was drawn closer to the rail.
13. How To Laff (15-2-4-2 $1,083.160), trained by Serenity Stables
Last year’s nose winner of the Indiana Derby and runner up in this year’s Pegasus is coming in here off of five consecutive losses. His last two though were a second in the Pegasus as mentioned before and a third in the SA Handicap. The post position limits his chances severely and his only hope is to go to the front or from way back most likely.
Summary
With three very solid Mb Stables entries and some other very classy horses this is a very exciting race. Black Mojo and Chrystal Pip are looking to add more cash to the bankroll and Bronx Bomber will be a very good chance in the three post. Port On The Horizon the old classy gelding will try and relive some old magic for the wizard D J C Racing Stables and Sporty Greyjoy will try to keep the momentum going.
3-7-2-10
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
