05/11 The Man o War – Grade I
1 3/8m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $700.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Techfluence The Sidley Stud Husbands

A winner of over $2,000.000, this six year old has been in the top rank of turfers for a few seasons now and his form is as good as ever this year so you have to put him in your top choices again. Beaten a fair way when fourth in this race last year that was on an off track and he really isnt on his best through those conditions so we must forgive that. He has won four from five over this trip including the Diarmida in March this year so thats a real plus and this draw is fine for him as he likes to stalk and he should get an easy trip on the rail. Its hard to fault his form or his works and he will be in at the finish if the rain stays away.

2 The Joker D J C Racing Stables Bejarano R

This has been a frustrating horse for the owner as he bought him for $800.000 after a win in the grade one Manhattan but coming from the magic turf trainer Maxmillion Farm it has been a hard act to follow for the new trainer. He really hasnt shown much of anything in his six efforts since and its hard to like him on what he has done in the last 11 months. BUT and this is a big but, he has the perfect draw and we know he can win grade ones and if we know anything about HRP its that anything can win if it has the class.

3 Call Me Spanish Maxmillion Farm Gutierrez

This horse like many others has found it difficult going from three to four but a recent work of 1.34 flat suggests that the owner with the magic touch has managed to find that mojo again and he may be ready to strike from this decent alley. His best performance last year came in the Hill prince when he won in good style but that and a win in a statebred stakes race are the only form that gives him chance and they certainly dont add up to a 1.34 work. So we have to assume that Maxmillion has sprinkled some of his fairy dust on this horse and put it in all our exotic bets.

4 Awesome Indeed TwinTowersRacing Velazquez J

This five year olds form is a bit up and down. At his best he has a chance but at his worst he would be fighting for last place. So which one turns up today? Is it the Awesome Indeed that won the Seabiscuit Handicap at the end of last year or is it the horse that was a never dangerous sixth in the San Luis Rey in March this year. His recent works say he is in good form but i am not convinced today will be his day.

5 Bayou Quartier Invicta Group Llc Alvarado J

On his day this six year old can be very good indeed as he proved last year when winning three graded stakes in a row but he can drop the odd clunker and you have to be a bit wary before throwing your shirt on him. He was flying home and nearly got up last time in the Elkhorn when going down by a neck and that race showed he still has the ability but i just am not sure he can be quick enough against a few very good turfers here. A win wouldnt surprise but i just dont think he ca get better than third.

6 Bligh Nolespan Racing Rose J

This would be a dream come true for the trainer after picking this one up for $18 in a claimer last time. With just two wins from seven starts and both of them in claiming class it is very hard to see those dreams come true today but he has some decent works and will give the trainer a bit of fun.

7 Spanish Showboat Mb Stables Pennington

Mb Stables has cornered the market on the two turf kings Pennington and Colon so not only does he have the riders but he has two horses that could easily finish one two without their help. This great nine year old is the first of them and there is little you can say about him that hasnt already been said. The winner of nearly $6,000.000 in 58 races, he is one of the best the game has ever seen and whilst the questions about his getting slower at the grand old age of nine are worth considering he could just as easily win this race and march on to his first ever BC.

8 Unicorn Threshold Castellano

This gelding has promised in lower grade but has yet to deliver at this level. The winner of both his starts this year again in lower grade he threw a 1.34 and 1 work recently so certainly has the motor if he can find the class gene. The draw wont help him but he has a shot.

9 Early Retirement Mb Stables Colon L H

I have seen very few winners of any BC race that won as easily as he did in the BC Turf last year. He proved in his last start when a dominant winner of the San Luis Rey that he is as good as ever and as long as the rain doesnt come he looks an obvious winning chance.

SUMMARY

I didnt talk much about Early Retirement because he looks hands down the best in the field as long as it doesnt rain. If it does rain then i expect him to be scratched and Spanish Showboat to turn it on, either way Mb Stables gets the winner. There’s plenty of competition though if there is something out there thats drawn better, you cant ever write off Techfluence and Unicorn could be ready to step up but if there is a danger then it may just come from Call Me Spanish.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES