LS Handicap GIII

1 1/16th Dirt Stakes Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds & Up

2016 Champ: Cju

The LS Handicap has a storied past with some great horses using it to get their summer campaigns underway with the likes of Icicle, Jesse James and Little Slick all being past champions of this race. The purse has taken a hit over the years so not as star studded of a field as back then but should still be a great race.

1- Long River (Canadian Racing, ridden by Martin E M Jr)

This gutsy six year old gelding has been very consistent as of late finishing in the money in ten straight starts and has not finished outside the top four since May 2014! In incredible run of starts, running in everything from a $6.500 claimer to a GII in his last outing.

2- First Rebellion (Mb Stables, ridden by Quinonez L S)

The first of two entries from the powerhouse stable of Mb. First Rebellion is an impressive eight for thirteen in his career. He will be cutting back in distance a bit for this one after running in a mile and an eight and quarter his last two starts. This distance should suit him a little better so expecting a better effort this time out.

3- Dundermonkey (End Run Farm, ridden by Wade L)

Coming into this LS Handicap off a couple straight La bred stakes is Dundermonkey. He was able to get the win in his last start. Comparing running times to others in this field he looks like he will be a little off the pace of the top contenders in here.

4- Blowin Smoke (Jader Stable, ridden by Diego I V)

Jader Stable is sending out Blowin Smoke from post four. He is a GI winner thanks to his upset win in the Cigar Mile back in November. In recent times hes struggled mightily with two straight GIII loses by a combined nineteen lengths. He was able to bounce back with a optional claimer win earlier this month though. He will be hoping for a run more like that but will need a huge effort to return to graded stake form.

5- Ghost Star (Mb Stables, ridden by McNeil B)

The second Mb Stables entry is Ghost Star. His most recent start was a disappointing tenth place finish in the OP Handicap. Looking for this one to have a nice bounce back race here, he has the talent to win this one if he can get back to form.

6- End Of Bay (Maxmillion, ridden by Gondron T D)

After some impressive dirt works the owners of End Of Bay are trying the dirt for this four year old gelding. This will be only his second career start on the dirt. The turf sprint to long dirt angle can be a good one sometimes so this might be one you want to watch here.

7- Sky Heights (Four Winds Racing, ridden by Eramia R E)

A recent acquisition for the stable of Four Winds Racing is Sky Heights. Recently purchased for $60.000 from Kopites they are hoping it’s a successful first start with the new silks. Hitting the top two in all of his first five starts of 2107 this four year old gelding has been running in the allowance, optional claimer types lately but has been putting in solid start after solid start, could be good one to put in your exotics hoping for a good price.

8- Crop Duster (Barcelona Farms, ridden by Risenhoover S)

Rounding out this field of eight is the gelding out of Dike. He comes into the race off a nice victory in the Tesio. He showed a liking for the mile and an eight distance, hoping to replicate that at this slightly shorter distance. Outside post isn’t always a bad thing it seems lately so we will see if this one can find a clear path on the outside and hope to hit the board.

My Selections: 2/5/1

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES