The Highlander Stakes – GI
WO Race 9 6F – Turf
Purse $250.000
Three Year Olds and Up
A group of twelve turf sprinters is lining up in the gates at WO to try and get a free spot in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. There is some very nice horses in here like Champion Farley and Desmond to name a few. Let’s take a look at the field for this Breeders Cup Turf Sprint win and you’re in race.
1. Apricot (8-4-0-0 $110.610), trained by Team 7 Illusions
The only filly in the race and she is a three year old so she is getting a lot of weight from the others in here. That may be a good thing but I still do not think she has much of a chance of winning the race because there is some monsters in here. But maybe she will prove me wrong and win.
2. Desmond (15-6-5-1 $493.910), trained by Sharis Stables
The biggest threat in the field to Champion Farley is this horse right here who has been really running very well lately. He has ran in the top two in nine of his last ten starts. He is the best chance to upset Champion Farley for sure and I think there is a good chance that he could possibly do it.
3. Quarter King (8-3-2-2 $117.320), trained by Gdp Inc
The runner up last out in the Connaught Cup here over the same course will wheel back in less than a month to try and make the field of the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. If he can repeat the performance he had the other day maybe he can be an upset winner and make it to the Breeders Cup.
4. Gleaming Spirit (15-9-2-0 $254.900), trained by Mb Stables
The first of two Mb Stables runners we come across is a win machine. He has won over half of his races and has been on win streaks before so do not count him out at all. He will need to top his own stablemate though to do it but I don’t think it is an impossible thing to do for him in here.
5. Snakes On A Game (9-5-1-0 $194.400), trained by Team 7 Illusions
Second entry here from Team 7 Illusions and he was just on a five race win streak before last time when he ran fourth in the Twinspires Turf Sprint by half a length. He tried to win that day but just didn’t have enough but if he runs back to that five race win streak he could easily win this race.
6. Diamond Back (8-4-1-1 $160.280), trained by D J C Racing Stables
This runner from the D J C Racing Stables comes into this race on a four race win streak which includes two stakes wins and one of them being a graded stakes win. I don’t know if he is this good but he has been on a roll and I’m sure his confidence is booming right now so that will help him out
7. Derby Pip (33-12-7-2 $538.870), trained by RNP Stables
The most battles tested horse in the field he has thirty three career starts in his lifetime. He had been running very good until last out in the True North at BEL. It shows that the trainer is confident since he is wheeling him back off of three weeks rest so maybe he will bounce back nicely.
8. Champion Farley (24-11-8-2 $1,077.450), trained by Mb Stables
The big dog in the field he is definitely the horse to beat in here and is a beast of a horse. He always shows up and runs good every time he goes to post. He is definitely the one to beat and I’m very confident in him as making him my top choice because of how good he is and how he always shows up.
9. Slip Away (12-2-4-2 $473.600), trained by TwinTowers Racing
Here is a horse who hasn’t won a race in a long time. He’s been out of form for a while and I’m not sure he would even be that tough if he was running good but at least the trainer is taking a shot with him. I don’t think he stand much of a chance but at least he is showing up to run and will take a shot.
10. Free Rotation (13-9-0-0 $166.650), trained by John Henry
With this horse you are either going to get a win or you aren’t going to run any good at all. He has won nine of thirteen starts in his life and has never ran any good when he doesn’t win. I think if he runs his race he will be tough but if he doesn’t fire you know he will be way behind at the line.
11. Spring Stormtrooper (17-4-2-2 $352.160), trained by Stald Gullis
Here is one who will be cutting back in distance for the second time in a row from his usual route race distances. He ran five furlongs on the turf last time at GG and ran third but I think he is better going a route of ground. I don’t see him doing much damage in here but you never know.
12. Steppe Cossacks (15-6-1-2 $489.320), trained by Rheingold Stables
The fourth place finished in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint is going to try and win this race and make it into the field once again later this year. He is another who is very good on his best day but he hasn’t found the winners circle in four starts. Maybe if he runs his best race he will have a say in it.
Summary
Well I think it’s all a Champion Farley versus Desmond race as they look like the two standouts in the field by far. I know Champion Farley is a freak and always runs good but I really think he is a legitimate upset chance in this race. Good luck to everyone in the race and let’s hope for a good race.
8-2-4-7
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
