11 GP    The Diarmida (GII)

   $200.000    4yo&Up    1 3/8m InTurf      124lbs +penalties

We get a nice group eleven gentlemen going the route distance of a mile and three eighths on the GP inner turf and we look at the field for The Diarmida (GII).  There is a ton of talent in this race and it really wouldn’t surprise me if any of these brings home the win, but we have to draw a line and I went with Arkenstone off of that decisive win at HOU to kick of his season.  His stretch run was nice… was it because of the wet going?  We find out here.  I put Taniwha in the second spot and that one will be starting for a new trainer today.  Two nice seconds as book ends to end ’19 and start ’20 and he looks primed for a big season.  I’ll go right next door and give Decision In Five my third selection.  He tired a big in his last out effort but I think he can be a factor here and make his presence felt.

Here’s The Field –

Was that a post-BC bounce or what?  Tired badly to be 10/12 in his ’20 debut here in South Florida as the 5/2 favorite.  That after a ’19 season that saw him win six of nine including that wire-to-wire win in the BC Turf (GI).  Let’s just guess that was an anomaly and put him in the thick of this one.

Hasn’t won since Aug while beating ONT-bred in a marathon stakes at WO.  He was close in a few others including the PCI (GI), also at WO but he’s struggled in two starts this season and is back on short rest.

Kicked-off ’20 winning the McKnight (GIII) over this strip and looks ready to fire big again today.  Three wins last year and put some serious cash in the bank while running with the best of the best.  He’s a marathon specialist and most be considered.

Looked like a monster airing in the Connely BC Turf (GIII) at HOU on a soft turf course.  He’s real tough on wet tracks and can certainly hold his own no matter the surface.  He will be a big factor in how this one turns out and may have some odds.

Closed out ’19 with a daylight-win at DMR on a wet turf course and closed will here to get his 2020 season started, just missing in the PWC Turf (GI).  He will throw the occasional dud but is usually a huge factor in these races and should be again today.

Has been a bit more of a miler type and tired after having the lead in the PWC Turf (GI) here at GP, last out.  Solid string of works getting ready for today and he certainly has some talent, but the distance scares me.

Changed hands after a runner-up effort in the McKnight (GIII) here at GP to start his 6yo campaign.  He had a pair of wins last season including a marathon win in the BEL Gold Cup (GII) so you know he can get the distance with this type of foes.

Third in the McKnight (GIII) to get his 2020 season underway and his lone ’19 win came back in Oct while racing on the inner track at AQU.  He may have a thing for this tight-turn races and that’s a talent that could pay well in this one.

Just missed over this track to close out his ’19 campaign when second in the Jerkens, at the mile and a half distance.  Had two wins from six starts but failed in his only graded race last year, so I’m not sure.  Still, you have to fear the trainer, so I wouldn’t count him
out.

Second in the Connely BC Turf (GIII) and this one did not find the winner’s circle in ’19.  He was close in a number of graded races but he needs to find more to run with these.

Tired to be thid in the Connely BC Turf (GIII) after have a five length lead turning for home as the 5/2 favorite.  He won three of eight last year and was close in a number of graded races.  I think he will cherish a fast strip.

Categories: Grade II