The Durham Cup Stakes-GIII
                       WO Race 3 1 1/8M- Dirt
                              Purse $125.000
                       Three Year Olds and Up

A group of eight runners will be going to the post for the Durham Cup Stakes even with the scratches of two of the runners that were entered up in here. There are some very nice horses in this race including two runners that were in the Kentucky Derby field. Let’s take a look at this field.

1. American Ideal (23-8-2-7 $389.950), trained by Nakamura Stables

Now here is a five year old stud that is still getting after it even at his age where some people may have put him to the breeding shed already. He didn’t run too good in the WV Governors Stakes last time but I think that was just a clunker. I think he will run a lot better in this spot and should be tougher.

2. Old Fidel (11-4-0-3 $137.930), trained by Gdp Inc

Here is a horse who is coming off of a stakes win in his last out and that was in the Ellis Park Derby at you guessed it Ellis Park. He won by a quarter of a length that day and really ran his best race in his career so far I think. I think he is on the improve and I think he should be tough in here.

3. Performance Artist (11-2-2-2 $392.050), trained by Serenity Stables

Here is one of the two that was part of the Kentucky Derby and he actually made all three of the triple crown races. He was second in the Fountain of Youth and the Florida Derby but he hasn’t been able to repeat those performances since then. He will have to turn it around to have a chance.

4. A Storm Has Arrived (10-3-2-1 $115.950), trained by Maxmillion Farm

Here is one that is coming into this race off of a pretty good performance in his last start where he ran second in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. That was a very good race from him and if he can repeat that race that would definitely give him a decent shot in here. If he runs like last time he’ll be there.

5. Shredder (8-4-1-0 $79.600), trained by Estero Farms

Here is another one coming off of a stakes win in his last out and that was in the Super Derby Prelude at Louisiana Downs. He beat three rivals that day and it was really a breakthrough performance because he had been running in just starter allowances. He needs to run a very big race to win.

6. Newsnight (19-5-3-4 $503.270), trained by Sir Daniel Martin

Now this horse isn’t coming off of a stakes win but he is coming off of a third place finish in the grade three British Columbia Derby. He ran third that day behind two dead heat winners and only got beat by two lengths. He is definitely going to have to run his best race ever to win in this race.

7. Battle Of Midway (8-1-2-2 $75.780), trained by Spankys Barn

Scratched

8. Con Artist (11-5-1-3 $445.040), trained by Mb Stables

Here is a horse who won the second leg of the Canadian triple crown which was the Prince Of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie by three lengths. He ran way back in the Pacific Classic last time but I really think that was a clunker and he will be ready to roll in this spot. He will have a good shot I think.

9. Gene Chandler (13-6-0-1 $731.800), trained by John Henry

Now here is the other one who made a start in the Kentucky Derby and he came in there as a top pick for many people after he won the Florida Derby. He hasn’t ran as good as he did in the spring so he is going to have to turn it around pretty strongly to have a shot in here. If he runs back to his spring races he can win.

10. By Design (11-3-2-2 $142.560), trained by Mb Stables

Scratched

Summary

Well I would say this is a pretty even matched field for sure but I myself am going to land on Con Artist as my top selection. He didn’t run too good last time but I think that was just a clunker I think. The one I think can beat him is Gene Chandler if he runs like he can. Good luck to all in the race.

8-9-1-4

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES