The Woodward – Grade I
SAR Race #15 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $750.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Dr Carson TwinTowersRacing Lanerie C J
After winning the Op Handicap and finishing second in the Foster Handicap he was pretty well fancied for the Whitney last time but failed pretty badly ending up ninth and beaten a long way. That effort can be put down to the soft ground as he has struggled on rain affected tracks before so as long as the rain stays away he should run a lot better today. This trip is certainly his best and he has shown a lot of improvement this year so i expect a bold showing from the five year old especially as the three year olds dont look so dominant in this race.
2 Bronx Bomber Aer Stables Velazquez J R
It is a little unfair to call this one a talking horse as he has run some great races in top company but he has gone five races this year without a win and has had some good chances without quite getting home. A weaker run in the Whitney where he was fourth last time could be put down to the track conditions but every other effort has been top notch and he really is over due a win. A super 1.36 flat work last week will have him at his best and i think this may just be his day from a perfect draw.
3 Stranger D J C Racing Stables Ortiz I Jr
This grand old campaigner has looked as good as ever this year very nearly winning the Suburban Handicap the time before last and running a cracker to be third in the Whitney last time. This trip tests his old legs a bit but he is in tip top form and comes from a stable who knows how to win the ig races. Wet ground wont bother him and you can expect another solid effort from this tough competitor.
4 Flamenco Beach Mb Stables Pennington F
With a field full of talent from the older ranks the three year olds shouldnt get a look in with only four pounds and whilst the two entries from the younger division are both nice sorts they dont look as good as the older ones. Having said that this is of course HRP and here is a three year old who has won his last three and is working very close to the best older horses in the race. Two wins in overnight company after being claimed at the end of last year he stepped up on those efforts to take the grade three WV Governors Stakes last time out and whilst that doesnt look good enough on paper as i said before this is HRP and it really wouldnt surprise to see hm go close.
5 Bay Of Plenty Team 7 Illusions Bejarano R
This former top sprinter ran a huge race in the Whitney last time out when second after leading at the furlong pole and beat a good few of his rivals in this race that day. He is persevered with at the route trip here and there is no reason he can’t run very well again even though there is a small part of me that thinks he may still be a better sprinter.
6 Eatin My Dust Hambletonian Stable Leparoux J R
Bought for a cheap looking $40.000 at auction this four year old was a gutsy winner of the ALB Handicap last time over this trip from a nasty draw with a decent weight and that win was a lot better than it looks on paper. This is a bit of a dark horse in this race as there is a lot of talent on show but he may just sneak under the radar and run a race.
7 Tekkers Maxmillion Farm Hernandez R M
His form is a bit in and out but that can be put down to some iffy draws and running over a range of trips but i think we saw the real Tekkers last time out when he walked away with the grade three Seagram Cup. With 8 races already this year he wont be wanting for fitness and on his run in the Suburban Handicap and Gold Cup he is right in the mix for this race. His works are solid and the stable is in fine form so with a bit of luck from the 7 box today he should be right in it at the end.
8 Eclipse My Knowledge Nakamura Stables Talamo J
The second of the two three year olds in the race he was impressive in the Curlin last tine but just doesnt look up to these experienced grade one horses today. Dont get me wrong he is a good sort and of course being the ‘favoured’ age he could turn up at decent odds but i am struggling to make a case for him from a difficult draw.
9 Sporty Greyjoy Saratoga Stud Albarado R J
Gets a horrible draw and has struggled since his game Pegasus World Cup win back in January. His effort in the Gold Cup back in May was very good getting beaten around a length but his last two efforts have been pretty poor and this is a tough race to find his best again.
SUMMARY
I can’t believe i am saying this but i think the older horses may dominate this race! Bronx Bomber gets his best chance of the year and i believe he can take this but there will be a few pushing him right to the line. Stranger and Bay Of Plenty hold solid claims whilst Dr Carson would go close on a sound surface. Of the others there is of course Flamenco Beach, the three year old, and if good old HRP is playing to form this one will fly past them and win.
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