12/01 The Cigar Mile Handicap – Grade I
AQU Race #5 1m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $750.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Cheapsnake John Henry Saez L
This three year old has shown ability at times but has been a shade inconsistent over a 14 race career. Racing mainly on turf recently he ran well to be fourth in the PEN Mile and again in the BEL Turf Sprint last time but despite only average form on the dirt he has worked a 1.36 flat for the mile dirt making him an outside chance off a low weight.
2 Steel Tunes John Henry Ortiz I Jr
The trainer lucked out here with two entries and both drawn inside. This is another three year old but he has to carry a big weight thanks to a couple of grade three wins on the dirt and a great second in the grade two Autumn Stakes last time. He can’t beat his stable companion on the gallops and has tp give him weight here but he does look the better horse so its is really where you want to put the emphasis as to which of the two stable runners you pick.
3 Grounded In Reality Mb Stables Talamo J
This trainer is the master of getting good horses in handicaps with low weights and he has done it again with this son of Commanding. Racing on the turf in 5 of his last 6 races he has done pretty well without winning finishing a close fourth in the grade one Shoemaker among many good efforts. His only win this year came on the dirt and if you go back to last year he was a close fourth in the grade one Woodward on this surface. His works are strong enough on the dirt to suggest he has a great chance fo picking up a big late season purse.
4 Saturday Khartoum Rousee Smith M E
Mainly known as a sprinter he has never managed a win at the route trip but he is good enough over shorter to give him a great chance with a lenient handicap mark. He has won four from seven this year including the grade two San Carlos and the grade three Bold Ruler Handicap so if he can manage one extra furlong today he must have a winning chance off a very nice draw.
5 Wild Fame Estero Farms Chirinos R
A pretty lightly raced three year old he hasnt had the exposure some of the other three year olds from the stable but he does have some fair runs under his belt and gets in light through the handicap. His works are good enough and his third in the Jones Stakes wasnt bad but this is a tough field and he may be only a place chance.
6 Benzar TwinTowersRacing Bejarano R
Gets a given a great chance here by the handicapper being a four year old against many three year olds although to be fair he doesnt win too often with only three victories from twenty starts. He picked up the grade two San Diego Handicap and was only beaten a half length when fourth in the Pacific Classic so if he can reproduce that form he could run a big race here.
7 Zombie City Eastern Equine Gallardo A A
Despite top weight he must be given a big chance here. Third in the KYD and the winner of the Dandy he was bought for over a thousand dollars in September and has since finished second in the PA Derby and a close fourth in the BC Classic. He is the best worker in the field and has the best form so the handicap may not stop him although i do think he may find this mile just a bit sharp. He should start favorite despite all the things against him but will have to be on tip top form to overcome them.
8 Give Your All Mb Stables Velazquez J R
Another one the trainer gets into the handicap with a feather weight he hasnt been in his best form this year but he is a grade one winner so shouldnt be written off. I am just a bit wary that he may be used as a pace maker for his stable companion and that he may be past his prime but its hard to write anything off from this stable.
9 Edwin Drood Night Rider Stables Maragh Ro
The enigma that is Edwin Drood carries on and amazingly he gets his fifth bad draw in a row since switching stables. There is no doubting his ability and despite having won over three thousand dollars mainly in dirt routes he gets in here with a very competitive weight which just may negate the bad draw. Second in the Met Handicap and the Jockey Club Gold Cup he is all class and will make his presence felt in this race for sure.
11 Nice Dive Threshold Vazquez R A
With only one win on the dirt and that was a narrow one with bottom weight in a handicap his trainer cannot understand why he got 120Lbs for this race. Couple that with a wide draw and he will be withdrawn to fight another day.
12 Dastardly Havoc Maxmillion Farm Baze T C
His sales record speaks volumes about this one that has shown plenty of promise but noone seems to be able to unlock any consistency. He won the grade three Salvator Mile over this trip back in May but despite strong works he hasnt been able to step up on that since. A rough chance for a place.
13 Rain Mane Gdp Inc Roman E A
A nice enough three year old and a good winner of the PA Derby Champion Stakes he has been lumped with a horrible draw. He does have the ability to win and he has some good works to his name but i cant get past the draw when thinking of a winning chance.
SUMMARY
Whilst the draw monster seems determined to stop Edwin Drood winning the handicapper has given him a big chance here and we may just see the great horse finally get a win for his new trainer. Outside that get your pin ready.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
