Finishing strongly since coming over to Mb Stable five starts ago, Tactical has managed three wins and two runner-up placing since, and being out of hot sire Cherokee Sunset, can his “talented” ways continue here at Mountaineer on Saturday.
- The WV Derby- Grade III Purse $500.000
- Mountaineer Racetrack – For Three Year olds
- One Mile and an Eighth- Main Track
- August 3rd, 2019
Weights- 119 Pounds
Changes– None
Set along the Ohio River separating Ohio and West Virginia is the Mountaineer Racetrack. Since HRP’s inception in 2003, the WV Derby has scene its share of champions. For the first nine seasons, horseman alike were running this event just for the glory of a Grade three title, but once the addition of some substantial purse money was placed on the line, it now has attracted some keen competitors. Eight entries will take to this years field, and not one of their trainers have ever captured this title, so it will be a first for someone on Saturday.
As mentioned in the preview, Mb Stables will be sending out Tactical for this event, along with his stablemate Glitter Diety. As for Tactical, you have to give this one consideration off his most recent record and bloodline. Trainer was keen to add Bute to the mix two starts ago, and that has turned into bringing home back to back victories. His SRF numbers have been steadily on the rise, and while he has yet to compete at this level, I think he has a great chance at making his mark in this one. As for Glitter Diety, he is the top money earner in this group with over $700.000 just this season, and three wins in five starts. While the sloppy conditions in the Derby had him finishing thirteenth some seven lengths back from a tough 15th hole, he has bookend that affair with victories in the Gr. II BG Stakes and most recently the Gr. III Dominion Day Stakes where he earned a 100 SRF. Interesting is the fact that both these sophomores have came from the same breeder, and they should both be close to the front and make this an interesting finish.
Another trainer who has tried to capture this event in recent years is D J C Racing Stables, and they too will be sending a couple of runners to the gate. First occupying the rail position will be Sharp Azteca, who also is coming to this event off of back to back victories. In his past five starts, three of them have come over off surfaces, but the gray gelding took them in stride, winning each event. Track conditions should remain fast for this event and hopefully he will have a better outcome then he did in this years Gr. II La Derby. Rider did take him to a victory in an Alw93 two starts ago. The stables other entry will be 16 hands black colt Texas Flood.Has been unable to find the winners circle since his victory back in February when he took home the $150.000 Winkfield. His SRF numbers have all been 90 or higher, so he has been showing his talents, he just may be setting the bar a slight higher then can be expected of him. But now stating that, he will probably win this event!!
Four other trainers will be sending out single entries on Saturday. While the previously mention trainers will occupy the four inside posts, from the five hole will break Joshua Stables’ Pure At Forty. Attempted this distance in the Gr. I FL Derby back at the end of March, and the outcome was a ninth place finish, four shy of the winner. Since that event he dropped two levels to a Grade three and a non graded affair, with the latter coming up as a third place finish. One win in eight career starts is nothing to write home about, but if his trainer can lay down the right instructions and rider, he could get things started. Fringe effort.
Coming out of gate 6 will be Maxmillion Farm’s Charleys Glance. Jockey Frey has been called over from Del Mar, and while he has just 43 mounts this season, he is firing at a 21% win ratio. Horse is a regular on the turf circuit, so I’m a bit surprised that he is back on the dirt here. This will be only his second start for his new interest since the purchase in April, and he may be testing the waters on both sides of the rail. Sharp turf work up at WO shows he ready, but will the footing agree with him. I’m waiting to see.
The number seven silks will be worn by Rampage Stable’s Where You At. A three time winner in nine career starts, winning an Alw46 event three starts ago, then coming back to take home the Sir Barton Stakes in May. His most recent affair was a try at the Gr. III OH Derby where he finished eighth, three shy against a talented group of runners. Has two sharp five furlong works over this very surface of late, and that should get him familiar with his surrounding. Will need his best effort to score a prize.
The final entry from post eight will be Instagooglefacetweet from John Henry. Definitely has a name to go with the times, and while he has been competing in the Graded level company for his past four events, he is winless in six starts this season. We need to go back to his maiden victory at the Spa last August to find that win. I give credit to his trainer for his belief in this sophomore and yes he has just been coming up short in these recent events, but will he get there today? I think his best efforts would come at twelve panels. Late for a share.
On This Date in History
Australia Wide – The year was 2009, the location was Saratoga, and this trainer was sending out three runners in three different five and a half furlong events that day. I Saw It Happen would win a Mdn75 race on the grass, while Amberleigh House and Renaissance Man would both just miss winning in their events to be second. Renaissance Man was the only one to have some form of success on the track of this trio.
Fuji Stables- Owner of Dark Crown who was named Horse Of The Year back in 2006, he was another trainer competing at the Spa that season with a thoroughbred by the name of Excel Girl. She would capture the NYSS Fillies race on the turf. That was her last win for this trainer as she would hit the auction block, then a wall for he new interest Huntley and Brinkley. While she would produce fifteen foals, their total earnings would not top $80.000.
Duffer
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
