Grey Stakes (Grade 3)- $125.000 Purse
WO- For Two Year Olds
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
November 22, 2020
The Grey Stakes is a smaller Grade 3 that takes place north of the border for two year olds that could potentially lead them to bigger and better things in the future, even if they do not end up in the winners circle. That was the case last year for the third place finisher, a horse you might recognize named Anoush Command. While he did never actually win a TC race, he did take the Queens Plate and was always seen as one of the better horses in the division. Cairn Toul, County Medical, and Notorious Temper are also names that those who followed the KYD trail or other big races over the summer, should easily recognize. None of them were even the winner of the Grey Stakes, as that would be Raid Of The Mist, who never really was able to build on his win. That makes Sunday’s race interesting since these are not horses that ran in the BC Juvenile to be fresh on everyone’s mind but it figures to produce some contenders. If anyone is planning on making an HRP futures KYD prediction before Thanksgiving, this is a must watch race that should get some consideration in that. They haven’t made their names known yet, but let’s start looking at who they are now.
#1- Kinch (Whitewater Stables, ridden by R M Hernandez)- The long time trainer is hoping for some newfound high level success with this two year old that makes the third start of his career. He is here off his maiden, winning against ON-bred company here last month at this very distance. A recent mile work here on the 10th brings confidence about this leap directly into the graded ranks. He is by Sgt Schultz, a new son of Commanding, with the Tree of Knowledge line on the dam side.
#2- Raunchy Bay (Estero Farms, ridden by D Moran)- Broke his maiden in his debut on the second of April, so he was fast tracked from the get go. He has not won another race since that, despite regular stake level placement. His last two starts have been graded attempts, with even an attempt on the grass made in the Grade 2 Bourbon. Right now, he is not stepping up for his trainer, but is not running badly either. Estero will keep on trying with him, but not an easy horse to put money on.
#3- Zero Darkness (Acber Farms, ridden by D Fukumoto)- Here is another horse that won on debut, but for Zero Darkness, that was in June. He would run later at SAR in September, and placed third in an allowance, and as of now, is still looking for his next win. That almost came at KEE last month. Now, he will stretch out a bit, but note that his mile works are a couple ticks slower than many others here. There can be reasons for that, though, and that can be made up for with heart on the track.
#4- Sneaky One (Arindel, ridden by K Kimura)- The trainer has been hoping for this one to develop into something more at this level, but as of right now that has not happened. After breaking his maiden in his fourth start, he was ambitiously placed in the Grade 1 Hopeful at SAR. That did not go well, and he has not really had a good race since the maiden win. But those works? That’s why he keeps getting these chances. If he ever figures it out, he could be a name we are talking about alot in the future.
#5- Proud Crown (Mb Stables, ridden by P Husbands)- The first race I have covered in four previews that had an Mb Stables entry in it. Seriously, now, been wondering where he’s been! Proud Crown recently arrived in his barn, being acquired on the first of October in private sales for $250.000. Off the purchase, he won the $100.000 Display Stakes here last month. He will be stretched out more here, and may prove to be a great long term investment. That sub 1:37 work is quite noteworthy. Keep an eye on him, regardless of how this race goes.
#6- The Bounder (The Sidley Stud, ridden by S Ryan)- This colt by Ginger Haggis has won two of five starts thus far in his career. In early October, he was able to win the $100.000 Bongard for NY-Breds down at BEL. However, he will not be rested here, as he just ran twelve days ago in the Grade 3 Nashua, and did not end up well in a cluster finish, placing tenth, a length from the win. This is a tough field to take on so quickly after that.
#7- Party Admiral (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by L Contreras)- Broke his maiden at this distance back in September at DMR, but was not able to build on that three weeks later in an ungraded stake. He’s been resting since then, so will have no excuses in that regard. His mile work times are not as good as others, and it is noted that his win at this distance was a bit slower then what others in this field ran previously for a mile and a sixteenth.
#8- Daniel Son Karate (Aer Stables, ridden by J Stein)- You always have to watch out for the new geldings, and that is what Daniel Son Karate will be as he underwent the chop after running tenth in the Grade 1 Champagne. His two races before that were victories, and that includes the $70.000 Aspirant Stakes at FL for NY-breds. He is appealing in this field, as despite finishing 10th in the Champagne, he did only miss by a length. I think he gets it done.
#9- Turbocharged (Aer Stables, ridden by E J Wilson)- Daniel Son Karate was not the only horse in the Aer barn to lose his ability to breed last month, as Turbocharged was also gelded, and runs here as a first time gelding. After winning on debut, he was placed directly into stakes, and has shown some potential. Was fourth in the Grade 1 Pharoah in late September and has been resting since.
#10- Round Them Up (Williams9, ridden by S R Bahen)- The Creepy Time colt has won one of his two career starts, and is here off of winning at CRC on Halloween. He will stretch out here, and certainly I hope that there was a reason behind the scenes for the October 18th work, because if not, this will be a rough afternoon for him.
#11- Sharp Money (Sccj Stables, ridden by G Boulanger)- Broke his maiden in his last start, his sixth try, down at PRX at the beginning of last month. Off of that, he comes here, and it does look as though he has just wanted the distances to increase in races. Though he has no public mile works, it does seem as though they would be good. Would have liked to have seen how he stood up, though, to have made him one of my picks.
#12- Crack Stone (Gdp Inc, ridden by J Lermyte)- On the outside, the Safecracker colt will be looking for his third straight win, and he has taken a liking to running here at WO. Everything but his debut has been here, and his last two wins have had Lermyte aboard. This is the first time he tries stake company, but he has earned it. Now, the bigger question for him is probably this post, as I would feel so much better about him with another spot in the starting gate.
Prediction: 8-5-1-4
— NS
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
