The Mb Stable four year old bay has definitely shown a preference for this distance. While odds makers place this one at some 12-1 odds in last years Belmont Stakes, he showed up late down the lane and captured that twelve furlong event by a neck over his stablemate Indistinguishable. Since then, he has won three out of four mile and a halfers , including a victory in the Gr. II Marathon at CD, again with Talamo in the irons. Post time favorite in his past five, this may just be the right time to be coming out of the protective ranks to claim another Graded title.

• The Tokyo Cup Grade III Purse $100.000
• Santa Anita Park For Four year old and Upwards
• Mile and a half over the Main Track
• Sunday April 14th, 2019

Lets have a look at this years field of eight and see who will be competing with Dream Controlled for the victory;

1.Higher Limit ( Night Rider Stables ) Jockey Prat F – Looks to be a top contender for this Graded event. Has competed in five straight twelve furlong events, winning three. Competed over this oval last season in a OpClm75 event winning in a final time of 2:29 and one. Does have the Grade III Greenwood under his belt, and if he is placed third or fourth back, should show up late to make it interesting.

2. Range Of The Sun ( Team 7 Illusions ) Jockey Gutierrez M – Closed out very well last season at this distance, with runner-up efforts in both the Gr. II Marathon and then again in the Gr.III Valedictory Stakes at WO. Finished in a threeway photo in his most recent Gr.I SA Handicap try, placing third by a neck. Drop back to this level will obviously pay dividends once again. Rider returns so will be a Factor.

3. Rod Steiger ( Asgar ) Jockey Espinoza V – Seems to be looking for new grounds going this longer distance for the first time in his career. We need to go all the way back to 2017 when he was a juvenile and captured the $125 Frost King. He did perform well at a mile and a quarter going runner-up in the Gr. III Dominion Day Stakes to one who went runner-up in the Gr. I BC Classic. Seems to have a preference for the Northern oval, and this will be his first attempt here. Mid pack.

4. Mustapha Dance ( Court Jester Racing ) Jockey Desormeaux K J – Has three wins in eleven starts in his career, and this will be his first swing at the big leagues this weekend. Trainer was so elated last weekend when he captured his first ever Graded title in the Gr. III Bay Shore, is hoping there is more in the well. This is going to be a big task against the likes of these, but should catapult him with the experience.

5. Red Zero ( Angelos Stables ) Jockey Fuentes Ru – has been on a tear this season, having already raced in four events, all over this oval. Finished at the back in the Gr.I SA Hdcp. two starts ago, but was still within four length in a close group of runners. Came right back fifteen days later for an Alw63 try, again fifth by one. Back again now in 21 days and that’s a better race layoff for route events, has the numbers but is he just tired? Like to see him on grass once.

6. On The Jersey Shore ( Spankys Barn ) Jockey Baze T C – Attempted this distance over this oval last season finishing second to Higher Limit, and ahead of Dream Controlled in a smaller field of four, with Baze aboard. Only mare in the field and attacked the grass last time out with no success. I have seen the turf work as a good tightener for a return to the dirt, so maybe that can work in her favor. Has shown she can run. Upsetter.

7. Relentless ( TwinTowersRacing ) Jockey Smith M E- Going to the wiley veteran in the irons here. Has never attempted this distance in his career, but last time out in an odd mile and five sixteenth distance over a muddy track, set the track record in capturing the first ever $100 Bernardini. His only Graded attempt came back in 2017 in the Carry Back, where he place at the back of the field. Hard to place.

8. Dream Controlled ( Mb Stables ) Jockey Van Dyke D – Top career money earner against this group, closed of last season with a win at Charles Town against Alw16.6 in the mud. Opened this season winning once again in an Alw24.5 party of four. Trainer has already accumulated twenty graded victories this season, ten ahead of his closest competitor. While he has finished behind others who are competing today, I still think he will have the edge. Top pick.

Duffers Picks- 8-1-2

Categories: Grade III