The Hill Prince (Grade 2)- $275.000 Purse
BEL- For Three Year Olds
One Mile on the Turf
October 12, 2020

On Monday, the Hill Prince will be run at BEL, though for a reduced purse. An eighth of a mile is also cut from the distance, making the race not look much like the previous editions. It may also be a lot wetter then many previous editions with a 90% chance of rain at the track as of now for Monday. At least it is still run on the grass and for three year olds. The race was won by Dead Madness last year, for John Henry, a horse that recently won the Arlington Million. We’ll be nice and not mention his last start. Here is an abbreviated look at this race, due to time constraints.

#1- Sweet Sweat (Mb Stables, ridden by J Bisono)- A well known name this year due to being on the KYD trail, but the Cherokee Sunset colt has just one win this year in eight starts, and that is the only time has been on the board as well. It’s tough to like a horse like that. Maybe his two year old self will come back.

#2- Kowloon City (Nakamura Stables, ridden by M Mena)- Two wins in his last four starts, which is highlighted by the $100.000 Singletary Stakes. He has not been able to come up big at the graded level in a couple tries though is well rested for this attempt.

#3- Preservationist (Alydar Stables, ridden by J Stein)– Makes his stake debut here, after having most run in claimers or allowances. The distances he has run at show a lot of variation, and that makes me think the trainer has been searching. This placement makes me wonder if he’s hit on something now.

#4- Bannister (John Henry, ridden by J Alvarado)- Can be easily overlooked as he has just one win and one show in his 11 career starts. Someone has to run at the back, right? The trainer has certainly been trying with this one, and he did just run fourth in the $750.000 SAR Derby. Perhaps his time is coming, but I won’t put virtual money on him.

#5- Take Control (Fractious, ridden by Mario Gutierrez)- He has made just four starts, and after breaking his maiden in that second start, he was thrust into the Grade 1 Haskell. After that did not go well, it was off to the grass, and the Grade 3 VA Derby, where he was much better, placing third.

#6- Ohtani (Sccj Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- Winner of two races this year, highlighted by the Grade 2 Dixie at PIM in May. He has not hit the board since then, but he does have experience running on soft turf, which by the way, is something we have a good chance of seeing here.

#7- Atomic Eclipse (La Canada Racehorses, ridden by D Davis)- Picked up in private sales for $50.000 in February, and has earned three wins in La Canada silks. However, the most notable race is his sharp fourth place run in the Grade 1 WO Mile, where he earned a 100 SRF. Usually in the mix, and looks to have a good shot here.

#8- Brave Diplomat (Nakamura Stables, ridden by S Ryan)- The Chai Latte gelding made his graded debut last month at the VA Derby, and was never a factor, finishing sixth. He had won two of his prior three races. The works say he should definitely be a contender here, and we’ll see if he goes back to his old tactic of leading early.

#9- Hollywood Estrella (Estero Farms, ridden by M Tunon)- His last two races have been duds, back to back tenth place finishes on soft turf. Sure, we can probably blame the weather for that, but we do have a 90% chance of rain here on Monday. I’ll be surprised to see him race at all if it comes up wet again.

#10- Jacks Full (Arindel, ridden by R M Hernandez)- After an interesting May, where he made his graded debut 20 days after running in a $20.000 claimer, and switching surface (that did not go well), Jacks Full has been better. Now, he should be much more prepared to face this level of competition.

#11- Divos Moon Shot- Scratched

#12- City Watch (John Henry, ridden by G Franco)- Acquired for $125.000 from Mb Stables at the end of August, he made his debut for John Henry in the Grade 3 Simpson, and ended up second. He’ll go back to his normal distance here and has good works coming into the race, but must deal with this post.

Prediction: 7-8-2-5

–NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES