The Troy Handicap – GIII
8/3/19
SAR Race 6 5 1/2F – InTurf
Purse $200.000
Three Year Olds and Up

A field of eight turf sprinters has been entered up for this years running of the grade three Troy Handicap here over the Saratoga turf course. It is a very stout race and it looks as if it should be a very exciting race. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Lawmen (16-6-3-1 $162.700), trained by Chili King Stables

The first runner in the field here is coming out of last years winning trainers barn. This horse just ran fourth in the grade one Highlander at Woodbine and he was only beaten a length in there. If he sits a little off of the pace in here I think he could upset this field.

2. Gleaming Spirit (24-11-4-2 $566.900), trained by Mb Stables

The next runner here is a win machine as he has won almost half of his career starts. He ran third in the grade one Highlander in his last start and he ran very well in that race. If he runs that race in this spot he will be very tough to beat in here and I think he has a very good chance.

3. Chai Laffin (22-4-6-4 $104.320), trained by Gdp Inc

This next runner was a four dollar claim earlier on this year and he has turned out to be pretty good for that price. He ran third in the Lure Stakes in his last start and that was a pretty good run from him. This is a good jump up in class though so not sure how he will handle it.

4. Bowl Me Over (46-12-16-8 $381.870), trained by Wolfs Den

The old classy gelding of the field here is coming into this race off of a second place finish in a wide open allowance race at Woodbine going a mile and an eighth. The cutback may play against him and I’m not too sure if he can handle this level of competition.

5. Jimmy Dugan (16-4-4-1 $160.910), trained by John Henry

Here is a runner who is making a very big jump up in class. In his last start he won an allowance race at Lone Star but he did run very well to win that race. But the big jump in class has me worried as I am just not sure if he is good enough to compete with these.

6. Vegas Host (22-7-6-0 $449.720), trained by Nakamura Stables

This runner here is coming into this race off of a stakes win which was in the Lure Stakes at Santa Anita. He ran maybe the best race he has ever ran on the turf that day so he could be going the right direction. I think he will have a chance to win in this spot.

7. Credible (17-8-2-5 $229.020), trained by Mb Stables

The second one coming from the Mb Stables barn and another one that is coming off of a stakes win when he won the Umphrey Turf Sprint Handicap at Gulfstream Park. He ran a very good race that day and if he can repeat that race he will have a shot in here.

8. Snakie Steel Dog (10-4-3-1 $146.370), trained by Fractious

And now the last runner in the field is a horse who was claimed just two starts ago for seventeen bucks and some change. He did win a starter allowance race at Monmouth in his last start but this is a way tougher field. A tough post and very tough field to overcome.

Summary

A couple of recent stakes winners and some grade one placed runners have been entered up for this race. My top pick is going to be Gleaming Spirit because he likes to win and he also ran very good in a grade one last out. Good luck to all in the field.

2-1-6-7

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES