Tropical Park Derby
GP Race #6 1 1/16m Turf Stake
Purse $125.000 For Three Year Olds.
1 Tactics Of The North D J C Racing Stables Castellano J J 122 —
Won at the free track on debut but as we have learned recently that is in no way detrimental and he proved that with a hard finishing second at LAD in a competitive allowance. With only those two starts to go on we don’t have much but we do know he will stay the trip and he is drawn to advantage. If he is anywhere near as good as his sire, he will be a contender here.
2 Truth Potion La Canada Racehorses Bravo J 122 —
He has been busy this year with three wins from eleven starts but he took the step up to stakes level last time nicely with a third in the Let It Ride and looks ready for success. His works have been very good and with that last start improvement he may be maturing into a decent sort.
3 Izzy Mandelbaum Grimley Gaffalione T 122 —
Took a long time to break his maiden but did so in a big-ticket SAR maiden claimer and then ran a fair race in the Saranac last time. Clearly a bit of a late maturing type I think he could be getting into this late.
4 Awakening World TwinTowersRacing Jaramillo E 122 —
Highly tested early in the year running in the Withers and the FL Derby but he struggled in those and has struggled all year to make his mark. His dirt works are pretty good, and he has won on the grass so he may just be the bolter in this race at good odds.
5 Spirit Day Nakamura Stables Zayas E J 122 —
Ran well for a long way in the Commonwealth Turf last time ending up fifth in a better race than this. He was impressive over the mile in the race before that at LAD and whilst his works are very good one does feel he is yet to find his legs on the track.
6 Thomas Shelby Big Jd Racing Husbands M J 122 —
Has some good runs under his belt but has only got a one from nine record this year and can be caught out in a driving finish. Ran well when stalking in the Saranac to end up fourth and that effort certainly puts him in the mix for a race like this.
7 Travis Mathew Nakamura Stables Maragh Ro 124 —
Carries the penalty for a win in the Toronto Cup Stakes two back but he is a proven stakes winner and that is more than can be said for the rest of these. A fair run in the breeders Stakes, the twelve furlongs testing his stamina too much that day, he ran much better in the Overskate Stakes last time when a game third. The extra weight is the biggest downside with him.
8 Knight School Invicta Group Llc Saez L 122 —
He has been in good form since winning his maiden in April and although he is unproven at this level he is proven over the trip and on the surface. The wide gate will test him but he seems happy on the front end so he may use the wide gate speed push and set up an unassailable lead.
SUMMARY
No superstars here but a solid bunch and eight decent chances for different reasons. I rather like Knight School to make all here, but this is the sort of race you can make a good case for all of the runners.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded