The Hanshin – $275.000

CD – 1 Mile – Dirt

For Four Year Olds And Upward

July 3, 2023

1 Hint Of Sugar (Arindel)

This five-year-old gelding hasn’t finished off the board in five starts so far this year, four of which were stakes or graded stakes level. Second in the Sexton Mile (Grade 3) last out. A solid effort here could get him his first stakes win since 2021.

2 Anna Da Artist (Smokey Stover)

Wired the field in a winning performance last start in allowance company at PIM. In February, he won the Grade 3 General George at LRL. Eighth in the CD (Grade 1), but other than that he has had a good run of graded stakes performances. Could get a piece of the purse and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.

3 Pookie (Winning Link Stables)

Won the Lad Handicap in January but hasn’t been able to hit the board in graded company since then. Should like this spot better, but it’s going to take a big effort to compete against these.

4 Hand Cannon (Fractious)

Hard to make a case for this four-year-old. Hasn’t hit the board since an allowance win in November. Seems a bit outclassed in this field.

5 Set In Space (Nakamura Stables)

Won the $100.000 Tenacious Stakes in December but hasn’t been back to the winner’s circle since. He does have two close seconds to his credit since then, one in the Grade 3 Challenger and the other in allowance company. Could get a piece of the purse with a good trip.

6 Valvano (Royalty Stables)

Last win came for this colt on turf in December in optional claiming company. Hasn’t been able to get better than third money at graded level this year. Should like this spot much better.

7 Ten Furlongs (Fractious)

Optional claiming win last out. Looking for his first stakes win. Will have to bring his A-game to get it here.

8 Have Phun (Gdp Inc)

Comes in off an optional claiming win in wire-to-wire fashion. Has a stakes win in NY-bred company to his credit. Has the talent to compete here but seems a bit inconsistent.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded