The 9th Running of the G3 Harlan
December 18, 2021 15:50
GP Race #10 $150.000 11/16 Dirt
3YOs 120 Lbs 4+ 123 Lbs (plus penalties)
Track Record-1:40.99 (Nick of Time-2004)
Stakes Record-1:41.28 (Rapid Refund-2016)
For the 9th time, the G3 Harlan will run at GP on Saturday. Running 8.5 furlongs on the main track, 3yo+ will compete for the lion’s share of the $150.000 purse. We have eight horses lining the gate so let’s meet the contestants for the G3 Harlan at GP:
#1 Crack Dab (Gdp Inc./P. Lopez 123): 5yo was 4th in BC Dirt Mile last month and returns to the scene of his last win. Versatile sort can make a trip from just about anywhere and this draw definitely won’t hurt his chances to get back to the WC.
#2 Talledega (Arindel/El. Gonzalez 123): Pace factor has had a productive 4yo campaign and takes a logical step up the ladder here. Won the last time he went this trip, but he’s going to expend more early energy to be forwardly-placed against these. Maybe.
#3 Champion In Action (Night Rider Stables/ E.J. Zayas 123): 6yo looks to take his third G3 of 2021 and at a trip he likes.Good race-bad race pattern should be in his favor today and would not be surprised if he completed the G3 hat trick.
#4 Fallacious (Nakamura Stables/R.J. Albarado 123): Asked to go a bit too far in the DMR G2 last month, but should relish this turn-back. He’s much better than his last and anything near his best makes him a major player here.
#5 Expert Eye (TwinTowersRacing/L. Saez 123): 5yo horse goes two-turns for the first time in almost 21 months and first time ever on dirt. Still, this is one fast animal. Think he handles the trip just fine and could be the one to beat in this spot.
#6 Saturday Khartoum (Rousee/M.E. Smith 123): 7yo war horse enters off of a nice CD score racing on the front-end. Could see him tracking the horse to his inside and challenging for at least a share, if not more.
#7 Arcaro (High Voltage/F. Prat 123): 5yo is in fine form toting a two-race winning streak into this spot. Another that does best when on/near the lead. These are a bit better than what he has been facing, but could see him getting a smaller slice.
#8 Xavier Breath (Lindeman Prairie/J. Bravo 123): Sharp-eyed trainer has shown the ability to put a red tag on a horse and move them right on up the ladder and this guy looks to be no different. Don’t like the draw, but feel like he’ll be in the mix every step of the way.
Final Analysis: 5-3-4 with all of the trepidation allowed; any of these can win this. Good luck to all in a very competitive renewal of the G3 Harlan at GP.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
