Native Diver Stakes – Grade 3 – $150.000

DMR – 1 1/8 Mile – Dirt

For Three Year Olds and Upward

November 27, 2002

#1 Ricki Tikki Tavi (La Canada Racehorses) Second in the Kelso Handicap (Grade 2) last out at AQU after winning the $200.000 PID Mile in September. Looks like a strong contender.

#2 Speter (Nakamura Stables) Won the PRM Cornhusker Handicap (Grade 3) three start back, then finished second in the Iselin Stakes (Grade 3). Didn’t hit the board in his last start, the Henry Championship (Grade 3) on the turf. Back on dirt here and should like it much better.

#3 Crush Rush (LionKing Stables) Hasn’t won since an optional claiming win back in February. Looks a bit outclassed in this field.

#4 Magz (Gdp Inc) Back-to-back runner up finishes, including the ONT Derby (Grade 3) last out. Could be due for a win.

#5 Pyragorn (Arindel) Stakes winner, but no experience at this level. May lack the experience to compete against these.

#6 Duke King (Mental Bloch Racing) Won the Kona Stakes (Grade 3) with in impressive 100 SRF but has three fifth-place finishes after that. If he can race back to that form, he has a chance to get a piece of the purse.

#7 Contradiction (Aer Stables) Winless this year in ten starts. In fact, this four-year-old hasn’t hit the board since he won the PA Derby (Grade 1) last year. Tough spot to try and get back to the winner’s circle.

#8 Gas Lighting (TwinTowersRacing) Only start in graded company came in the Travers (Grade 1) where he finished twelfth and last. A lot to ask of this three-year-old colt.

#9 Home Spirit (Night Rider Stables) Won the Seagram Cup Stakes (Grade 3) two starts back and earned a 100 SRF in the process. Couldn’t hit the board in the Woodward (Grade 1) last out in off-going. Could have a say in the outcome.

Picks: 1-9-2

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES