The Mohawk- $200.000 Purse
BEL- For Three Year Olds and Upward Foaled in NY
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
October 21, 2017
A field of five will go to the gate for the 15th running of the Mohawk, a race held on the turf for NY-breds, as part of a big day of state-bred racing at BEL. It was not always just for NY-breds, however, as the statebred classification first appeared in 2007. The list of past winners does not have that one big name attached to it, and more then likely that trend will continue with the winner on Satruday unless they tear it up next year. Let’s take a look at our field!
#1- American Horror (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by A A Gallardo)- The trainer has some creepy good entries in the two year old races here this weekend, so why not kick it off with a little horror. American Horror was purchased by D J C Racing Stables just a couple weeks ago from Night Rider Stables for $50.000, though had been in D J C’s barn before. He has raced heavily in NY-bred races, something that is always good to see. The five year old has not won since June 2015 (18 starts ago), but has been second six times since then.
#2- Highest Esteem (Axeman, ridden by L Saez)- The four year old gelding has visited the winners circle after seven of his 20 career starts, and had a particularly good run back in 2016, which included the biggest win of his career, the $100.000 Mucho Macho Man. More recently, Highest Esteem has been seen in optional claimers, and picked up a win in such a race last month at SAR. It was also only the second time he had ever been on the grass. He earned a 99 SRF that day, and if he can duplicate that again, this race may be his.
#3- Forty Two (Team 7 Illusions, ridden by J J Castellano)- The Z Jinxed Colt has been frequently seen in NY-bred races, but so far has managed just his maiden victory in 13 career starts. He was purchased from Night Mare Racing for $100.000 in May, and has not yet lived up to that price tag. However, he has been on good form lately, so he might be due to break out of his losing streak at any time.
#4- Perspective (Hambletonian Stable, ridden by J Alvarado)- This will be the first race for the Islander Champion colt since being purchased by Hambeltonian Stable from Mb Stables for $75.000 last month. It will also come with an approximate three month layoff. Perspective has only been raced on the grass once his career, and it actually went pretty well. If he is able to transition to the grass, this may have been a great purchase for him. Naturally, I will be in his corner as the owner of the sire.
#5- Pain (John Henry, ridden by J L Ortiz)- The trainer paid a huge price tag, $400.000, for this one back in May, which was largely thanks to his strong two year old season which saw him participate in the BC Juvenile Turf, but he was a threat in that race. He hasn’t won now in over a year, and some aggressive placement saw him be overmatched lately. This is a needed drop back for him, and we can really see what he is capable of doing now against more reasonable opposition.
Prediction: 2-3-1-5
— NS
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
