The Salvator Mile – Grade III
MTH Race #1 1m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Jumbo Bite         Nakamura Stables       Castillo I

With 50% of the runners in this race it is safe to say that a runner from this stable will be involved in the finish. This four year old has a good a chance as any and has some nice form at this trip to recommend him. Lightly raced he has looked improved this year finishing in a close third in the GP Mile. He put in a dud last time out but from this draw should be able to lay up closer in a stalk and i expect a better effort.

2       Canardly          Nakamura Stables        Juarez N

Another one with similar credentials to his stable companions running three good placings in three consecutive graded stakes before being bought at the start of the year by this stable. A win in a GG allowance will have given him a bit of a boost and he will be ready to go close today.

3         Agassi         Mo Mentum Farm         Hernandez C J

He may not have the form of the older horses but that generally means very little when these three year olds come up against the older horses with the age allowance. Inexperienced with just five starts he has won two of them and did have a go at the AR Derby where he wasn’t disgraced. His works suggest he wont be far off with the 6Lb’s.

4         Delaware Warrior        Nakamura Stables       Vargas J A Jr

The third runner from the stable he would look on the face of it to be the third choice. A five year old he had a great year last year running some nice races in graded company most notably when second in the Eclipse. He has been kept back a bit this year running below graded level but has been in solid form winning an ungraded stakes last time. This trip may be short enough for him these days but his works are suggesting there is still a graded stakes win to come so he must be a consideration.

5          Gettysburg           Night Rider Stables       DeCarlo C P

This may well be the best of the older horses not so much down to his form but more because of the improvement he has shown both on the track and in his works. A good win in the Shackleton was followed last time out with a fair effort from a tough draw in the Op Handicap. I think this trip will suit and a small field will let him build momentum from the back if the pace is good enough.

6       Forever Thirsty         YME Stable        Davis D

The other three year old and another fair chance with the effect of the weight allowance taken into consideration. The winner of four from seven he may be under rated. The wide draw even in a small field at HRP can be troublesome but of he gets some luck i see him as a winning chance.

SUMMARY

I always favor the three’s in these races although the older horses have been fairing better this year. I think Forever Thirsty could be the one here to just come out on top but there are five other rivals that could all win given different circumstances.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES