The Suburban Handicap – GII
7/6/19
BEL Race 3 1 1/4M – Dirt
Purse $700.000
Four Year Old and Up
A full field of fourteen runners have been entered up for this years running of the grade two Suburban Handicap here over the huge Belmont Park oval. It is only one and half turn for the distance since it is such a huge track. Let’s look at the field.
1. Champion In Action (19-6-3-2 $782.000), trained by Night Rider Stables
The first runner in the field right here and this horse is on a roll with three wins in a row. That last win in the grade one Gold Cup was his best win yet as he really broke through in that spot. He ran a very good race that day and if he does the same in here he will be very tough.
2. Dastardly Havoc (20-3-1-3 $837.520), trained by Maxmillion Farm
The first of two for Maxmillion Farm right here and this horse is entering this race off of an eight place finish in the grade one Gold Cup. He didn’t run well that day but I think that he just ran a clunker that day. He likes to be up close so a slow pace will help him out for sure.
3. Larry L Lavender (30-13-6-3 $498.300), trained by Aer Stables
The next runner here is making his first start in almost six months in here. He usually sprints also so he will be stretching out for the first time in over a year. I don’t know if he is ready for this spot and I don’t think he will like the distance so I just cannot see him winning.
4. Simple Request (18-4-4-1 $1157.120), trained by Saratoga Stud
And now to this horse right here who usually likes to come from the clouds. He just ran fourth in the Foster handicap at Churchill and he was rolling late that day. I think the extra furlong will help him out quite a bit and I think if the last is quick he will be rolling late.
5. French Eclipse (18-8-1-2 $225.180), trained by D J C Racing Stables
The first of three for D J C Racing Stables in here and this horse is probably his weakest entry in the field. The biggest knock on him is that I do not think he wants to go this far for sure. I just do not see him having much of a chance in here at all.
6. K T Warrior (11-2-2-0 $171.600), trained by Maxmillion Farm
The second runner for Maxmillion Farm in this race and this horse is only going to be making his second start of the year. All of his best running has been on the turf so I don’t know how he will handle the dirt. I do not see him standing much of a chance in here.
7. Air Show (39-9-4-4 $820.830), trained by Mb Stables
The first of three for Mb Stables right here and this is an old classy gelding right here. He did not run very good in his last race which was the grade two Foster Handicap. He is a good old classy horse but I don’t know if he is the same horse that he used to be.
8. Fox News (18-5-2-2 $1191.360), trained by D J C Racing Stables
The second of three for D J C Racing Stables right here and this is a horse who I think has a shot. He ran no good last time in the grade one Metropolitan Handicap but he did set the fractions that day. If he runs like he did in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile he will be right there.
9. L A Raw (23-4-4-3 $272.540), trained by D J C Racing Stables
The third and final horse from the D J C Racing Stables barn here and this could possibly be his best chance. He just ran fourth in the grade two Brooklyn after trying to lead them all the way. I think if he just sits right off the pace here he might have a big chance.
10. Made To Sin (32-5-7-2 $1545.400), trained by John Henry
And now to this horse right here who is coming into this race off of a fourth place finish in the grade two Triple Bend. He is going to be stretching back out in here but I don’t know if he likes to route as much though. I don’t really see him getting there.
11. Having A Blast (16-4-8-0 $387.840), trained by Mb Stables
The second of three from Mb Stables barn here and this horse just ran fourth in the grade one Gold Cup at Santa Anita. He really stepped up and ran a good race that day and I do think that he is on the improve. I think if he maybe put it together off of that race he might have a chance in here.
12. Con Artist (18-7-3-3 $794.840), trained by Mb Stables
Also coming out of the grade two Triple Bend is this horse right here and he was actually the winner that day. His best running has been sprinting but he does have good form going long also. If he can translate the sprint races to here I think he has a chance.
13. Royal Eclipse (19-5-3-7 $488.930), trained by Chili King Stables
Next to last runner here and this horse ran the best race of his career I’m his last start when he ran second in the grade two Foster Handicap. He ran a huge race that day and earned a 101 SRF Rating for the race. I think if he runs that race he could be very tough.
14. Achilles (14-4-2-0 $444.360), trained by Diablo Diablo
And now the final runner in the field here is a grade one winner on the year when be won the Santa Anita Handicap three races back. He has not been able to repeat that win since then though. I think he is a little out of form and the post is too much to overcome.
Summary
A very big competitive I would have to say for this years Suburban Handicap that is for sure. I can see quite a few of these winning. My top selection is going to be Champion In Action off of that Gold Cup win. Good luck to all that are in the field.
1-13-4-11
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
