Full field of fourteen and two in the wings look to try and make this mile and a sixteenth turf event there next event win. Three trainers are sending out two entries on Saturday, in hopes that one may open the way home for their stablemate.

• CC Emerald – Purse $125.000
• Gulfstream Park- Mile and a sixteenth, Turf Course
• For Three years old and Up- Have started for a claiming 25 or less.
• December 7th, 2019

Now entering its sixteenth season of competition, the CC Emerald started back in 2004 when it was competed up in Minnesota at Canterbury Park for six seasons with a short interruption in 2007 when it was held at Ellis Park in Kentucky. Gulfstream has been home since 2012 and Night Rider Stables is the only two time winner taking back to back titles in 2015/16.

Weights: Three Year Olds: 120 Older 123 Stakes Win +2

Changes: 9- Plucky Brit – Shadow roll removed

Taking a look at the multiple entries from three trainers, first we have Fractious with his entries of #1 Colled The Devil and #13 Kahwi, both sophomores for this event. Colled The Devil has earned all his career earnings and his four wins on the grass. His last victory came three starts ago in a Clm18 affair at MTH going a mile. Has struggled in his past two restricted events up at PRX, and he may be used to keep the pace honest for his entry mate. Kahwi was claimed out of his maiden victory in mid August, and since has faced a couple of fields on the grass, with his most recent sixth place finish in the English Channel at a mile. SRF numbers have been on the increase continuously, and that is always a positive. If he is positioned mid pack, should work well for a late charge.

Ace Racing Stable is sending out a three year old and a five year old by the names of Hide The Lemon (#2) and Cannon ( #14). Hide The Lemon was thrusted right into the $200.000 Mohawk in first asking for this trainer coming off the 20 claiming event he ran previously, and he raced second throughout that event. His trainer was so impressed with his effort in that first turf stakes effort that he returns here and could very well have a say once again with this endeavor. As for his entry mate, drawing the 14 hole was probably not on his bucket list of posts to start from, but he has performed well going a mile and an eighth for his previous trainer that it seems he should give this event a go. Only concern is he has not placed in the top three recently in any stakes event, and with this post, its a tough sell.

The final trainer with double entries will be Arindel with the likes of Manifestation (#4 ) and Plucky Ben (#8). Manifestation has tried in two of his last three affairs to try and steal the races on the front end, only to find he had nothing left down the lane to complete the task. While his SRF numbers have remained in the 90’s in his past six events, he still remains winless since the 9th of January this year. He will need the stars to align here. With Plucky Ben, the removal of the Lasix from his regiment three starts ago when he joined this stable was productive as he was able to bring home two straight visits to the winners circle. His most recent effort was a soft footing at CD in an upper allowance event, but the footing led to a tiring effort late. Should be more in the hunt for this affair.

First of our single entries will be Gustafson Stable’s American Life (#3). His past six turf races has produced a record of (1-4-1), and his trainer is hoping he can overcome those runner-up finishes and start to bring home victories. Did have a Stakes win in that grouping of events at LAD going today’s distance, so he could repeat on those efforts. He is asked to carry top weight here as well with 125 pounds with his stakes victory in August.

Next out of post five will be Capo Twisted ( Hawaiian Shirt Guy ) who has been another productive fellow with a record of 6 ( 2-4-0 ) and he too would like to see more wins then runner-up races. Earned a 100 SRF number two starts ago placing second in the Gr. II Knickerbocker behind one who last weekend came second in the Gr. II Seabiscuit Handicap. He should rank highly on your pickem sheets for this event.

Young and rising trainer High Voltage has ask for Chase The Thief (#6) to do his bidding on this day. The four year old bay gelding has finish 10 for 12 in the money over the grass, and while his two most recent Open Claiming events have been outside the money, those came in the middle of summer, and now with this extended rest and refocus on works, could surprise many on Saturday, so don’t dismiss too early. Deserves a second glance.

From post seven will break Kid K ( Spanky Barn ) who is coming off a mile and an eighth turf victory in his most recent. His last stakes event was four starts ago in the $100.000 Toronto Cup, but the soft Taylor turf would leave him placing fourth on the day. Trainer has a more successful record on the grass as compared with the dirt, and if he continue how he performed in his most recent, the barn will definitely reap the rewards.

Another Plucky in this field will be that of Plucky Brit ( Gdp Inc ) from post number nine. Attempted his first ever stakes race last time out with the $70.000 Lure stakes at SA going a mile, and he was showing some late effort in that event. Has been progressing nicely with his SRF figures earning a 96 for the stakes race, and the added sixteenth could play well for his late running style. All three of his career wins have come on the grass.

Wearing number ten silks will be Serial Killer ( Allinthegate ) who seems to have a camera shy issues as he has placed second in his last five starts. While they have all come against lower claiming an allowance company runners, his trainer felt that he needs to shake things up and let the four year old face a little tougher crowd. His last two were at a mile on the sod, so maybe the added distance just might do the trick as well.

Breaking from post eleven will be Blue Eight ( T Boy Racing ) who has gone runner-up in four of his last five starts. His last victory came on the dirt over at EMD in mid April, and this will be his first start back on the turf since early March when he found a soft footing under his feet at the Fairgrounds. That races was a monster at a mile and a half in distance, and he has just two wins of his total seven career victories coming on the grass. This event may just be a tightener for a future dirt event. In tough.

The final runner of this group is number twelve Monkii Man ( The Sidley Stud ) who won the $100.000 Nashaminy Stakes three starts ago and will carry an additional two pounds as well. With this sophomore, he seems to be the most consistent as far as SRF figures go of recent, with races of ( 98, 99, 98 ) in his past three starts. His last two were a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half in distance, so this shorter event should allow for him to find the mark on the day. Factor.

Duffer

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded