Bold Venture Stakes (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
WO- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Six and a Half Furlongs on the Dirt
June 12, 2021

When the Bold Venture Stakes first appeared on the calendar in 2007, it was much different than it is today, having been a nine furlong race on the grass. It only took one year for it to become a dirt sprint like it is today, and the gate will be full. Last year, Zombie City got the win, and he is still running well for trainer Eastern Equine. Let’s take a quick look at those taking part in this year’s race!

#1- Geronimo (Nakamura Stables, ridden by R M Hernandez)- After running tenth in the Fleet Sprint Handicap, Geronimo was dropped into an open allowance and ended up winning that race. He’s back at the graded level here and should run well but is prone to an occasional head scratcher.

#2- Iguacu Falls (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by K Kimura)- Three of his last four races have been graded stakes, and the results have not been pretty. 7th of 11, 8th of 9, and 11th of 12. That’s not a trend I can get too excited about. There’s a third in an open allowance mixed in.

#3- Beast Mode (Bears Stable, ridden by G Boulanger)- Went on a four race winning streak, starting in claimers, moving into starter allowances, then a $75.000 ungraded stake. Last month, he tried the Grade 3 Cartier Handicap, and ran second. Much better form than the one next to him to his inside, and should be a threat here.

#4- In Waiting (Rampage Stable, ridden by E R Da Silva)- With a little more luck at the wire, he could have brought a winning streak into the Cartier Handicap too, but simply had in the money finishes. Ran fourth in the Cartier, as he seemed to be left behind from the start.

#5- Ferrari Pininfarina (Night Rider Stables, ridden by L Contreras)- This horse comes out of the Carter, not the Cartier Handicap. That’s a Grade 1 at AQU, and he ran sixth. Had a couple of great runs in graded stakes at seven furlongs leading into it, but simply did not fire that day.

#6- Charity Jane (Mella Sabella, ridden by E J Wilson)- Picked up in the March auction for $24.510, and has made two starts for Mella Sabella since then. He was third in the Las Flores Stakes (Grade 3) then won an optional claimer. Won a $100.000 ungraded stake last December.

#7- Tudor One (Spankys Barn, ridden by J Stein)- Makes his debut for his new trainer after he picked him up in private sales for $40.000 in late April. It’s been a while since he has won, that last coming in February 2020. Ran in many graded stakes, even including the KYD, but still didn’t win an open allowance afterwards, either.

#8- Sinissippi Chai (Hawaiian Shirt Guy, ridden by J Lermyte)- This four year old gelding has been first or second in each of his last four starts, but was still beaten by four lengths in his last outing, an open allowance at HST. Runs graded for the first time here, and will need to be at his best.

#9- Kiss The Snake (Nakamura Stables, ridden by S Ryan)- This seven year old gelding will be making the 41st start of his career, and there have been 11 wins over that time period. He has earned over $1,600.000 during that time and he still seems to be racing well even though he is becoming more lightly raced. Won the Grade 3 Fall Heavyweight Handicap in December and may be in a good spot right here to return to the winners circle.

#10- Expert Eye (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by D Moran)- He has made many starts himself as he hits the track for the 26th time, hoping for win number eight. Since last fall, when he had a three race winning streak, he has become very inconsistent. Ran in the Grade 1 CD last month, and finished in the middle of the field. Was third in the Cartier Handicap right before that, though.

#11- Admire (Angelos Stable, ridden by D Fukumoto)- Makes the 23rd start of his career, but he is more reliable at hitting the board than he is with winning. Seems to finish second or third more often, but one of his three wins was the $100.000 in February. This is his eighth start of 2021.

#12- Cold Case (John Henry, ridden by S R Bahen)- On the outside, this gelding by Lettucerocku cuts back on his distance after finishing seventh of eight in the Grade 3 Westchester. He has much more experience sprinting than he does going long as he attempted in that race but must overcome the outside post.

Prediction: 3-9-4-10

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES