The DMR Handicap- GII [BC]
                      DMR Race 3 1 3/8M- Turf
                              Purse $250.000
                       Three Year Olds and Up

A full field of twelve runners will be lining on the seaside oval to try and earn a free spot in the Breeders Cup Turf in November. It looks like a very competitive race and it should be a nice race. There is a couple stakes winners in the field but none of the top turf horses showed up to run. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Going Gone (18-5-5-1 $281.920), trained by Team 7 Illusions

Here is the first of three coming from the barn of Team 7 Illusions and this may be his best shot of the three. He is coming off of a statebred bred stakes win against one of his stablemates actually in the California Dreamin. He has ran in some big races without success but maybe his last out will turn him around.

2. Bring The Pain (12-4-4-1 $363.100), trained by Mb Stables

The first of the two Mb Stables entries is this horse who has ran some good seconds in his last two starts in two graded stakes races. Both of those race were going a mile and a half and one was on the dirt and the other on the turf. I think he has an outsider chance to win the race if everything goes right.

3. Brain Power (24-8-3-5 $519.560), trained by Nakamura Stables

Here is a horse who is coming off of a stakes win last out in the Forbidden Apple at BEL back on July 14th. He is going to be stretching out another three furlongs than what he ran last out so who knows how he will handle this extra distance but if he likes it he can have a good shot to win.

4. Cherokee Charlie (21-4-2-5 $199.850), trained by Team 7 Illusions

The second of the three runners from Team 7 Illusions is what I think his worst chance to win the race is. This horse dead heated for fourth last out in an optional claimer and I just don’t think a performance like that will have any shot to win this race. Maybe he runs the race of his life and wins though but we won’t know till the gates open.

5. Sinister Sunset (11-2-4-3 $161.580), trained by Team 7 Illusions

The third and final starter coming from Team 7 Illusions barn is probably he second best chance to win the race. Last out he got beat by his stablemate Going Gone in a statebred stakes race so that’s put him behind that horse but I think he’s better than Cherokee Charlie. I think he has a small chance to win it.

6. Sweet Son (25-6-6-4 $886.350), trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy

The second most accomplished runner in the field behind the outside horse War Scent who he just beat last out is this feller right here. He is coming off of a second place finish in the AP Handicap where he only got beat by a nose. I think he has a very good chance to win this race for sure.

7. Locked Down (24-6-3-3 $523.500), trained by Joshua Stables

This horse here is one who likes to come from the absolute clouds when he runs. He usually doesn’t get there in time but it’s hard to win a lot with his running style. The pace will have to be very fast to give him any chance at a win. If they fall apart on the front end late he’ll be flying to nab them.

8. Kamala (24-6-9-4 $145.980), trained by Mb Stables

The second runner from the barn of Mb Stables is one that he bought for one hundred bucks before his last start. He ran second in his only start for Mb Stables in an allowance at WO. I think the horse has some talent but I’m not sure if he is ready to take this step up and win immediately.

9. Awesome Indeed (17-4-2-3 $300.080), trained by TwinTowers Racing

This horse has been on a cold streak for a very long time and hasn’t won in a while. It doesn’t matter if he is on the turf or dirt or if he runs on the lead or if he comes from behind he just can’t seem to find the winners circle at all. I definitely don’t see him getting the win for obvious reasons.

10. Creepy Time (13-4-0-3 $181.070), trained by D J C Racing Stables

This three year old colt is coming from the barn of the wizard D J C Racing Stables. He ran sixth in his last starts just fifteen days ago at SAR and now he ships across the country to DMR to face older horses and I don’t see this quick turn around and shipping across the country as a winning move.

11. Request The Ex (19-5-6-3 $254.550), trained by Sharis Stables

A recent claim in his last start for forty five dollars is this horse right here. He did win that day but he was beaten in a stakes race two starts ago. And he has only won claiming races and starter allowance races in his last three wins so I think he is outclassed in this spot and I just don’t see him winning.
12. War Scent (44-10-13-4 $2638.560), trained by Our Athletes
The class horse of the field he is the only one over nine hundred dollars in career earnings. If he wasn’t way out in the parking lot in the gates I would definitely have to give him the nod as my top pick but now I’m a little hesitant to do it. I’m still going to make him my top pick but I wouldn’t be surprised if he lost.

Summary

Well this is a full gate and it looks like a pretty even matched field to me. I don’t really see a standout in the field at all and I’m going to make my top pick the horse on the outside War Scent who is so far outside he is basically in the parking lot. Good luck to everyone in the race and hopefully it’s an exciting race.

12-6-1-3

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES