The Stephens – GI
6/8/19
BEL Race 3 7F – Dirt
Purse $400.000
Three Year Olds

A field of twelve including some of the top three year old sprinters have been entered up for this years running of the grade one Stephens here on Belmont day. It is a full field and it looks like a very competitive race on paper. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the field.

1. Fahrenheit (9-3-1-2 $204.720), trained by Mb Stables

The first runner that we come across right here is coming into this race off of a win in the grade three LS Mile against older horses. He is cutting back to the one turn in here and I think that will not really matter to him. I think he might have a good chance to win if he runs a big one.

2. Shadowsilver (5-2-1-0 $38.600), trained by Fractious

This next horse right here is one of two coming out of this barn and he is entering this race off of a second place finish in the Gold Fever over this same racetrack. He ran a good race that day but this is a huge step up in class for sure. He will have to run the race of his life to have any shot.

3. Cardinal Direction (11-3-1-2 $328.320), trained by D J C Racing Stables

And this next runner here is coming into this spot off of a nineteenth place finish in the grade one KYD. He didn’t handle the slop or something that day and he was beaten a bad sixteen lengths. I do think that he will appreciate the cutback in distance though and he could be ready for a big run.

4. Black Flags (13-6-1-2 $312.640), trained by La Canada Racehorses

The next runner in the field right here is coming into this race off of a big win in an allowance race at Churchill Downs in that last start. He ran a huge race that day to win hype two lengths. Big step up in class right here though so it is a tough ask for him to win.

5. Di Bug (11-5-2-0 $522.000), trained by John Henry

Next runner that we come across right here is entering this race off of a big win in the grade three Day Mile on Derby day. That was his best race so far and it seems to me that he really like the one turn so I think he fits well in this spot. I think he is set up for a big race.

6. Texas Flood (10-2-3-1 $318.480), trained by D J C Racing Stables

The second of the two runners from this barn right here and this horse is coming into this race off of a third place finish in the grade two BG Stakes. He ran a very good race that day but that was at a farther distance. I think he will like the cutback though and he should run good.

7. Viper Command (9-2-1-2 $111.500), trained by Aer Stables

The next horse in the field right here was on the triple crown trail earlier this year but did not have much success. He cut back to seven furlongs in his last start and won impressively in an allowance race at Woodbine. Big step up in class though so not sure how he will handle it.

8. Dreamscape (8-2-0-1 $256.960), trained by Joshua Stables

Here is another one of those runners that was on the triple crown trail earlier this year. He actually won a points race but never seemed to improve off of that win. He tried the turf last out and didn’t run too good. I think that this is kind of a last ditch effort for him.

9. Sharp And Ready (4-3-0-0 $86.100), trained by Winning Link Stables

And this next runner in the field right here has only lost one race in his career. He is coming off of a win in the Woodstock at Woodbine where he won by a head. He ran a big race that day for sure but this is a huge jump up in class so he will have to run the race of his life.

10. Rainstorm (9-3-3-2 $927.670), trained by Fractious

The second of two runners from this barn right here and this is the one that I like more. He did run a closing second in the Derby but did not run too well in the Preakness. The cutback might be alright as long as he sits his usual trip and the pace is fast.

11. Crystal Speed (8-2-2-2 $67.740), trained by TwinTowers Racing

Second to last from the outside right here and this horse is coming into this race off of a win in an allowance race over the turf at Parx. Switching back to the dirt and to a sprint here so pretty much the complete opposite of his last start. His works are strong but not sure how he will compete with these.

12. Chiozza (8-2-1-0 $179.000), trained by Estero Farms

And the final runner that we come across in the field right here is coming off of a statebred stakes win in his last start. He won pretty nicely that day but that was a statebred restricted race and this is a big jump in class. I think he is a good sprinter but this is a very tough task.

Summary

A very nice field has been assembled for this race and I could see quite a few of them winning that’s for sure. I think that my top choice is going to have to go to Di Bug. I think he will like the distance and the one turn and he seems to be in good form. Good luck to all in the field.

5-10-1-3

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES