DMR 6 Hope Stakes (GIII)
$100.000 2yo 7f Dirt 120lbs + penalties
A full field looks ready to do battle in the 2019 Hope Stakes (GIII), a seven furlong dash on the DMR main track. I’m putting Mystery on top of my tickets today. He was a solid fourth v. GI horses in his most recent and has been running big for his new connections. He has tactical speed and that may play to his favor in a big way in this race. I’ll look to Guy Lafleur as my second choice and I just think this horse is ready to run big and improve a bit. He’s been facing tough horses and he may find this spot to be right in his wheel-house. Dangerfield will round out my tri for this one. This cold has been on the grass in his two most recent races and I think getting back to the dirt could spell victory for this guy. He’s shown speed, mid pack and closing styles, so his versatility should also help.
Here’s The Field –
Looked good crushing a field of maidens in his first start at CT. Won that one by five, going away and the barn seems to be high on him. Looks to be any type and should be in the mix here today.
Closed well to be third last out in the Sunny Slope at SA, and won at MTH prior to that, taking the Smoke Glacken by a head, closing like a freight train. He certainly shows a late foot and broke maiden over this strip so you have to give him a serious look.
Broke maiden last out at PRX taking care of PA-breds in that one. He’s been close in all of his starts and his consistency should not be ignored here. He’s another that looks ready to handle a bit more ground and should be running late if he can find a clear lane.
Private purchase off of the back-to-back wins but has had a bit of trouble while going up against graded foes, one of those races over this strip. This is obviously a bit softer than those last two races, so give him a bit shot to get the job done today.
Another that has found graded foes to be a bit more than he wants, although he was only beaten a length at BEL last out while facing a tough group and closed well at SAR over a soft lawn to be fourth. This may be the spot for this one get win number two.
Tired to be eighth after setting the pace in the Pharoah (GI) and has been rested since that Sep. outing. He won at SAR prior, breaking maiden then taking down Alw foes, so he certainly has talent and must be give a solid look today.
A couple of decent tries after changing hands, and was only beaten a length v. GI types last out in the Breeders Futurity at KEE. He was third v. graded foes under the prior ownership, and this is another that certainly has the ability to improve his recent form.
Not much from this one in the Champaign (GI) but rebounded a bit to be third in the Sunny Slope in his most recent. He also has a third and a win v. state-bred types north of the border, and with three wins, he’s had his picture taken more than any other in this one. He could be very tough.
All or nothing type that shows two wins and two less than desirable finishes in his career. Won at first asking and took at NY-bred stakes at FL, but the vet stopped by the barn and made the most insulting of cuts, so he may get his mind on his running.
Nice run in the fore-mentioned Champagne (GI) when fourth in that touch race, only beaten two lengths. Also shows a win and a third v. NY-bred stakes horses, so he has what it takes to get the job done. I’m looking for a huge run today, although the post doesn’t make me smile at all.
Has proven to be a very smart claim, taken out of his debut for a mere $5.000, then took a Cal-bred stakes over this track. He’s been a runner-up in his last two starts and may be sitting on the win, although he’s another that the post makes it tough.
Just missed in a WV-bred stakes off of that $20.000 tag race where the hostile takeover occurred, then got the job done last out v. same Taking the WV Futurity by a length as the post time favorite. has been very consistent and could be around for a minor share today.
Needs some luck to draw in off of the AE list here today, and they may want to look at other races since he’d get a bad gate choice. Shows some promise off of that last-out runner up race at SA.
COZMAN Picks 10 / 4 / 5 Willie’s Green Card 2 / 5 Scotty 6 / 3 / 8
Categories: Grade III
