The 17th Running of the G1 United Nations
Saturday, July 23, 2022
MTH Race #5 $600.000
3+ 119/124 Lbs 13/8 Turf
Stakes/Track Record-2:11.06 (Anoush Command-2021)
The 17th G1 United Nations did not a full gate of runners, but there is ample quality for handicappers to choose from in the eight horse field. The three 3yos in the group will carry 119-pounds while the five older horses will tote 124 in the eleven furlong turf contest. Nevada Silver, Last Way To The Beac, and King Que Niagra have already tasted G1 success while Key Biscayne and Cinnamon Strike have both taken multiple G2s. Those five will have to give weight to the three sophomores in the field, and, while none of the three have won a stakes, all three have displayed some talent to earn their spot here. Not sure where the betting public will choose to put their money, but let’s take a look at the eight runners in the G1 United Nations:
#1 Nevada Silver (Nakamura Stables/E.J. Wilson 124): Last year’s G1 BC Mile champion has already taken a G1 this season and he comes here after just missing in the G1 Manhattan last out. Rail draw adds to his appeal as he can be aggressive and hold his position or drop a bit further back and save all of the ground. Multiple ways he can beat you and he looks right at home amongst this kind of company.
#2 Last Way To The Beac (Maxmillion Farm/J.R. Velazquez 124): Winner of the G1 Manhattan in his last start, 4yo gelding totes a three-race winning streak into this one. Also took the G2 Whittingham this season so he appears to be in good shape in making it back to the G1 BC Turf. Speedball likes to dictate the terms of engagement and would be surprised if they took him out of his game from this draw.
#3 Gendarmerie du Comte (Mb Stables/R.M. Hernandez 119): Three-time allowance winner in ’22, his forays into stakes company haven’t been as kind. Does come here off of a good runner-up effort in $200.000 Audubon at CD and looks to sit a good trip in here. Has to beat the best group he’s ever seen, but he does get five pounds from the older runners in here. Extra ground may aid his cause but he’ll need to show some improvement to factor.
#4 Key Biscayne (TwinTowersRacing/E. Jaramillo 124): 6yo is the elder statesman on the group, but, with his two G2 victories this season, he appears to be aging just fine. He should be a little further back than the three drawn inside of him, but that may aid his trip as he should be able to secure the rail and save ground. Does have to break in a new pilot as Velazquez chose to go elsewhere; however, this doesn’t appear to be beyond his reach.
#5 Cadillac Jack (Team 7 Illusions/M. Franco 119): MSW winner is G3 placed, but he’s yet to defeat winners. Comes here after a 3rd-place effort in a CD allowance. Has always worked like a good thing, gets more ground, and receives a five-pound allowance from the best in here. All that said, he needs to show more if he plans to trouble these.
#6 Cinnamon Strike (Smokey Stover/Mario Gutierrez 124): Took the G2 Diarmida after winning seasonal bow, but has two 4th-place runs in his last two starts. His trip is a little difficult to predict as he’s not as quick from the gate as a few of these and he’s drawn outside a couple that won’t contest the pace too hard. Gutierrez knows the horse, and the last time they tried this trip, they ended-up in the winner’s circle.
#7 King Que Niagra (D J C Racing Stables/L. Saez 124): Already a G2 and G1 winner in ’22, 5yo comes here off of a dull effort in G1 Manhattan last month. That race looks to be a toss-out though as his turf form is pretty impressive. Much like the six, his trip looks to be complicated by his draw, but he did take a G2 from a similar draw at SA. Reunites with Saez for the first time since December and it’s fair to expect more from him in this spot.
#8 Wave Goodbye (Ace Racing Stable/Ru. Gonzalez 119): 3yo brings a three-race winning streak with him to this; however, none of those three wins were against the kind of company he faces in here. That being said, that’s a very, very sharp allowance score at SA in his latest effort and he’s lightly-raced enough that more improvement could be in the cards. Does receive the weight-for-age break, but it appears he will be a tad wide from this draw. Could be one to keep an eye on going forward.
Final Analysis: There’s something for everyone in this one. We landed on 1-2-4 mainly based on their good fortune at the draw. Few would surprise in the 17th edition of the G1 United Nations and we wish all of the contestants a good trip and good luck!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
