The 19th Running of the G3 Appleton

Saturday, April 1, 2023

GP Race #15 $150.000

4+  124 Lbs (plus penalties) 1-Mile (Inner Turf)

Course Record-1:32.03 (Hawaiian Lord-2023)

Stakes Record-1:32.06 (Stealth Fighter-2013)

#1 Giannis (Riggins Racing/J.J. Castellano 124): Gelding took back-to-back starts in December and February before changing hands for $250.000.  New barn gave him a shot in a G3 where he rallied to get 3rd, beaten a length.  This will only be his sixth start and he gets back to a trip that he obviously likes.

#2 Ronaldo Chop (Night Rider Stables/E.J. Zayas 124): 6yo hasn’t run all that much on turf but he does have a G3 to his credit on the lawn.  Since that September victory he’s fallen off of stride.  Now three of those efforts were back on the main track, and he did make a nice rally here March 4.

#3 Commanding Officer (Winning Link Stables/J. Loveberry 124): 6yo gelding returns to defend his crown as he took this over a “soft” course last year.  Unfortunately, he has yet to win in seven subsequent starts.  Hasn’t run since November, so he may need a spin on this engine before producing his best.

#4 Affirmed Authority (Asgar/M. Franco 124): Gelding has been well-spotted with seven consecutive exacta finishes dating back a year.  Took the CC Emerald in November before winning his seasonal bow in February in track-record time.  Racehorse just shows up and does what’s asked.

#5 Hollywood Hero (Nakamura Stables/Al. Gonzalez 124): Gelding’s only win in a nine-start 2022 came in the finale.  Caught a “soft” course for his seasonal bow where he finished 2nd, beaten three lengths.  Should have some pace to run into and should be ready for a better effort this time.

#6 Key Biscayne (TwinTowersRacing/A. Beschizza 124): 7yo was runner-up in the BC Turf in November; however, his first two runs of ’23 haven’t been too good.  Cuts back to a mile for the first time in over 27-months as he tries to reverse his current run of form.

#7 Banshee Star (Calia Stable/J.L. Ortiz 126): 9yo has won five of his last ten starts including a G3 here just four weeks ago.  That was his first spin on this engine, and he was always prominent before having to settle for the DH victory.  He’ll be making his 64th start but doesn’t appear to be slowing-down any time soon.

#8 Justice Demanded (Nakamura Stables/A.R. Rodriguez 124): 7yo is 2-2 on the new engine as he has used his speed to stalk-and-pounce in both starts.  He was pretty good on the old engine too as he was ITM in seven of eight starts last year.  A winner in 19 of his 40 starts, he seems to produce wherever he shows up.

#9 Aerialist (Mb Stables/F.T. Alvarado 124): 6yo was 3rd in the BC Turf to end his ’22 campaign.  Started ’23 with a dud in a G1 here in January but ran much better last month in a 4th-placed G3 effort.  He’s never finished OTB in three consecutive races, so expect a better performance in the 30th start of his career.

#10 Chai Danger (Wolf Ridge Stables/S. Elliott 124): 6yo gelding rallied furiously to only be beaten by three-quarters of a length in a TAM G3 in February.  That was his seasonal bow and continued a really good run of form.  Draws poorly here but does get a positive jockey change for this.

Final Analysis: 4-9-1 in the G3 Appleton.  Good luck to everyone involved!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES