The DeFrancis Memorial Dash – Grade III
LRL   Race #1   6f   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $250.00  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Prince Of Wales, trained by Chili King Stables
Ninth in this race last year  from a wide draw he gets a much better draw today so should be closer but i am struggling to see him winning. Bought for $75.000 from Blushing Meadows he ran pretty well in the Crosby but failed in a hot overnight after that and i do wonder whether this is a last chance for him today at this level.

2 Majestic Missile, trained by Mb Stables
I think i just wrote about the 200th best three year old in the Mb Stable well this one would be somewhere after that. However with this being HRP he worked a sizzling 1:10 just a few days ago and after being bought for $70.000 will probably turn into a stakes winning horse overnight. There’s nothing much in his form to recommend him at this level but a win last time out in Allowance company in a quick time will probably be enough.

3 Palestinian, trained by Nakamura Stables
Right next to the beaten claimer we have a seasoned sprinter who is closing in on a thousand dollars in prize money, and to be honest that means diddly squat at HRP. Working slower than the aforementioned horse and giving him weight he will have to rely on the hidden ‘heart’ gene to win today. Seventh in the Crosby last time he is definitely not as good as he was last year but if he can find some of that lost ability he will be right in it.

4 Dang, trained by John Henry
This four year old has sprung from nowhere after winning in allowance company back in April. A surprise winner of the MD Sprint Stakes he was made favourite for the Smile Sprint Handicap but failed there only to bounce back to be a very good fourth in The Crosby last time. He may turn out to be the best of the older horses.

5 Glorious, trained by Spankys Barn
Won three allowance before going to the Crosby in his last start and took full advantage of the three year old weight allowance to make all and win by just under a length. Whilst Dang may be the best older horse this is probably the best three year old and as he beat Dang last time i see no reason why he cant win again here.

6 Kiss The Snake, trained by Luz International
Has proved to be a fairly decent sprinter taking the ungraded Woodstock before a good effort saw him fourth in the grade two Stephens. His works are fast and he gets the three year old allowance so whilst he doesnt look as good on paper as some of these he has plenty to like about him.

7 The Rook, trained by D J C Racing Stable
Another older horse that has struggled to win at four he has run some noteworthy races especially last time out when third in the grade one Vanderbilt Handicap. He has a chance but a widish draw and the four year old curse may once again find him out.

8 Charley Beaucoup, trained by Gdp Inc
Another just good three year old that comes into things with the weight allowance he has been pretty consistent this year with his best effort probably coming in the Carry Back where he ran a close second. Again the wide draw may be tough to overcome but he is not without a chance.

9 Copper Conduit, trained by Threshold
Has been running over longer trips but proved he could sprint in a little race last time. The wide draw will likely kill his chances though but if he can find a way through he will be closing late.

SUMMARY
Which three year old will win? well the form book points pretty clearly to Glorious and he is the obvious choice. Of the older horses Dang must get into it and Copper Conduit may be a chance at longer odds.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES