The Pennine Ridge – GIII
                       BEL Race 1 1 1/8M – InTurf
                                Purse $200.000
                               Three Year Olds

Another three year old turf stake to highlight this weekend is the Peninne Ridge up in New York at BEL. A couple of them have been running on the turf and a couple of them have been running in triple crown prep races. Let us stake a look at this pretty competitive field for this race.

1. Erupt (9-2-2-1 $265.200), trained by D J C Racing Stables

The entry from the wizard of D J C Racing Stables has been running on in the triple crown prep races and not been doing so well in them. This is going to be his first start on the turf so it is definitely a big question mark whether he will like it or not. Of he likes it he may have a chance but if he doesn’t well.

2. Worst Case Scenario (6-2-2-0 $77.400), trained by Mb Stables

Another one that has been running in triple crown prep races is this horse. He ran a decent fifth in the Wood Memorial last start so he is definitely a top quality horse. He has only ran one time on the turf and it was a win in an allowance. If he is as good as he is on the dirt on the turf he should be tough.

3. Full Refund (6-3-2-0 $54.700), trained by Spankys Barn

One of the few that has actually been running on the turf and he had ran pretty well until last time when he tried graded stakes company in the American Turf. It was on soft turf so he has an excuse for the bad effort and I think he will rebound from that poor effort and run good in here.

4. Nowhere Man (8-4-0-0 $186.620), trained by Smokey Stover

Another horse who had recently been on the triple crown trail he ran fifth last start in the Arkansas Derby by only three quarters of a length. He does seem to really like the turf as he is four for four on the turf in his life. He will definitely be a tough player in here if he shows up with his A game.

5. Block Message (8-4-1-0 $123.200), trained by Tiratzo

This is a horse who has won four out of his last six starts and the only two he lost were on the soft turf and his first time facing winners. Last out he ran in the American Turf on a soft turf track and didn’t seem to love it all that much so there is an excuse for him in that race no doubt.

6. Grayte King (8-3-2-1 $148.460), trained by Lemax Farms

A three hundred and fifty dollar purchase after winning the Cutler Bay he didn’t run too great for his new owner last start but that was against older horses. He is definitely one of the best on his best day but who knows if he will bring it or not. If he runs like he did in the Cutler Bay he can win.

Summary

While to me Grayte King and Nowhere Man look tough I also think Block Message will run a big race. Of course you can never count the wizard D J C Racing Stables out or Mb Stables either and do not count out the Spankys Barn runner. Good luck to all the connections and let’s hope for a fair race.

6-4-5-2

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES