The 18th Running of the Grant Stakes
November 21, 2021 16:30
DMR Race #4 $100.000 7 Furlongs
CA-Bred 3YO+ 121/124 Lbs (Plus Penalties)
Track Record-1:19.77 (Alpha Ultimo-2007)
Stakes Record-1:21.50 (French Eclipse-2018)
For the 18th time, ol’ DMR will host the Grant Stakes. Run at seven furlongs on the dirt, the Grant Stakes offers a purse of $100.000 for CA-bred sprinters aged three and up. This race has undergone a few changes since its inception, but this will be the seventh consecutive edition running under these conditions. Night Rider Stables (2013, 2015, 2017) and K.J. Desormeaux (2005, 2007, 2016) have enjoyed the most success at HRP in this event; however, neither will be taking part this year.
The 2021 Grant Stakes has drawn only five entrants and looks to be a competitive renewal. Here’s the field:
#1 Safer Dab (Gdp Inc/L. Saez 121): Sophomore colt draws the rail and gets in at the minimum weight possible. Still looking for his first win on the main track, but has been close in a couple high-dollar allowance contests and was only beaten three lengths in a G3. Cutting back to a sprint distance for the first time since his debut and needs to find the last piece of the puzzle to grab top honors here.
#2 Roundhead (Riggins Racing/Ru. Gonzalez 123): Last month’s stakes score will cost the sophomore a couple of pounds for this, but he is in fine form. He may be a seven furlong specialist as he was only beaten by two rivals in a G1 at this trip before last month’s KEE score. Hard to guage where he’ll be early: last two ungraded tries saw him forwardly-placed, but the two graded tries came from well off of the pace. Either way, he has the look of one of the likely contenders.
#3 Quarter Plan (Gdp Inc/J.R. Velazquez 124): 4yo colt has struggled in his last four assignments as he has not hit the board since April win. Granted, a couple of those were tougher assignments and he didn’t embarass himself. Still, you’d like to see him beating more than just half of the competition. A repeat of the BEL G1 effort in May would make him a serious player, but going to make him prove it.
#4 Prato Gentile (Iwin Enterprise/J. Pyfer 126): 5yo gets assigned two extra pounds due to the LA win back in June and enters carrying a three-race winning streak. Appears as though this guy will be involved from the time the gates pop and you have to respect a horse that wins as often as he does. He’s had an extremely productive 2021 season and is a legitimate threat to conquer this group and make it four in a row.
#5 Jolly Rook (Angelos Stable/A. Cedillo 124): Multiple G1 winner in 2020 gets in at the minimum assignment for his age and needs to find that determination to win again after four consecutive runner-up efforts. Still, this is a quality racehorse and think he’ll be ready to give a top effort for this. Winner from his latest is looking at some stakes options so this is one that the author will be watching intently. Top selection.
Final Analysis: 5-4 with a small 4-5 saver, but think they’ll be the top two in the 2021 Grant Stakes from DMR. Good luck to everyone involved.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
