Harlan (Grade 3)- $100.000 Purse
GP- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
December 15, 2018

On Saturday, the sixth running of the Grade 3 Harlan will take place at GP. It initially appeared on the race calendar in 2011, but was not contested in both 2012 and 2015. At that time, it was an ungraded stake, and would not receive its graded designation until 2016. Also, in 2011, it was only a $60.000 event, but did see its purse increased to the current level in 2013. Last year, the race was won by Sporty Greyjoy, for Saratoga Stud, and that would lead to bigger things for him one race later when he won the Pegasus World Cup (Grade 1). He is presently in the auction, and will sell on Sunday with just a $1.000 current bid (as of press time). Before you shoot directly to the auction to place your bid, his recent performances have been very disappointing. We have a field of ten going to gate, let’s take a look!

#1- Red Zero (Angelos Stable, ridden by G Franco)- The 25-race veteran has been kept busy and has been switched stable hands a couple of times via claimers, but he has remained consistent. Nine of his eleven starts have been in the money, with three results in each of the three positions. After an impressive wire to wire win $100.000 The Sir Barton for ON-breds (have to put the “The” because the regular Sir Barton is another race) two weeks ago, he makes his well-earned graded debut here.

#2- Old Fidel (Gdp Inc, ridden by B J Hernandez Jr)- Made his graded debut near the end of the September, and ran sixth in the Grade 3 Durham Cup at WO. Overall, he’s won four of nine, highlighted by the $75.000 ELP Derby. If it rains, expect the trainer to scratch him within seconds of seeing a raindrop based on a poor showing at the Sir Barton. Not to be confused with the The Sir Barton, that Red Zero won. Forecasters place a 40% chance of isolated showers at the track on Saturday, so something to have on the mind, but I’ll be optimistic that we will be fine.

#3- Sweep The Fire (Nj Vets, ridden by T Gaffalione)- In his earlier races, Sweep The Fire had a nice knack for winning, with seven wins in his first ten starts. That pace has slowed, but he has continued to run well, and did win the Grade 3 Iselin Stakes at MTH at the end of the June. If he was coming off of that, he would be my pick, but the last three races have seen him be less effective, though not terrible. It’s the longest winless streak of his career, so he misses those winner circle trips that used to be frequent. Should run well here, but there a couple opponents in this field I think will be a little too tough for him.

#4- Reach For A Latte (Saratoga Stud, ridden by E J Zayas)- Had a good win on the TC prep trail at the beginning by winning the Grade 3 Lewis Stakes, but did not carry any momentum off of that. Eventually, he would be gelded, and his last two starts have been strong, running second in the Grade 3 Jones Stakes, as well as an optional claimer. This would seem to be a very pivotal race for him in determining if his 2019 is more graded stakes, or more optional claimers. I’m pretty optimistic about him.

#5- Just Moving Along (Gdp Inc, ridden by C Landeros)- The Snakie gelding makes his graded stake debut here after going wire to wire in a CA-bred allowance at DMR last month, against two others. Hard to put too much stock in that given the field size, and other then that, he has only a maiden win. He seems to be able to find a way to get in the money, but in making this jump, he’s a bit of a tough horse to like in a race like this. We’ll see.

#6- Handsome (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by Jef Sanchez)- Looking at his past performances, you will see some of the biggest races of the three year old season, such as the KYD, BEL, and Travers. His finishes in each were in the double digits, though. When not taking on the elite, he has been better, but he didn’t show me much about two weeks ago in the Empire Classic as in that recap I wrote that he was flat in the stretch, and that was as one of my picks (despite his odds). He has to make it up to me here, can’t pick him off that.

#7- Out There (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by P Lopez)- Started the year looking strong in both allowances and lower level stakes, which also include NY-bred races. When the stakes increased a bit, such as the $250.000 Albany for NY-breds at SAR and the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap in late October, the results just were not there. I just cannot get a feel for him one way or the other. Could see him winning, or finishing up the track. Seems better when he goes at least a mile, so that will be a positive.

#8- Laffin Parrot (Mo Mentum Farm, ridden by R J Albarado)- Not starting from post 12 in this race, that’s a surprise. Probably would have been if there was at least 12 horses. If he runs his race, he is the class of the race. Placed near the back in his last race, but he’s the only one in this field who can say his last race was the BC Classic. Regularly has run in Grade 1’s, and was third in both the Pacific Classic or the JC Gold Cup. Also, he won the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap. There is no one else here who can boast that resume. The concern is that this race could be a little short for him, especially considering that he is best when coming from off the pace.

#9- One For Charlie (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by L Saez)- Made a brief appearance on the TC trail this year, and that even included the RP Springboard Mile last year, a race that will have the game’s attention on Sunday, this year. He’s 0-for-4 in graded stakes, and just 2-for-16 in his career, but could have about three or four more wins with just a little more luck. Moat recently, we saw him finish third in the Grade 2 Fayette. I can see him having one of those close call races again.

#10- American Ideal (Nakamura Stables, ridden by E Jaramillo)- The five year old will be making his 26th career start, and he will come in off a race where I felt he was very impressive. In the stretch at the $300.000 Empire Classic he made a valiant bid to come from well back, and just missed at the end in finishing second. This race is a little shorter, so he will have to begin his run a little sooner, but I believe the trainer will figure it out. He’s been close at the graded level, but still awaits his first graded win. This may be the time.

Prediction: 10-8-4-9

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES