The Fleet Sprint Handicap – Grade III

6 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $500.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

With just one length between the first 8 i feel my assumption that this race was impossible to handicap was pretty much on the mark. So how did the sprinting clones sort themselves out? Here’s a look at the finishing order.

1st Harleys Hope TwinTowersRacing Centeno D E

Not the fastest worker, this horse that hadn’t won a graded stakes before was running in the nine furlong CT Classic last year so its no surprise it didn’t go off as favorite. However his sprinting form lines suggested he was in good enough shape and the draw of 2 certainly gave him a realsitic chance even though he could only manage fifth from the same draw last time out in the Fool Handicap. Today was his day though as he sat off the solid early pace and came through very strongly to score by a half length. Congratulations go to one of the most popular players here at HRP, the question now will be where can he go from here.

2nd Junior Maxmillion Farm Velazquez J

Stalking the pace may have just undone this one as he just couldn’t match the winners finish when it came to the last furlong. His lungs would have been burning but he stuck on well for a close second in the same race time that he easily won an allowance in last time out. There is no doubt he will be sprinting again before long and his consistent form will bring him another win or two before the season is done.

3rd Bodivo Our Athletes Talamo J

Just compare his last two runs and you can easily see just how important the wide draw and the AI can be here at HRP. Today by luck or design he was taken back from his wide draw and found a strong finish to get through for third. A great effort that will be having his trainer guessing again as to what his best running style is.


4th= Chiozza Spankys Barn Garcia Mar

In direct opposition to Bodivo this one was thrown forward by the wide gate speed push but couldn’t keep up the gallop in the end. Who knows whether that was a planned move or not but i guess its one that we have seen far too many time. I am not sure he would have finished any closer had the positions been reversed as he ran his heart out and will have encouraged his trainer to try again at this sort of level.


4th= Cardinal Direction D J C Racing Stables Court J K

I could’ve bet money on there being a dead heat in the finish of this race and this was the first of two in the race. A good effort but once again he lacked that killer turn of foot when it mattered. A fast horse, a solid effort and one that will see him take on this level again.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES