The LS Handicap – Grade III
                      LS Race 6 1 1/16M – Dirt
                             Purse $200.000
                       Three Year Olds and Up

The highlight of the day Sunday is this race since it is the biggest race of the day. A field of seven will line up to try and take the two hundred dollar prize down in Texas. The weather looks like it will be warm and dry so that is good. It looks like a tough race and will be a shootout down in Texas.

1. Highest Esteem (28-10-8-1 $542.660), trained by Axeman

The good old classy win machine gelding is coming into this race off of two not so great efforts in the grade one Carter Handicap and the grade three Westchester. Before that he was on a two race win streak and we saw him take down the Stymie in that little stretch. He’s the class of the field and should be tough.

2. Benzar (14-2-0-2 $99.260), trained by TwinTowers Racing

Probably the best working horse out of this whole group is this horse right here. He’s been running with some big dogs in the last couple of races in stakes like the Pegasus World Cup and Excelsior. He hasn’t been able to crack through in those races so he will need to improve to win here.

3. Born To Be A Winner (12-3-3-4 $87.160), trained by Maxmillion Farm

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again if the race was on turf this horse would be a big player because his trainer is the king on the turf. This horse just won an optional claimer at SA last time. He’s going to have to make a big jump if he wants to make any noise in this race because he hasn’t ran in a race this tough before.

4. Checking Me Out (9-3-4-2 $220.990), trained by Mb Stables

Definitely the most consistent horse in the race he has never ran out of the top three in his nine career starts. He made a big jump up in class last start in the OP Handicap and handled it very well with a very respectable third place finish. He’s from the barn of the best trainer in the game so he will be tough.

5. L A Raw (13-2-3-3 $58.340), trained by D J C Racing Stables

The entry from the wizard D J C Racing Stables is the lowest earning horse in the field but he is definitely not a throw out in here. He made a jump in class last out and did well to run fourth in the Ali at KEE. If he took another step forward off of that race he may have a longshot look for himself.

6. Prince Absolutely (14-2-3-0 $127.150), trained by Grimley

This New York bred son of has been on a five losing streak as of late. He has been in some tough races though like the Travers and the Jockey Club Gold Cup so that could be a reason. He is going to have to make a big turnaround if he wants a chance to win this race though because he looks up against it.

7. Majestic Mayhem (11-5-2-1 $59.040), trained by Mb Stables

This Commanding colt is the second entry from Mb Stables and I think he has a pretty good chance to win. He is coming off an optional claiming win at TAM. He may be on the improve and could have a shot if he runs the best of his career to this point. Never count out a horse from this stable either.

Summary

This is the biggest race on Sunday and looks like a very competitive field. The inside horse looks very tough is am ultra classy horse. Also have to look at horses from Mb Stables also because he always has a good chance to win. This looks like a very tough race and good luck to all the owners and horses.

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Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES