The Hutcheson Stakes ($100.000 Purse)
GP- For Three Year Olds
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
February 22, 2020
For the first time in its history, the Hutcheson will run as an ungraded stake. When this race ran in 2004, it was a Grade 2, and run at seven furlongs, but would become downgraded in 2014 to a Grade 3. A couple years later, its distance lost a furlong to be its current distance, ultimately leading to 2019 being the last time it was a Grade 3. That hasn’t stopped trainers from entering the race, as the field is full. Only one horse has accumulated over $100.000 in career earnings, giving the race more of a glorified allowance feeling then a stake. As such, I am not going to spend too much time on it.
#1- Grand Concerto (John Henry, ridden by M Tunon)- A winner of one race in five tries, he was picked up in the December auction for $25.040 and has already made two starts this year, both coming at the bullring up at CT. Nothing really stands out about it, but in this field, everyone has a shot.
#2- Fracas (Rampage Stable, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- This gelding has two wins in six starts, and the early portion of this career looks a little inconsistent. He made one stake appearance against CA-breds as a two year old, and his actual performance there was likely better then his ultimate finishing position.
#3- Komet (Estero Farms, ridden by L Saez)- He’s won twice, each at shorter distances then he will run here. However, the trainer has tried to send him long a couple times, including a big attempt in the FL Sire Stakes- In Reality, that came up short. Therefore, we know the trainer has plans for this one, so we’ll see if he starts racing accordingly.
#4- Starship Rage (Mb Stables, ridden by J Bravo)- In six starts, the Starship Command gelding has two wins, but has always seemed to be able to get close at the very end. A fourth place finish in the $100.000 Notebook showed promise, but he has not been in another stake since then. Working quite well coming into the race.
#5- General Obvious (Arindel, ridden by C Landeros)- He’s spent a lot of time running against FL breds, and that includes running against Komet in the In Reality, however he failed to beat any of his rivals that day. He’s been in nothing but stakes, but it’s starting to become time to show a little something in them and not just be a part of one.
#6- Carnoustie (Smokey Stover, ridden by J R Velazquez)- This one looks a lot different then his rivals here for the simple fact that he has won four out of his five, and they are his last four races. They have come mainly in optional claimers, earning his way into stake competition here. He’s done it while sprinting, too, so while the SRF’s could be higher, I like him to get some portion of the purse here if not the top prize.
#7- Keanu Storm (Arindel, ridden by J J Castellano)- Once this colt figured out how to win, he’s been a lot more competitive. To this point, he has raced mostly against NY-breds, coming off a second place in the Rego Park at AQU last month. Keanu Storm likes to get right out on the lead and is also working quite well.
#8- Que Warrior (Jediminds Stable, ridden by N Juarez)- Not much to really talk about with this one right now. He makes the fourth start of his career, and comes here off of breaking his maiden out at SA. Unlike Keanu Storm, he likes to come from well off the pace, so we’ll be watching for his closing kick at the end if that goes to plan again.
#9- Trippi Bay (Gdp Inc, ridden by P Lopez)- After his first race he was off to run on the grass, and while he was not that bad on it, he went back to the main track for his last start, and proceeded to win an allowance. We know the trainer has high hopes for him based on placement in turf stakes, so he’s certainly expecting his horse to run well here.
#10- Last Scout (John Henry, ridden by J R Leparoux)- He’s seen plenty of rain this year, as three of his six starts, which include each of the races he won, have come on a sloppy track. Rain is in the forecast as a 40% chance right now, so Last Scout will certainly not mind seeing that figure go up. He’s been fine on dry tracks, too, though.
#11- Notoriously Proud (South Beach Racing, ridden by E Jaramillo)- This gelding has made eight starts, and won two of them while also hitting the board in six. He always seems to put in a great effort, and that will be admirable in a field like this. He has certainly earned the chance, but the post is a concern, and maybe his biggest.
#12- Vanderbilt (La Canada Racehorses, ridden by T Gaffalione)- We make it all the way to the end here to find the one horse in the field that has earned more then $100.000 in his career. Running second in the $200.000 NY Breeders Futurity went a long way in that. He’s continued to run well and was recently third in the Rego Park. His biggest obstacle is this starting spot.
Prediction: 6-7-2-4
— NS
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
