$100.000 Ungraded Stake
Three Year Olds And Upward
GP 7 ½ Furlongs Turf
At first glance, it looks like Iron Mann should have an easy walk to the winner’s circle. A Grade 1 winner, he competed in last year’s BC Turf Mile and finished a very respectable 4th. But this year he hasn’t been able to finish better than 3rd at that level. Don’t get me wrong, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down at age 4, earning a 102 SRF in that 3rd place finish.
His chief competition will likely come from Jolly Fog who has been close in stakes company lately, but all his in-the-money finishes to date have been beyond a mile. He’s working very well at 6 furlongs, so the shorter distance may not be a factor for him.
Apple Revolt Q is the only entrant coming in off a win. In fact, he’s riding a 2-race winning streak in high-level allowance company. If he gets a good break from his #1 post position, he could be dangerous.
And there are 9 other talented horses in this field, and any one of them just might pull off a surprise win.
Here’s the field:
1 Apple Revolt Q
Owner: Santan Stables
Breeder: Establo Pichon
Coming in off a 2-race winning streak in high level allowance company on returning to sprinting after several attempts to stretch out to a mile and beyond. This distance and placement should fit him better.
2 Iron Mann
Owner/Breeder: Aer Stables
Graded stakes winner earlier in his career. Finished fourth in the BC Mile (G1) last year. Closest he came to a win at that level this year was a 3rd in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) in August where he earned a 102 SRF. Should really benefit from the drop in class.
3 Speedy Conciliatory
Owner/Breeder: Cherrytree Hill Farms
Trying to step up to $100.000 ungraded stakes but may have run into a wall with this competition. Should benefit from the experience.
4 Exodus
Owner: RNP Stables
Breeder: Mshot Stables
Another one trying to step up, this time off the claim in his last start. Tough spot to try and step up to stakes level.
5 Know How Skeleton
Owner: Wolfs Den
Breeder: Chili King Stables
First start off the claim for this one, too. Has been in-the-money in stakes company, but is looking for his first win at this level. All of his been in-the-money finishes have been beyond a mile.
6 Doc Holiday
Owner: Oval Express Farms
Breeder: Night Mare Racing
Only a maiden win for this colt, and that was on the dirt. Has working well on turf, but he’s another one who will probably benefit from the experience.
7 Bronze Saber
Owner: Eastern Equine
Breeder: Pan FarmsOnly four career starts for this 3-year=old colt. Broke his maiden two starts back at DMR. Tried to step up to stakes level at a distance last out. Will shorten up and try again here.
8 Jolly Fog
Owner/Breeder: Jolly Fog
Finished 2nd in the Commonwealth Derby (G2) two starts back. Another one performing well at a mile and beyond. Should be a factor.
9 Grade
Owner/Breeder: Team 7 Illusions
Winless this year. Finished 3rd in the $100.000 Jefferson Cup 2 starts back at 1 1/8 mile, then dropped to N2X company at 5 furlongs and finished 2nd. Hits a middle ground here with this distance.
10 Chapter In The Fog
Owner: John Henry
Breeder: LionKing Stables
Won the OK Classics Turf last year but hasn’t been back in the winner’s circle at stakes level since. Very competitive in high level allowances and finished a facing 3rd in the TAM Stakes (G3). Could benefit from the shorter distance.
11 Phipps
Owner/Breeder: D J C Racing Stables
Tough spot for a stakes debut. Has a maiden and starter allowance win to his credit, but will need to step it up to compete against these.
13 Orange Slice
Owner: jackrussell farms
Breeder: Delta Farms
Very consistent this year at mid to high-level allowance level sprinting, but also making his stakes debut. Experience and distance will be factors against these.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
