The United Nations Stakes – Grade I
MTH Race #10 1 3/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Winter Solstice John Henry Bridgmohan S X
This six year old just keeps getting better and has amassed nearly 2.5K in prize money. The winner of the Man O War over this trip he has shown what a horse ca do when they mature late because this horse was sold for $10 as a three year old after just one win at the free track. John Henry picked him up for $550 when his improvement curve had already kicked in but he has repaid that with four graded stakes wins since and a BC run last year. He seems to run his best races as a closer which wont be easy from this draw so it remains to be seen if luck and the race engine are on his side but he is sure to give his usual good account.
2 Iron Nation Nakamura Stables Pereira T J
This one shades Winter Solstice with just over 2.5K in prize money most of that coming in his SAR Derby, WO Mile and BC Mile wins last year. He really did hit a purple patch as a three year old but seems to have struggled a bit this year in his four efforts so far. That can often happen with star three year olds and it also usually happens that they hit form again so it wouldn’t surprise if this one ran a big race from the perfect draw.
3 Anoush Command Fractious Davis D
This one is such a tough sort that he has won many admirers with his battling efforts this year. A grade one winner from a wide gate in the Kilroe Mile he has since battled his way through three more grade ones always on pace and always a chance to the line. His forceful style and this trip will certainly test him but he gets a great gate and if front runners really do have a growing chance then he should run big again.
4 Concerto Of Eggs TwinTowersRacing Jaramillo E
A nice sort but with 3 wins from 29 starts you would have to say he doesn’t look up to this star studded field. Having said that the trainer always has a go and has a knack of getting big efforts out of his horses in these types of races so i wouldn’t be writing him out of the top four. He was really strong in the Manhattan last time when a close second and ran well in the Man O war before that so despite having only a 5% strike rate in routes he does seem to be able to put in good performances over longer trips.
5 Immookielee Smokey Stover Gaffalione T
Even with the weight advantage which in the past has been a significant help i am not sure this one an beat the best of these. He has won four from seven though and his works are pretty good considering the weight advantage so he cannot be ruled out but i would have to pass on him today.
6 Controlled Power Spankys Barn Prat F
Another admired old timer this one has won 8 races for nearly 1.5K and has bounced back to form in his last two at age seven. His last grade one win came in 2018 in the Makers Mark Mile though so whilst his recent efforts have been great he still has to find something to get back to grade one status. A work of 1.34 and 1 for the turf mile in March just before his last two wins however may suggest that he has found another incline in his curve.
7 Il Assets Gdp Inc Gutierrez Mario
A tough and consistent six year old but he doesn’t look up to this level despite some strong works.
8 Hollywood Hero Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
A nine race winner he was a close second in the Manhattan last time and won the Dixie before that so is in career best form. The draw however will be tough to overcome especially as he will have pressure on his outside from non other than Billy Joel. If he finds s talk he could be there at the end
9 Billy Joel La Canada Racehorses Saez L
You don’t get much better than this at HRP, the winner of over 3K and over half his races he is being patiently campaigned this year in an effort to repeat his BC Turf win of last year. A strong winner of the Pegasus World Cup Turf and then the Whittingham i would be worried about the draw had he not won the BC Turf from gate ten. The big thing we have seen stop him is rain and if it comes up as an off track i doubt if he will run but on a dry track he does look unbeatable.
SUMMARY
Even with a rotten draw it is hard to see past Billy Joel in this. He has been beautifully handled and really knows how to win. So the battle for second will be tough and i rather think that of Anoush Command gets away with a soft lead he may be able to hold on, if not then Iron Nation and Winter Solstice may make use of their nice draws.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
