The Nerud – Grade III
AQU Race #1 6f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $175.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Tony T Riggins Racing Zayas E J 123

There are some familiar faces in this one that renew rivalries and then there are a few that are new to the ranks, but this one has been threatening with a few decent efforts and strong works but has yet to make his mark. A lightly raced five-year-old he looked like an interesting prospect when running a great third in the Mr Prospector but has failed to kick on in his last two so comes here with a point to prove. Improving works say he may just be ready to surprise a few.

2 Indiscretion John Henry Corrales G 123

Another five-year-old but one with a lot more racing under his belt and success in graded company. Sixth in this race last year he looked improved at the back end of the year taking the grade two Kennedy Road Stakes in November making him right on the button for a race like this. His two efforts this year have been in competitive overnights, and he has shown his usual mixture of guts and speed to win one and narrowly lose the other showing he certainly hasn’t gone backwards. The perfect draw today and plenty to like about him.

3 Everest Mo Mentum Farm Franco M 123

Now a six-year-old, he quickly became a household name with some huge performances off the back of a late career. One wonders how good he may have been if he had been tested in his younger days, but he has been good enough since to suggest he will be right in this race at the end. One of many winning prospects.

4 Imposing Scenario The Sidley Stud Buick W T 123

We all know this stable knows how to train a champion sprinter and they have a few chances here and this one is right in the mix. He ran a great race in the Palos Verdes Stakes when a very close fourth and backed that up with a solid third in the San Carlos last time. He may not have the super star status just yet, but he is not far off it.

5 Only Way Is Up The Sidley Stud Ortiz I Jr 123

There was a time when a sub 1.36 dirt mile work time was almost unheard of but this six-year-old managed that after a 1.10 and 1 six-furlong work suggesting that he may be competitive here. A decent sprinter last year he was close up in the Bold Ruler on this track but has spent this year in the lower grades where, as you would expect, he has been picking up pay checks. Certain to be strong at the end and whilst he doesn’t look the winner on his recent form you have to respect those works.

6 Gorilla Glue Maxmillion Farm Lezcano J 123

I have always felt this one could do better than what he has shown on the track. There have been glimpses of brilliance and some of those performances would be good enough to win this, but he has also looked a little ordinary at times. He is a late maturing type who certainly hit some good form at the end of last year with a superb effort to be a close third in the KD Sprint and then another close finish in the Eddie D. His last three efforts have been on turf but as a course and distance winner in this grade the drop to the main track will not bother him. Put him in the hopper as a win chance.

7 Blue Duck Mb Stables Davis D 123

As a three-year-old this one was always arriving too late over longer trips and that can sometimes mean they are sprinters that need to be taken back to get a longer trip. That certainly looks the case with this one that very nearly took the Fleet Sprint Handicap last time going down by a neck after looking the winner. His works are as sharp as always, the champion trainer will have him ready, and it is hard to not make him a major contender for this race.

8 Wango Tango Night Rider Stables Carmouche K 123

A newcomer to these ranks, he has been very consistent at lower level and was very good last time in taking the Sprint at TAM in a fast time. A super work and that good performance has earned him a go at the big guns and I can see him up on the speed for a long time.

9 Gorogue Laga Spankys Barn Prat F 123

Another router that was a star at three trying to find a new career in sprints. An easy winner in the Preakness and a close fifth in the BC Classic just goes to show that a good digital horse can perform over any trip as he proved when sprinting brilliantly to take the Malibu in 2023. After a poor seasonal debut, he looked better last time and if he is anywhere near his best would probably win this.

10 Storm Water Asgar Silvera Ru 123

After being beaten in a turf sprint at BTP where else would you go but to the dirt and the GP Sprint Championship two races later. Well, he won that very easily in a lightening time and he does have the look at one of those five-year-olds that finds some late improvement in life. A tough gate to push forward from but he was quick enough to make all last time so may try and do the same again here.

11 Smack Sheffler Stables Velazquez J R 123

One of the youngsters as a four-year-old he had a successful three-year-old campaign running third in the grade one Jerkins memorial and second in the Amsterdam suggesting he is in the right race here. He looked in need of the run on seasonal debut but will be sharper now. The last two times he has been drawn wide he has gone from front runner to back marker so a lot will depend on tactics here, but I think his best hope will be to go back and hope the luck breaks his way at the right time.

12 Apocalyptic D J C Racing Stables Lopez P 123

A good type whose best performances have come over further. There is plenty of speed in this race so he may be the one to come late and wide but of course that can often result in a one length ninth in these sorts of races. I wouldn’t be writing him off, but he will need all the shenanigans of the race engine to get to the line on time.

SUMMARY

What horse do you pick when all of them are working stakes winning times all within a few tenths of each other and all have the ability to win! Well, it is almost put a pin in time and my pin has picked Everest so I give you that with the thought that he could win or be in a dead heat for tenth beaten a length.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES