Crosby Stakes – Grade I [BC]
 DMR   Race #7   6f   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $300.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Undersea Warrior, trained by Canadian Racing
There is no doubt this seven year old is in as good a form as he has ever been in, but
this field is about as tough as it gets in the sprinting ranks, and he may well struggle
to live with these. He won the Achievement Stakes nicely in his last start, and has the
one gate, so he has a hope I just dont think its a winning hope today.

2 Domination Nation, trained by Double J Stables
This six year old has been around the top of the sprinting ranks for two years now since
he was claimed as a four year old for #25.000. In those two years he has
finished second in a BC Sprint and won at grade one, two and three. His MD Sprint stakes win
proved he is as good as ever, and I expect his normal consistent effort today.

3 Faithful Nebraska, trained by Night Rider Stables
Behind Domination Nation in the MD Sprint, he is another who is consistent at this level,
but he faces a tough field today, and I cant see him turning the tables of the MD sprint
form.

4 Roxys Triple Crown, trained by AER Stables
He has won most of his money in route races, but has proved he can sprint before and is
entitled to take his chances. He looked a little one paced in the Triple Bend last time
and is in the age group that can struggle a bit at this time of year.

5 Mission To Tugela, trained by Allinthegate
The three year olds have been so successful against the older horses this season you have to
take this one very seriously. Looked a TC contender when he won the Lewis and finished third
in the San Felipe, but failed to get into the KYD when he failed in the SA Derby. He made the
most of things by taking the All American against his elders, and then ran a fair race in
the LA Legends Classic to be third. There is a question mark as he drops back to a sprint trip
and his sprint works are not all that impressive, so he is by no means nailed on.

6 Viking Shield, trained by Delta Farms
The interesting entry as his trainer tries to find the horse that won the BC Classic last year.
With over $4,000.000 in prize money, his name is already synonymous with success, but
you have to go a long way back to find any sprinting form at all. Is he washed up at age 4? Is he
suffering the fate of so many four year olds at this time of year, or is this the change of
routine he needs to come back to his brilliant best? I wouldn’t be giving him much thought if
this was a real life race, but at HRP there can be some funny results when a horse switches
distances, and I cant write him off.

7 Bolkonski, trained by Blushing Meadows
Another three year old who will appreciate the weight break, he was a good third from a wide draw
in the Triple Bend last time and wouldn’t have to find much to be right in this. Will five pounds be
enough against these seasoned sprinters?…it may just well be.

8 Ferro, trained by Team 7 Illusions
A nice winner of the Providence Stakes and the Queenston Stakes, he ran pretty well in The Carry Back
time out, but looks to have a bit to find to get into this race. That bit to find may turn out to
be the five pounds he is getting in weight allowance, and that difference may be the biggest plus to
his chances. I am not sure he can beat the other three year olds, so his best hope may be a place.

9 Sir Jive, trained by LionKing Stables
Bought for $50.000, he looked good in his only start for his new owner when taking the Mr prospector Stakes,
and comes here with a bit of a punchers chance. The draw is tough, but his works arent bad, and he is better
than his bare form suggests.

10 Shelby Mustang, trained by John Henry
Bought for $600.000, I am not sure he will be winning much of that back today. There is nothing wrong with his
excellent win ratio or the fact that he has three graded stakes wins this year, it is more the fact that his works
haven’t really shown the improvement or consistency that he will need from a wide draw. Take those work times out,
and he looks a good chance, but I just cant get past those work times and will be hoping he runs better than
they suggest he will.

11 Moon Landing, trained by Mb Stables
Looked very good when winning the CD and then ran a super race when second in the Triple Bend. He would
be a favourite without this horrible draw, but we have seen a swing towards the wide gates recently, so it may
not be the nail in the coffin it once was. If his trainer gets the tactics right and the trip Gods are shining
on him he should run a big race today.

SUMMARY:

Normally I just go for the three year olds in these races, but this is a much more open race than that.
Moon Landing and Shelby Mustang will go well, if the wide gates are still getting a fair shot, and if they are not
Domination Nation and Undersea Warrior may be the ones. But regardless of their chances, I am going for the three
year olds and will split a bet between Bolkonski and Mission To Tugela.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES