LS Handicap – Grade III
 LS   Race #6   1 1/16m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $200.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Cju, trained by Maxmillion Farm
With no three year old in the race anything could win, which is a refreshing change, I can
tell you. This lightly raced four year old has only won one race a maiden at AQU but has
run very well in similar races and could easily make it win number two. He ran a super race
in the OP handicap to be second but struggled a little in the Westchester next time and could
only manage sixth. I struggle to see him winning but he must be respected despite strangely
carrying top weight which is a bigger mystery than the wide gate speed push.

2 Mameluke, trained by Mm Racing
Winning form is good form and this one has won his last two. A gutsy winner of the Lymen
Sprint Handicap last time but he has proved he can run a trip as well with four wins
in route races. He has a fair chance but will find this tougher than his last run.

3 Moms Royalty, trained by Mb Stables
Scratched

4 Mars, trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy
Last seasons LA Derby winner was a huge third in the KYD after that and ran pretty well
in the Preakness too. He found things tough after that and eventually entered in an
expensive claimer where although beaten he got claimed. His new trainer then threw
him onto the turf for a good all the way win from a wide draw and now brings him back
to the dirt in a  bid at bringing back the glory days. If he is anywhere near his old self
he could just about win this.

5 In Control, trained by Mb Stables
Another former top three year old he missed out on the TC, but ran some good races in
his age group most notably in the grade two Peter Pan where he was beaten a nose into
second. He ran a close fifth in the Don Handicap before a hard closing and very close
fourth in the SA Handicap. He finished fast again last time out in the OP Handicap but
couldnt get into it but comes here as a form choice.

6 War On war, trained by Scarletandgreystable
Was bought at auction for $136.000 in January and has run one race for his new owner. Plugging
on, he finished fifth in the Excelsior, but has a wide draw to deal with today and may struggle
to improve on that run.

SUMMARY
In Control may have the edge here over Mars in a battle of the nearly horses from last year.
Cju should run well despite a dubious top weight and the other two aren’t out of it either so
this may be a close finish with a dead heat or too in the finish.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES