Tropical Turf Handicap – Grade III
GP Race #6 1m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $100.00 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 – Seven Years, trained by Alydar Stables
This wonderful eight year old has been a fixture at HRP for so long now with 63 races and 16 wins for over $4K that it would be hard to imagine a season without him. Nothing lasts forever though and just recently he has been looking just a bit jaded and ready for the long rest. There is nothing i would like more than to cheer this wonderful horse home and the fact that he can still work sub 1.10’s makes me a little hopeful. He certainly has all the class if he can get his old legs moving and though he has a big weight he is far better than these at 50% of his best.
2 – A Crazed Frenzy, trained by Eastern Equine
The winner of 5 races he was recently bought for $40. He was a close second in an overnight last time in just over 1.33 and has worked 1.10 and 1 so despite the lack of experience at this level can run fast enough to be a player.
3 – Duel Threat, trained by Luz International
He had been plying his trade on dirt until Luz International claimed him the time before last and quickly switched him to the green stuff. That move proved to be a good one when he took on the OK Classic Turf last time where he raced on the pace to be a one length second from a widish draw. His works scream winner with 119 on his back and he would be my choice if the more favoured horses arent in tip top form.
4 – Playmaker, trained by RNP Stables
He is running his 14th race of the season but has held his form well and has managed a few good runs this year. He ran two nice races in September but has struggled a little since and in an open field i would have to pass him over for the win.
5 – Idrinkgoodcoffee, trained by Mo Mentum Farm
A decent enough three year old he has been having a good year showing improvement after winning his first race at the start of the year. I liked his effort in the AQU Turf Sprint Championship last time and despite not being that well off at the weights he has shown enough to be in with a shot.
6 – Not My Idea, trained by D J C Racing Stables
He has been tested all year and has run one or two nice races. The LRL Turf Cup was a good form race and he ran a decent fourth in that so despite a poor effort over five furlongs last time he must be one of the favourites on form. His works are very good and if he find a good spot from the squeeze draw he should be right in it at the end.
7 – Hold The Mach, trained by Night Rider Stables
Its funny that two of the best horses in the race are by HRP standards from the Ark. This seven year old winner of 11 races from 40 starts has taken over 1K in prize money and has been in good form this year. Like Seven Years there is always the worry of decline but he was a close fourth in the grade one WO Mile in September beaten less than a length and looks as sharp as ever on the gallops. He gets in here with a fair racing weight and has the right credentials to win.
8 – Scripted, trained by Mb Stables
This three year old son of Commanding looked pretty good last time when taking the Millions Turf Preview in only his second win and seventh start. In the real world he would have little chance but in HRP land with works the same or better than multiple stakes winners it is hard to write him off despite only fair form.
9 – Private Sector, trained by Allinthegate
This three year old has won six from eleven and has a touch of class about him. A good sixth in the Knickerbocker Handicap last time with a big weight suggests top weight wont be the anchor it may be with some of the others. A good worker he knows how to win but i worry about the combination of wide draw and top weight.
10 – Tower Isle, trained by Winning Link Stables
The year started off with some promise for this seven year old with a close second in the Bradley Handicap but things have gone downhill for him since then and it is hard to see him being in contention from a wide draw.
11 – Gallivant, trained by Nakamura Stables
He looked very good as a three year old finishing a nose second in the Pacific Classic and running well in the BC Turf of 2016. This year however like most four year olds he has struggled to build on that success and has been unable to win at all. Having said that he has placed three times at graded stakes level and wouldnt be without a chance but this horrible draw will make it very hard for him to break his seasons duck.
SUMMARY
You look at the form alone and the race looks pretty simple to read but then you look at race and work times and all of a sudden all the horses look the same and anything could win. Such is HRP these days but the only thing we can do is go with form so for that reason i will go for Hold The Mach or Seven Years. However i suspect that Dual Threat,Not My Idea or Scripted may prove too strong.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
