Secretariat Stakes – Grade I
AP Race #2 1 1/4m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $400.000 For Three Year Olds.
1 Snow Jinx Gdp Inc Ortiz I Jr
This time of year is always interesting as the three year old crop starts to really settle on a preferred surface and those that fought for the TC and failed start having a go on the grass to recoup some of their early season losses. This one however really doesnt fall into either of those categories having raced on turf throughout his career and until recently hadnt really threatened to break through in this type of race. A winner on debut at the free track he was given plenty of time to grow and didnt race again until his three year old season. This year he has shown steady improvement culminating in a solid run in the Kent Stakes last time out and there is evidence of that improvement in his works as well. He could be easy to write off with just a glance at his form but i have a sneaking suspicion that he will run a big race today.
2 Lone Shadow Blushing Meadows Talamo J
Another that has shown improvement this year and will benefit from a pretty light race career to date. A decent fourth in the Palm Beach was a clue that he was better than the $35 he was claimed for in the race before and it was after that initial run that his new owner decided to geld him. A couple of confidence boosting runs in allowance company then saw him come back to stakes racing last time where he ran a great race to be second in the Read Stakes running on very strongly at the end. His works are solid and he is a clear improver with a great draw so i expect him to run in the first three today.
3 Worst Case Scenario Mb Stables Maldonado E
This was one who went the TC route early this year and he did pretty well without getting enough points for the KYD. He ran very well from a wide draw in the Wood Memorial to be beaten just a length but after a rest his trainer decided to go the turf route with him no doubt due to some encouraging work outs. He got stuck in the mud in his first effort but ran much better in the Oceanside Stakes last time where he ran out a comfortable one length winner. Like all of the stable horses he seems to be able to work very fast times but i am not sure he quite has the X Factor a few of the others have.
4 Insert The Flirt Mb Stables Centeno D E
He was a busy two year old but has been given plenty of time this year and will benefit as the Autumn races come along. Two narrow wins in overnight company suggest he may have a bit to find at this level but if anyone can win a race like this with this type of horse its Mb Stables. He is of course working well and has a decent draw so as long as it doesnt rain he should make a race of it.
5 Nuclear Energy Aer Stables Colon L H
He has come a long way since being gelded after his only run as a two year old and considering he only broke his maiden in May he is a very unexposed individual. In his last start, only his fifth overall he took out the Kent Stakes with a very game nose win and on that sort of improving form must be a serious chance. Rain wont bother him and he has a turf specialist on his back.
6 Champion In Action Night Rider Stables Maragh Ro
He has always been held in high regard by his trainer but has proved a little expensive to follow. I find it strange after winning his maiden very easily on this surface that the trainer took so long to bring him back to it but after some fair races on the dirt surface i expect much better from him on this turf track. He will relish this trip but as a deep closing type he will need a bit of luck down the stretch.
7 Running Your Mouth Mb Stables – Scratch –
8 Point Of Royalty D J C Racing Stables Court J K
This is another solid type but whilst he has done well at a high level he has been a bit expensive to follow in his recent races.His trainer has tried just about every trip and surface with him so its hard to weigh up his chances although some solid works mean he certainly deserves a spot in this field. The wide draw will make it tough.
9 People Doubted Aml Racing Pennington F
With a draw a few inside this i would be very bullish about his chances but he did very well from a similar draw in the BEL Derby and the KYD and with the outside post specialist Pennington on board he must start this race as favourite. Bought from Mb Stables pre Derby he has been one of the few ‘steals’ from that stable because even at $400 he looks like a very good buy. He has the works, the jockey and the form to win just as long as his trainer can work a path from the car park draw.
SUMMARY
People Doubted looks a good thing here as long as the wide draw doesnt beat him. As for dangers, well the rest a pretty even but i rather like the look of Lone Shadow to chase him home with the Mb pair and the rest in a heap.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
