1 Black Mach One, trained by Gdp Inc

This son of Plucky Mach has already stamped himself one of the leading two year olds this season with a great win in the Bashford Manor. He had a horrible draw that day but had no problems in laying up into a loose stalk and then finding plenty to win by a half-length. With the one box today he should be very hard to beat especially when you add that to his great homework which has seen him working as good as this years KYD contenders were just prior to the Derby.

2 Laffin Canadian, trained by Serenity Stables

Two good runs in maiden company saw him come out and win The Clarendon Stakes as a maiden last time out and you have to give him plenty of respect on that effort. My only fear with this one is that he only just lasted home over five and a half furlongs and hasn’t looked overly strong at the end of his races. Couple that with good five furlong works but not so good over six and you have to worry about him lasting this trip.

3 Fight The Fear, trained by Blushing Meadows

A nice debut run saw him come out in a big pursed maiden at WO and he battled gamely to share a dead heat win. He has been working very nicely on turf since that win so you have to wonder whether his trainer is taking a chance here rather than full of confidence but he is a nice sort and deserves to take his chance.

4 Safecracker, Yahudi Stables

Easily won a statebred maiden at PEN in May but found the company too hot when upped in grade finishing eighth in the Birdonthewire Stakes. There has been significant improvement in his works since that run so I expect better today but I am not sure he is quite up to the best of these just yet.

5 Combat, D J C Racing Stables

Two good runs with a win last time out in maiden company there isn’t much to shout about in his race day form or work times so this run today will tell us a lot more about him.

6 Custer Of The West, trained by Sanny Village

This is a very interesting runner as 6 weeks ago Sanny Village forked out $315.000 for the maiden winner. He won that maiden very easily and had worked very well prior to that but with no public works since that win we don’t have an idea how much he has improved. To be fair he wouldn’t have to improve much to win this and the trainer is not one to throw money away so you must give him a huge chance.

7 Hollywood Ballet, trained by Alydar Stables

Took a couple of goes before he won his maiden on the third attempt. That maiden was a statebred at WO and the way he won and the time he won in suggests he is much better than a maiden winner. It’s difficult to judge his work times as they have mostly been with trainer up but any winning son of Hollywood Moon is worth taking a serious look at.

8 Symboli Rudolf, trained by Nakamura Stables

As with Black Mach One this is one of the seasons proven top two year olds with three very good wins from three lifetime efforts. A good debut win was followed up with an easy win in the Tremont. That put him high on the list of top juveniles but his win from a horrible draw in the Sanford was out of the top draw and like Black Mach One he has been working as well as the top three year olds this year. The draw once again won’t make it easy for him but he has the edge on work times and will be many people idea of the winner today.

9 End Of Clay, trained by Sanny Village

Won well on debut and was sent to the Bashford Manor with very little race day experience. He ran very well that day from on the speed getting run down in the stretch so he must get plenty of respect today. I am just not sure he is ready for the top two today especially from this outside draw but he could get into the money if he isn’t thrown into a fast early pace by the outside speed push.

SUMMARY

This should be a fantastic race between Black Mach One and Symboli Rudolf, I give Symboli Rudolf the nod despite an awkward draw with Black Mach One in second and then either Custer Of The West or Hollywood Ballet in third.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES