Whittingham Stakes – Grade II
SA Race #2 1 1/4m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Spanish Showboat Mb Stables Gutierrez Mario
There just arent enough superlatives when talking about this eight year old. 15 wins, nearly $4,000.000 in prize money, he has been a graded stakes winner every year since 2014. As an eight year old he would be forgiven if he started to slow up a bit but there are no signs of that after he managed a 102 speed figure when taking the Fort Macey last time out. Drawn on the inside he is sure to be prominent throughout and it is hard not to see him fighting out the finish.
2 Maggies Bones End Run Farm Bejarano R
This four year old is a fair sort having won the FG Handicap in February but this is a hot field and he may be a little outclassed at the end of the race. He is working well enough to be a contender though and draws well but his last place finish in the Muniz Memorial Handicap last time out is a worry.
3 Cju Maxmillion Farm Maldonado E
Another great veteran of HRP he is a six year old who has won over 2K in prize money in an illustrious career. Runner up in the BC Turf in 2016 he was in a real purple patch around that time and it continued right up to the end of last season when he got into second in both the grade one Manhatten and the Arlington Million. He had looked like the years were catching up in his first two runs of the year but was an impressive winner of the San Juan Capistrano Stakes last time out and that put that theory to bed pretty quickly. He is still working strongly and will once again be in the thick of the finish.
4 Justin Credible Maxmillion Farm Albarado R J
Its hard to write off any horse from this stable when they hit the turf and though this one may not be quite as good as his stable mate he is still in this with a good chance. Equally at home on the dirt he ran a decent race to be third in the Tokyo City Cup last time but has proven a little inconsistent and it is hard to make a convincing case for him beyond his very best efforts and strong work times.
5 Lets Do It Big Boy Team 7 Illusions Prat F
A lightly raced four year old he worked a very nice mile back in April but has failed to put that into a race as yet. He ran a solid fourth on an off track in the Woodford Turf Classic last time out and may need it wet again to have his best chance.
6 General White Eastern Equine Colon L H
In a race with two of the best veterans in the game another six year old comes into the reckoning as General White gets Colon the best turf jockey in the game at the moment. A good third in the Henry Championship and then a fair effort in the HOL Turf Cup finished off his 2017 season and we havent seen him since but his works suggest he is ready for a big show. The widish draw probably means he will go back and he may have to rely on luck to get through against some tough old professionals.
7 Similarities Threshold Talamo J
On bare form you may ask why this horse is even in the field. But take a look at his breeding. By Decima a very successful sire last year and out of Like Clockwork the dam of Clockwork Chai, arguably the best turf horse in the game he certainly has the blood running through his veins and his trainer will be hoping for that to make a difference in this race from a tricky draw.
8 Iron Step Sc Lanciano Desormeaux K J
An honest five year old who doesnt get any favors from the draw and may find it hard to get a good spot early on in this race. If he does a 1.34 and 2 work suggests he is loving the grass after much of his recent career being on dirt and with a good run in the American Stakes last time out he may just surprise a couple here.
SUMMARY
Its hard not to like the two old fella’s in this race and Spanish Showboat will always give you a good run so i will put him in ahead of Cju. Similarities may spice up the trifecta.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
