NM Classic Gulch Champ
ZIA   Race #8   1m   Dirt   Stake
statebred   Purse $180.00  For Three Year Olds And Upward Foaled In NM.

This is the BC day for NM breeders and for some who do not have the pleasure of having a horse in the championship races this will be their big day of the year. Here are the runners for the Classic Gulp Champ:

1 Way Ready, trained by End Run Farm
This three year old only has the one maiden win to his name but racing from the one hole and having only his second run on dirt he has a better chace than bare form suggests. Competitive over a mile on the turf at overnight level he has been gradually improving and worked a decent six furlongs on the dirt just a few days ago. Probably hasnt got enough to win but he will be in their fighting.

2 Clovis Ali, trained by Night Rider Stables
This four year old hasnt won a race since his two year old days when he won the two year od race at this meet. He was tested as a three year old running in the LA Derby and the Peter Pan but didnt have too much success though he ran respectfully at a good level. This season he has again managed to find a few too good but he has shown some improved form in his last two races most recently running a good second in an SA allowance. He has a touch of class but seems to lack the fight at the end of his races but this is a fairly easy stakes race and he may just get his first win for two years.

3 Drumming Champ, trained by End Run Farm
Ran fairly in the BC Juvenile turf last year after winning an ungraded stakes unfortunately his form has taken a nose dive since then. His last two starts were in cheap claimers where he was soundly beaten and he was bought with this day in mind just a week ago for just $5. He hasnt run on the dirt for a long time but he has worked on it and did OK. A long shot but a return to his two year old form gives him some hope.

4 Admirals Spirit, trained by Drabfantasy
Took a while to break his maiden but when he did as a three year old he managed to end the season with three wins including a  wide margin win over a mile and a quarter. He ran second at this meet in the sprint last year which was far shorter than he needs and he will be much better suited by the mile in this race. Lightly raced this season he won the ungraded Land Of Enchantment after a long lay off with Clovis Ali and Jacque Allot behind and that performance will make him close to favourite to take this race. The downside of that last win is the penalty he gets for this and two extra pounds for the nose that was between him and the runner up may prove decisive.

5 Jacque Allot, trained by End Run Farm
A decent two year old he won the Eddy County Stakes here last season and has done well enough this year to give him a great chance of a follow up win. His best run probably came in the Land Of Enchantment when he was beaten a nose by Admirals Spirit with Clovis Ali behind and with the weights as they are for this race he should just about beat them this time. The wide gate is a worry but i feel that this is his ideal trip and as long as he doesnt get caught out by the wide gate speed push he should win.

SUMMARY
Jacque Allot should just about win this. Form says that Admirals Spirit and Clovis Ali will chase him home.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded