Bowling Green Handicap – Grade II
1 3/8 Mile Inner Turf Stake Purse $250.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

It was a familiar story in this race as the lightweights dominated the top weights even when the top weight wasnt much at all. I wonder if you called this just a stakes race and raced them on levels whether the undoubted ability of Devilish Luck and People Doubted would have seen the result turned upside down but i guess we will never know so speculation is pointless.
Here’s how they finished:

1st Jamie Mach RNP Stables Court J K

The only shock to me about this one winning was that it started at over 40/1 but then we all know the fragility of the odds generator at HRP. The former grade one winner has been in the wilderness since his win in the United Nations but seemed to undergo a transformation for his last start win and carried that on today. I guess we will never know the difference between a 7 length eigth in the Louisville Handicap 2 months ago and a 4 length win today other than the obvious, the trip and the draw, which may just be the simple answer. Whatever it was he looks back to his best and his trainer will have fun picking out his next race.

2nd Long River Aer Stables Beschizza A

This former very good horse who had a year off thanks to his trainers status was snapped up cheaply by the new owner and looks every bit as good as he once was. Now an eight year old he hasnt got the speed in his old legs that he used to have but he clearly retains his ability running past some good ones in the end but never sighting the winner.

3rd Penitentiary D J C Racing Stables Contreras L

Faded a little at the end and finished third and fairly well beaten but this remarkable horse continues to run well. He seems to be able to run any trip in pretty much the same manner which wouldnt be as possible in real life but is one of the benefits of racing horses here at HRP.

4th Crafty Shenanigans Mb Stables Bejarano R

The rains didnt come so we saw the other Crafty Shenanigans today the one that struggles a little in this grade these days if the ground isnt wet. On the stalk from the start he was pretty easily brushed aside and continued his strange and remarkable string of form where he has finished first or fourth in his last ten starts.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES