Sitting in eleventh position for this year’s BC Classic with 14 points, Estero Farms Phooeys Queen Blue is hoping to add an addition four points with a victory here, and get himself a better chance at a post position come November in what will be a star studded event.

• Jones Stakes ( Gr. III )- Purse $300.000
• Parx Racing- For Three Year Olds
• Mile and a sixteenth- Main Track
• September 2nd, 2019

A field of ten will be putting in their best efforts this Labour Day weekend at Pennsylvania”s PRX course. While Phooeys Queen Blue may have the most points in this field, three others are bringing their success stories to the table as well. Glitter Deity ( Mb Stables) sits in 21st with eleven points, Salar De Uyuni has nine Classic points ( 10 total with one Sprint point), and Pure Authority ( Tiratzo ) with six points sitting 45th. Charlemagnes Command has also earned six points but has not cracked the top 50. Five others in here with the exception of Pure At Forty ( Fractious ) have earned four points or less as well.

So everyone has a stake and a true interest in gaining momentum here, if not to step forward towards the Breeders, but to just get to the winners circle with their head held high. Good luck to everyone!

Here is this years field;

Weight: 122 pounds

Changes: Chai Bay– Bute removed

1 Chai Bay ( Serenity Stables )- This lightly raced trainer is hoping to take a swing at making his mark in this event. Has four BC Classic points to his credit with this bay colt when he won the Gr. III Withers back in February. While the mile and a half Belmont was a bit to long, getting back to this distance at which he always seems to make a nice close but comes up a bit short should work well for him. Bute is off, and Pennington gets the call. Should be just off the pace waiting to strike.

2 Phooeys Queen Blue ( Estero Farms )- After two early season victories against Graded company runners, this sophomore lost some respect with the betting public come Derby and Preakness day. His most recent Gr. I Haskell event saw him close from eleventh position to fifth, just shy by two lengths. He earned a 96 SRF figure for his efforts and I like the fact that Contreras gets the mount as he is know to bring horses home late, and may find his way to the top by the wire. Factor into selections.

3 Belt High ( D J C Racing Stables )- His first victory this season came in the mud at CD where he broke his maiden. Last time out in the non graded $150.000 NY Derby he earned his second win and first stakes victory. Picked up two BC points for his efforts as well. Trainer is definitely feeling confident with his 6 ( 2-1-2 ) record this season. His time over at Finger Lakes for the mile and a sixteenth in my opinion should have rated a higher SRF figure then he received, but that may make him a nice pick at a price. Don’t look away.

4 Dodger Blue ( RNP Stables ) – This bay gelding has been making a mark on the grass in his last four starts. Both victories came at a mile distance and now makes the switch back to the dirt. Has a record of 4( 2-1-1 ) over this track, and did manage a victory against claiming company at seven furlongs. Carmouche was aboard for that dirt win and he has be ask to return for this event. Keep a keen eye on Horse/Jockey combinations that are successful.

5 Charlemagnes Command ( John Henry )- Was definitely having issues with finishing early on this season, but once trainer added Lasix and stayed patient, the bay gelding was able to bring home a victory in the Gr. III LA Derby. That has been his only victory in five starts this season, but his SRF numbers have gone from 89, to 93 to finally 97 for his victory. Time has been a blessing at letting him develop and allowing the medication to perform properly. This event will be another step in the right direction.

6 Pure At Forty ( Fractious )- Was purchased just 22 days prior to this event and this will be his first off the shelf. Has three consistent six furlong works over at Monmouth leading up to this race and times are decent. Was unable to earn any BC points in any of his three Graded tries and finished third in a non Graded affair to leave him still blanked. Has a top rider in Gaffalione, but the 122 pounds may have him struggling to maintain a fringe effort.

7 California Chrome ( Aer Stables )- Since his gelding back at the end of April, this chestnut has only seen action twice since. Won an Allowance affair over at LAD over a good footing at the end of May, then took 60 days off and attempted the smaller field Real Good Deal Stakes where he finished runner-up at seven eights of a mile. Would have like to have seen a little more competitive races in the past few months, but a 95 SRF number in that last start says he has the talent. Will the distance be beneficial ? Hernandez will be!

8 Salar de Uyuni ( Mb Stables ) – Made significant ground in his campaign winning the Gr. III Iselin Stakes two starts ago, then headed up to the Fort for the Prince Of Wales, and he was only able to finish sixth, three lengths back of the winner. Has a couple of breezing six furlong works over this track and trainer is hoping getting acquainted with this surface will help him improve over his last effort. Post is a concern for me as he seems to prefer breaking from the inside gates. You decide.

9 Pure Authority ( Tiratzo )- Another runner entered here who is coming out of the Joshua Stables yard sale. His new trainer put down a considerable price picking him up and is hoping he will add a new angle to his barn. Was this seasons Coolmore Lexington winner, and while he looked like he was going to make his presence felt in the Derby and the Belmont, he was unable to maintain his position to the wire. When he finally got respect at the mutuels in the Haskell, he would finish 13 of 13. Hopefully his new trainer has things figured, but I will like to wait and see.

10 Glitter Deity ( Mb Stables )- Second entry for this trainer and has to start from the extreme outside post. Has been running longer in his past four starts this season, and may like cutting back in distance. Already has victories in the Gr. II BG Stakes, and also took home the Gr. III Dominion Day Stakes for three years old and up. Hernandez took him to that win over at Woodbine and he will get a shot at placing him in the winners enclosure once again. Will make it tough for this field.

Duffer

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES