Kenner Stakes
FG Race #6 5 1/2f Turf Stake
Purse $100.000 (plus up to $15.00 for LA-breds) For Four Year Olds And Upward
1 Liberty For All The Next Lohnro Albert T S 123 —
A consistent and lightly raced four-year-old, he has yet to really break through but his recent works over sprint trips suggests he may be pretty soon. His last four races have been over further, but he has proved he can sprint and whilst, as I say, he has yet to really show the sort of form to win a stakes race his effort last time in similar company suggests he isn’t far away.
2 Come With Assets Spb Racing Parker D L 123 —
In contrast with the horse inside him this five-year-old has plenty of miles on the clock and also seems to be out working his performance on the racetrack. Having said that, he has won three of his last four with the failure coming on an off track so he could just be finding some incline on his improvement curve as these digital horses can often do when they age. He worked like lightening on the TAM track before winning there in December clocking a 56 flat for five furlongs so if the ground stays dry, we could see a big effort from him today.
3 Southern Fame Luz International Velazquez J R 123 —
Well, if age improves a horse, then this one at aged eight must be close to the top of his improvement curve. In truth this is the type of horse we would all love to have in our stable, one that runs and runs and never seems to run a bad race. 2020 was his best year when he won two graded stakes and was third in the BC Turf Sprint and whilst he hasn’t reached those heights since he has continued his consistent efforts and won a decent sprint at CD last time in a fast time. I have always had a soft spot for our older HRP generation so this one will be racing with my hopes behind him.
4 Love Insist Fractious Loveberry J 123 —
Another that has been around a while and always seems to be competitive he is a tough sprinter who has won at this level before and is suited perfectly by this trip. The trainer certainly adds a length so his chances are obvious, but I just feel he may be a better top four prospect than a winning one.
5 Turmoil Winning Link Stables Lopez P 123 —
This four-year-old with just the one win which came in a maiden in July last year managed to make the field for the BC Turf Sprint last year after a close third in the BEL Turf Sprint. He ran pretty poorly from a bad draw in the BC and to be honest the only piece of form that really gives him a chance here is that BEL Turf Sprint result. His works say he is much better than a one-win horse, but he needs to string a few good races together before I am vein he can win a race like this.
6 Top Clearance Simmer Down Stable Del-Cid V 123 —
He has changed hands a few times recently after hitting a rich vein of form that has seen him win four of his last six races, I wouldn’t have necessarily given him a chance on those wins, but he ran very nicely in the Janus last time when only just beaten at longer odds and a repeat of that effort puts him right in this. His works aren’t the best, but he may be a grower not a shower, so I wouldn’t be holding that against him.
7 Major Problem Santan Stables Geroux F 123 —
A smart juvenile, he took the Tremont and then placed in both the Sanford and the SAR Special putting him on the radar as a two-year-old. Since then, his name has been rather apt as he seems to have had a major problem in repeating that form. Dropping back to sprinting suits, and his best form puts him in with a chance, but his best form was a long time ago now.
8 Tiger Force jackrussell farms Murrill M 123 —
Another six-year-old that is working good times, but his race day form is no better than average. You can never write off some big leaps in improvement with these older horses though so you cannot write him off even though he looks tested on form. His best recent races have been on pace so the fact that he may get some outside speed push may help him get competitive.
9 Sir Lionking Black N Gold Stable McMahon C J 123 —
A six-year-old that had his best season so far last year he is one of those late maturing types who may be in for a big year. He ended last year with three good runs in stakes company ending up with a strong third in the competitive CC Canterbury. Claimed after some consistent efforts from Barcelona Farms he may be disadvantaged by the wide draw but that is the only thing that puts me off his chances.
SUMMARY
A tight little sprint here with plenty of chances and at this time of year you can never write of an emerging older horse making it even harder to settle on any one horse as the winner. Because of that I am going with my heart and the eight-year-old Southern Fame to whip the youngsters. If not him then the well-drawn Come With Assets may be the best choice.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
