Hirsch Turf Classic – Grade 1 – $500.000
AQU – For Three Year Olds and Upward
1 1/2 Mile Turf
October 8, 2022
Back-to-back wins at Grade 1 level makes King Que Niagra a formidable contender in the Hirsch, also a Grade 1 contest. If he can hold that form, we should see him in the winner’s circle at the end of this mile and a half contest. But there are other strong competitors in this field that won’t make it easy for him. Aerialist won the $135.000 Johns Call by daylight, then made the step up to graded winner with a triple digit speed figure in the KD Turf Cup (Grade 2). Boardwalk Empire is another Grade 1 winner that looks to be in the mix in this one.
Here’s the field:
#1 King Que Niagra (D J C Racing) Scored triple digit SRFs in his last two wins, the Sword Dancer (Grade 1) and the United Nations (Grade 1). Wouldn’t be surprised to see him lengthen that streak to three with a win here.
#2 Boardwalk Empire (Smokey Stover) Won the SAR Derby (Grade 1) two starts back, then finished third in the DG Derby (Grade 3) last out. Should be competitive in this field.
#3 Fire Marshall Bill (Nakamura Stables) Multiple stakes winner in state-bred company. Hasn’t been able to make the step up to graded winner, and this is a tough spot to try again. Might be a little outclassed here.
#4 Bunnevera (Arindel) Only a maiden win in twenty-two starts for this gelding. Don’t think he’ll make that step up here.
#5 Key Biscayne (TwinTowersRacing) Won the BEL Gold Cup (Grade 2) in June, then went up against King Que Niagra in the Sword Dancer and the United Nations and finished sixth and fifth respectively. Good speed figures but may not have what it takes wo win here.
#6 Aerialist (Mb Stables) Won the KD Turf Cup (Grade 2) last out after winning the Johns Call by six lengths. Don’t count him out.
#7 Phar Lap (Threshold) Read Stakes (Grade 2) winner finished second in the DMR Mile (Grade 2) last start by less than a length. Question mark for this one is distance. Has never won beyond 1 1/8 mile.
#8 Stay Safe (Rock Creek) Allowance winner has never tried graded company. Another one in a tough spot to try and make that step up.
#9 Never Met Me (Mb Stables) Multiple graded stakes placed winner of the San Luis Rey Stakes (Grade 3) in March. Hasn’t been back to the winner’s circle since, but he is a Grade 1 winner and has only finished off the board once this year, that last out in the Sword Dancer. Should be in the mix.
#10 Letters By The Bay (Wood Duck Stables) Won the Kent Stakes (Grade 3) three starts back, but other than that he has not fared well in graded company. Did finish third in the KD Turf Cup (Grade 2) behind Aerialist. Might not be up to the challenge.
Picks: 1-6-2
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
