1 Malibu Beach, trained by Barcelona Farms

When you look back to races like these early in the season you would probably not see too many of these runners but the second half of the year tends to bring out those later developers. This one won the Super Derby Prelude on this track last time out beating Lord Of The flies by a half-length. The good thing is that that win was a career best performance and that is the sort of thing you have to look for at this time of year. His works are pretty good and he will stay this trip so you have to give him a chance from this draw.

2 Royal Prodigy, trained by Mb Stables

This one has been all over from mid-level allowances to graded stakes but that isn’t unusual for a horse that’s in a stable of superstars like this one. His two wins have come at maiden and one win allowance level but he also boasts a third in the grade three Day Mile Stakes and a close fourth in the Dominion Day where he was only a length behind Nile Warrior. Last time out he found the wide speed push and faded off a lead to be sixth in the WV Derby so we could write that run off which leaves us a rather intriguing horse. That run in the Dominion Day gives him all sorts of chances a I don’t think any of these could get within a length of Nile Warrior so he may be my top pick in a tight race.

3 Ironbound Coonazz, trained by Blushing Meadows

Thrown in here not thanks to his win in a sprint last time but more thanks to his dirt work on the 21^st August. He improved like Ben Johnson on steroids that day running a 1.36 and 2 so if you are a follower of work times he may be your dark horse for this race. He hadn’t shown enough for me over seven furlongs to convince me this is his trip and as that is the furthest he has ever gone it would be a surprise to see him win today…but much much stranger things have happened at HRP so don’t let me put you off.

4 Viking Shield, trained by Delta Farms

Won the AR Derby way back in April and looked a real hope in the KYD, He ran a great race to run on strongly for fifth just a length off the winner in the KYD but like a lot of those early TC hopes he has been hugely disappointing since. Two poor runs in the Preakness and Belmont saw him get a well-deserved break but he still looked off colour when reappearing in the Canadian Derby to be well beaten into second. Going on his recent mile work that run brought him on a lot so if he is back into the winning groove he would be the obvious choice, but for me he has a bit to prove and would have to watch him only today.

5 Cape Canaveral, trained by Sanny Village

Has only won once since being bought for $300.000 at the end of last year but has collected checks in top races and will have every chance today. His win was in the grade three Coolmore Lexington but his two runs since have probably been his best. Second in the Stephens over seven furlongs he then took on the grade one Haskell and managed third behind Chrystal Pip, beaten just a length. You can’t fault his form and I am sure he will be in at the end of this race it just remains to be seen if he can out finish the best of these.

6 Pink Devil, trained by Aer Stables

Bought for forty dollars after being tried by a few other stables he has actually made more in the sales ring that he is ever likely to make on the race course, a good second in The Risen Star back in February his best chance may come if the rains falls and turn the surface into mud. If that doesn’t happen I can’t see him beating many of these.

7 Newbie Rider, trained by Nakamura Stables

A good win in overnight company last time out this consistent gelding looks a little outclassed today.

8 Lincoln, trained by Serenity Stables

Bought in February he won three in a row for his new stable culminating in a win in the competitive Iowa Derby, he looked to make it four in a row in the WV Derby last time but was beaten by a wide draw. He finished close enough to the other two runners that re oppose today to give him a chance but another wide draw will do him no favours. So luck will play a part of this one is to win today, but given some breaks he could run a big race.

SUMMARY

A tight race as they all are these days it is difficult to write off any of them let alone pick a winner. I think Royal Prodigy will like the draw today and may just win but I have always liked Viking Shield and would love to see him return to his best.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES