LCD Juvenile ($100.000 Purse)
FG- For Two Year Olds Foaled In LA
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
December 14, 2024

Filling the LA-bred stakes this weekend was difficult, as four out of the seven scheduled such races failed to fill, including two races that I was given to cover. So, I will move on to one of the races that did get enough entries at FG, the LCD Juvenile, for two-year-olds. This race first appeared on the schedule in 2006, but has not been contested every year, likely falling victim to not getting enough entries. It did run last year, when it was won by Asgar’s Piece Of The West. The gelding is still active but has only run twice since his win and not since June. Now, here are the five running this time around:

1- Continental (Barcelona Farms, ridden by J Loveberry)- A regular in LA-bred races, and was last seen winning the $100.000 Peluso Memorial Stakes last month. Overall, he has been able to find the winner’s circle, with three victories in his five races. With the conditions here pretty much being the same as the Peluso Memorial, he seems to be a good choice though that win does mean he has to carry two more pounds than everyone else.

2- Cryptology (Asgar, ridden by D L Parker)- Horses by the same trainer starting next to one another isn’t limited to the NY-bred races at AQU as we see that happening here in the LCD Juvenile as well. Cryptology has spent his last two races on the turf, breaking his maiden in September, but then not being a contender when attempting the $250.000 Indian Summer up at KEE. It’s back to the dirt, and time to take on a field that will not be quite as strong. Worked great up at WO before heading down here.

3- Sincere Leader (Asgar, ridden by M Murrill)- This is just the third career start for this gelding, and the first time that he has been running on dirt. Last time out, he broke his maiden at PRX in late October and hopes to give the trainer his second straight win in the race. I do find his stablemate a little more appealing based on that November 29 work, but Sincere Leader has plenty of upside.

4- Sectumsempra (Delta Farms, ridden by B Curtis)- Now, for the Delta Farms portion of the starting gate. Sectumsempra is one for three in his career, breaking his maiden at FL before a competitive showing last month in the $45.000 Tin Cup Chalice at that same racetrack, placing second. If the weights were even with him and Continental, I would pick Continental, but with this one getting two pounds, he might be a little more appealing between the two of them.

5- Moeraki Boulder (Delta Farms, ridden by J Graham)- Looking to redeem himself in his home state after a dismal performance in the $70.000 Young Memorial Futurity- Colts at DED. He followed that up with a win up at FL, making him 2-for-3 in his career and he is likely a lot more prepared to take on stake company than he was in August. He should be in mix.

Prediction: 4-1-2-5

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded