The Winn – GIII
                        CD Race 2 1 1/16M – Dirt
                                 Purse $100.000                                                               Three Year Olds

A group of eight three year olds is going to line up for this little grade three under the twinspires. While they may not be the cream of the crop they are good horses in there own right and we’ve seen a couple of them on the big stage before. Let’s take a look at the field for the 2018 Winn.

1. Sneaky Little Heist (9-2-2-3 $269.680), trained by Joseph Racing

The third place finisher in the SA Derby is this horse. He came from a long ways back that day to run third but he couldn’t manage to make it into the derby field. He was also on the also eligible in the Preakness but scratched out and decided to come here. A fast pace will help him out a lot.

2. Reach For A Latte (7-2-0-0 $120.600), trained by Saratoga Stud

Early on in the triple crown preps this was one of my favorite horses. He won the Lewis at SA but after that he threw two terrible efforts in the San Felipe and SA Derby. I still think he is a good horse but he will have to run the way he did in the Lewis if he wants any shot to win this race.

3. Babalu Time (12-4-1-1 $463.320), trained by Night Rider Stables

The Smarty Jones and Southwest winner did not make the derby field but he did make it into the Preakness field where he got smoked. He ran ninth that day in the slop but I don’t think that made much of a difference. I think he has a chance but I don’t think he loves the route of ground.

4. Tune Me Up (9-1-1-2 $295.890), trained by John Henry

The speed horse of the field and I don’t think he will like the distance of this race. His only win was at five furlongs and he hasn’t been much better any further than that. He did run good in the DED Jackpot but that was on a bullring track. I think the distance will get to him once again here.

5. Pass Me By (5-3-0-1 $115.030), trained by Mb Stables

The only entry from champion trainer Mb Stables is this lightly raced gelding. He is a stakes winner but that was going seven furlongs and he has only won once going a route of ground so far. But with his trainer you always have to worry about him because of how successful he really is.

6. Eclipse My Knowledge (11-3-2-2 $139.740), trained by Nakamura Stables

The California bred who is coming into this race off an allowance win at PIM looks a tad overmatched to me. He is a decent horse but he hasn’t shown he can hang with the stakes company yet and I don’t see why it will change in here. Maybe he will surprise me though and run big.

7. Controlled Lion (10-2-1-0 $149.600), trained by Our Athletes

If he goes to post it will mark his ninth stakes race in a row since his maiden score. He did win his stakes debut as a two year old but has been scoreless since and I don’t think it will change in this race because he is out of form. If he doesn’t run good I think he will need a much deserved break.

8. Local Hero (10-2-3-1 $224.280), trained by D J C Racing Stables

If there is a stake race you can almost always bet the wizard will have an entry. This is going to be my top pick because I think he is the best horse in the race. He ran second in the Wood Memorial and then ran an okay tenth in the Derby. He’s getting a huge class drop and looks very tough.

Summary

Local Hero definitely looks like the horse to beat to me mainly because he is the one running good as of late. He is coming out of the Derby and is the only in here who made that field and I think that speaks for itself. He’s my top pick and good luck to everyone who is involved in this race.

8-1-3-2

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES