04/13 The OP Handicap – Grade II
OP Race #2 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $750.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Siberian Prince Sir Daniel Martin Espinoza V 119

This horse a BC winner in the past has had five good wins on the turf but not one in 4 efforts on the dirt. It makes you wonder how he managed to get one pound more than some of the others considering he hasnt won a cent on the dirt but to be honest to call this race a ‘handicap’ is a bit of a farce anyway as only 3 Lbs covers the field. So what of his chances? Well a 1.10 flat for 6 furlongs and a 1.36 and 3 for the mile on this surface suggests he can run a bit on it but with such a poor record on the surface i just cant get excited by his chances. If he brings his turf form he would be right in this.

2 Dastardly Havoc Maxmillion Farm Bejarano R 119

Did pretty well as a three year old winning the grade three Salvator Mile and running close up in a few other decent races. His fourth in the New Orleans Handicap last time was pretty good considering he was pushed forward from a wide gate and kept on very well to share fourth just a length behind the winner. The perfect draw will help him today but it has to be said he has yet to really break through and match the sort of promise he is showing in his work outs. A 1.36 flat for the mile and a 57 and 2 for the five furlongs are good enough to win this but so far the carpet hasnt matched the curtains and it is hard to be confident. The best draw and arguably the best jockey will certainly help if he is going to win just his third career race today.

3 Zombie City Eastern Equine Ortiz I Jr 120

Winner of the Risen Star last year and a brilliant third in the KYD he was a top dirt horse as a three year old adding a close fourth in the BC Classic to his impressive record. He was drawn wide but ran poorly on seasonal debut when seventh in the Razorback Handicap but has since run 1.35 and 3 in a mile work out so it may pay to put that run down to ring rustiness. He has the perfect draw in this and although carrying a couple of pounds more than some has the advantage of being right at home on this surface and over this trip.

4 Wolfmoon Bay Night Rider Stables Maragh Ro 118

These handicaps can throw up some crazy results and if this one got home you could safely say it would be the best of them. Still trucking even as an eight year old he is a lovely old horse but really looks outclassed here considering most of his last ten starts have been in claimers.

5 Compress Mb Stables Gaffalione T 118

I can remember Mb Stables stating publicly that this horse should be run on the dirt and now after splashing out $750.000, he has the chance to prove his point. If we go back a couple of years we see him winning the FL Derby on dirt and Mb has coaxed a 1.36 flat mile work out of him so we may just see this horse continue his fantastic record. It has to be said after not managing a win last year and ending his season in allowances it does look like he is ready to hang up his boots but if anyone can get this horse winning again its Mb Stables and of course he has managed bottom weight as well which is an added bonus to go with a decent enough draw.

6 Sectional Greeko Holdem Gallardo A A 119

You have to laugh a little at the ‘handicapping’ of this race when a horse that has run three races and only won a free race and a claimer gets a pound more than a horse that has won over $3,000.000 and a pound less than the KYD third place finisher from last year. But it is what it is and though on paper this one looks way outclassed you have to respect his last couple of works. If you are looking for a horse from outside the box well this one is improving hand over fist and will probably start at long odds.

7 Pure Gifts Mb Stables Velazquez J R 119

With three runners in the race Mb Stables will have the chance to dictate the pace with a rabbit but all three of his entries look competitive so i think he may let them all go with a winning chance. I really liked this one when he cruised home in the Marine Stakes after missing the KYD but he was never really firing after that and it has to be said was a little disappointing for a horse from this stable. His three runs this year have all been good albeit at overnight level but he has been working like a horse who could win at this level so he could get some of this with some luck in running.

8 Minutes Hand Mb Stables Beschizza A 120

Gets harsh treatment from the handicapper here but certainly has earned his higher weight and i cant see a pound or two affecting his chances too much. Bought after missing out on the TC chase last year he had a few chances to break through for his new trainer but could only manage to win at overnight level. Things looked to have turned however this year as he was super impressive in winning the KY Cup Classic in his first start of the year and has been working very well clocking serious times over five and six furlongs as well as a 1.36 flat for the dirt mile. Another big chance for teh champion trainer.

9 De Fuego Defoe Wilson E J 118

I really liked this sprinter for the SA Handicap last time despite being drawn out in the car park and he ran a cracking race to be fourth beaten just a half length in only his second ever route race. He once again gets rough treatment from the draw monster and once again will have to thread his way through the field but with bottom weight i can see him being a big chance again.

10 Shootfromthehip Nakamura Stables Talamo J 121

The 2017 KYD winner gets top weight here but the spread is only 3 lbs so it should not stop him. He struggled like most four year olds last year but was pretty impressive winning the Mineshaft Handicap on seasonal debut and if he is anywhere near his best when a three year old would be a massive chance. He has never been a flashy worker but is working well enough and if he can beat top weight and a wide draw he has the class to add to his nearly 4K prize tally.

11 L A Raw D J C Racing Stables Bridgmohan S X 120

I am not really sure how this five year old got 120Lbs but he has that and the outside draw to try and contend with and that may be too much. A nice enough sort he was second in the Fayette last year over this trip but struggled in sprints after that and comes back to routing today in the hope of finding a few lengths.

SUMMARY

Well this is sure to be a race with plenty of interest. You could argue a case for most of the runners as is usual at HRP but i think Zombie City has a lot in his favor today and may be the one to beat. I am going for De Fuego again as he ran so well when i tipped him for the SA Handicap.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES