GII – Read Stakes
$250.000 Graded Stake 1 1/8th Mile Turf Race For Three & Up
2016 Champ: Jovan River
The GII Read Stakes features a interesting group of seven horses looking to pick up some BC points and move up that BC ladder so they can be back here for the first weekend of November. Mb Stables is looking to make it back to back Read Stakes and has a great shot at it with Crafty Shenanigans. Lets take a look at the field.
1- Antelope Storm (Trained by Scarletandgreystable, Ridden by Rose J)
Three straight wins means this six year old gelding comes into the race red hot! Despite the age this one hasn’t shown and signs of slowing down yet. Works are still where you would want to see them. He will hope to sit a few lengths off the pace early on and make his move turning for home.
2- Profound Approach (Trained by Chili King Stables, Ridden by Elliott S)
This is one that was on the derby trail early in the year. After that came to an end the connections switched over to the grass and quickly saw better results. This will be his first start for the new connections after being recently sold for $200.000. This is only his third career turf start and shortest of them which should be to his liking. Isn’t one of the top contenders in this one but is very capable of picking up the pieces if it falls apart for others.
3- Sabre For Kathology (Trained by Oval Express Farms, Ridden by Alvarado J)
A winner on an off track last time out is Sabre For Kathology. That win was his second straight for this three year old that has run on nothing but turf in his seven career starts. That win was also his first win against graded company. Based on his recent races the little bit of extra length should also be to his liking. He has yet to go this far but his races indicate he still has something in the tank when he hits the wire.
4- Spring Stormtrooper (Trained by Stald Gullis, Ridden by Desormeaux K J)
The second place finisher behind Sabre For Kathology is hoping for a bit better result this time. Again, just like Sabre this three year old has run exclusively on turf for his ten career starts. He will want to break quickly and be one of the pace setters early in the race. He will hope to get some easy early fractions and hold on late but the closing speed will likely be too much to hold off.
5- Crafty Shenanigans (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Smith M E)
Taking his first stab at stake company in this one is Crafty Shenanigans. He is the second one in the race to be coming in with a three race win streak on the line. He has run two straight very impressive ON bred allowance wins leading up to this race. His last start was a blistering win in 1:39.1 for a mile and a sixteenth. Based on that and recent works he looks like the one to beat in this seven horse field.
6- Gallivant (Trained by John Henry, Ridden by Gutierrez Mario)
To finish off the trifecta from the Wise Dan is Gallivant. Despite finishing third in that race he may be the best horse of the three, especially on a firm turf course. He has been close in a few races this year but hasn’t been able to take home a victory so far in 2017. He will need to continue to improve on those recent starts if he wants a chance in here.
7- Sean Hannity (Trained by Maxmillion Farm, Ridden by Boulanger G)
Rounding out the field from the seven post is Sean Hannity. His most recent start was his first attempt at stake competition with a third place finish in the Cal bred Snow Chief. He has shown a liking for the mile and an eighth distance and might be a great long shot bet.
My Selections: 5/1/6
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
