7/26/2020

 8     SAR        The Baruch Handicap (GII)

   $150.000                            3yo&Up                              1 1/16m InTurf                          Hcp Weights

A field of eleven will be headed to the post for The Baruch Hcp (GII) a mile and a sixteenth InTurf course event with a nice purse.  Mb Stables shows up with a trio of tough horses and I’m taking his Spiral as the top choice in this one.  He was flat out flying in the Poker Stakes (GIII) where he went a mile in 1:32² and won by a length.  Something like that should get his picture taken again.  Note that although Nowhere Man, another in his arsenal, hasn’t been quite as sharp this season, he did win this race last season.  I think you can throw a blanket over 5-6 others in this race that could be a factor, especially if one of them reverts to prior form. 

Here’s The Field –

He’s still looking for his first win of the season and it’s been a tough one.  He was third in the SF Mile (GIII) and the Thunder Road (GIII) but his other starts have been tough including a tiring ninth last out at WO.  He’s going to have to turn it around to be anywhere near the money today. 

His three race win streak crashed to the ground in the United Nations (GI) at MTH last out where he tired to be sixth going the extended mile and three-eighths distance.  You could have claimed him four back for $25.000, and he will need his very best to be any part of this one.

Changed hands a couple of times last summer, then rested until Dec where he ran three solid races including a win in the Canadian Turf (GIII) at GP.  The last two have been disappointing although he was close up in both the SF Mile (GIII) and the Wise Dan (GII).  If he can get back to that winter form he could be a serious factor, otherwise, it may be another long day at the office. 

Part of a three-headed Mb monster and ran a huge race last out wining the Poker (GIII) by a length in very quick fashion.  That was his first win of the season and certainly a flashback to some of his better form.  Can he bring that game today?  If he does, he’s a big horse to watch. 

Dropped out of graded races to take on Alw horses at CD last out and it paid off as he closed well to gallop off by a length.  He’s been a serious factor in quite a few graded affairs so keep an eye on him because he could be ready to put a couple big efforts together. 

This one needs to awaken if he wants to be a factor here today.  He closed out ’19 with a nice win in the Seabiscuit (GII) and it’s been tough since then.  He was second in an Alw race at GG and the others have been up-the-track starts.  He’s won $1,074.160 so he has talent, but he needs to find his mojo, quick.

He kicked off the season with a win at HOU vs. Alw horses then came back vs. Cal-bred stakes horses to be second, but his last pair have been less than thrilling and it’s hard to jump on his bandwagon vs. this group.  Even a minor share would probably be welcomed.

Second of the three Mb entrants and he hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since winning the King Edward (GII) at WO back last summer.  He was second beaten a nose in that huge purse SAR Derby so maybe he bounces back on a surface he likes?

Got the job done last out dropping down to OptAlw types at MTH and he was third in the BC Mile (GI) last fall.  That last out win give some hope of him waking back up and getting back on-track, so maybe use him in the exotics?

Won an Alw race at TAM to kick-off the year and it’s been tough since then.  A fifth and two sixth, all against graded horses, so it’s hard to like him on that.  BUT, when you have nine wins and $1.296.860 in the till, you have to at least look deeper and the best way to do that is note that he won this race last season…  home cookin’ can be good.   

Won the Douglas Park at CD two back, then eighth beaten a length in the Wise Dan (GII) in his most recent.  The post draw does him no favors and it’s going to take his very best to be a player in this group.   

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES