Having the distinguishing honor to be the opening act for this years running of the Gr. I Haskell, the Gr. III MTH Cup has a nice group of runners who will make the affair a stellar race.
- MTH Cup – Grade III Purse $200.000
- Monmouth Park – For Three Years old and Up
- Mile and One Eighth- Main Track
- July 20th, 2019
The fifth of six stakes to take place here this weekend in New Jersey, with an even split between three years old an older for this event. Question around the barns is will we see a rematch of 2017 when Gdp Inc and Mb Stables entries ran a dead heat race in a final time of 1:41.82. That’s when this event was a mile and a sixteenth in distance, and the two battled neck and neck through the final sixteenth of the event. So will Be One and Opus Force provide that same excitement on Saturday? One can only hope its as good.
1 Reach For A Latte ( Saratoga Stud ) – Jockey Gaffalione T. – This will be the first time this horse/jockey combination have competed. Trainer must be by this time tired of the multiple runner-up finishes since the geld, now four out of six events. Did win the Gr. III Hooper down at Gulfstream with muddy track conditions. Distance should be to his liking, and if he can dominate the rail, should set him up nicely for a strong finish home.
2 American Ideal ( Nakamura Stables ) Jockey – Lopez P. – The elder statesmen of this group at six years old. Has found himself north of the border at WO competing in two Alw75 events, walking away with a show and a runner-up placing in those races. Has finished 21 of 30 in the money for his career, but is still winless this season. Has not been longer then 5-1 odds at the windows, so he has earned respect of his peers. May be another fringe effort today.
3 Be One ( Gdp Inc ) Jockey – Velazquez J R – Since a disappointing tenth place finish in his seasonal Dania Beach debut race on the grass, trainer has snapped this bay gelding back into form winning his past two starts. First was a Alw43/N1X, and then an OpClm62.5. Both affairs had him out on top and leading on the front end. With Velazquez’s riding style, he is suited to stalk or take command of the situation. Four for seven in wins for his career and all coming going longer. Will he have company late?
4 Opus Force ( Mb Stables ) Jockey – Bejarano R. – Just have a feeling this jockey is going to have a great day here at Monmouth, and one of those races could happen aboard this sophomore. After winning the Gr. III Lecomte Stakes in a brilliant last to first effort in his seasonal opener, the sophomore colt has been struggling against the Graded crowd through his next four starts. His most recent saw the drop to older Alw75 company, and he managed to find his way back to the enclosure. Hopefully he will spring right back to life once again.
5 Crystal Speed ( TwinTowersRacing ) Jockey – Bravo J. – Hit the allowance company ranks for the first three starts of the year, and walked away with a win, place and a show for his efforts. Made a major jump in class last time through in the Gr. I Stephens, and was hoping his late kick would get him closer then three lengths shy in eighth. While this seasons victory came on the grass going a mile, this sophomore will definitely make the most of this longer event, and we should see him full of run in the stretch.
6 Banshee Star ( Joseph Racing ) Jockey – Talamo J. – This gray five year old has won more then half of his career earnings over off track surfaces, with a record of 6 ( 2-0-3). While the track should maintain its fast conditions, any amount of rain in the next couple of days would be welcomed for sure. His last two starts would be unfair as benchmarks for preps for this event, having to break from the eleventh hole of twelve in both races. Has a sharp six panel work here on the 15th, and that can help or hurt him this close to race day.
Duffer
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
