The AP Handicap – GIII
7/13/19
AP Race 3 1 3/16M – Turf
Purse $150.000
Three Year Olds and Up
A field of nine has been entered up for this years running of the grade three Arlington Park Handicap here over the turf course at Arlington Park. A good sized field here and one of the three stakes races on the day. Let’s take a look at the field.
1. The Drifter (19-3-6-1 $294.570), trained by D J C Racing Stables
The first runner in the field right here has been seen not that many times this year. His last out was a oddly ran race him with him opening up by eight lengths at one point and the he got caught late. He is not a bad runner at all and with a better trip in think he could have a shot.
2. Sargent Major (10-2-3-2 $102.940), trained by Arq Racingfarms
This next horse is coming into this race off of a third place finish in the grade three Singspiel at Woodbine which was a mile and a half so he is cutting back in distance here. He ran a good race that day and if he can run that type of race he might be okay in here.
3. Sunpunch (16-2-2-4 $54.150), trained by Greeko Holdem
This next horse in the field right here is a horse who likes to come from far back most of the time. He has not been running at this level of competition though so it is a big step up in class. If the pace is fast and he comes from behind like usual he may pick up some pieces.
4. Awesome Indeed (25-5-2-3 $430.080), trained by TwinTowers Racing
A graded stakes winner right here but this horse has not been in good form as of late at all. He has not been running good at all but he does have some back class so if there is any way that he can return to his old form he could have an alright shot. He is in bad form though so I don’t see him winning.
5. Digital Fraud (11-3-0-3 $110.620), trained by Nakamura Stables
A three year old right here that is only making his second career start on the turf. He did win his only turf start which was his last race in a statebred allowance race at Santa Anita. He ran good in his only start on the turf so maybe he has found his best surface.
6. Jakers Delight (4-1-1-1 $59.200), trained by Nolespan Racing
The least raced horse in the field and the most interesting horse in here also. He won a maiden claiming forty by four lengths then jumped up in the grade two Dixie and ran a great third. I think if he sits off the lace just a little bit this time he will be very tough to beat.
7. The Force Awakens (29-5-6-3 $927.560), trained by Diablo Diablo
Probably one of the best horse with a lot of races right here and he has been in good form for most of the year. He has a lot of strong works on the work tab and if he could put that into this race he will be tough. I think he has a chance to win if he runs a big race.
8. Siberian Prince (26-5-4-4 $1,126.680), trained by Sir Daniel Martin
An old Breeders Cup winner here who is still getting after it two years after that win. He is obviously not the same horse as he was as a two year old but he is still very competitive in these races. I think if he runs like he can there is no doubt he could win this.
9. Raj Action Packed (31-5-10-7 $702.540), trained by Arindel
The last runner in the field will be making his first start for his new trainer after he claimed him out of his last start. He has quite a bit of back class though as he has made over seven hundred backs. A tough post so I don’t know how he will fair.
Summary
Well quite a few runners in here have a chance but my top pick is going to be Jakers Delight. He is lightly raced but this trainer has some very good horses that are just like this one. Siberian Prince could be the one to beat hook though. Good luck to all in the race.
6-8-7-1
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
