The 19th Running of The Vosburgh-G2
October 9, 2021 13:00
BEL Race #3 $250.000 6 Furlongs Dirt
3YOs 121 Lbs 4YOs+ 124 Lbs
Track/Stakes Record-1:07.36 (Alpha Ultimo-2005)
The Vosburgh-G2 will be ran for the 19th time on Saturday at BEL. The six furlong dirt sprint carries a purse of $250.000, but the real prize for the winner is automatic qualification for the G1 BC Sprint next month at DMR. Alpha Ultimo provided Jerry Garcia Racing (2005, 2006, 2009) with all three of his training wins in this event and jockey J.R. Velazquez has piloted three previous winners of this in his career.
The winner of The Vosburgh-G2 deserves automatic qualification to next month’s BC with the majority of the field having shown that this is their game. Looking at the G1 BC Sprint leaderboard, horses ranked 4th-Not Trippin Now, 9th-Sweet Sweet Sweet, 11th-Winchester, 15th-Dont Worry Be Jolly, 19th-Personal Beliefs, 20th-Grande Greek, 27th-Code Red Party, and 49th-Twilight Flame, show up here looking to either solidify or improve their standing for next month. Last weekend, we saw several three year-olds get victories of their elders after struggling in those spots for much of the season, so it will be interesting if that carries over to Saturday. Here’s the field for The Vosburgh-G2 from BEL:
#1 Code Red Party (Martyparty/Ci. Murphy 121): Rail horse gets his fourth crack at graded-sprinters this season and only has a G3 third to show for the first three. Last out win in SAR allowance is encouraging and may give him some confidence. If he can figure out a way to stay in touch with the field, should be able to use this draw and the three-pound weight break to his advantage; however, others look more appealing.
#2 Winchester (Fractious/J. Lezcano 124): Great post for a horse making just the third sprint start in the 18th start of his career. Very impressive victory in the G1 Forego going seven panels, but has to shorten-up another furlong for this. He’s always been able to stay close going longer and if he can replicate that going this short, you have to believe he will still have something left for the drive.
#3 Grande Greek (Mb Stables/M. Franco 121): Recent winner of G2 Gallant Bob wheels right back on short rest in an effort to get to DMR. G2 victory immediately followed Shared Belief win at DMR (which was preceeded by a SAR allowance win) so this may be a case of a 3yo hitting his peak at just the right time. Three-race win streaks don’t come easy at HRP; with his current form, this post, and the three-pound weight break it looks like all systems go.
#4 Personal Beliefs (Maxmillion Farm/T.J. Pereira 124): Breaks from the four post, but looks to have more early foot than the three to his inside so expect this one to get the first call and rail position. Last three sprint efforts have been pretty good with 2nds in a G3 and G1 before sttling for 4th last out in the G3 DeFrancis Memorial. Probably going to be in front longer than anyone else, but will he be there at the wire? He needs points to make it to DMR, so expect his best.
#5 Dont Worry Be Jolly (Mb Stables/H.A. Karamanos 124): Late switch back to Karamanos who rode him to victory in aforementioned LRL G3. Trainer offered him up for a $50 tag the race before that win so has to be happy no one put the red tag on him after that win. Currently sitting just outside the main body of next month’s big race so one more big effort may be enough to get him to DMR.
#6 Torque Converter (Nakamura Stables/J.J. Castellano 124): Our first real “wild-card” entry will break from the middle of the field. Has spent his time in routes since June of 2020, but there are stakes efforts in sprints further back in his past performances. That being said, this race engine isn’t the same one that he last sprinted on so it is virtually impossible to predict what we will see from him on Saturday.
#7 Wreaking Havoc (Threshold/N. Juarez 124): $35.000 June auction purchase almost took down all the money in debut for new barn. That effort came in a G3 on the grass but this guy has seen fields like this in the past. While he has a few near-misses in some really good races at this level, the fact remains he hasn’t found that final push to get his picture taken. Looks like he will be forwardly-placed, but have to wonder if he’s ready to best this group.
#8 Twilight Flame (Mb Stables/S.R. Bahen 124): This guy last saw six furlongs as a juvenile, but he has a few seven furlong races that make him competitive here. Last three runs have seen him closer to the pace and that figures to be his best hope here if he can save some ground and get first run. If he finds himself in front, may be very hard to run down. Interesting late jockey switch as R.M. Hernandez was originally scheduled to ride this one.
#9 Sweet Sweet Sweet (Night Rider Stables/F. Geroux 124): He’s already qualified for the G1 BC Dirt Mile, but think the trainer would rather him cement his position in this division. Back-to-back graded wins coming into this so there’s nothing wrong with his form. His biggest issue may be working out a trip from a bit further out than what is ideal, but he should be close enough that he will have every chance coming down the lane.
#10 Im To Chai (Mwn Racing/J. Rosario 121): Maybe the most “unknown” horse in the race, this 3yo colt will be making just the 5th start of his career. Last three have seen him go straight to the front and he has wired the last two fields he has faced. Still, this is a big step up in class. Could see a scenario where he clears all but one when the gates pop and, if that happens, he’ll have every chance to reward his trainer’s faith in him.
#11 Not Trippin Now (Gdp Inc/A.A. Gallardo 124): With a G1 and G2 already to his credit this season, this 6yo is pretty much a lock to be in the gate next month at DMR. Like that he has had a nice “mini-break” to start the fall and expect him to be ready to run big in this. Didn’t get any favors with this draw, but he’s quick enough to get into stalking position if that is what is asked of him. The one to beat.
#12 Rock Your World (Angelos Stable/L. Contreras 124): Outside horse is the last-out winner of the $100.000 Rumson at MTH. Trainer gives him a graded run for the first time in his career off of that effort so he must be pleased with what he’s seen from him. All six wins have seen him right up there in the early going, so this may not be his best chance to show what he has. Feels like a pace player, but not sure he will factor at this level from this draw.
Final Analysis: This is a quality field and the race deserves its “AQ” status. 11-9-8 in any order would not be a surprise. Good luck to everyone competing in The Vosburgh-G2 at BEL!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
