Grade 3 for Two Year Olds
1 1/16 Mile Turf
Post: 10/1/2016 14:30 at BEL

Coming off a N1X win at the same distance as this race, Night Rider’s One Blood looks to be a major factor in the Pilgrim. But he’s not the only one to watch. Destined For The Top has been living up to his name, earning $153.060 in five starts with three wins to his credit. His last performance was a bit on the strange side. After a fast break from the gate, he fell back to sixth in a field of seven, then poured it on down the stretch to finish third. Spring Stormtrooper is the only entrant with graded stakes experience, finishing fourth in the Summer (Grade 2) last out.

Here’s the field:

1 Moscow Court
Owner/Breeder: Mb Stables

Looking for his first career win here. Never out of the money in 3 starts. Working very well at a mile over this course. Could be a factor here.

2 Ideal Monster
Owner: Smokey Stover
Breeder: Pristine Stables

Broke his maiden at WO two starts back, then finished second in state-bred allowance company, that one at the same distance is this race. Only a four-horse field, but he earned a 91 SRF for his effort.

3 Linus
Owner/Breeder: Wild Aces Stables

Winless in three tries. Another one that’s never finished off the board with a very close second at a mile on turf.

4 Spring Stormtrooper
Owner/Breeder: Staid Gullis

Finished fourth last out in graded company with a 91 SRF. Could be a threat here.

 5 Fierce Horizon
Owner/Breeder: Barcelona Farms

After a maiden win and a fourth place at allowance level, this gelding was switched to turf and won coming from last to first at 1 1/16 mile in allowance company last out. If he can repeat that performance he’ll be tough to beat.

6 Nineties Batler
Owner: John Henry
Breeder: Waldo

Claimed last out in a $20.000 maiden claimer on turf which he won in impressive style by five lengths. Big step up here though, but turned in an impressive mile work at CD a little less than two weeks ago. Don’t count him out.

7 Disturbed
Owner/Breeder: Mb Stables 

Another maiden, this one winless in four starts, though he hit the board in all four starts. Last out he finished second a length back at GG, but this is his first try on turf and beyond six furlongs.

8 Destined For The Top
Owner/Breeder: Red Square Stables

With five starts and three wins, this colt has earned the right to be taken seriously. Won the $150.000 Vandal at WO in state-bred company as if he was the only horse on the track. Tried open stakes in the OT Juvenile Turf last start, finishing third in a puzzling performance. After being close early, he was shuffled back to the back of the pack, then made a run down the lane. He’s been pretty consistent overall, and with a different jockey in the irons, maybe he’ll return to form.

9 Sicario
Owner: Sir Daniel Martin
Breeder: TwinTowersRacing

Coming in off back-to-back wins, both in wire-to-wire fashion. Last out he won a state-bred allowance going 1 1/16 mile on turf. He led at every call by as much as six lengths at the 6 furlong mark, and held on to win by 2. Earned a 91 SRF for that performance. Has to be considered a contender.

10 One Blood
Owner/Breeder: Night Rider Stables 

Coming in off back-to-back wins, his last at 1 1/16 mile in state-bred allowance company. Earned a 93 SRF for that performance, the highest of any entrant in this field at a mile or beyond. Could be in the mix at the wire.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES