This years Gr. I Metropolitan Handicap has some of the best talented runners on the card for three year olds and up. In its infancy, The Metropolitan would go hand in hand with another important name at the time, that being Alpha Ultimo ( Jerry Garcia Racing ), a grey thoroughbred who held the title for the most career earnings at $11,091.000 up until 2012 when a turf giant by the name of Bronze Sabre ( mostly successful under Maverick Racing )would take the title. Alpha Ultimo is credited with three Metropolitan victories, and still holds the event record time to this day with a 1:33.34 in its inaugural event.

• The Metropolitan Handicap ( Gr. I ) Purse $1,200.000
• Belmont Park- Foe Three year olds and Up
• One Mile Dirt track
• June 8th, 2019

So who will shine on this day and punch his ticket into the BC Dirt Mile later this year. Though the victory will be huge for his trainer, the event seems to always get overshadowed by The Belmont Stakes.

Here’s the group of runners for this season;

1.Sonador ( Night Rider Stables ) In the Irons – Maragh Ro. – This always seems to be a usual pairing of horse and rider. After being purchased for a mere $10.500, his new trainer added the Bute to his regiment and it help bring home a victory in an Alw57, and the Gr. II GP Mile. While he closed in his most recent, the muddy going definitely was a distraction. Should be back to form here.

2.Creepy Palace ( D J C Racing Stables ) In The Irons- Centeno D E – Finished a half a length back in this years Gr. II GP Mile, and earned a 100 SRF in his most recent Gr. I CD event, getting narrowly beat by a neck at the wire. Centeno has returned once again off that runner-up placing, and he definitely likes seven eights of a mile. Will the extra furlong help or hurt. I think both trainer and rider have that covered.

3.Quench My Soul ( Fractious ) In The Irons – Bridgmohan S X – Has been struggling to find his fit this season, while at the same time moving up and down the level chart in search of that magic place. Had troubles in the Gr. I SA Handicap when he broke from an identical post, and a larger field of twelve runners. Has no adds and maybe some blinkers could get him back to focusing on the race ahead, not beside him. Tall order.

4.Commanding Bee ( John Henry ) In The Irons – Gallardo A A. – Was purchased for a $500.000 note on New Years Eve, that coming after he was only able to manage one victory in seven starts for the season. This seasons trainer has been progressing up the Graded level, but I thing the distance is the factor, possibly cutting back to seven eights where I think he can shine. Still needs time to find his fit.

5.Man Childe ( Our Athletes ) In The Irons – Geroux F. – Hit a sloppy go of it over this track back in September of last season against Alw64 company, and while she was up in second throughout most of the event, the wheels would come off in the late going. Has been unsuccessful in three tries at the Grade III, that its hard to picture him crushing a field at this level. Gain from the experience.

6.Duke Of Earl ( Gdp Inc ) In The Irons – Gaffalione T – Earned a 100 SRF number with his third place finish in this seasons Gr. I CD. Rider today did manage to take him to an Alw50 affair over a Gulfstream this year, and the trainer is hoping this rider will get him back on track. Had a bullet breezing work over at MED for six, so he could be loving the switch here to bring it all home. Share Possibilities.

7.Compress ( Mb Stables ) In The Irons – Bejarano R. – Trainer laid out some major cash to purchase this then five year old bay horse. Since the switch, competed in the Gr. II OP Handicap in first asking, placing runner-up by a neck. Stepping up one more notch is going to be interesting, but it should direct his trainer on the shortest path to be cashing some cheques. Hopefully this thoroughbred gets some rest before tomorrow.

8.Tekkers ( Maxmillion Farm ) In The Irons – Carmouche M. Has been consistently finishing on the fringes in his past several attempts at Graded level company, and he looked like he was going to take the Gr. I Carter Handicap on the front end last time out, only to finish third by as neck. Has been away for sixty plus days, but works have been concentrated at this venue, so hopefully he will be ready to fire once again.

9.Socraties ( T Boy Racing ) In The Irons – McCarthy T – Has been concentrating his efforts going six furlongs in his past four starts, all with a closing late style of running. Placed second in his most recent Gr. III MD Sprint Stakes event missing by a length as the post time favorite, Will definitely appreciated the added distance, and could grab the lead at the eighth pole and never look back. Upsetter.

10.Fox News ( D J C Racing Stables ) In The Irons- Velazquez J R – Opened the season taking home in the Gr. II San Pasquel Stakes in a photo finish by a nose. Since that victory, and the re-add of Bute to his regiment, he has been struggling to make the top three finishers. Has the veteran back in the saddle once again, and he took this one to a runner-up finish in last years BC Dirt Mile, so he should be able to get this one back on track. Must consider.

11.Pure Gift ( Mb Stables ) In The Irons – Beschizza A – After a poor finish to close out last season in the Gr. I Malibu, trainer went back to work against OpClm company runners and an allowance event to get him back on the right track. His past two have been victories in photo finishes and his SRF numbers have been on the climb as well, so he now feels the time is right to move this four year old back up. Watch for him late.

12.In Captivity ( Mb Stables ) In The Irons – Talamo J – The last of three runners for this trainer in this event, has been concentrating his efforts in three sprint events this season with varied results. Velazquez has been aboard this one all this season, but he has opted to go elsewhere today. Will need his best efforts in this one, but he may be left short in the lane.

13.Alpha Uno ( Estero Farms ) In The Irons – Lanerie C J – With the word Alpha in his name, history may play a factor if you believe in Karma. Opened the season with a sixth place finish in the Razorback Handicap, then followed that up with a fourth in the Gr. III Commonwealth. Definitely needs to start getting better results down the stretch, and this added distance should be the key.

14.Glorious ( Spankys Barn ) In The Irons – Van Dyke D – While jockey Cedillo took this five year old chestnut to victory in his most recent Lost In The Fog event, his trainer has gone back to regular rider Van Dyke to get the job done. Has only raced in one route event in his 28 career starts and that came at the close of last year with a runner=up effort in an Alw61 event at SA. Varied instructions in the past has me wondering whats to come and he will have a hard post to overcome here. Off my list.

Duffers Picks – ( 1-9-7 )

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES