The 14th Running of the G3 Seagram Cup Stakes
Sunday, August 14, 2022
WO Race #2 $150.000
3+ 119/123 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/16
Track Record-1:39.28 (One For The Road-2012)
Stakes Record-1:40.63 (Tekkers-2018)
#1 Jolly Rook (Angelos Stable/G. Boulanger 123): 5yo isn’t spending much time on the sidelines as he will be making his 9th start of the season. Already has a G3 to his credit this year and has turned in a couple of improved performances since the foray onto the turf. Has always liked to be involved from the jump and he’s definitely not afraid to get in a fight.
#2 Home Spirit (Night Rider Stables/P. Husbands 123): 5yo hasn’t found the winner’s circle this season, but he’s been facing some tough customers. Gets a bit of class relief today and he was a very close 3rd the last time he saw G3 foes. Should appreciate this inside draw as he’s equipped with enough early foot to sit just behind a target and save a lot of ground before producing his run.
#3 Crimson Rioja (Mo Mentum Farm/J. Stein 123): 4yo hasn’t fared too well in his four forays into graded company this season, but he does have two ITM finishes (including a season-opening score) in both starts against overnight foes. If he can figure out a way to stay a tad closer to the pace that may be helpful as he has left himself too much to overcome against graded foes.
#4 Jumbo Bite (Nakamura Stables/L.J. Luzzi 123): Former G1 winner got back to the winner’s circle for the first time since November in his latest. He only beat three at ELP, but it was nice to see him produce that signature stretch burst again. Figures to drop before making one run at them and has to hope the timing and traffic go his way here.
#5 Dime Defense (Asgar/J.R. Velazquez 123): 4yo colt steps back up to the graded level after taking his first stakes’ victory last time against state-breds. He’s 0-3 against graded foes; however, he’s never been beaten worse than two lengths in any of those efforts. This looks like a good place to dive back in and a win could help his value as he makes the move to the breeding shed down the line.
#6 Toxic Personality (Arindel/L. Saez 123): 8yo shared the November G1 victory with the four here but he’s not fared as well since switching barns after that effort. That being said, he does own three runner-up finishes (including two in G1’s) for this outfit, so it’s mot like he’s fallen out of form. This looks like a really good spot for him to get back in the winner’s circle, but he needs to find some modicum of consistency sometime soon.
#7 Contradiction (Aer Stables/R.M. Hernandez 123): 4yo ended his sophomore campaign with a G1 win and a very good 4th in the BC Classic, but he’s been a bit unlucky this season. Last effort was a step in the right direction as he made-up a lot of ground to only be beaten a length, and another step forward would put him right there in here. Work tab shows he’s still got juice and have to think he wins one of these sooner rather than later.
Final Analysis: 6-7-5 is how we’ll play the G3 Seagram Cup. Good luck to all of the connections!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
