GIII – PARX Sprint
$200.000 Graded Stake 5 Furlongs on the Turf For Three Year Olds & Up
The drag racing version of horse racing has to be the 5 furlong turf sprint. Everyone thinks they have a nice shinny drag racing car right now as the GIII PARX Sprint has attracted a full field of twelve and even added three to the AE list. The field is headlines by 2015 BC Turf winner Tundra Kenny. It would not be surprising to see eight to ten runners within a length of each other as they hit the wire.
1- Fire Up The Night (Trained by John Henry, Ridden by Flores J L)
This four year old gelding is no stranger to the turf sprinting division as he finished ninth in the 2016 BC Turf Sprint. He has struggled in 2017 though with no top three finishes in his four starts. Work times suggest he should still have it as his works are still in the low 109s on the turf but hasn’t been able to put it together in the afternoon.
2- Roman Rage (Trained by RNP Stables, Ridden by Gonzalez San)
The switch of owners and surfaces did Roman Rage well as he was able to win a nice allowance race here at PRX last time out. After the impressive win it was a logically choice to stay in PA and try this race. His works are almost a second off the rest of the race but in that last race was able to show he can battle his way to victory.
3- Hold The Mach (Trained by Night Rider Stables, Ridden Salgado A)
The old vet Hold The Mach comes into the race with a GIII win already this year at a mile, he will try and cut back and add a sprinting win to his 2017 resume. Based on his past history though it looks like he does like the longer distances and a five furlong race could be a tough task for this $1000.000+ career earner.
4- Six Twelve (Trained by Jader Stable, Ridden by Ocasio L M)
Not unlike Roman Rage it was hard not to enter here after two straight five furlong turf wins here at PRX. His running style could get him in a bit of trouble from time to time as it can be tough being a closer in such a short race with such a big field. If he can find an opening he has the potential to be a real threat.
5- Meathook (Trained by Threshold, Ridden by Rosado R J)
This three year old gelding has had three starts in 2017 and finished in the money every time, but he hasn’t been able to come away with a victory yet this year. His most recent start was probably his best of the year, a dead heat tie for third in the $65.000 Beau Stakes. He is in a great post position to get himself forwardly placed early in the race and hope to wear down the leaders headed for home.
6- Swamp Fox (Trained by Blushing Meadows, Ridden by Vargas J A Jr)
Another of the older vets is Swamp Fox. He comes into the race with over $1100.000 in career earnings. His most recent start was an impressive six furlong win in the GIII Jaipur. Since the start of the year he has run in nothing but turf races under six furlongs and finished in the money every time with two victories. He appears to be the one to beat in here.
7- Dizzy Spell (Trained by John Henry, Ridden by Silvera Ru)
Another hoping the cut back in distance will help spark something is Dizzy Spell. He has struggled all year long running around a mile each time. A cut back in distance could help but five furlongs looks to be a little too short for this one. Don’t see this one as a threat to the top three.
8- Ranch (Trained by Racing Love, Ridden by Esquivel E)
This filly has decided to take on the boys after showing the girls how its done the last few times out. In her most recent start she was a wire to wire winner in the GII Monrovia Stake at SA. She is an extremely talented filly that can’t be overlooked. She will fight for the lead early on and hope to be able to wear them down as they head for home.
9- Garudimimus (Trained by Alberta Rose Stables, Ridden by Bisono J)
A $25.000 purchase in the most recent auction is Garudimimus. He has been off since May because of it and will come in fresh and ready. His most recent start was a dead heat win at five furlongs at PIM. He may need another start or two before being a contender in these types of races.
10- Tundra Kenny (Trained by Pan Farms, Ridden by Caballero H)
This five year old vet will be running in his second start for his new connections since being bought in the middle of June. His first race under the new silks was a disappointing eighth place finish on a good turf course at CD. This will be his first race at a sprinting distance since May of 2015. His works show he can still be competitive at this level.
11- Phooeys Quest (Trained by Smokey Stover, Ridden by Arce J)
Phooeys Quest is a 5 furlong specialist with quick times to back it up. the eleven post isn’t ideal in this one a it will all depend on the jockey finding a good spot before hitting the turn so he isn’t stuck real wide. If he can get some racing luck and find himself in a good spot turning for home he has a real shot at mowing them down late.
12- Romantic Pirate (Trained by Drabfantasy, Ridden by Garcia Je)
The most inexperienced horse in the race is also the one given the toughest post with the far outside post twelve. The post position probably requires the jockey to try and send him to the front and try his best to hold on. He is steadily improving but might still be a few races away from being a contender in a race like this.
AE- Greece (Trained by Century Acres Farm)
AE- Yankee Baseball (Trained by TwinTowersRacing)
AE- Bay Of Gemini (Trained by Mo Mentum Farm)
My Selections: 6/11/8
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
