Penalty Shot to Overcome the Draw to Take the Rubies

Ruby Stakes – Grade III [KYD]
TP Race #2 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Three Year Olds.

1 Learning To Fly South Shore Stables Centeno D E

After winning a decent maiden nicely he went on to run close enough in the Nashua to give his trainer some KYD dreams. Since then however we haven’t seen the sort of improvement needed to be a real hope. The ace draw will help and he wont be far away but i can’t see him winning today.

2 Di Home Run Hitter Patterson Stables Geroux F

Third in the Iroquois last year he ran pretty well in the Breeders Futurity next up before disappointing in an optional claimer at the end of the year. That strange effort was put right behind him in the Holy Bull on seasonal reappearance when he ran a game second from a sticky draw and brought him right back into the KYD picture. The draw is perfect for him today so this is probably his D Day as far as Derby contention is concerned.

3 Sinissippi Rubicon Arindel Lezcano J

There doesn’t look much to recommend this one on form but his recent 1.37 work brings him into this along with the fact his last three starts have been on turf. A trainer in form, a good draw who needs form, this one has a chance.


4 Cleon Clone Crocker Ggs Kimura K

Consistency is a big plus for him rather than the narrow win in a optional claimer last time. His works are strong enough for this throw at the stumps.


5 Live To Fight Arindel Hernandez R M

Ten races for one win look a long way off of being a KYD contender but he ran well enough in the El Camino to give himself another shot today. Probably not the best on form from the stable but he has every chance in an open field.

6 Sneaky One Arindel Franco M

His works scream KYD contender but his form has yet to scream class gene. Good enough at overnight level he has struggled at higher grade but this race is about as soft as a KYD points race gets and his strong works must give him a big shot.

7 Cash Me Outside Gdp Inc Gonzalez Ru

Took a long while to break through and eventually did so in a maiden claimer. Since then his works have improved and he put in a good effort in a GP optional claimer last time which puts him right in this race which doesn’t seem overly strong.


8 Two Buck Chuck Nakamura Stables Ryan S

The winner of the El Camino from a terrible draw he doesn’t get a much better draw today but that win is about the best form in the race despite him being a claimer in the race before. Clearly the Nak Factor has worked its magic.

9 Penalty Shot Maxmillion Farm Court J K

Took his maiden at attempt number four he was then gelded before running a great race to be fifth in the TAM Derby. His works are stronger than most and than run in the TAM Derby may be enough to put him on top of the pack despite a rotten draw.

10 High Logic Nakamura Stables Cohen D

Won a TAM maiden by a nose and comes straight here to see if he has the required class gene. His works are going the right way and he has the right trainer in an open race so it may only be the draw that goes against him.

SUMMARY

This is probably the easiest KYD points race i have seen for a few years but whilst the form isn’t strong there are ten horses with a chance so it will still take some winning. Penalty Shot looks the one for me and whilst i am nervous about the draw i cannot see that stopping him. Of the rest Call me Outside and Sneaky One would have chances and Di Home Run Hitter has the draw and the form to be a big chance.



Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES