The Awad ($150.000 Purse)
AQU- For Two Year Olds
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Inner Turf
October 19, 2024

Two year old turf horses will get a chance to run for nice purse on Saturday, as the 11th running of the Awad takes place at AQU. This race has gone back and forth between BEL and AQU over it’s history but seems to have found its home at the Big A now. The $150.000 represents a high for the race, a slight increase over last year. That race was won by the late Lunar Attraction, for Allinthegate, a horse that would only make three starts after. Will this year’s winner have more longevity in their career? Time will tell, of course, so let’s see who is looking to be that next winner.

1- Losing Hazard (Asgar, ridden by An Castillo)- One for two in his career thus far, coming here off a win on the dirt at BTP in late August. That is the last time that he has run, and it was likely a turf work in mid-September that put plans in motion to run him in a race like this. Certainly, the works are great, making this a name to remember even if he doesn’t win or fails to contend here.

2- Crypto Star (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by N Juarez)- Another horse that is making his turf debut, but he did a lot more than run at BTP last time out. Crypto Star ran in the $200.000 Saplin, running with the leaders early before fizzling out in the stretch. He also worked well on the grass to suggest that he can handle a race like this.

3- Dollar Bill (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by Ru Silvera)- It is also his first turf race, and his efforts in his last two suggest that a change was probably needed. After winning on debut, Dollar Bill was elevated into the stakes ranks, but would not put together a solid effort in either of the races that he was in. It is also his first time going long.

4- Police Heat (The Sidley Stud, ridden by J Alvarado)- Just two weeks or so ago, Police Heat ran at BTP for his fourth career start, and finally broke his maiden there. It was at a mile on the grass, and while he is working well, they are not as quick as Lozing Hazard or Dollar Bill, which is why I have more confidence in them stepping up here.

5- State Your Business (Big Jd Racing, ridden by T McCarthy)- Only one start to his name thus far, coming at BTP in early August, where he went wire to wire at today’s distance on the turf. That part is encouraging, and the trainer is clearly confident by moving him into this type of race afterwards. His works are not as quick as others in here, but that does not have to mean anything.

6- Silver Sod (Nakamura Stables, ridden by J J Castellano)- This is now the fourth horse out of six so far that comes here after running at BTP, making me feel better about the races I have lost there. For Silver Sod, that BTP race was a stake, the $75.000 Loyalty Stakes, where he was a non factor. He’s only won once in four starts, and it is also the only time hitting the board. Like Dollar Bill, I like that the trainer is changing some things up.

7- Terra Authority (Alydar Stables, ridden by J A Gomez)- Broke his maiden at LAD in August, and would be back in action at the always competitive Grade 1 Summer Stakes at WO. He was fifth there, with an unimpressive race line, but that is a race that typically brings out a BC quality field, so more of the same might actually get it done here in the Awad. I’d like to see a little quicker work times, though.

8- Last King (Riggins Racing, ridden by Jo Ruiz)- He will be starting this race exactly the same as he finished his last one. Literally. He comes here off of the Grade 1 Summer Stakes, where he finished in a dead heat for fifth with Terra Authority. Now look, here they are in the starting gate with nothing separating them again. In terms of his chances, everything I said about the Summer Stakes with Terra Authority applies to Last King. That’s a BC quality field, this isn’t (no offense). Very capable of winning this.

9- Mind The Dimes (Asgar, ridden by D Davis)- Combine the earnings of the other nine horses, then double it. You still wouldn’t reach the amount of earnings of Mind The Dimes. Asgar can thank his victory in the $750.000 KD Juvenile Sprint on soft turf for a large part of that. But the Dime Defense colt showed that he could run long after that as well, placing fourth in the Grade 2 Pilgrim. Working well, and I don’t think he had to be “dropped” into this, but as long as he’s here, he is the one to beat.

10- Mystery Dime (Asgar, ridden by K Carmouche)- May be the biggest threat to his stablemate, but is he going to be ready to run? This will be his third race in less than a month, and while it is not always case, often it is that third race in quick succession, and not the second race, where the wear and tear will show. There are exceptions and Mystery Dime can be one of them, but that’s reason he’s not showing up anywhere in my top four picks.

Prediction: 9-7-8-1

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded