Grade 2; Three-year-olds and Up
1 Mile Turf
Post: 7/2/2016 15:20
Seven Years, the oldest in the field, looks like the one to beat. Though he hasn’t been to the winner’s circle since January, he has been consistently close in his starts this year. With 50 starts to his name and nearly $4,000.000 in earnings, you have to wonder if there’s a breeding shed in his future.
Midway looks like his toughest competition, and these two like to run up front, so they may hook up early. If you want a longshot, try Fluctuation. This three-year-old comes in with a three-race winning streak capped off by a win in the Open Verse last out.
Here’s the field:
1 Fluctuation
Owner/Breeder: Mb Stables
Only six career starts for this three-year-old, but four of them were wins, and he’s only finished off the board once. Won the Open Verse last out, his only start on turf. Looks like an up and comer but may be taking on too much too soon.
2 General El Nebraska
Owner/Breeder: Ekli Stable
Another lightly raced three-year-old. Likes to be on or near the pace. Won the Paradise Creek last out in wire-to-wire fashion. Making his graded stakes debut and will need to step it up to win here.
3 Irish Flu
Owner: Sanny Village
Breeder: TwinTowersRacing
This six-year-old gelding won the Shoemaker Mile (G1) last June but hasn’t been able to get back to the winner’s circle since. Third last out in the Appleton (G3) in April.
4 A Little Influence
Owner/Breeder: Sidley Stud
Three-year-old with a graded win last start in the AP Classic (G3) at 1 1/16 mile. Looks to be in good form and could be a factor here.
5 Tin Lizzie
Owner: Stald Dullis
Breeder: Spongebob
Last win for this gelding came last March in Kilroe Mile (G1). Since then, he has finished well up the track in three G1 attempts. Should benefit from the drop in class, but will need to put in his best effort to win against these.
6 Midway
Owner/Breeder: Whitewater Stables
Wired the field two starts back in the Arcadia (G2). Tried to stretch out to 1 1/8 mile and step up to Grade 1 in last start but ran out of steam and finished 5th of 7 (ahead of Tin Lizzie) in the Woodford Turf Classic (G1). Another one that likes to be close to the action, so look for him up front early.
7 Hes Juiced Up
Owner: Joshua Stables
Breeder: Mb Stables
Finished off a three race win streak with a victory in January in the Swale Stakes (G2) on dirt. This is a race of firsts for the three-year-old son of Chai Latte: first turf start, first start at a mile or beyond, first start for new owner, Joshua Stables. A lot to prove.
8 Dreaming Of Pearls
Owner: Chili King Stables
Breedeer: Newmo40
Five-year-old gelding claimed for $3.500 just three starts back. Finished second in starter allowance company at this distance, then turned in a lackluster performance in his first graded attempt on soft turn at MTH. Another one with a lot to prove.
9 Seven Years
Owner/Breeder: Alydar Stables
The class of the field. In the money four of his last five starts, all in G1 company. Last win came in the San Gabriel (G2) in January. Seems to like more distance, but he very nearly wired the field in his last start, the Dixie Stakes (G2), just caught at the wire going 1 1/16 mile by Sir Tom, winner of last year’s BC Mile. Could benefit from the shorter distance if he has things his way.
10 Ghostly Deed
Owner/Breeder: Drabfantasy
Three-year-old gelding making just his second career start. Broke his maiden last out at FL going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt. Has been working well at a mile, but probably needs more experience to compete at this level.
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