The Marine Stakes – Grade III
                       WO Race 6 1 1/16M – Dirt
                               Purse $125.000
                               Three Year Olds

A nice short field to line up in here with a couple three year olds who were on the triple crown trail at one point. That doesn’t mean they can’t make a step to the big level especially with the third leg of the triple crown in a month from this race. This may be a stepping stone to bigger and better things for some of these.

1. Pure Gifts (8-2-1-1 $118.160), trained by Mb Stables

The only horse with triple digit earnings in the race he ran twice in derby points race buy couldn’t break the top twenty in the derby points list. He did run third two starts ago in the TAM Derby and if he runs that race back he will have a very good chance to win. The likely morning line favorite for the race.

2. Broomstick Spirits (5-1-0-1 $25.200), trained by Threshold

After a statebred maiden special weight win at the beginning of the year he made a jump into stakes company in his last two starts with two out of the money placings. Last start he ran in the FL Derby and ran a kind of decent sixth place finish. If he improved off of that race I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won.

3. Willow (5-3-0-0 $73.360), trained by D J C Racing Stables

A five dollar maiden claiming winner last year as a two year old turned stakes winner and triple crown prep race contestant this horse made a huge turn around from his two year old season. A ninth place finish in the San Felipe last out he’s had a little freshening and the wizard should have him ready to go.

4. Snakie In The Window (4-2-1-0 $31.000), trained by Maxmillion Farm

Another one who made a big improvement from his two year old season he got beat in a Clm6.25N2L last August. Last out he won an OClm40/N2X-N at SA. He is on the up and coming so if he keeps improving he may run a big one and win. A lot of improving will had to have happened though for him to win.

5. Thrilling Mist (8-2-1-1 $37.250), trained by Crocker Ggs

Some good starts in his last two he ran fifth in both the Davis Stakes and Spiral Stakes which are both derby points races. He’ll probably be the second choice of the field and can definitely win this race. If he can improve from those last two starts he can win this race without a doubt in my mind.

Summary

This race is filled with horses who are trying to make the jump to the grade one level for races like the Belmont or Queens Plate which is the case for Thrilling Mist. I wouldn’t count any of these horses out because they can definitely all win if everything goes right for them. No rain in the forecast so they best horse should win.

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Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES