The DeFrancis Memorial Dash – Grade III
LRL Race #1 6f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Domination Nation, trained by Double J Stables
Twice a runner up in the BC Sprint, this admirable old warrior probably ran the best race of his career in this year’s race when dead heating for second just a neck off the winner. That run was no fluke, as he had been close up in all the top sprints again this year, and he comes into this as one of the favourites.
2 Power And Money, trained by Kopites
Has suffered the four year old curse this year, but hasn’t done too badly, and as the four year olds start to catch up at this time of year, is not without a chance. He ran well in the True North before not getting the trip in the Whitney and ran well when brought back to sprinting last time when a one length eighth in the Forego. He has every right to be close up again today and comes from an in-form stable.
3 The Star Of Jones, trained by Oval Express Farms
This three year old hasn’t got the form on the board to trouble the best of these but isn’t a bad sort and deserves a shot.
4 Hold My Steel, trained by Mb Stables
Yet another three year old from the massive Mb Stables who has been competing at the highest level despite limited experience. A game winner of the grade three Aristides, he ran his career best race in the Vosburgh last time out when only beaten a length into third. His work times suggest that, with the 2 Lb pull in the weights, he may be the one to beat.
5 Top Hero, trained by Tiratzo
A nice enough sort, he ran well to be a close second in the Jersey Shore before being unsuited by the mud last time out. He is clearly an improving sort whose works suggest that, with the weight allowance, he may go close.
6 Sir Jive, trained by Kopites
Another four year old, he has been the victim of horse selling park in the last few months. He won the Mr Prospector before a brilliant third in the Crosby right on the heels of Domination Nation. Last time out he ran on from the trail to be just two lengths behind the winner in the SA Sprint Championship, but it’s that running style which may land him in trouble again as he gets the squeeze box today. He has every right to be right in it at the end.
7 Fly millenium, trained by John Henry
Less than a length behind Domination Nation in the BC Sprint, where he was rather laughingly tenth beaten one length. That sort of form line is a common theme at HRP, and it really is impossible to read much into his finishing position that day. Drawn 14, he had little choice to go one of two ways, and it was decided that he go back and fly late, and he read the script almost perfectly. He could well have won that race with a better draw and doesn’t have much to find with his rivals to gain some compensation today.
8 El Gran George, trained by Night Mare Racing
A nice enough sort which has won his last two in ungraded stakes and won them in good times. That suggest he can be competitive here but has a difficult draw and will need things to go his way.
9 Prince Of Wales, trained by Blushing Meadows
With only a single win in a maiden, this three year old should have no chance in this, but this is HRP and he is working just as quickly as the rest of them and despite just average form is easily within a length of them all. The trainer has been riding the crest of a wave and he could easily be the upset in the race if things go his way from the wide draw.
10 Texas Sky Hawk, trained by Aer Stables
Was in the ruck in the Forego when beaten a length into seventh but may find this trip a little short of his best.
SUMMARY
Well, after watching the BC Sprint where the tenth horse was beaten a length, I fully expect the same here with the difference between the horses being the sort of trip they get. So get your pin ready because anything could win this lottery.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
