11/17 River City Handicap – Grade III
CD Race #5 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Max Million Its All About The U Beschizza A

This is a horse that promised so much when he won the Breeders Stakes last year and then finished second in the Northern Dancer and whilst he has continued to run well in good company he never really went on from those good results as a three year old. Sprinting in his last three starts he hasnt done badly for a horse that won the mile and a half Breeders Stakes but HRP isnt really the same as real life on that score and routers generally sprint well so i dont think we can read much into those efforts. He gets in with no weight here considering his turf route record and he would only have to run up to his early season efforts to run well in this.

2 Mean Street Nakamura Stables Court J K

This eight year old has a wonderful record of 12 wins from 44 starts for over $1,000.000 in prize money and showed last time out in a strong open allowance that he is not done with yet. His work times are still very strong and he gets a great weight in this handicap. As much as it is unusual for eight year olds to keep winning i think he may just be the one in this tricky handicap.

3 Preacher Man Gdp Inc Geroux F

He has moved stables almost as much as he has raced this year but considering the upheaval has has kept his form pretty well. He has proved he can run on any surface and gets bottom weight here and that coupled with some strong recent works may make him a lively outsider for this race.

4 Bandito TwinTowersRacing Lanerie C J

Its difficult to write anything off in this race but being a three year old this one is at a disadvantage before it even races as it is way worse off than it would be at weight for age. He does have ability as he proved when fourth in the United Nations and third in the MTH Stakes but his form has tailed off recently and he may struggle in what is a very strong field.

5 Rebel Force Wolfs Den Ortiz J L

He hasnt won this year but showed enough in the Knickerbocker Handicap last time to suggest that he may benefit to this switch of surfaces. Pretty consistent on the dirt this may be just the thing to bring out the best in him.

6 Minnesota Moni The Sidley Stud Bravo J

He has been very consistent in lower grade this year and comes from a stable in great form. Despite running in lower grade he has been clocking some high speed figures and as we know the class system means that the class of races he has been winning in means very little. He doesnt look the best on paper but has a punchers chance.

7 Cool Touch Maxmillion Farm Albarado R J

The second entry from the turf king he looks out of his depth on form but his works suggest he will have a chance off bottom weight.

8 Wonder Threshold Landeros C

Has shown some improved form recently but the stable has been plagued with wide draws and gets another one here that may just make it too hard for this one.

9 Speeding Zeus D J C Racing Stables Leparoux J R

Lumped with top weight and the wide draw luck really didnt shine on him for this race. Having said that he is all class and won a couple of handicaps at the start of the year so isnt a forlorn hope although i dont think he can win this race.

SUMMARY

This is a good field for a grade three and quite difficult to choose a winner. Mean Street may just win and the eight year old certainly deserves a good win, i would also be wary of Max Million over this trip.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES