Prince of Wales Stakes
FE Race #16 1 3/16m Dirt Stake
Purse $400.000 For Three Year Olds Foaled In Canada.
There is always a very lucrative state bred series in Canada and this race is often a target due to its very nice purse and classic trip. All the big names are here but there are also some lesser lights here trying to take some of this purse money. A tight race, here is how they line up:
1 Rockin Rodeo Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
The Queens Plate is always a huge pointer for this race and this gelding was beaten a head in that race after looking the winner coming into the final furlong. A good winner of the Plate Trial before that he certainly looks the form choice for this especially when you consider he managed to run that super race in the Queens Plate from a horribly wide gate. Bought for a far amount after just average form he has been much better since a change of adds and i expect him to run a big race from the ace draw today.
2 Wisecrack Mb Stables Gaffalione T
It is unusual to see our champion trainer with such a seemingly weak hand in this race but you have to respect anything from this barn however much they look out of their depth on paper. He gets the perfect draw to turn his average overnight form into stakes winning form but apart from a fairly good mile work recently there isn’t much to advertise his chances here.
3 Command General Nakamura Stables Hernandez C J
The second stable runner and you would think the second string. He did win the CA Derby so he is in the right race but it does look like his stable mate has his measure. Good enough to give the trainer a hope of a one two.
4 Gambier Island Wood Duck Stables Velazquez J R
An interesting runner from a barn that has had some success with their home breds recently. There was some nice placings in maiden company before he finally got his win in a big ticket race at SAR and he was very impressive that day running away by three lengths. A bit of an unknown quantity in this grade but i like his works and how he is progressing so he must be a real chance of upsetting some of the better known in the field.
5 Hint Of Sugar Arindel Jaramillo E
Second in the FL Derby he then ran a nice race in the KYD only being beaten two lengths by Howl To The Hound in finishing eighth. Now it can happen that these early types that contest the TC go off the boil for a bit and that is certainly the case with this gelding who has been disappointing since. Beaten in both the Plate Trial and the Queens Plate he was draw out both times but still didn’t really run up to his best. A return to his early season form will see him running very well.
6 Cleon Clone Crocker Ggs Bridgmohan S X
He has been running OK without really making a big impact at this level. Third in the Ruby Stakes back in March he is working well enough but hasn’t really showed that speed on the race track. Well back in the Queens Plate from a decent draw compared to the others he could surprise but the odds seem against it.
7 Creep Away Arindel Franco M
A consistent sort considering he has been pretty busy but like a few here has yet to really make his mark this year. He was a game second in the Elgin Stakes last time after running on pace so he may be the leader here from the wide draw If he gets away with some soft fractions he may be able to surprise and his mile work was pretty good recently suggesting he may appreciate this trip.
SUMMARY
This race looks an ideal race for Rockin Rodeo to gain compensation for a narrow defeat in the Queens Plate. The rest of them are much of a muchness but if Hint Of Sugar shows his old form he may be able to run second with Command General sure to run well.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
