With just last year being the very first running of this event, there could be a new race time posted, new winning trainer and jockey, and all the bragging rights of winning an event a sixteenth of a mile longer then a mile and a quarter in distance.
- The Brenardini- Purse $100.000
- Aqueduct Race Track- For Four Years old and Up
- One Mile and five sixteenth in distance- Main track
- February 29th, 2020
Nine runners are poised to tackle this very long event, all with the exception of Intervention, looking to capture their first ever stakes title. Mb Stables has managed to grab posts one and two for this affair with previously mentioned Intervention coming off a victory in the $90 Invitational Cup to close out last season, picking up an extra two pounds here. More then likely will be made the odds on favorite for this affair. His stablemate Having A Blast is now a five year old and managed to earn three victories last season. Has tried to run on top and from off the pace and it will be interesting to see how his trainer attacks this event. Closing as he did in the ten panel Gr. I Gold Cup last season would probably be his best strategy.
From post three will be Team 7 Illusions Jam Packed. This gray five year old out of his owners Cherokee Sunset sire made the switch back to the turf last October when he placed second in the $100 Point Of Entry race at this track. That was a twelve panel race, so if he is looking to play the spoiler late here, will need to start his progression to the front just a little bit earlier. He did earn a 99 SRF for his efforts in that event.
Post four is Oquinn Farm’s Bad Day. That’s not what the vet would prescribe for his efforts in this event, but since the geld last season, the four year old bay has won four out of five starts, quite an impressive record. Found the mud in his opener at the Fairgrounds, and closed to win out in a photo by a head bob at the line. Likes to spoil late, so watch for him to come charging down the lane.
Post five will see the gate swing open for Renault ( D J C Racing Stables ) as he looks to this season opener to get his campaign started. Went runner-up in last seasons Gr. III ONT Derby up at WO, where he held off till late to put in his run. Hopefully his trainer will use those same tactics here, as I think that will work best to get him a share.
Number six silks will be worn by the most senior member of this field, Night Rider Stables Wolfmoon Bay. Now an illustrious nine year old here at HRP and still racing with the heart and passion of a three year old, he still puts out whatever his body will allow him. Yes its been since the end of 2018 when he brought home his last victory, and he has been unable to place his name on a stakes trophy, but to continue to compete at a mile or better in distance shows his stamina. While I don’t think he can win, definitely line up along the rail an applaud this warrior following this event.
Jokerjoes sends out Mount Koya from post seven today. This four year old out of Connectivity opened this season with a bang going runner-up in the $100 Jazil to a runner who placed third in the Gr. III BC Derby at Hastings. His SRF numbers have been on the climb from a 90 three starts ago, to a 98 in his most recent. I always love to look for one who has been on the upswing as of late, and I think this runner has what it takes to spoil the Mb Stables entry.
Old School Style ( Nakamura Stables ) has post eight for this affair. After not seeing any racing since August of last season, this trainer took a chance at the December Auction and bid just under $47 to obtain him. Since the buy, trainer has been tackling different distances and surfaces to see where he would fit best, and has decided to compete here. Following in the Swarley and Charlie Farley bloodlines, hopefully the distance will not be out of reach here. Would like to see an effort first.
Final runner of this group is Niner So Dreamy from Serenity Stables. In his past five starts he has accomplished a record of ( 1-1-3 ), with a second place effort in the mile and a quarter $100 Caribbean Cup down at GP. He took the front and controlled the pace in that longer event, only slightly losing out at the wire. May very well get out on top from this outside post to the lead, and if rider Cardenas can dial him back to a pace not to tire him, he may have enough down the lane to be profitable.
Weekend Highlight:- So how many of you have heard of a horse by the name of Jack Rabbit Slim? Well there is definitely one trainer who remembers that name. It was two days prior to New Years Day 2017 when this then three year old would win his third event of his career, but it would be the first ever winner for trainer Jokerjoes. I can guarantee you that after Jack Rabbit Slim broke in fifth some four lengths out at the start, that turning for home, Jokerjoes was yelling at the screen all the way down the stretch until his horse narrowly beat out Man Strokes ( Hambletonian Stable ) by a neck in the photo. This trainer has come along way since that 21 start first season. He has managed to take home two Grade III titles in his career, one with Inflation last season when he took home the Futurity, and the other came in the Mazarine BC Stakes with this time a filly by the name of Mad Mistress. Now this little lady is definitely deep in the heart of her trainer. Placing third just three quarters of a length shy in last seasons BC Juvenile Fillies race, she opened this year with a runner-up effort three weekends ago in the Gr. II Las Virgenes Stakes, missing by a head to one see placed in front of in the BC Juvenile Fillies. Even though he has managed to bring home eight stakes title over the past roughly three and a half seasons, and has improved his EPR from 0.45 in 2016, to a well rounded 7.14 so far this year, I feel Jokerjoes heart is complete behind Mad Mistress this season to bring home the glory that he so richly desires. All the best for an amazing 2020 season!
Duffer
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
