8/7/22
8 DMR La Jolla Hcp (GIII)
$150.000 3yo 1 1/16m Turf Hcp Weights
A six-pack of sophomores will be headed to the starting gate on Sunday as we look at the field for the La Jolla Hcp (GIII) going a mile and a sixteenth on the lush lawn here where the surf meets the turf. I’m going with Neds Influence in this one as the colt looks like he’s a form ready as anything in here. He looked good winning the Black Gold stakes at FG back in the spring, and led to the lane in the Kent Stakes (GIII) at DEL, only to settle for the runner up spot. You have to pay attention to Mb Stables in these races and Crazy Ivan certainly deserves consideration here. He moves back to the grass after a string of main-track races, and he hasn’t like the green stuff up to this point, but his works say bring it on… let’s see.
Here’s The Field –
|
Barr | Wood Duck Stables | Espinoza V | 120 | 8/1 |
Three wins from his last five starts including a nice win at PRX on a soggy lawn where he took down PA-bred stakes horses, going today’s distance. He loves the grass and the distance, and this could be a spot for him to step up and grab one.
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Neds Influence | The Sidley Stud | Cedillo A | 120 | 7/2 |
Two wins this season including the Black Gold Stakes atFG, back in March. He was second in the Kent Stakes (GIII) at DEL last out, and is certainly a horse to watch in this one. He shows speed and could just get in front and roll.
|
Lantern Yard | Avenue Z | Vazquez R A | 118 | 10/1 |
Broke maiden and came right back to win an Alw race, both at GG, and it’s been tough since. A pair of fourth place finishes vs lower stakes company then a seventh vs high-end Alw types at CD. He has to turn it around in a big way to be a factor today.
|
Union Mills | Sccj Stables | Geroux F | 119 | 9/2 |
Still looking for his first win of the year but has been close in a number of stakes races, including a second in the Jerome, likewise in the Murphy at PIM on PRK day. Fourth last out in the American Derby at CD, so he could be around for part of this one.
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Crazy Ivan | Mb Stables | Van Dyke D | 118 | 4/1 |
Changed hands for $75.000 and won back to back races including the Battaglia at TP, but then was up the track in a couple of TC preps. Came back to just miss last out while facing OptAlw types at CD, so now it’s back to graded horses.
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Uninterrupted | Nakamura Stables | Alvarado F T | (+1)119 | 7/1 |
Broke maiden then beat one horse when fourth beaten eleven lengths in a high-end Alw race at CD. You can dismiss that race in some regards, as it was on a soft turf course, but it may rain for this one… if so, I’d avoid.
COZMAN 2 / 5 Willie’s Green Card 5 / 1
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
