Breeders Stakes- $400.000 Purse
WO- For Three Year Olds Foaled in Canada
One Mile and One Half on the Turf
August 17, 2019

There will be some good turf racing north of the border this weekend as the 13th running of the Breeders Stakes goes to post at WO. This is an opportunity for three year old Canadians to showcase their ability running long on the grass, and in looking at this field, it could lead them to bigger and better things. Overall, the field of six does not have a true headliner, but that can only mean that we will have an evenly matched and entertaining race. Mb Stables, who won this race back in 2016 with the late Sunny Gabe gives us half the field. Let’s look at all the participants!

#1- Lord Commander (Mb Stables, ridden by R M Hernandez)- He was seen here last month for the running of the Queens Plate, and after setting the early fractions, the faded towards the back. So far, he only has $50.000 in career earnings, so despite running in that race, he hadn’t had much success to brag about before that, and has only one win in seven starts. This will also be his turf debut, and based on works, it may be about time for that.

#2- Never Met Me (Mb Stables, ridden by G Saez)- The only horse in the field that has accumulated over $100.000 in earnings, as he sits at $169.790. He won an ungraded stake early in his career at a mile and a grass, and has a couple second place finishes in his last two starts, which includes the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes at PIM. Speed figures are exciting and should make him a top threat.

#3- Van Wilder (Fractious, ridden by C Landeros)- This horse has had an inconsistent career in overnights rotating wins, and sixth place finishes. He was sold in private sales for $40.000 early in July, and after running one race with Fractious, the new trainer sent him off to be gelded. He will race as a first time gelding here, and that is the most exciting thing about him for this race. If it can make him more consistent, he could fulfill his potential.

#4- Tourniquet (Mo Mentum Farm, ridden by T C Baze)- The Shark Force gelding has been a regular in Canadian-bred races, and was seen last month at FE in the Prince of Wales stakes, and he finished fourth in the race. He has only run on the grass once, but that was also his second career win, coming in an allowance. Have not seen many public turf works, but he should be fine.

#5- Equivocal (Smokey Stover, ridden by J M Campbell)- This has all the looks of an up and coming horse that is about to do some really good things. So far, he has only seen the track four times, so in that alone, there is plenty of untapped potential here. He has two wins, which were in each of his last two races, going over a mile on the grass. I love his turf works, and love how they trend on him getting better. If there is a concern, it is the three week layoff, because he is not really used to that yet. This will be his springboard race into bigger and better, and I feel he gets it done.

#6- Old School Style (Mb Stables, ridden by F Prat)- Comes into this race after breaking his maiden in his last start, which was his fifth start. It is interesting that after running on the turf in his first four races, he switched to the main track, won there, and now comes back to the grass in a stake like this. If anyone can pull this off, we know that Mb Stables can. Plenty of reason to like the works on this Chai Latte gelding, who also may just be coming into his own.

Prediction: 5-2-4-1

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded