Downs

$175,000 1 1/8 on Dirt    -The Downs Racetrack & Casino
Albuquerque New Mexico

Let’s take a look at the six horses entered for the Downs Stakes Saturday.

Not often a five-year-old with one lifetime win would go favored in a stakes race, even at Albuquerque, but today is that day. Jerry has no early foot but knows how to close the gap late and should be the public choice to roll by everybody late for Threshold Stables. Jerry drops substantially from a third-place finish in The JC Gold Cup that was won by $7,000.000 earner Quiet Return, who would win this race by daylight.

If Jerry doesn’t get up, then we have to take a long look at Star Vault for Mb Stables. “Vault” has gas and most certainly will use it to his advantage. Just missed to Diventare who is entered back in the Schiller Stakes after a dismal try in the Pacific Classic. This four-year-old still has room to peak and this could be a good spot to keep climbing up the ladder.

Barista ran an eye-opening fourth place finish when closing in the OBrien Stakes at Del Mar. Yes, this is not seven furlongs, but Barista has handled the distance at lower levels before and just might be getting better with age for Santan Stables.

Of the rest, Mount Fuji for Night Rider Stables has decent early speed and will certainly be the one to set things up for the favorite by pushing Star Vault along. From the rail I would think that has to be the instructions given to the pilot. Seven lifetime wins easily tops this field, however the competition at the claiming level of his recent races is obviously suspect.

Puma ran well off the claim for The Sidley Stud, but this is a giant ask here. Stablemate Honolulu, also with The Sidley Stud just broke his maiden and would be the bottom pick by many, however, those works are no joke and this could be the bomb to light up the tote.

-Trackman

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded