GII – MTH Stakes

$150.000 Graded Stake Going 1 1/8th Mile on Turf For Three & Up

2016 Champ: Race was not run

The 2017 GII MTH Stakes at MTH has drawn a small field of four. Being a GII the BC points are still worth the same amount as a full field so it is still a very important for these horses looking for a chance at going to DMR in November.

1- Sunny Gabe (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Ortiz I Jr)

In his most recent start Sunny Gabe was a fast closing fourth in the GI United Nations. Based on that and his two other wins from four starts he will likely be the very heavy favorite when the gates swing open Sunday afternoon. This four year old gelding has shown great versatility as he has been able to win races from five furlongs all the way up to a mile and a half on the turf. He has also been able to do it wire to wire and from off the pace. Being able to win in so many different ways can give a horse a huge advantage.

2- Red Zebell (Trained by Blazin D, Ridden by Bejarano R)

This five year old out of Red Fusion was able to win in dominating fashion while going wire to wire last time out in a MTH starter allowance. That race was held at the same mile and an eight distance as the MTH Stakes and was impressive enough to warrant the entry here. The added distance appears to be something he has been looking for in the past and should suit him very well. Unfortunately for him even though it is a very small field it’s a tough one so it will still be a battle to even take home a check.

3- Rookaholic (Trained by TwinTowersRacing, Ridden by Albarado R J)

The lightly races three year old will be giving stake company a try for the first time. His last race at WO was a second place finish in a top allowance race going a mile and an eighth. The winner that day then went on to be sold for $200.000 and ran in the GII Read Stakes last weekend where he finished only a length off the winner. The three year old will get a 5 lb weight advantage over the rest of the field which has been proving to be very valuable as of late.

4- Pass The Pesos (Trained by John Henry, Ridden by Velazquez J R)

Rounding out this short field of four is Pass The Pesos. He has been close all year but has yet to find his way to the winners circle in four tries. His last race was the BEL Gold Cup which included Sunny Gabe who took home the victory that day. Despite the run of races without a win hes been close in a lot and with a little racing luck can break through and get a win. He will be looking for some of the others to set a quick early pace for him to run at late and if he can get that anything is possible!

My Selections: 1/3/4

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES