The 19th Running of The Pasco Stakes
Saturday, January 14, 2023
TAM Race #11 $125.000
3YOs 120/115 Lbs (plus penalties) 7 Furlongs
Course Record-1:20.93 (Clubhouse-2021)
Stakes Record-1:21.48 (Signature Move-2014)
Eleven sophomores have come to TAM to open their 2023 seasons in the $125.000 Pasco Stakes. Carded as race number 11, the Saturday feature will be contested by 10 colts/geldings and a single filly. Only Zaro has tasted black-type success and he will tote 122-pounds; however, several have overnight placings and graded experience. Among the more interesting entrants are the pair from the barn of Aer Stables; Open The Gates debuted 4th at GG and makes his second start here while Roswell, a local debut winner, faces winners for the first time from the outside gate. The forecast says there should be plenty of sunshine and the track should be souped-up for fast times so let’s take a look at this year’s prospective field for the $125.000 Pasco Stakes!
#1 Shesterkin (Big Jd Racing/D. Chavez 120): Gelding broke his maiden three back and will face his third consecutive group of black-type runners. Broke the maiden from the rail and will look to duplicate that success here.
#2 Re Aggravation (Bayou Star Farm/H. VillGomez 120): 2nd out maiden-winner tried Cal-bred stakes three times with one runner-up effort before being auctioned for $9.000 last month. Faces open company here, but the barn is certainly giving him an opportunity to reward their faith.
#3 Only Just The Start (TwinTowersRacing/P. Morales 120): RUI MSW and TUP N2X victories sandwich a G1, 12th-placed try in the slop. Was involved early on the old engine and will look to hold his ground from this advantageous draw.
#4 Sorriso (Alabarda Stables/J.L. Castanon 120): Enters on a two-race winning streak and numbers keep improving with each race. Took a local N3X last month and gets an extra half-furlong to aid his rallying style here.
#5 Open The Gates (Aer Stables/S. Spieth 120): Barn picked a tough spot to try to break the maiden, but the work tab says he definitely belongs. Nothing has really fired out of his debut encounter, but this conditioner knows talent when he sees it.
#6 Zaro (Bomberracing/J.C. Ferrer 122): Dixie Jewel winner will tote two/seven extra pounds than the rest of the field. G2 company proved too big of a task, but he was very close to doubling-up under the extra weight in the 1-mile Lafitte.
#7 Thundera (Delta Farms/C. Lozada 120): Colt broke the maiden here going 8.5 furlongs and cuts back on short rest for the first encounter with winners. Nothing on the work tab suggests this is out of his depth, but this is a big step up.
#8 Enjolras (D J C Racing Stables/J.E. Lopez 120): Exits a PRX N1X victory going a mile after two NY-bred stake tries. Did get a show out of that first crack at winners in the $100.000 Aspirant before appearing groggy in the Sleepy Hollow. Last-out was a big improvement.
#9 Jacks Courage (Mb Stables/A.A. Gallardo 120): Gelding broke the maiden at the Spa before consecutive stakes tries. Finished up the track in both of those but rebounded with a sharp 2nd in a GP N2X. Latest workout suggests he’s ready.
#10 Cheyenne Warrior (Rock Creek/I.C. Wenc 115): Lass brought big money after DH-ing for the win at LAD. Tried winners in consecutive races at CD but can’t hold those efforts against her here with the difference in circumstances. Gets a serious weight break and we’ve seen that be an effective tactic on previous engines.
#11 Roswell (Aer Stables/R. Feliciano 120): Debuted a winner last month at GG and comes back just over three weeks later for this engagement. Only came into the barn on Dec 16, so this colt looks to become profitable if he can conquer this group from the widest gate.
Final Analysis: This one should draw a lot of attention as one of the first black-type races on the newest iteration of the race engine. We see it 11-9-7 but really struggled with picking between the top two. Good luck to everyone in The Pasco Stakes!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
