The 20th Running of the G3 WV Governors Stakes
Saturday, August 6, 2022
MNR Race #16 $200.000
3+ 118/123 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/16
Track Record-1:41.01 (All Out Bark-2021)
Stakes Record-1:41.05 (Flamenco Beach-2018)
The co-feature on Saturday’s card at MNR, the G3 WV Governors Stakes drew a field of seven. Five older males and two sophomores will contest the 8.5 furlong event over the main drag. Although Oleg and Real One each took a graded race earlier in the season, they both escaped being penalized on the scale and will only have to give the two sophomores the customary five pound allowance. Three other runners have each taken a listed race, so this spot provides an interesting opportunity to see how they stack up against some proven graded performers. Let’s meet the field:
#1 Ronaldo Chop (Night Rider Stables/G. Rodriguez 123): 5yo started his season with three consecutive ITM finishes, including two such efforts in G3 events. Didn’t fare well at all against G1 foes back in June, but he should appreciate coming back down to this level. Thinking he gets back on the early gas from this post and that should help his chances.
#2 Wrangler (High Voltage/F. Geroux 123): 5yo has been in the exacta in four of his six starts this season. Those four efforts would all be good enough to make him competitive here, but the “other” two races this season were not very good. In both poor efforts he was caught in the parking lot, so it’s definitely a positive that he’s only drawn outside of one runner here and that should only aid his preferred running style.
#3 Oleg (Arindel/D. Moran 123): Dual G3-winning 4yo colt threw a couple clunkers after the OP score in February, but just missed last out at WO in a similar event. He’s another that likes to get on the throttle from the start, so the pace dynamics are already getting interesting for this one. Will have to weigh being three-wide in a duel versus two-wide in a stalking trip behind a possible lone pace-setter. Barn has always thought highly of him and expect he shows more improvement here.
#4 Real One (Nakamura Stables/L.J. Luzzi 123): 5yo started ’22 in fine fashion by taking a SA G2, and, other than the G1 try, hasn’t run poorly since. Does his best running sitting just behind a target and he has to like his chances of working-out a trip with all of the speed drawn inside of him. Needs to show the fight he had in February, but he’s been right there in his last three tries at this level.
#5 Electile Dysfunction (TwinTowersRacing/M.E. Smith 118): Sophomore colt has had a productive campaign thus far with five ITM finishes from six starts. The lone OTB finish occurred the last time we saw him, but he was only beaten three lengths in the G3 IND Derby. On the downside for this guy, both wins came in gate-to-wire fashion and there’s really nothing but speed drawn inside of him. Trip scenarios vary wildly for this one.
#6 Walk Naked (Jokerjoes/Al. Gonzalez 118): Gelding will try routing for a 2nd time after splitting the field in the mud at WO. Been a very productive sprinter, but sophomore seems like he’s one that will look to settle towards the rear before producing his run regardless of the distance. Should have plenty of pace to setup his rally, and shouldn’t get caught more than two-wide into the first turn. He’ll have to pass some proven commodities, but like the barn’s confidence for picking this spot.
#7 He Needs A Manzillian (Mo Mentum Farm/M. Murrill 123): 6yo horse took the $100.000 Jazil to start his season but has gone winless in five starts since. He does have two other ITM finishes (both at this level), but he’s also thrown three subpar efforts out there. Gets caught wide for this, but, at least, he’s shown some versatility in how he tackles these assignments. Needs to find more consistency, but the talent is still there.
Final Analysis: May be overthinking this one, but if Electile Dysfunction was drawn better we’d be all over him. The speed inside of him looks to hold all of the cards and we’ll say they finish 3-4-2 in the G3 WV Governors Stakes. Good luck to everyone in this and all of their races this weekend!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
