The OBrien Stakes- GII [BC]
                         DMR Race 6 7F- Dirt
                             Purse $200.000
                      Three Year Olds and Up

A full field of twelve is going to line up here in the OBrien Stakes and they are going to try and earn a free spot in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. There was two also eligibles in here but two scratches in here have drawn them in so it is still a full field of twelve lining up. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Rothstein (11-3-4-1 $227.800), trained by John Henry

This horse is coming off of an allowance win in his last start. The time before that he ran ninth in the BEL Sprint Championship when he got beat by two lengths that day. He won the Lang Stakes before that so he has some class but he is going to have to show it with older horses and not just three year olds.

2. Cat Whisperer (12-5-3-2 $265.700), trained by Onlineracingclub.com

Now while this horse was bought for only one dollar before his last two starts he paid his way in his last two starts for sure. He ran third in a stakes and then won a statebred stakes last out over this same course and distance. The only thing that hurts him is the draw of a nine percent jockey.

3. Top Hero (21-5-6-3 $294.480), trained by Aer Stables

This Aer Stables runner is coming off of an optional claimer win last out after he ran fourth in the Smile Sprint Handicap. He has won a statebred stakes before so he is a stakes winner and he has a little bit of class stashed away. He has a little shot of the pace is quick and he has a good kick.

4. Royal Leader (9-3-3-2 $198.110), trained by Joseph Racing

Well this horse will be changing his tune as he usually runs around two turns at a lot longer distances. He will be shortening up to one turn for the first time in a very long time and maybe it will pay off. He also has some class as he has won a grade three before so he can win if he likes one turn.

5. Creepy Palace (15-4-6-2 $340.220), trained by D J C Racing Stables

Scratched

6. Jesse The Bandit (29-8-7-6 $622.310), trained by Spankys Barn

This old gelding didn’t run too good last time over this same track in the grade one Crosby hit maybe that was too short of a distance for him. He made a run but just could never get close enough to win but this extra eighth of a mile could really be in his favor especially if the pace is fast.

7. Oh Awesome One (31-7-5-6 $766.420), trained by John Henry

Another one of the old classy horses in the field he has won multiple graded stakes races in his career and I think he has some sort of a shot in here. He hasn’t won since last year but he has knocked in the door a couple of times. He does his best running close to the lead so he’ll need a slowish pace.

8. Spring Lover (26-10-6-2 $3263.860), trained by Mb Stables

The big horse in the field right here and he is coming off of a very big win in the grade one Metropolitan Handicap or as some people call it the Met Mile. He won by a nose that day and he has won some very big races in his career. He is going to be my to pick in the field for obvious reasons.

9. Crop Duster (19-3-8-1 $505.080), trained by Mb Stables

The other entry from Mb Stables is also a graded stakes winner in his own right but he is no Spring Lover. He won the Iowa Derby as a three year old but hasn’t won a race since then so maybe he just doesn’t like to win which is a problem. He can win if he actually runs his best but who knows if he will.

10. Powerful Suit (10-4-1-1 $209.920), trained by Nakamura Stables

If this horse wouldn’t have won his last start I wouldn’t have give him any chance in here but since he win a wide open allowance race at Saratoga I have to give him a look. Maybe it was the short field or the cutback to six furlongs but it makes him a little bit more intriguing in here and I give him a look.

11. Di Pantera (12-3-2-1 $269.520), trained by Gdp Inc

Well here is another one coming off of an allowance win at Saratoga and he did it from last that day and ran maybe the best race of his career. Maybe seven furlongs is his best distance or just around one turn because he ran first in a stakes at a one turn mile. I think he has a decent shot in here.

12. Jacque Allot (20-7-3-2 $345.890), trained by End Run Farm

Scratched

13. Gold Sunset (8-1-1-2 $95.260), trained by Maze Stables

Here’s a horse who is coming around finally as he started his career on the free tracks and since then has become graded stakes placed in his last two starts. If he could just figure out the right instruction to run on he could be very tough in here. He will need to run a big race but I think he could do it.

14. Cali Jesse (30-9-7-2 $242.650), trained by Chili King Stables

A ten dollar claimer earlier in the year but once Chili King Stables got him he has turned it around and is now a shakes winner and a graded stakes placed runner. He usually likes to come from far back so a quick pace will definitely benefit him. He has an outside chance I think if he keeps improving.

Summary

Well it’s a full field and a competitive race but I think Spring Lover is the obvious standout in the field for sure. He looks like the obvious top choice to me coming off of that win in the Metropolitan Handicap. Maybe someone else wins this race but I myself just don’t see it happening.

8-11-13-9

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES