This week’s Top Ten finds a little shake-up in the standings however Beach Dandy remains at the top with his impressive 3yo debut in the Risen Star. Liberty Valance cracks the Top 10 with his Southwest Stakes performance. On the disappointing side previous #3 Opus Force faded down the stretch in the Risen Star receiving his first career loss. Also another disappointed showing was Champaign Stakes winner, Bo Knows, who failed to fire and finished dead last in the Southwest Stakes at OP
1-Beach Dandy (Joshua Stables)Put in quite a performance in the Risen Star, He seemed a bit keen as he was up closer than usual to the pace. He was content to stalk the front runners until the far turn where he moved to the lead with authority to take the win. KYD favorite deservedly, matched his career high 96 SRF
2- Fear The Dragon (Lionking Stables)no change here, Lewis Stakes win at SA earned a 98 SRF speed figure. The question remains can he continue to carry that speed as the racing distances increase.
3- Questionable (Mb Stables)BC Juvenile runner-up was closing late in the GR3 Lecomte in his last start earning a 94 SRF. Though he has only one win in six lifetime starts he has faced the best of company. After taking the GR1 Pharoah he just missed by a neck in the GR1 BC JUV
4- Red Cup (Our Athletes)a very consistent one here as he always seems to be in the thick of things. He has been in the money in six of seven lifetime starts. He was very impressive in his last start at SA in the GR3 Lewis ST behind Fear The Dragon earning a career high 96 SRF
5- Chai Bay (Serenity Stables) ten race veteran who just broke his maiden at SA on January 1st, he has two wins and six place finishes. However he looks to be coming into form having won his last two starts his most recent the 9f GR-3 Withers at AQU. He earned a 93 SRF in the Withers as well as in the GR-1 Pharoah St where he came within a length of Questionable the BC Juvenile runner-up.
6-Shake It Up And Go (John Henry) Looked very good getting up in time to take the Smarty Jones at OP in his last start earning a 94 SRF. This is another one who always seems to give his best effort and is always in the thick of things. He came within a neck of the top two ranked horses in the 1m RP Special Mile in December.
7- Liberty Valance (DJC Racing Stables) surges into the Top Ten off of his come from behind victory in the GR3 Southwest Stakes at OP. Impressive win overcoming the 11 post start and trailing well behind early. Earned a 93 SRF
8- Chrystal Believer (Maxmillion Farm) GR1 LA Futurity winner has been very competitive in all his starts. He has faced some of the best this past fall earning very good SRF figures in the process. At this point he still appears to be a tad behind the top tier runners.
9- Ranger (AER Stables) GR3 Davis Stakes winner in his last start has finished no worse than 2nd in five lifetime starts so he has shown some heart. As we said last week three year olds at this time of year are known to blossom overnight so he bears watching.
10- Opus Force (Mb Stables) drops down from last week’s 3rd spot, put in a very disappointing performance in the Risen Star. Didn’t like the way he faded in the stretch. However he was three for three going into the race and did have a 95 SRF in the Lecomte. Perhaps this is just a clunker but there is a cause for some concern.
Others contenders waiting in the wings:
Ardetha (AER Stables) winner of the 9f EL Camino at GG, not an over impressive SRF figure however raced very wide on the turn and was 7 wide coming down the lane. Closed strongly to get the win finishing the last 5f in 59.2 secs. Has a back 97 SRF in an ALW win at GP in January, winner 3of 4 lifetime starts, bears watching.
Dreamscape (Joshua Stables) improving 3yo, took the GR2 Holy Bull in his last start earning a 93 SRF, laying low under his stablemate Beach Dandy.
Devil’s Tower (Smokey Stover) turf specialist has won 3 of 5 lifetime starts and has hit the board in every start. Took the BC Juv Turf last November earning a 93SRF. Loves the turf but will Smokey be tempted to at least try one KYD prep race?
Not To Be Denied (DJC Racingstables)
Camp Hollywood(f) (Estero Farms)
Sacotra Island (NYNL Stables)
Rainstorm (Fractious)
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
