Bold Venture Stakes – Grade III
WO Race #2 6 1/2f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

A strong field for this race and after writing about short fields it is nice to see. That is probably down to the fact there are very few good races for sprinters whereas there seems to be a glut of three-year-old turf route races at the moment. There are plenty of chances here, but I will start with R Lopez who hails from Nynl Stables and has been a top sprinter recently. The winner of six from his last ten he was a strong second in the MD Sprint last time from this very gate, so I expect a similar effort today. Public Information and Surprise Authority look threats, but I have a feeling the main threat may come from the left field as Only Way Is Up is certainly one that looks like living up to his name. Claimed from a cheap claimer where he was beaten, he then came out a month later to claim a stakes race and then clocked a sub 1.36 dirt mile work. That reeks of a five-year-old sprinkled with some fairy dust to me and he will be my choice for the win.
There are more chances than that though and some of the wider draws may be looking for the slingshot here because Neon Delite, So Slick and Regal Halo all have the ability to win but will need all the favors from the race engine.

Catch A Glimpse Stakes
WO Race #3 6 1/2f Turf Stake
Purse $150.000 (plus up to $22.50 for ON-breds) For Fillies Two Years Old.

Just the six two-year-olds here which is crazy when you think of the amount of two-year-olds in the game but that is what we have so let’s take a look at the best chances. People Easer is two from two and hails from Mb Stables so must be a great chance but the other uneaten filly in Matey from the in-form Red Fox Stable must be considered especially as her last win came at stakes level. The maiden My Sharona won’t be a maiden for long so watch out for her, but they are three of six and all six have claims here for the win.

Soaring Free Stakes
WO Race #4 6 1/2f Turf Stake
Purse $150.000 (plus up to $22.50 for ON-breds) For Two Year Olds.

Another two-year-old stakes race without a full field, this one has the seven runners with a very similar look about it as the filly’s version. There are no unbeaten colts here and the turf works are very similar, so it is very hard to find a standout for the win. Mb Stables brings Profound Fury who won very easily last time out and once again Red Fox Stables saddles a good chance with Mystic Talent who is having his first turf start but has worked well on the surface. We have a maiden in this race too that is also drawn wide (coincidence?) but he looks an above average maiden and is working as well as anything so could break through today.

King Edward BC Stakes – Grade II
WO Race #5 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

Another short field but a pretty competitive one. I liked Free Agent to win last week before he was withdrawn so I will go again with him, and he looks the outstanding chance in this. Dangers, well, Giannis may be coming back to his best and Cascade King has a good draw and is on a winning run so shouldn’t be ignored.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES