The Pennine Ridge – Grade II
BEL Race #2 1 1/8m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds.
1 Sweet Sweat Mb Stables Davis D
I think when this one was third in the BC Juvenile and then won the RP Springboard Mile everyone put him in as a likely KYD favorite but after 3 goes to get into the field he couldn’t do better than sixth and fell out of the picture with his tail between his legs. Now two things can happen at HRP, one a trainer can fall out of form and all their horses seem to suffer and two a horse can switch surfaces and suddenly run its best race. Both of those things apply to this son of Cherokee Sunset and with a nice draw he looks the one to beat.
2 World In Changes TwinTowersRacing Rosario J
Well its easy to glance at this entry and ponder why he isn’t in a mid range one win allowance. A tight maiden win at LS after two efforts on dirt do not scream stakes winner but we must remember this isn’t real life, this is HRP and a glance at the 1.10 flat work last time we saw him on the gallops say he has every chance from the perfect draw to become another of those HRP stories.
3 Bannister John Henry Fragoso P
Ran well enough as a two year old to get himself a $150 price tag in a private sale but he has been pretty disappointing since and may be taking his seat at the last chance cafe as far as this grade is concerned. Working well enough to say he has a chance and a decent draw so i wouldn’t write him off.
4 Iron Nation Nakamura Stables Cancel E
One of the most in form stables of the year so far the Nak factor dipped for a bit but they continue in good enough form to take a serious look at any runner they have. This one has been transformed since switching to turf this year and like the stable has performed well above expectations in his last three starts. A win in the Transylvania and a close third in the American Turf put this one on top as far as recent form goes and it is hard not to think of him in the top three.
5 B C P Aer Stables Castellano J J
A length behind Iron Nation in the Transylvania i cant see him turning that form around but it seems easier to turn form around than run to it these days so it could be easily done. The works are on the board and he goes into the hopper with every chance.
6 Quarter Plan Gdp Inc Franco M
Had a go at the TAM Derby after his maiden win but ran below par and was switched to turf for just his fourth lifetime start last time out. Digging deep he just got home by a nose in the Sullivan Stakes. That form doesn’t look up to this but the works say he is good enough so as usual we have to pick the bones out of the form and give him a punchers chance.
7 Big Aspirations Fractious Ortiz J L
The works say win the form says no but with the usual field full of clones anything can happen. He ran well when a close second in the Cutler Bay but had no real excuses in the American Turf last time so as with many of the others he will have to improve his performances to date to win this but anything is possible.
8 Hamburglar Mb Stables Carmouche K
The second runner from the stable he is clearly not as accomplished as his stable mate but is more of a turfer. An on pace sort i expect that the draw will send him forward and whilst he can’t be used as a rabbit i am sure he will be set to run them along at a good pace.
9 I Chief Sharis Stables Alvarado J
Gets the car park and with just moderate form is hard to make a case for. His works aren’t bad though so if things go his way he could be in at the finish.
SUMMARY
I have seen so many great dirt horses switch to turf and win that it has to be Sweet Sweat for me for no other reason than that. I expect Iron Nation and BCP to be the biggest dangers but i must admit anything else could cause an upset win as as the form is diverse so its hard to get a line on many of them.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
