AP Classic – Grade III
AP Race #3 1 3/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Three Year Olds.

1 Trouble Brewing Mb Stables Hill C

Not a bad sort in anyone else’s barn but in this one he looks just ordinary. Ordinary for Mb though in generally a lot better than most so as this gelding gets a comfortable draw to run from and is on a bit of a winning streak he must go in with a chance. Always running on at the end of his races it looks like this trip may suit him and as he very nearly won the grade three Demille Stakes i think we can assume he has the required class gene to compete at this level.

2 Financial Peace First Class Stable Valdivia J Jr

A lightly raced entire he is another that is on the improve and races from a lovely gate. There was a lot to like about his tenacious win last time out in the Audubon where he made all from a wide gate which is never easy to do. I like the direction this one is heading and this looks like the right spot for him to continue his journey.

3 Darth Invader Diablo Diablo Murrill M

This is the third horse that is working within a fraction of his rivals and to be honest there isn’t much to separate him from the rivals inside him. His last two runs over 9 furlongs suggest this trip is made for him and i liked the way he finished when beaten a neck by the promising Winchester last time out in the Cinema Stakes. His win at allowance level in 1.45 flat makes him a real contender for this.

4 Through The World La Canada Racehorses Marquez C H Jr

Another clone he has been tested at this level and has been very consistent finally getting a deserved win last time out in the Crowd Pleaser. I see no reason he wont get this trip but it is a bigger question mark with him than others although his trip from this gate may be the key to any success he has in this race.

5 Stormbringer John Henry Doyle S

He has had a pretty disappointing run since being purchased for $100 but came good last time out with a last gasp win in the Snow Chief. He raced from a good gate that day so the form has to be looked at but the race was competitive for a race of its type and there was definite improvement to be seen.

6 Better Back Off BomBay Stables Cotto P L Jr

I would say this one had all the credentials to win but the outside draw beings him back into the pack. A closing sixth in the Queens Plate and a close fifth in the LA Derby is about the best stakes form on display here and he does carry the added bonus of having a first ever turf run which can often be a HRP blip where horses out perform themselves. Despite the outside draw he may be the one in a tricky field.

SUMMARY

5 little clones against the unknown of a dirt router here so what we have is the usual mix of luck in running and pace to find a winner. You could make a case for all of them but i am going for the HRP Hack and going for the first time turf runner to storm home wide and take the race.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES