The Brooklyn – Grade II
BEL Race #2 1 1/2m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $400.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1    Cossack     Maxmillion Farm   Gutierrez R

This trip will not be a problem and though he has been on the turf more recently a nice second in the grade one SA Handicap on the dirt and from a difficult draw suggests that the surface wont be a problem either. A horse that runs well from the stalk this draw will play perfectly for him today and in a field that hasn’t got any clear cut superstars in it i feel he will be a big hope.

2     Mister Machismo     Night Rider Stables       Carmouche K

The stable has been in great form just recently and whilst this one would have little chance on exposed form he is working well enough to suggest he is better than the claimer that this yard acquired him from. The draw will help but it will have to because he simply isn’t as good as some of the others but at HRP that doesn’t always mean they can’t win,

3    Crimson Dragon      TwinTowersRacing       Van Dyke D

I feel this one may just be better than he looks and if anyone can launch a summer BC challenge with a horse it is TwinTowersRacing. His last two efforts have both been on an off track so the form shouldn’t be entirely relied on but prior to those he was a good winner of The Queens County Handicap and then a close fourth in the Razorback. The 1.36 and 1 mile work suggests there is more to him than meets the eye and he would be my solid each way chance.

4    Savannah Ruler      Night Rider Stables     Corrales G

The second runner from the in form stable this one is far more likely than his stable mate and he has looked like the sort to appreciate 12 furlongs. A game winner of the ONT Derby last year he then ran a solid race in the HOL Derby before being rested. He has come out strongly as a four year old and should be right in this at the end.

5    A Born Dancer    Maxmillion Farm    Gaffalione T

There has been several times in this six year olds career that i thought he would string some good wins together but he has struggled to find the sort of extreme trips he needs recently. The summer and autumn are his time of year and he has been very consistent when faced with any grade over the marathon trips. He has the trainer and the form to be a big factor.

6   Eagle Mountain    Mb Stables    Jaramillo E

How many times do we see this, a horse from Mb that has fairly average form suddenly throw a lightening work and start winning big races. Well this one threw the lightening work last time so i suspect this is another story with a familiar ending and he will out run his modest form by some way. Can he win, well on that work certainly but this trip is twice that far so that is the bit that is still a mystery.

7   Stolen     D J C Racing Stables     Franco M

Looks the type that lacks a bit of a turn of foot so may just be suited by todays extreme trip. He ran in this race last year but after being right up on the pace just flattened out down the stretch to end up fifth. One feels that he will be there on the turn but i think one or two will be finishing stronger.

8    Big Bang Raj    Rock Creek    Smith M E

Goes this sort of trip well but hasn’t been in the best of form so far this year and doesn’t get an easy race to turn things around. He has tended to go way back from wide draws in the past and if that happens today he may struggle to get through the traffic unless the race engine deals up a really strong pace.

9    Puppet Master    Spankys Barn    Saez L

Came good in the grade one Carter Handicap last time over 5 furlongs less than this and has a vastly different draw to deal with. A lightening mile work however says that he is traveling up his improvement curve and we all know how dangerous that can be. You cant knock a grade one winner last time out in a grade two race so if things work out for him must be a chance.

10    Spankersville    The Sidley Stud     Castellano J J

Clearly loves a longer trip but one wonders if he can handle a dry dirt track as well as he did last time. Capable but he has his work cut out from the car park and his best chance may come with rain and a false pace.

SUMMARY

A tough race to call with no stand outs i rather like Crimson Dragon for this but Eagle Mountain and Savanah Ruler look big dangers.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES