06/29 The Queens Plate Stakes
WO Race #10 1 1/4m Dirt Stake

Purse $1,000.000 For Three Year Olds Foaled In Canada.

1 Piraya John Henry Gallardo A A

This is one of the seasons great races not because it has the best horses in it but because it gives some of the supporting cast of three year olds a shot at a 1K purse. This one falls solidly into that category but has won three races this year and is certainly a hope for the in form stable. He won the FON Stakes from a weak field but then ran a nice second in the grade three Marine last time on a muddy track. His works are in the right ball park and he rates a chance if he doesnt get buried from this draw.

2 Not A Pretty One Estero Farms Gaffalione T

Its only at HRP that a juvenile winner over a mile and an eighth can then be competitive in sprints at three but ignoring his flip flopping of trips he has a nice chance from the best draw. He ran in some good races as a juvenile before his nice win in the Coronation Futurity but has struggled a little this year to find his feet. A good third in an open allowance prompted his trainer to try the MD Sprint last time but he just wasnt fast enough ending up fifth. If he can find his best he has a hope but his best is a while ago now.

3 Cymbaline Patterson Stables Hernandez R

The winner of just two at overnight level he falls into that category of working like a grade one horse but never taking the field in one. He has been consistent at lower levels and we all know its just as hard to win an allowance at LAD than a stakes race these days so his lack of experience at this level shouldnt put you off. This trip should suit and he could run well from a great draw.

4 Born To Laff Joshua Stables Ortiz I Jr

Claimed for a few dollars he went straight from being beaten in a cheap claimer to running a close third in the Davis Stakes. He tried to up his game even more when taking on the Rebel and the BG Stakes and though his results were poor he wasnt that far away at the end. His last two starts have seen him winning at a lower level taking the plate trail last time by a game nose. His works are good enough and he has enough ability to get involved.

5 Padlock Threshold Beschizza A

With just five starts and a maiden win last time it would be easy to overlook this ones chances. However his works arent bad and he looks like he has been crying out for a longer trip. A punchers chance in an open race.

6 Burning Approval Mb Stables Talamo J

Beaten a nose in the Plate Trial last time out he had started out the year very well taking his maiden and then running a great third in the LA Derby. He disappointed in the AR Derby and the Day Mile but looked back to his best last time and was catching Born To Laff as they hit the line over a furlong less last time. As always he has a chance being from Mb Stables and with multiple entries his trainer will be able to position him to advantage.

7 Lionking Invader Estero Farms Velazquez J

He was quietly fancied for the KYD after winning the Swale and being beaten just a nose in the BG Stakes but ran a very poor race ending up a well beaten eighteenth. It looked like the slushy ground was the reason for his poor show but then he ran in the BEL and could only manage tenth on a faster surface. There is no doubt that at his best he would be among the favourites for this race and his works suggest that he isnt far from it so his chances must be taken very seriously.

8 Chaos Itself Gdp Inc Wilson E J

He has looked like this sort of trip would really suit but has struggled a little to string his form together. A nice allowance winner on turf he then came back to dirt after failing in the American Turf to take a competitive allowance at state level last time. His works are among the best and as we know form means very little so with a midpack draw he may be a bit of a dark horse.

9 Devil Snake Joshua Stables Garcia Alan

He was taken down the TC road and after a nice second in the Withers looked like he may well get into the big races. A ninth and seventh in his next two starts ruled that out but they werent bad efforts and he wasnt beaten far so like so many others he would come into this race. He was running on in the Sir Barton Stakes when fourth last time but all that really told us is that he may appreciate this longer trip.

10 Lord Commander Mb Stables Sanchez M J

If the Plate trail was anything to go by we will see a ten horse photo finish here as this one was third in that race but only beaten a neck. To show the extent of how hard it is to weigh up form he had only won his maiden in the race previous and unlike many from the stable isnt working much better than a claimer. Where does that put him? if it was any other trainer i would say midfield at best.

11 Born A Diplomat D J C Racing Stables Bravo J

This horse has won over a mile and has one of the fastest mile works in the field, however he has looked more of a sprinter which further muddies the form for this race. He tried to make all in the Easy Goer last time but faded out but came from way back in February to win a mile allowance in the mud. What does all that mean, well when i see this trainer with a horse with no form to win the race but fast work times i tend to think 300/1 winner.

12 Questionable Mb Stables Bejarano R

Probably the best horse in the race on form but this draw will certainly bring him back to the pack. He very nearly won the BC Juvenile as a two year old flying home from a terrible draw to be beaten just a neck but can throw the odd clunker so even though that looks great form for this race it really is buyer beware. Third in the lecomt, the winner of the Fountain Of Youth and a close fourth in the SA Derby put him in the KYD picture but his trainer saved him for the Preakness only to see him a never nearer tenth. To be honest despite the draw and a little inconsistency you would be a fool to bet against the best horse with the best trainer.

13 Mojave Rattler Mo Mentum Farm Espinoza V

He has been in good form this year but all that form is on the grass and he gets a horrible draw to try and emulate that on dirt today. If this was on turf i would be happier and as it is he just looks like a throw and stick sort of entry.

14 Mookie Arindel Castellano J J

An exciting entry for his owner but has been given a horrible draw for his effort today and looks to have very little chance of a shock win. I hope he shows up and gives the trainer a run for their money.

SUMMARY

A really sticky race with a good few chances but on the face of it this looks like a Questionable win.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded