The Canadian Turf – Grade III

2/28/2026        GP         Race #4             1 1/16m            Turf       Graded Stake

Purse $150.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1            Russia Sux          La Canada Racehorses          Jimenez A                   124               

Winning four of his last five this is the type of late developer that could make up into a decent horse in this sort of grade. A good winner of the Carousel Handicap last time scoring triple digit speed figures he has a lot going for him from the ace gate.

2            Dramatic                         Family Racing          Lopez P                           124

He ran some good times as a three-year-old and I liked what he did on seasonal debut when taking a GP Starter Allowance over this trip. He could be the type that finds his running legs as he gets older, but he still has something to prove at this level and today will be his big test. His works have been very good since that win, and he slots into a great f=gate so has every chance of a big run.    

3            Stop Hammertime     Bears Stable                Bejarano R                     124               

Lost his way a little as a four-year-old after looking promising at three. He still ran some solid races at overnight level and looks the type that could find that big step of improvement now he has turned five. A gutsy win at TUP will have sharpened his fitness and I like what he is doing on the home works.                   

4            Good Memories           Mb Stables                Velazquez J R              124               

With over $3,000.000 in prize money most of that coming as a three-year-old when he won the BEL he is clearly the most accomplished in this race. Two from two on the turf, again advertising the apparent lack of definition between surfaces here at HRP he almost certainly will start favorite to win this race. As a five-year-old entire his value may be beyond the racetrack, but he should still be good enough to make some more good racing memories.                            

5            Derby Dreams              TwinTowersRacing      Franco M                        124               

Another entire whose value will not go down once he is retired, he has been highly tested for much of his career as is normal for horses from this yard. That strategy proved spot on last year when he took the grade one Hirsch after a close second in the DMR Handicap, but he could not continue that form in the BC when a very disappointing last. His last turf work says he has come on very nicely from his decent sixth in the Pegasus Turf and if he can get his late run timed right over this shorter trip, he would certainly be a winning chance.                             

6            State Cavier                   Diablo Diablo               Bridgmohan S X          124

The evergreen seven-year-old proved he is still capable when taking third in the Pegasus Turf after a fine season in 2025. Though he is a regular over longer trips than this I actually think this trip suits him and whilst he can be a little one paced in a finish, that one pace may be quick enough to get the closers in trouble. This is an above average grade three but he is an above average horse.          

7            Cage Rage                 Maxmillion Farm           Juarez N                          124               

The chances keep coming here with last year’s Kelso winner. His win record is 8 from 38 but on his day, he can be very good and with this trip being on the sharp side for some he has the speed to put himself in with every chance. A little lack luster on seasonal debut his works since have been good without being noteworthy so I feel he may find a couple too good for him here, but he will certainly be in the fight.         

8            Travis Mathew               Nakamura Stables       Santana R Jr                  124               

His works are suggesting he is ready to go but he still has a bit to prove on the track at this level. A lightly raced sort he was good enough when second to Russia Sux on seasonal debut to suggest he may have more improvement in him than some. He goes into the maybe pile.                  

9            Off Gold                           Asgar                        Dettori L                         124

I feel this five-year-old has got a healthy dose of five-year-old fairy dust as he was showing some nice improvement at the end of last year which ended with a fine third in the HOL Turf Cup. The trip may have found out his on-speed style that day so back to this distance today and showing plenty of speed on the gallops he could well be the dark horse in the field. He may be just wide enough to get some outside speed push and if he can find a good position into the turn he could well surprise the big guns.             

10          Tower Isle               Winning Link Stables               Salles L                   124               

After winning the Fort Macey in May last year he went right off the boil and it was looking like the gun was calling. He surprised me a little with a strong seasonal debut win in an overnight at Hou and his works have been very good so he could be on a late life renaissance but with this tough draw and that declining form last year he is definitely a tough pick. I hope for his sake he can find his old legs.                   

11          Tom Kha Gai                  High Voltage                Gaffalione T                  124               

A highly consistent sort who could use the wide gate here to lead them up. His last two starts have been from a draw like this and he has gone on speed to place at this level both times. His best form is certainly up to winning this as are his work times but he will need some favours from the race engine with this gate.                              

12          Legit                     Bigchief Stables                Geroux F                         124               

The car park goes to this six-year-old entire who will find it tough at a level that he is unproven at. There will almost certainly be a speed battle here which won’t help his chances but if he can slot in behind the speed he may get first run on the closers and on his seasonal debut effort to win the Bradley Stakes he isn’t without a chance if things go that way. His works are as good as anything here so he could be a good outsider if you fancy a flutter.

SUMMARY

A tough race to call and a very good grade three. On works there are 12 chances, on form maybe four so it, as usual, is probably best to stick with proven form. A couple here will be hoping for the race engine to favour them but one that seems to be able to transcend the race engines foibles is Good Memories so he may be a safe bet. Derby Dreams will need things to go right but is certainly capable of a top three finish as is State Caviar.   

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES