Connally BC Turf – Grade III
 HOU Race #10 1 1/2m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Sundays Sauce D J C Racing Stables Gaffalione T

First in the field we see this five year old who was bought from the retiring Calia Stables at the end of last year for $70. He started to show some form as a three year old running a great race from a wide draw in the Shadwell Turf Mile and it was that effort that saw him upped in competition.Close thirds in the Thunder Road and the San Francisco Mile were mixed with more average efforts but he has had consistently high speed figures despite only winning once last year. This trip is an unknown but his two work outs this year have been very fast and you have to wonder whether he has had the old HRP juice up that can happen when our little pixels hit an upward improvement curve.
Not a winner on known form but i will be watching this one closely.

2 Maniaco del Controll Threshold Pennington F

This six year old is a bit of an old war horse. Not a superstar but he always tries hard and has some real good performances on his record.He acts over this sort of trip and gets the perfect draw to get some much deserved purse money.

3 Keg Size Bomberracing Valdez-Jiminez E

Claimed from the Turf King he had made a habit recently of winning races over this sort of extreme trip although as yet they have all been at much lower grade. A winner of four from nine he gets his chance to prove something today but he will have to step up to be a part of the finish.

4 Bad Bad Boy Gustafson Stable Davis D

This one has only had two races on the turf and has been unplaced in both of them. That may look a bit of downer for his chances but both those efforts weren’t bad and we all know that the surface doesn’t mean the same at HRP that it does in real life. He stays the trip and has some ability so i would certainly give him a shot here.

5 Controlled Power Spankys Barn Franco G

Another old war horse this one has been running in graded stakes since 2017, has a grade one win to his name and has gone to the BC twice. He only managed the one win last year but that was early season in the San Luis Rey so it is clear he runs well fresh. Proven over the trip, proven in the grade it is just a matter of how the old legs are standing up and the works suggest they are just fine. A great chance for the old fella to teach the youngsters a lesson.

6 Duke Or Earl Gdp Inc Fuentes Ru

It is great to see these veteran horses all still in action and this is another old warrior that has been thrilling us for many seasons. He also started in black type in 2017 but unlike his fellow seven year old has yet to win above grade three. He had a good season last year placing a grade one twice before a solid effort in the BC Mile. He has raced twice over this trip winning The Jerkens in his last start so it is clear he wont be inconvenienced. Fast works suggest he is still willing and able and he goes into the hat with a live chance.

7 Stallsome Maxmillion Farm Saez L

NEVER ignore the turf king in races like this and this six year old has done it all before. Winner of the Sycamore over this trip last year he went on to run a great third in the HOL Turf Cup and looks far better than his bare form suggests. The gate is awkward but if anyone can find a length and the right position its Maxmillion Farm.

8 Im Your Huckleberry Luz International Velazquez J R

I have a feeling this four year old is crying out for a trip like this and he may just be the value bet in the race. He ran much better than his fifth place last time in the Tropical Turf and he comes here a fit horse that is working career best times. If you are looking for odds then this one may be a good each way bet.

9 Hammerfest Smokey Stover Elliott S

The class in the race he gets a wide draw which may negate some of his superiority but its hard to go past his credentials for a race like this. A run of great races at the highest level peaked with a superb second in the Bc Turf which is far and away the best form in this race. Any fears about being a four year old and not training on were put to bed when he won the SSM Turf two weeks ago and a sizzling work since showed he came on for that win too. The only thing that beats him is the wide draw but with the new race engine it may not be enough.

SUMMARY

Hammerfest looks head and shoulders above these but there are a couple of small niggles if you fancy finding one to beat him. A two week turnaround and a wide draw bring in some other chances and you can make a good chance for most of the field.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES