The Dandy – Grade II
SAR   Race #11   1 1/8m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $600.000  For Three Year Olds.

1 The Perfect Day, trained by Pan Farms
This is one of the talking horses of the year as after winning the San Felipe he was bought
from Australia Wide for $1,350.000. His reputation was still intact after a fast finishing nose
second in the SA Derby from a horrible draw and he went to the TC Series as a strong fancy.
Drawn better in the KYD he started just worse than mid field and pretty much stayed there
after running into trouble. His chance to atone came in The Preakness where he again
finished strongly but could only manage seventh. Last time out he looked a good thing in
the IA Derby but again got beaten, this time into second after once again finishing
strongly from the rear. There’s no doubt this is a very good horse but he is running out of
chances in my book and this may be the last time i take a serious look at him.

2 Cant Catch Time, trained by Twin Towers Racing
Working as well as any of the big hopes in this race he underlines the closeness of the
work times and ability of these horses at HRP as he has failed to win another race after taking his maiden a
as a two year old. Running well in overnights he has struggled in that grade and should therefore
struggle in this one.

3 Moment Of Madness, trained by Mb Stables
The winner of the lecomte and the Risen Star he disappointed a little in the LA Derby before
taking on the TC chase. A super run in the KYD saw him in a decent lead at the mile marker
only to fade into fourth but that was nevertheless a super effort. Running a similar race in the
Preakness he managed one place better in third and has been given a few months off since to
get over that arduous campaign. He is working nicely and certainly has the form on paper to
put up a big effort today especially over this shorter trip.

4 Blue Eight, trained by Australia Wide
Bought for $185.000 back in April he has run twice and won twice for his new owner and may turn out
to be the buy of the season. His very easy win in a CD Allowance last time was at a pace that
would put him in the frame for any stakes race and his works are amongst the best in the field.
He has certainly been thrown in the deep end here and has plenty to prove but the signs are good
and he may well turn out to be the giant killer in the field.

5 Red Leaf, trained by Our Athletes
Another victim of horse selling park he was bought for $330.000 after a close fifth in the SA Derby.
Since then although he hasnt won but he has run some great races in top company and with a swift work
just a few days ago he looks ready for a big run. In his last start he got buried in the one gate
but got out late and finished fast for a close fourth in the IND Derby earning a triple digit speed
figure in the process. On paper he looks a length off the best of them but it wouldnt take too much
improvement to see him running a big race today.

6 Phooeys Warrior, trained by Blushing Meadows
This is a real hit and hope entry as with only four starts and a single win he looks to be in too
deep here. Having said that his last start in Allowance company was pretty good and his works arent
exactly slow so it is hard to completely write him off.

7 Safecracker, trained by Yahudi Stables
A decent two year old he has struggled a little since turning three despite a good debut third in the Sham Stakes.
Again his works are up with the best of them but his form looks a little off them but with all these
horses so close it is impossible to say he doesnt have a chance especially as he steps up to a trip
that could really suit him.

8 Rising Light, trained Nakamura Stables
Another that went through the TC he was fourth beaten a length in the SA Derby before running down the
field in the KYD. He took his chance in the Preakness and ran better but was still well back. His last start
was in the IA Derby where he ran well to be a one length third so is certainly there or thereabouts. His
works are on a par with the rest of them so luck in running holds his chances along with most of these.

9 Lord Byron, trained by Jerry Garcia Racing
He burst into the reckoning for this race with a comprehensive win in the IA Derby coming from off the pace
for a comfortable win. His form prior to that was OK without playing a starring role but i know his trainer
has always thought a lot of him and even with a wide gate he comes here with a big chance.

SUMMARY
Well if you put the best works of these on paper then pretty much any of them could win and that has been
the story of these three year old races all season. I can pick three horses that should run well but to be honest
it has nothing to do with form and all to do with the trip and the pace. I dont have a crystal ball so i cant
pick todays winner and will be using my highly successful pin come post time.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES