The Fleet Sprint Handicap (Grade 3)- $400.000 Purse
OP- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
April 13, 2019
On the undercard for the AR Derby, we will have plenty of exciting races, one of which is the 14th running of the Fleet Sprint Handicap, a Grade 3 with a healthy $400.000 purse associated with it. This has attracted a field of nine to OP for the race that will not see much variance in the weights among the entrants. Weights range from 118-120, though only one is even at 120. Night Rider Stables has been the most successful trainer in the race, having won it three times, and he will have entries on the bookends of the field hoping to add that. Let’s meet his runners, and the other seven now!
#1- Regal Confidence (Night Rider Stables, S X Brigmohan)- Acquired very cheaply in the December auction, for just $6.320, Night Rider did not initially have high ambitions, either, as his next race was a $16.000 claimer. Looking good there, he went to a $50.000 ungraded stake at GP, and placed second, recording a 97 SRF. After some time to rest, the trainer is hoping for continued progress.
#2- Psychotic Ruler (D J C Racing, A A Gallardo)- One of those horses I can never seem to get away from in a race I cover, and he continues to do nothing for me. I want to like him, and he is probably better then his recent run of form, but when a horse keeps stiffing you at the betting window, you don’t keep playing it. There’s nothing I see that suggests a turn around is likely, but in this game, you never know.
#3- Big Tuna (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by T C Baze)- Acquired in private sales for $20.000 in November, and gelded right after being introduced to his new trainer, Big Tuna has made the occasional appearance at the graded level, but does not have much to show for it at this level. Otherwise, he is consistent, hitting the board in 12 of 15 starts (12 of 13 when looking at non graded races). If he can turn the corner in these races, we could be seeing a lot of him this year.
#4- Cadillac Eldorado (John Henry, ridden by J Talamo)- This is the high weight in the field, but carrying 120 when everyone else is at 118 or 119 will be a non-issue. He comes off a flat run at the GP Sprint Championships (Grade 3) last month, which was a surprise considering he had a three race winning streak heading into it, two of which were at GP at the same distance. Redemption should be in the cards here.
#5- Zombie Lady (Nolespan Racing, ridden by V Espinoza)- This is not a filly, despite the name. Not much that can be said about him given he only has one start in his career, a win at TUP, and there is only one public work. Doesn’t mean he won’t have a chance, but there’s not much data to use to write about him.
#6- Peculiar Sensation (Mb Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- One of two runners that Mb Stables will have as he looks for his second straight win in the race. Peculiar Senasation is best known for a stretch around this time last year where he won five out of six, but once moving up to graded company, and winning the Grade 3 Barrera, the wins slowed. He did take an open allowance in his last start.
#7- Orwell (Greeko Holdem, ridden by T Gaffalione)- Looking to make the biggest jump of his career, Orwell makes his graded debut in his 15th start, and it will be his third start in five weeks. I’ve often said that two starts close together will be fine for a virtual horse, it’s when that third race is tried that things are more difficult. I’m gonna have to pass for that reason.
#8- On The Spot (Mb Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- Based on past history, this would seem to be the one to beat, as his $648.000 in career earnings thus far is more then double what anyone else has attained (you were close, Peculiar Sensation, but not quite). Most of that was going long, and even was third here in the Grade 2 Rebel last year. Lately, he has been sprinting, but can only boast an optional claimer win when doing so.
#9- Cold Weather Rider (Night Rider Stables, ridden by Ro Maragh)- Hopefully, it will not be too cold for him anymore, but the bigger question will how will he handle a different surface, as Cold Weather Rider is used to doing his running on the grass. 23 of his 24 starts have been on the turf, so this isn’t a rookie we’re talking about. He’s switched trainer hands a lot since then, and his dirt work times do suggest he’s ready to roll here.
Prediction: (This race is wide open): 6-4-8-3
— NS
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
