The Forbidden Apple
BEL   Race #3   1m   Turf   Stake
Purse $150.000 (plus up to $22.500 for NY-breds)  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Playmaker, trained by RNP Stables
This lightly raced four year old has been running pretty hot in allowance company most notably when taking down a big pursed open allowance last time. His work times are very strong and whilst he has been kept out of stakes company he clearly has the ability to compete at this level and beyond. Its not hard to see him winning from this draw but this is an open race and he has limited exposure at this level.

2 Icicle Dawn, trained by Aer Stables
The winner of the BC Juvenile and American Derby it was a bit of a shock to see him running in a free track claimer last time but a bigger surprise to see that he wasnt claimed. Aer Stables didnt miss the fact and paid just $70.000 for the gelding straight after that race and going on his work times that seemed a very reasonable price. The result of this race will either reveal why Barcelona Farms was so eager to get rid of this ex BC Champ or that Aer Stables spotted a real bargain. This time last year he was recording triple digit speed figures in winning The American Derby, a repeat of that would put him right in this.

3 Comes The Dream, trained by M.b.o Racing Stable
A busy sort who has tried this level a few times with enough success to give him some hope. The winner of two at allowance level this year he ran boldly in The Poker Handicap last time when sixth beaten just a length and that along with some strong work times puts him in the picture. My only problem with him is that his last two runs whilst very good have been with much lower weights and he may be hard pushed to run a 1.33 with 123Lbs.

4 Dance Lively, trained by Cedar Road
A consistent sort who has run well in black type company without being really tested. His best start for some time came in the Elusive Quality last time when a hard closing third and that effort may be a sign that he is ready to put in a run today. underrated and he may start at attractive odds for a little wager.

5 Horse With No Name, trained by Threshold
An inconsistent type his best start came in the Dixie last time when running on well to be third, this is his first start for his new owner. His work times since that run in May have been very strong and as a five year old he does have a small advantage over this field of four year olds.

6 Not My Idea, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Better than his form figures suggest the only real blot on his copybook came on soft ground the time before last. Other than that start he has run well in good company including a decent closing fourth in the Jaipur and third in the Canadian Turf. His work times are amongst the best in the field and he may be the choice in a tight looking contest.

7 Half A Crown, trained by Spankys Barn
Has been playing at horse selling park rather than horse racing park recently with three starts and two sales this year. A consistent sort in lesser company he put in a good enough effort in the tAM Turf Classic last time suggesting he may be able to cope at this level. That was a first ever effort on turf and his work times seem to suggest his previous 8 runs have been on the wrong surface so he may turn out to be the dark horse in the race.

8 What A Guarantee, trained by John Henry
Third in last years KYD he has changed hands a few times on the strength of that run but has yet to really step up on that form. His new owner however has got him back into some semblance of his former self and with his obvious class he may find this a good opportunity to get back in the winners enclosure. His third in the San Francisco mile was top notch and he had Comes The Dream behind in the Poker Handicap last time so he is clearly the horse with the best lead up form.

SUMMARY
What A Guarantee has been given plenty of chances since his glory days but just recently he has looked a bit like his old self and may be the one in a tight field. Horse With No Name has been working impressively for his new owner and this looks like his favoured trip so he will be right in it along with Not My Idea.

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