The Fourstardave Handicap – Grade I [BC]      

SAR       Race #7 1m InTurf           Graded Stake Purse $750.00  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

🏇 1. Rearranger – 120 lbs

Form:

• Ultra‑consistent at the mile: recent 98–101 figures.
• Three straight top‑two finishes in graded or high‑class allowance company.
• Best recent line: Poker S‑G3, 2nd, 98‑2.

Works:

• SAR turf works are excellent: 1:34.3 and 1:35.0 (both top‑2 of the day).
• Indicates sharpness and suitability for the Saratoga turf.

Weight:

• 120 lbs is fair; he’s carried 122–123 recently without regression.

Verdict: Sold at Auction by Mb Stables for just $51 after a weak effort in an FE Allowance race this just goes to show that even the best can make mistakes. Since then he has only won the once but has been second in both the Muniz Memorial and Poker Stakes so he clearly still retians enough ability to be competitive at this level. His on pace running style from this gate will be to his advantage so he must be a factor.

🏇 2. Extravagant – 120 lbs

Form:

• Grade I‑tested; recent 97–103 figures.
• Best recent line: Shoe Mile‑G1, 3rd, 98‑4.
• Tactical and reliable.

Works:

• Four consecutive bullet turf works across SAR, DMR, LS.
• 5f in :57.3 at SAR is elite.

Weight:

• 120 lbs is ideal; he’s been carrying 122–124 in graded races.

Verdict: Certainly good enough on his day and gets a great chance from the two gate to run his race which will see him go close. I think this is his best trip and I would expect a prominent effort.

🏇 3. Agent Zero – 120 lbs

Form:

• Dirt form is outstanding (99–102 figures).
• Turf form is limited but not poor.
• Best recent turf line: Turf Dash, WON, 100‑3 (5f).

Works:

• Strong turf drills: 1:34 at PRX, 1:09 at MTH.
• Fitness is unquestionable.

Weight:

• 120 lbs is light compared to his usual 122–123.
• Gets a mild break.

Verdict: Comes back to turf after a string of efforts on dirt. Like most good horses he can run well at any trip and on any surface but I do feel that this may be his best and I feel this may be a bit of sting for Mb Stables in another big race.

🏇 4. Be A Nice Boy – 118 lbs

Form:

• Recent wins at 5f and 7f; mile form is decent but not elite.
• Best mile line: CD N1X, 3rd, 98‑2.

Works:

• Very sharp: 6f in 1:09.1 at SAR (bullet).
• Indicates peak condition.

Weight:

• 118 lbs is helpful; he’s been carrying 120–121.
• Still needs to prove he’s a true miler.

Verdict: Gets in light with strong works that can often be a sign in these handicap races regardless of form. His form is OK at overnight level but he will need to step up today.

🏇 5. Prince Mbilini – 120 lbs

Form:

• Nine turf wins; reliable grinder.
• Best recent line: Arlington‑G3, WON, 96‑5.
• Slightly better at 1 1/16–1 1/8.

Works:

• Light but steady; no standout bullets.
• 1:34.4 at SA earlier in the year is solid.

Weight:

• 120 lbs is neutral; he’s carried 121–122 recently.

Verdict: Good old HRP form on display here as he looked strong when winning the Arlington only to fail miserably in the Wise Dan. Another one that was let go by Mb Stables he clearly had wins still in him with that grade three success but you will be taking a chance on which Prince we see today.

🏇 6. Somethings Coming – 118 lbs

Form:

• Only one win lifetime; consistent but lacks finishing punch.
• Best recent line: LS Alw, 2nd, 96‑4.

Works:

• Dirt works solid; turf works limited.
• Nothing eye‑catching.

Weight:

• 118 lbs helps, but not enough to bridge the class gap.

Verdict: Consistent at lower grade he seems to be able to run on either surface and has a bit here to give him a chance. A low weight and strong dirt works, if they transmit to turf he could be a big price to riak a few Disney Dollars on.

🏇 7. Saratoga Lake – 119 lbs

Form:

• Excellent SAR mile last out: Kelso‑G3, 2nd, 98‑4.
• Consistent 96–103 figures.

Works:

• SAR turf works strong: 6f in 1:09.3, 5f in 1:00.4 (soft).
• Very well‑tuned for this track.

Weight:

• 119 lbs is fair; he carried 123 last out.
• Significant weight drop.

Verdict: Ran very well to be a close second in the Kelso last time so has clearly found the improvement curve recently. His form before that was pretty average so he could be dangerous here if he is continuing that five year old improvement curve.

🏇 8. Too Short – 118 lbs

Form:

• Sharp recent dirt form (99–98 figures).
• Only one turf start lifetime.

Works:

• Turf works at SAR are good: 5f in 1:00.3, 6f in 1:09.3.
• Suggests he may handle turf better now.

Weight:

• 118 lbs is a big break from his usual 120–122.

Verdict: The eight year old gets in with a low weight and he is an honest sort but even with the 118 this may be beyond him. He is certainly competitive and not without a chance but he would be an outsider.

🏇 9. Ged – 119 lbs

Form:

• Very strong turf form: 94–100 figures.
• Best recent line: TXTurf250, 2nd, 99‑4.
• Improving.

Works:

• Multiple turf bullets at DMR: 6f in 1:09.2 twice.
• Excellent conditioning.

Weight:

• 119 lbs is fair; he’s been carrying 121–122.

Verdict: Fast works and fair form he is not without a chance especially after his strong second in the Texas Turf last time. The wide gate suggests he may be going to the front which wouldn’t be a shock from this stable that favors on pace and if he gets a good spot at an even pace he may be a lively outsider.

🏇 10. Duke Of Love – 119 lbs

Form:

• Three wins from five starts this year.
• Best recent line: WO N3X, WON, 100‑2.

Works:

• SAR turf works sharp: 5f in :58.2, 6f in 1:10.
• Very fit.

Weight:

• 119 lbs is a break from 121–122.

Verdict: Another five year old that may have found that incline in his improvement curve as a five year old. He has been very good in competitive high level allowances in his last three and is working strongly so must go down as another strong chance.

🏇 11. Iamaleava – 119 lbs

Form:

• Big last‑out win: TXTurf250, WON, 99‑4.
• Improving with distance.

Works:

• ELP turf works excellent: 6f in 1:09.1, 1m in 1:34.4.
• Very sharp.

Weight:

• 119 lbs is fair; he carried 122 last out.

Verdict: Just got home in the Texas Turf last time which was a big improvement on his previous form so this may be a good spot for him off 119Lbs. The wide gate will be challenging but he has been a closer to date so it is likely he would have gone back anyway, given that he will need a strong pace up front and a bit of race engine luck.

SUMMARY

This is a tough race to call as these “handicaps” normally are. The combination of stakes winning form, improving form and inconsistency make this a very tough call but I have a sneaking suspicion that Agent Zero may be a Smokey here and he will be my choice.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES