Home › STAKES ARTICLES › The Gate Should Be Full of Speed for BEL Sprint Championship

The Gate Should Be Full of Speed for BEL Sprint Championship

By on

7/4/2015  Post Time 2:00pm
RACE 3 BEL    The BEL Sprint Championship (GIII)
$400.000      7f       Dirt

1
 Trench Admiral  Grimley  Castellano J J    7/2 118

He’s been about as game as you could want a horse to be – Nice GIII score last out at CD as he took on older horses for the first time.  That should indicate that he’s about as nice a sprinter as you could want right about now.  Three wins in his last four starts along with a neck-beat second – give him a big look.

2
 Masterpiece Five  Razorback Racing  Santana R Jr     3/1 124

Tired late to be fourth in the Met Mile (GI) over this track last out.  He has two wins this season from five starts, and both were GII events at a similar/same distance.  He’s about as sharp as he’s ever been and has been on a steady diet of tough horses – I would expect him to be a serious factor late here.

3
 Welcome Change  Alydar Stables  Carmouche K     6/1 124

Just missed at CD last out in a GIII but was beaten by the one horse in that one, making his first start v. older horses.  He did take down a GIII back in Feb at AQU and certainly knows how to sprint, bagging over a $1mil in his career. 

4
 Rule The Roost  Sanny Village  Leparoux J R      5/2 124

The old man just keeps plugging along and bringing home checks.  Two wins and a third from three starts this season, including a GI win here in NY back in April.  He comes with a loaded gun every time they put him in the gate and there’s no reason to think he won’t be a serious contender here.  Some things DO get better with age, and he’s one of ’em.

5
 Tequila Ruler  Mb Stables  Bejarano R      8/1 118

Sold privately after that twelfth in the the Spiral (GIII) back in Mar.  Won at first asking for the new barn but that was an OptAlw race.  He won in a VERY quick time and now they ask for graded foes and older horses… but it is the right barn to do the asking.  Watch him!

6
 Zykov  Scarletandgraystable  Bisono J     14/1 124

Changed hands via the Auction block and they go after big-game right off the bat.  He was third in a GI at AQU back in April so it’s not a crazy proposition, but I’m going to have to look at some others here today. despite his abilities.

7
 Spotted Cat  Blushing Meadows  Velazquez J R     20/1 118

He’s been more of a two-turn horse after being purchased for a tidy sum back in Dec of last season.  He did win the FofY (GII) at GP while he was on the road to he TC.  Thirteenth on Derby Day at a fast closing fifth at PEN in a GIII just has me in a bit of a funk here.  I’ll pass on him, but don’t be surprised.

8
 Above The Rim  Eastern Equine  Moran D       20/1 124

Won the Malibu (GI) to close out ’14 and it’s been clunkers since then.  Three wins last season an nothing but air in ’15.  He’s been a nice horse, but it may be time to look at the breeding shed if he doesn’t do something in this one.

9
 Investment Grade  D J C Racing Stables  Ortiz J L       15/1 124

He’s had a bit of seconditus this year, but it’s been narrow misses from having a monster season.  Neck/Nose in back to back GII events and was only two lengths back over this strip last out.  I’m not sure if he can win this, but he certainly can be a part of it and may have a price with him.

10
 Caymanas Park  Night Rider Stables  Maragh R        20/1 124

Took at GIII at OP in the spring, so there’s no doubt that he has some ability.  I don’t like the post, but you have to like who the jock is riding for… THAT’s some home-cookin’!!  Give him a chance on the bottom of the tri ticket.

11
 De Oppresso Liber  Second Chance Farms  Rocco J S Jr       20/1 124

Got back to the winning ways v. Alw horses at CD last out, but this is obviously a tougher lot to deal with.  He’s got some black type in there but he will need his best to have any shot, especially from this post position.

12
 Wild Glory  Paradise Stable  Prado E S      10/1 124

Back to back wins and looked good north-of-the-border in that GIII last out.  He’s always close, and any other post position would certainly give him a better shot.  He’s going to have to go fast and hope that the pace works to his wants and needs… then, well… maybe.

 

Willie’s Green Card    –    4  /  1  /  12

‹
›

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES