The GP Turf Handicap – Grade I
 GP   Race #7   1 1/8m   Turf   Graded Stake
Purse $350.00  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Classic Cliche, trained by Blushing Meadows
Highly tried as a three year old he won his maiden and then a statebred stakes race before being thrown in the deep end. His close fifth in the BEL Derby suggested he was well above average but he struggled a little after that despite taking on the best of the best on turf. His reappearance win in a competitive overnight suggests he is a bit of a Winter Spring type and some pretty strong works suggest he is in top order for today. Bottom weight and the ace draw make him a sound proposition.

2 Tin Lizzie, trained by Stald Gullis
The BC Mile winner he gets n here with a very competitive weight. I think the reason behind hs lenient treatment by the handicapper is his inconsistency but his last two races have been wins and he may have turned a corner now he is more mature. Sure to ne in this and if he can reproduce his BC form he is nearly unbeatable with just 119Lbs.

3 Kentucky Hero, trained by Threshold
He has run a few good races in his time but may be outclassed today.

4 Admirals Aces, trained by Grimley
The BC Turf winner and also took the Hirsch Turf Classic prior to that so thoroughly deserves his top weight. The trip though far enough may still be a bit sharp for him but he is an on pace type and will be hard to beat despite the impost.

5 Its Greek To Me, trained by Nakamura Stables
Its easy to overlook a few of these runners with two superstars in the race but i liked the way this one took the Mathis Brothers Mile and he certainly looks like a four year old with a future.

6 The Perfect Day, trained by Downwind Stable
Gets 3 Lbs from Its Greek To Me for a one length beating in the Mathis Brothers so is not without a chance of reversing that placing. That was his first ever run on turf but having clocked up a thousand dollars in prize money on the dirt he certainly possesses his fair share of class. Picked up for just ten dollars in what must have been the deal of the season he has some of the best turf works in the field and may be tough to beat off bottom weight.

7 Mars, trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy
It seems a long time since he won the LA Derby and then finished third in the KYD and although he has run a few decent races since he has never been able to recapture that sort of form.

8 Sonic, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Won the River City Handicap at the end of last year and has worked nicely enough to take his chance in a top field. Whether he can win from a wide gate is doubtful but if he gets up on the pace he will give a good account of himself.

SUMMARY
With two BC winners in the field it s tough to look beyond them but this is a handicap and that really does even things up a bit. I think The Perfect Day may push them both off a low weight and Its Greek To Me should also be in the firing line.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES