Grand Couturier
BEL Race #2 1 1/2m Turf Stake
Purse $150.000 (plus up to $22.50 for NY-breds) For Four Year Olds And Upward.
1 Shimoon Chai Martyparty Bridgmohan S X
This six year old has been a great servant winning 11 races over his long career. After running at overnight grade since his debut in 2017 it has only been in the last few months that he was finally given a chance at stakes level and he has done pretty well running fourth in both the Pan Am and The Louisville Handicap. He loves these extreme trips and gets a decent chance here from the inside gate and is sure to run an honest race.
2 Cherra Grans John Henry Davis D
A real consistent five year old he has been dabbling at stakes level his whole career and has had some good success with graded stakes wins and a grade one placing to his name. His efforts this year have also been eye catching with a nice fourth in the Fort Macey preceding his most recent start when a head second in the MTH Stakes. A race like this is certainly within his scope and with the perfect draw i would expect a big run.
3 Trumbull Valley Mb Stables Lezcano J
Working like a stakes horse but running like an overnighter it is hard to get serious about this one but you can’t ignore the works or the trainer. Proven over this trip he could win by a length of lose by five but this maybe his last chance to impress at this grade.
4 L Train The Sidley Stud Gutierrez Mario
He was an impressive optional claimer winner last time but may just be lacking the class factor against a fairly solid field. He certainly ran like this 12 furlongs will suit last time and may just be the dark horse in the race.
5 Lord City Our Athletes Velazquez J R
A consistent sort at this level he is a good old fashioned plodder but always gives his best. He has raced three times over this trip and been placed in graded stakes in each race so he is clearly one who is best with a test of stamina. His works are strong and he is a proven commodity so looks a good each way prospect.
6 Key Biscayne TwinTowersRacing Jaramillo E
He is maturing into a nice stayer and his strong third in the BEL Gold Cup last time makes him a contender here. He loves a good test of stamina and is working as well if not better than ever, if there was one i would pick as a lively outsider it would be this one.
7 Chai Danger New Larkhill Stables Franco M
Falls right into the line with many of the others as a consistent stayer who will give you an honest race, He hasn’t really broken through at this level yet so the class gene has to be taken on trust but his win in a big ticket CD open allowance last time was as good as stakes win and i expect him to be competitive.
8 Rhythm Of Thought Oval Express Farms Castellano J J
A tough draw greets this one who needed some things in his corner if he was going to overcome his lack of experience at this level. The 1.34 and 2 work last time does signal that old HRP rapid climb up the improvement curve so i wouldn’t be completely surprised to see him run above himself.
9 Amaris First Street Stables Saez L
Gets the car park which is a shame because this filly already has the difficulty of taking on the boys with only a 3Lb advantage. Her works say she can overcome the boys and she was good in the Bewitch last time but this wide draw will not make it easy for her.
SUMMARY
I liked the filly for this but the draw may be too much of an ask so i am going for Cherra Grans as my first choice in what is a very even contest.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
