The Hill Prince – Grade II (P2)
BEL Race #9 1 1/8m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Three Year Olds.
1 Insert The Flirt Mb Stables Campbell J M
This horse is a bit of a conundrum as he has always looked stakes quality at lower level but has not managed as yet to turn that into black type performance. He is a good sort and like all the horses in the stable seems to be able to work stakes winning times regardless of form. If ever he runs to his works he will win a race like this but until he proves himself he is hard to follow.
2 Xmas Snow Maxmillion Farm Saez L
Bought for just fifteen dollars it didnt take long for the turf king to turn this very average looking three year old into a graded stakes winner. That win came in the La Jolla Handicap from this draw where he made all for a pretty comfortable two length win. Whilst that and his previous success at Allowance level was vastly improved from his days in La Canada Racehorses stable it came as a bit of a surprise to see him run so well in the DMR Derby where again running on the pace he was beaten only a half length into third. He is clearly very good and capable in a race like this so must be looking to go close again.
3 Calm Havoc Mb Stables Bridgmohan S X
Another on pace type he was in the lead after a mile in the Sky Classic but weakened into third, a pretty good effort over a trip that may have been too far. Back a couple of furlongs he looks to be pretty competitive here and whereas his stable companion hasnt performed well at this level he has proved he can live with the class.
4 Nitemare D J C Racing Stables Velazquez J R
Bought cheaply in Smokey Stovers summer giveaway he has continued improving under his new owner and looks the one to beat here. The winner of the MTH Stakes under his old owner he ran a brilliant fourth in the BEL Derby for DJC before a close second and then a gritty win in the DMR Derby. He has the form on the board to win this and a handy draw that will suit his running style.
5 Maniaco del Controll Threshold Contreras L
Tried on the dirt he didnt have much success but has been much better since switching to turf. Could run well at big odds.
6 Call Me Spanish Maxmillion Farm Castellano J J
Another runner for the turf king he was bought for thirty dollars after failing in an allowance and immediately under the turf magician secured a big purse in the Snow Chief. His two runs in the BEL Derby and the Sword Dancer suggest he is better at this trip or less so i fully exect a much improved effort from him today.
7 Decision In Five Nakamura Stables Baze T C
The winner of a maiden claimer in April he is working like a stakes winner now even if his form doesnt suggest that. Having said that there must be 500 three year olds working this fast and some struggle in claimers and some win allowances so it remains to be seen as to whether he has the hidden class gene that will enable him to compete here. He was mighty impressive at allowance level last time and the trainer knows how to win big races so he could turn out to be the dark horse in the race.
8 Lane Frost Sanny Village Alvarado J
He was a KYD hope back in the Spring but after winning the Fountain Of Youth Stakes he went right off the boil. He returned after a late summer break to run very well in the Saranac last time out when beaten less than a length in third and if he can overcome the wide draw is sure to be in contention.
SUMMARY
On paper this looks between Nitemare, Calm Havoc and Xmas Snow but i think its worth considering a couple from the left field in Decision In Five and Maniaco Del Controll. Both of those could be long odds and both have the ability if they get some luck in running.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
