Jones Stakes – Grade III
PRX Race #4 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Three Year Olds.

1 Starship Leader Eastern Equine McCarthy T

This three year old has won one single race, a maiden on debut but demanded a $450.000 price tag when bought from Mb Stables an amount which may have more to do with the owner than the horses achievements. He did run some nice races as a two year old but never seemed to improve at the expected rate and he has struggled this year to replicate the beginning of his career. He gets his chance today after a run of poor draws over a trip that we know he can run well at and from a decent gate. The 1.36 and 2 work he laid down recently certainly has enough merit to suggest there is more to this one than meets the eye.

2 Mexican Swagger John Henry Chirinos R

He didn’t run badly in the Preakness despite finishing ninth and then ran pretty well in the Stephens when fifth. A poor run last time is best forgotten as the off track didn’t suit him but he has a similar look about him as Starship Leader who has always promised more than he has delivered. He gets the perfect draw today so like the horse inside him gets his best opportunity to repay a fairly steep asking purchase price.

3 Angelsinheaven Angelos Stable Hernandez J J

This one ran a cracker in The Preakness going down by just a quarter length from a poor draw when running second at long odds. A better draw in the BEL saw him only manage eighth but he was only 3 lengths behind at the end so it wasn’t such a bad run after his efforts of three weeks before. Showing speed next out he faded to finish third in the Dwyer prompting his trainer to have a go at the seven furlong Jerkins Memorial next time out. Again not fancied he ran a huge race to gun down some good horses and though he steps back up in trip today he has the right sort of form from a good draw to be a winning chance again.

4 Heretowinthisfight Night Mare Racing Davis D

This ones form is not as in your face as some of these but there are a few runs this year that give him a big chance. Beaten just a half length when fourth in the Holy Bull he then disappointed in the Fountain Of Youth and wasn’t pushed towards the TC races. Two ungraded wins and then a comprehensive win in the Dwyer suggests he has benefited from a lighter campaign and he is just the sort to go on to top honors in the second part of the year.

5 Socrates Mb Stables Hernandez R M

This son of Commanding won the Gotham back in March but then failed to get into the TC when a poor tenth in The Wood Memorial. He bounced back in the Day Mile with a good second but then failed in the Preakness and Dwyer before a decent run in the WV Governors Stakes saw him second again. He has some up and down form but there are snippets that suggest he could run well.

6 Telladifferentstory Nakamura Stables Gryder A T

Another that failed on the TC chase he didn’t make the big dance but instead built a record with a win in the PRX Derby and then The Winn. He was strongly fancied in the IND Derby last time with a decent draw but though he stayed on well to finish just two lengths back he was never really in danger of winning. I like this one but he will need to step up on his last run to win this.

7 The Mist Rampage Stable Rosario J

A decent enough sort but he has had his chances at this sort of level and has has come up a little short so far. It is hard to make a case for him winning but he doesn’t look out of place in this field.

8 Iguacu Falls D J C Racing Stables Velazquez J R

Working well enough but on the balance of form and this widish draw it is hard to see him winning.

9 Chai Morning Aer Stables Court J K

Went from a sixteen length 18th in the KYD to winning the Preakness in a year that HRP will probably like to forget. You have to ignore that KYD for the debacle that it was and if you do that then this one makes a compelling case. He was close up when third in the Haskell last time and that’s good enough form to see him winning here. My fear in what may be skinny odds is this draw because the few times he has been stuck out wide the race engine has toyed with him and he hasn’t shown his best. The winner on form but the draw handicap may bring in a few others that may be safer bets.

12 Finite Dynark Stables Lezcano J

It is great to see this stable back in the big races and nothing shows their talent more than finding this horse in the auction for just $4.000 and then turning it into a grade three winner. He has raced well since that huge win but has had three chances to improve further but hasn’t yet shown that improvement. I like him a lot but this wide draw will be tough especially as he has raced on pace in all of his starts.

SUMMARY

Chai Morning is certainly the horse with the best form in this but that draw is a worry and he gets the same jockey that rode so poorly in the KYD. Chance to atone maybe but i think there are a few others that may be at better odds here. Angelsinheaven and Heretowinthisfight both have mouthfuls of a name but may be the main hopes and Telladifferentstory may be a nice combo for the tri with the link of a failure in the space-bar.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES