KD Turf Sprint – Grade II [BC]
Race #1 6f Turf Graded Stake
Purse $2,000.000 For Three-Year-Olds And Upward.
1 Bay Another Man Our Athletes Luzzi L J 119
Three pounds isn’t a lot for a three-year-old to get from their elders, but with the way things are at HRP, 3Lbs can often be the difference between first and tenth. So as the only three-year-old, can we give this one a chance of what would be, without a doubt, a major upset? Well, first of all, he draws the rail, not always ideal in a full field, but it does mean that if he can hold a good early spot, he is certainly going to do less work than many. His last work over this trip was as good as many of these graded stakes winners, and as on on-pacer, you do have to give him a chance despite his lack of form in these types of races. Despite the huge prize this is a race that hasn’t got a dominant sprinter in it, all of these have beaten each other at some point, and that is where, just occasionally, one can come out of the dark and break the punters’ hearts.
2 Atomic Eclipse Spankys Barn Garcia Mar 122
12 of his 14 wins have come in route races, but as we all know, at HRP, that doesn’t mean a lot when it comes to a big race. This eight-year-old is certainly pushing retirement, but as a gelding, he has nowhere to go, so he gets another chance at adding to his impressive $3,500.000 prize pool. He may seem past his best, but let’s not forget that with a similar draw last year, he won the Mint Million and went on to the BC, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he can get involved in this. He has been a bit in and out this year so far, with two wins and two losses but with a great draw it really wouldn’t be a shock to see him turn back the clock.
3 Matchstick Manor Lanfranco Stable Toledo Je 122
This is a great chance for the trainer to put their money where their mouth is as this untested five-year-old takes to the big stage in his first stakes race. He is certainly a good sprinter, and his works are sharp enough, and slotting into a great gate, the draw monster has given him his chance. No, the form isn’t quite there yet, but these lightly raced older horses can often improve rapidly, and I will be watching him very closely.
4 Mr Toxic Spankys Barn Saez L 122
It is amazing to think that this six-year-old has only ever won one race, especially when you look at his recent form. Triple-digit speed figures in his last four races suggest he is long overdue for another win, but with his only win and most of his best races coming over longer trips, it is tough to call him a winner here. His recent turf work just wasn’t sharp enough for my liking, but he always seems to be an outsider and always seems to run above himself, so just maybe a top four finish is possible.
5 Splash The Cash Asgar Cedillo A 122
A consistent and lightly raced four-year-old, this is a big step up, even though he has been close second in his last two at the ungraded level. He is certainly fast and is capable of decent splits, so I expect him to be in this for a long way, and as I said earlier, these lightly raced types can move up their improvement curve very quickly. If he is still on speed with a furlong to run, he won’t be lying down.
6 Little Tiger Ajm Stables Latchman R 122
Another lightly raced sort (see a theme here), he is now a seven-year-old with just 12 races under his belt. Third in the grade one Jaipur and the winner of the Troy last time, he is a specialist sprinter who won’t be lacking in the class or speed department. The jockey allotment has left him with an interesting booking, and that may be as difficult to win with as this mid-pack draw, but he is certainly in the mix. He was beaten by Exemplary in the Jaipur and then beat that same horse in the Troy, so as usual, we see this inconsistency in form here at HRP, but what it does prove is that at his best, he is as good as anything in this race.
7 Grayte Agent Mo Mentum Farm Conner T 122
Very good on his day, he has yet to shine this year, and that may be the issue that keeps his odds of winning a bit longer. The winner of this race last year didn’t win another race after that, but he ran a sub-1.08 to win in 2024, and if he is in that sort of mood, who could deny he has a chance? Conner takes the reins again, and he will be looking to stay unbeaten on this track.
8 Awad D J C Racing Stables Elliott S 122
Well, I know the trainer loves to be in these big races, and whilst this one has ability, it is tough to see enthusiasm being enough to win this. Not too far back in the Jaipur this year, he was good enough to contest the BC last year, but it has been a while since he has beaten most of these runners, and it would be a surprise to see that happening today. Having said all that, his works are good, and let’s face it, at HRP, if you are in it, you could just win it.
9 Last Way To The Beach Maxmillion Farm Vives S 122
It is fair to say this seven-year-old is always a win chance over any trip and just recently seems to be having a form revival after being beaten at TUP at the end of last year. The vast majority of his races and most of his career have been over longer trips, but as we see time and time again, a good horse is a good horse pretty much over any trip here at HRP, and he proved that last time out with a win in the Connaught Cup. Six months ago, I would’ve laughed if you said this one would be a live chance in a race like this, but he is all class, and now that he has found his form again, he will certainly be a major factor.
10 Gorilla Glue Maxmillion Farm Gallardo A A 122
Third in this race last year, I have always felt he could be a dominant sprinter, but he just hasn’t kicked on like I thought he would as a five-year-old. With his stablemate probably going on-speed, I would expect him to be taken back, and he has an effective turn of foot in the right circumstances. I wouldn’t be as bullish about his chances compared to his stablemate but on the right day, he can be good enough for the top four.
11 Our Holiday Night Rider Stables Ortiz J L 122
Ran really well when nearly lasting home in the Highlander, but then ran poorly in the Troy last time, so it is tough to know which horse will turn up today as they were the only two recent runs, we can judge him by. The wide gate will help him go forward better than last time but there is a lot of speed in this race, so it may be a big ask for him to lead. A top four is certainly not out of the question if the best of him turns up.
12 Exemplary Mb Stables Centeno D E 122
The draw monster seems to have dealt the stable a rough hand in this, but with sprints, the wide gate speed push can certainly be an advantage. Already a grade one winner when taking the Jaipur, the downside for him is that he is more of a midpack type, so the draw isn’t that useful to him. He will need to break well and slot in just behind the leaders to have his best chance, but he is a multiple graded stakes winner already this year and looks to be just about the best on paper in this race.
13 Whoa Bo Maxmillion Farm Jimenez A 122
Another in the spider’s web of form that has beaten some of these and lost to some but the sum of all that is that there is no reason he can’t win, given a decent trip for this tough draw. He will need to find a spot for transit, but he was beaten a half-length in this race last year and was third in the BC Sprint, so he is clearly a huge chance.
14 Sorcerer Mb Stables Corrales G 122
If you compare the bulk of his form with the 1.09 flat work he put in last time, it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but on the evidence of his fast finishing third in the Troy last time, he has found a steep incline in his improvement curve. That is a dangerous combination when the horse is owned by Mb Stables, and this four-year-old may well be the dark horse in this race.
SUMMARY
With most races at HRP and certainly sprint races, the form flip-flops so much that there isn’t much you can say can’t win this race. I must admit Sorcerer looks like the sort of horse that wins races like this, but he will certainly need some luck from the wide gate, as will Whoa Bo and Exemplary, so it may pay to look inside for a safer bet, but it is tough to settle on one that could beat those three.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES