The Manhattan – Grade I
 BEL Race #8 1 1/4m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $750.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1   Lets Do It Big Boy    RNP Stables    Ferrer J C

Normally this great old warrior is the oldest horse by years in his races but this race features just about all of the best older horses so age really isn’t a factor. Drawn perfectly although i don’t really think he cares where he is drawn he is one of life’s triers and is sure to be right in the fight. He last ran in this race in 2020 where he was drawn in the car park and ran one of his few poor races but in 2019 he ran third so i don’t think that is any sort of guide. Working as well as ever and i would love to be writing about another great win.

2   Winter Solstice    John Henry    Cedillo A

This seven year old has ten wins for nearly 3K and has to be a factor from this perfect draw. fifth in this race last year it has been a while since he last won which may suggest he is slowing down a bit but this sort of race usually brings the best out of these great horses so i am not sure that can be a negative.

3    King Que Niagra    D J C Racing Stables    Franco M

This is a horse that had been raped by the draw monster in recent races but has still run some great races including a huge effort to win The Man O War last time. His works are very strong and he is drawn well enough to get into a closer spot today and he will be very hard to beat.

4   Phar Lap    Threshold    Bravo J

If he runs to his works then he could be the dark horse in the race but every time he has been put into better races he finds trouble so it will be just a matter of having a punchers chance today. Named after the best race horse that ever raced it would be great to see him run well.

5   Xmas Snow    Rock Creek    Gutierrez Mario

When this horse was sold for just $30 at the beginning of the year it looked like his great career was coming to an end but he has turned it around and won three from four in his new yard including a huge win in the Fort Macy last time. This is a thirteen race winner of nearly 2K and it would be a great training performance if the stable can get this win out of him today.

6   Immoral    Mb Stables    Rocco J S Jr

It is hard to go round this horse as he is the stables favorite horse and that should be enough to make him favorite in this tough field. He was huge in the Forrester Turf Classic last time when winning a shade comfortably and getting a 102 speed figure. The ten furlongs may be the only question mark but it is a very small one and i would expect him to be many peoples banker in the Pick em.

7    Two In The Chamber     TwinTowersRacing    Jaramillo E

When you look at this ones last two races you have to wonder why his win record in only five from twenty six but he is from a stable that can often find a gem from nowhere and loves snatching these big races from the bigger stables. His last turf work was very good and i have often said this trainer is the most under rated in the game so i would never go past this horse without a serious look.

8   Nevada Silver    Nakamura Stables    Wilson E J

There is just no let up in the quality of his field as we see the BC Mile winner in gate eight who could easily be another big win for the stable. Coming into form at the right time he was gaining on Immoral in the Forrester last time and this extra furlong would have seen him much closer. Likely to go back from this draw he may face the same problem again unless the trainer goes for it and takes the gamble to put him closer to the pace.

9    Last Way To The Beac    Maxmillion Farm    Velazquez J R

Last but not least we have the turf kings runner who is probably the best worker in the race and has proven time and time again he can win big races. With very little pace on it looks to me like he will use the wide gate speed push (yes it still exists if you call on it) to get an easy lead and unless someone else is willing to take the gamble he could get away with easy splits and have too much left at the end.

SUMMARY

If this race plays out like it looks Last Way To The Beac makes all and wins . If someone makes the effort to go with him from the inside then it may be pretty much any of the field who could win in a race packed with so much talent it is hard to pick a winner. Usually these races are a bit of “whose turn is it” so it really is just a matter of sticking you pin in to find the winner.
If i had to make a choice i would say Last Way To The Beac from Nevada Silver and Immoral but i am in no way confident of that.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES