1 Job Search, trained by Rousse

Claimed from an eight dollar claimer he was beaten in a dirt mile claimer last time but does look a little better than that. He ran that dirt mile out in a decent time and has worked pretty well on dirt so if he can improve in his first effort on turf he may just spring a surprise.

2 Bold Eagle, trained by La Canada Racehorses

A winner of three turf routes this gelding has changed hands a few times but has won his last three races and looks to be in top form. All his wins have come on an easy surface so you have to think he may have his best chances if there is rain but I think he is better than a mudder and may represent a value bet. He worked nicely last week and his win last time was comprehensive. Leave him out at your peril.

3 Creative Santa, trained by Yahudi Stables

Was beaten less than a length in the PEN Mile last time so clearly has a touch of class and his win prior to that was in a very fast time. I like this gelded son of Creative Officer a lot and feel that the stable picked up a bargain when buying it for sixty dollars from Sanny Village. Another with a super work time in the lead up to today and that and recent efforts put him in with a big chance.

4 Sports Book, trained by Downwind Stables

This one has taken on some top company mostly on dirt sprints this year but he did run well enough in the grade two Summer over this trip and surface as a two year old to suggest he can handle it today. He won two nice races after being bought in the first quarter auction and ran better than his final placing suggests in The Stephens last time. This trip may be a tad too long for him but he is a good sort and shouldn’t be overlooked too lightly.

5 Intentions Unknown, trained by Nakamura Stables

A winner of three turf routes from five races it would be easy to write this one off as a claimer but there is a lot more depth to this autogen than that. Sandwiched between three good wins was a terrible run when upped in overnight grade so you have to worry now he is upped to stakes class but his works are very good on turf so there is clearly something there. Too many ifs for me but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run well.

6 Lucky Spaniard, trained by Nakamura Stables

Another that has come up a little short when tested above overnight company he gets another chance today and I do feel that a race like this is not beyond him. He won nicely on the turf three races back and has put in some fast dirt works in the past so although an inconsistent sort you have to give him an outsiders chance.

7 Consus, trained by Sarah Stables

A highly consistent sort this one has a lively chance if this mile suits. A couple of decent wins in overnights led to a crack at the American Turf where he ran nicely making ground into sixth. That run was good but he topped that with a good win in the ungraded Black Rock Stakes over six furlongs. I like his chances a lot but a wide draw could undo him if he burns to the lead.

8 Wackomoto, trained by Manco Segundo

A winner of two from four on turf I think it may turn out to be his best surface. His win in a little Allowance at GG last time was in a quick time and his works on the turf have been very sharp so it just remains to be seen as to whether he can step up in class. There are some nice types in this race so I can’t see it happening today but there is a case to be made and he would not be a total upset if he came through.

9 Chapter In The Fog, trained by Hippyheart

Another consistent sort he has the dreaded wide draw to worry about and this year that is the sort of thing that can kill a horses chances. A nice second in The Murphy two back he won an overnight last time in a fast time suggesting that he is improving on this surface. If he doesn’t get thrown into the lead or taken too far back he would have a chance.

SUMMARY

A tight little stakes race that really could go to any of them. I like the two class horses of the race Creative Santa and Consus so would throw them into a trifecta with Bold Eagle a very tentative third.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded