Muniz Memorial Handicap – Grade II
FG Race #11 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Warrior Class Maxmillion Farm Velazquez J R

This lightly raced four year old took 12 races to break his maiden but in true HRP style is working faster than most stakes winners. Whilst that seems laughable we also know about development curves and the class gene which can sometimes be the difference between a fast worker and a race winner. How the turf king can turn these horses around i will never know but once again he has performed an improbable miracle and not only got this horse to win but also to see him turn in a speed figure of 97 last time out when very nearly winning the Unusual Heat Turf Classic. Clearly the curve is on the up and it really wouldnt surprise me to see this one win.

2 Bubba Kush Threshold Bejarano R

This horse can run crazy fast races but so far hasnt really broken through at this level. Today at seven he probably gets his best chance from the much sought after two draw and with the soft hands of R Bejarano. We dont know what we’ll see but at his best he has a chance.

3 Mucho Baked Spankys Barn Van Dyke D

Gets in with bottom weight and won nicely last time out in 1:45 2/5 for this trip but despite some very good speed figures has not done enough at this level to give him a serious chance. Having said that this is HRP and as I said earlier with development curves many many horses suddenly turn into stakes winners after showing nothing much prior so this one is worth a serious look. Fast works, a great draw and a very solid win last time out coupled with bottom weight could be enough to see this one running a huge race.

4 Just Chillin Nakamura Stables Beschizza A

Bought from Mb Stables by the stable who has had a seriously good start to the year may just be the biggest tip you can get for this race. A good winner on seasonal debut after a long break and drawn well if there are ticks in boxes to be found to win this then this one has plenty.

5 So Lonely Diablo Diablo Pereira T J

This four year old is in fine form at the moment beating Warrior Class on seasonal debut and then running cracker from a terrible draw in the FG Stakes when finishing third by a half length but being in the lead a few yards after the post. Everything points towards this one going in the right direction and he may just be the form pick of the race.

6 Sunday Phunnies Nakamura Stables Gryder A T

Another that has the Nak factor on his side the only real blot on his recent copybook was when he was raped by the wide gate in the Tropical Turf. A gutsy win in a competitive optional claimer last time will put him in top form for this and he is yet another who looks a winning chance in a very competitive race.

7 Blame It On Luck Mb Stables Saez G

It wouldnt be a stakes race without atleast one Mb Stables runner that had a chance of winning. The difference in this race is that it is just one runner from Mb Stables against a triple entry from Maxmillion Farms an unusual situation and one that adds a little more interest to this race. So back to this ones chances and whilst there are only two wins on his record there are some excellent money getting efforts and some fast works that give him every chance of defying top weight.

8 Neds Bronze Sabre TwinTowersRacing Lopez P

Though the works arent too bad his form leaves a lot to be desired and that coupled with a nasty draw probably make him the one runner that you can rule out. Beware though because at HRP thats exactly the reason a horse can win!

9 The Joker Maxmillion Farm Maldonado E

Bought from Maxmillion Farm for $800.000 this one was a huge challenge for DJC Racing Stables who couldnt get a win out of the horse. He ran some good races though notably when second in the grade one Man O War so it was a bit of a surprise to see him sold back to Maxmillion Farm for just $50.000. To be fair he had looked like his for was tailing off but back in the magic hands of the turf king one wonders whether he can come back to his best even from this rotten draw

10 Ghost From The North Maxmillion Farm Gaffalione T

In and out form but showed last time that if the rains come then the turf king could just find an unlikely winner. He came from miles off the pace and flew home like Pegasus to win last time out so dont expect to see him until late in the race.

SUMMARY

Normally i would just pick the Turf Kings best runner to win a race like this but this is such an even field only the fact that he has three runners makes him more likely to get the winner. For me the form horse in the race is So Lonely and i rather like Mucho Baked off bottom weight for a big run too.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES