Alysheba – Grade II
CD Race #9 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $400.00 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Steel Tunes John Henry Van Dyke D

A well traveled four year old he has run some decent races but its been almost a year since his last win. He seems to be having problems finishing off his races and often races up on the pace so that may be the main reason with the race engine the way it is. He has some good work times though and deserves another shot at graded level and with this draw he may get a cosy stalk off the wide gates and still be around down teh stretch.

2 Charleys Agent Mb Stables Beschizza A

His work times are not as good as Steel Tunes but he was comfortably ahead of him in the GP Mile last time out when a very good second beaten just a quarter length. That run is just about the only form that gives him a chance but as it was his last start then you must respect it. The perfect draw and a jockey thats riding well he isnt without a chance even though on paper he is the stables second string.

3 Di Farley Gdp Inc Gaffalione

The winner of the BC Dirt Mile last year he has failed to live up to that win since despite a game neck win in the San Carlos in March. The trip is further than he has been for a while but i dont think it will bother him and his works are good enough to suggest he is as good as ever. The draw will work perfectly for him and it would be no surprise to see him in at the end.

4 State Police Smokey Stover Bejarano R

Compare his form to that of Charleys Agent and you would never expect him to get beat by that one, that was however the case the last time they met in the GP Mile when he was just under a length behind in fifth place. I think he is better over further and whilst its just a smidgen further i do think he will turn the tables today. His win in the Pegasus World Cup the time before was out of the top draw and he has plenty of ticks in boxes for this race.

5 Liverpool Rocket Estero Farms Lanerie C J

He has contested some good races in his career but his last win in the New Orleans Handicap was a real shoe in as he got away with a feather weight. I think this sort of trip is his best but he has found a few too good at top level in the past and that may be the case again today. Dont write him off for an each way chance with this handy draw.

6 Sonador Night Rider Stables Maragh Ro

Claimed for ten dollars after dead heating in a claimer and then 3 months later the winner of the grade two GP Mile in his first stakes race beating some of the best routers around. Either his trainer is a genius or its the old HRP tale of draw and race position. If he backs it up today i will be ready to hail Night Rider as a genius and the way he this horse is working i may just be doing that.

7 Erupt D J C Racing Stables Bravo J

You have to go a long way back to find this horses form but it really was pretty good. The winner of the grade one Front Runner and then a good run in the BC Juvenile made this one a lively TC possible contender but his form nose dived after that and he has been tried over lots of trips and surfaces to try and recapture it. There has been glimmers this year and he ran much better than his finishing position in the Excelsior last time so tis could be his one shot at showing his trainer that he is worth keeping around.

8 Shootfromthehip Nakamura Stables Talamo J

The KYD winner from two years ago his form was pretty mixed last year but he did run some good races most notably when beaten less than a length in the BC Dirt Mile. I was really encouraged by his seasonal debut win in the Mineshaft Handicap but then he was pretty awful in the OP Handicap and one has to feel his best form is behind him.

9 Centerpiece Mb Stables Velazquez J

Second in the KYD, fourth in the Preakness, the winner of the Travers if you cherry pick this ones form he would be a warm favourite for this race but he has thrown the odd clunker and he is no dead cert. His career has been plagued by bad draws but thats a coincidence apparently and today he once again gets a tough box. His works are as good as ever and with a bit of luck in running he could be the top pick.

10 Have A Seat Maxmillion Farm Baze T C

Another that was bought cheaply as a six year old last year but he has shown that under his new owner he still has some of the ability that has seen him win 23 races and nearly a thousand dollars. He took advantage of a feather weight to win the Razorback Handicap on seasonal debut but failed to carry a heavier burden in the New orleans Handicap last time. He still ran pretty well even though he was only ninth and if there was a shock winner of this race it just may be this one.

11 Banshee Star Joseph Racing Franco M

Became a bit of a star on turf last year winning the Woodford Turf Classic at grade one and going on to finish close up in the BC Mile. After a couple of runs in overnight company he was switched back to dirt last time and as happens with horses at HRP that sudden switch can bring about rejuvenated form and he managed a dead heat in the Excelsior sharing the win with Bad English. He is atleast as good on dirt it seems so that would give him a live chance here but he will have to be in tip top form to win from this difficult gate

12 Bad English Maxmillion Farm Bridgmohan S

Dead heated with Banshee Star in the Excelsior last time and had run some solid races as a three year old including a win in the grade two Autumn Stakes. The wide draw will be tough but he comes from a stable in very good form and he must be considered even from here.

SUMMARY

A very competitive race as they all are these days. State Police will be tough to beat from his nice draw but there are plenty of others with chances not least the ex claimer Sonador. I could make a clear case for about seven horses to win this race so its over to you to try and figure out who will come out on top.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES