Simpson Stakes – Grade II
KD Race #1 6 1/2f Turf Graded Stake
Purse $600.000 For Three Year Olds.
The addition of these great races at KD has certainly made top level racing very interesting through a month when we usually see all the top horses vying for a small amount of BC qualification races. We have seen horses and trainers take advantage of the big purses with horses that may not even make the BC and some that are already there but looking for a big pay day on their way.
The last two winners haven’t amounted to much so we may not be looking for a superstar here but this years race looks like a decent field so just maybe we will see a break through performance. Here is how they line up:
1 Gabilondo Fractious Bejarano R
An in form stable brings this gelding by Decima who tried the Tc route early in his career but has gone back to the turf where i feel he ultimately belongs. He ran a good fifth in the Shakertown so we know he can sprint but he has been doing pretty well in routes recently so there is a question mark over this trip. The ace draw will certainly help and a recent sub 1.10 turf work suggests he may have the pace to stay close enough so though he wont be a stand out chance there is certainly a suggestion he will be a contender in this race.
2 Doug Arindel Carrasco V R
A lightly raced and lightly tried sprinter from one of the break through stables of recent years he doesn’t have the form on paper but there are some clues here that he is on a rapid rise up his improvement curve and he may be the dark horse in the race. His win in the ungraded Mahony Stakes last time was very slick from wide draw and today he has the perfect gate so i expect further improvement. Add to that some very nice works and you have a combination of factors that are very positive.
3 Shakespearean Mb Stables Velazquez J R
Another one that has plenty of plus’s but not the usual sort of form coming into a graded stakes. Not least he hails from the champion trainer but even taking that fact away there are lots of clues here that he is another that is heading up the improvement curve. He win a big ticket allowance at SAR last time in a sub 1.03 5.5 furlong time on an off track so that in itself is pretty impressive, add a good draw and some very slick sprint works and he must have a winning chance.
4 Leas Chance Mb Stables Gutierrez Mario
Drawn alongside his stable mate is a lesser light but nonetheless there are things here that could give him a big hope. Firstly he takes on his first ever turf race, not a particular plus in real life but at HRP that can throw up a much improved performance and with some fair dirt form that would put him in the mix. His turf works suggest he will take to the grass so here is a horse that may just be a good each way hope at a big price.
5 Fearisque Maxmillion Farm Jaramillo E
The turf king sends his cheap auction buy here and as usual we must take any of their horses seriously on this surface. He ran a cracker in the Bruce D last time over a mile finishing second and his best runs have been over that and seven furlongs so this funny sprint trip of 6.5 furlongs may be right up his street. He was on a good run of wins before his last two races in Graded stakes class so whilst he may not be an obvious choice he certainly has the credentials to run a big race.
6 Sevens Vb La Canada Racehorses Bridgmohan S X
Right alongside Ferisque in the Bruce D when third he is another that has his best form over further than this even managing a third in the AP Classic over nine and a bit furlongs so we have to take his ability to sprint on trust. HRP isn’t real life though so he could easily achieve that and if he does he will be right in this at the end.
7 Insist On Perfection Maxmillion Farm Saez G
We have second. third and fourth from the Bruce D here with this one being the fourth placed finisher. He was actually leading at this distance in that race so again whilst he has been a router recently it os clear he has enough pace to sprint when required. Like his stable mate he is more exposed than most but the turf king can find a bit extra in these races so i wouldn’t be surprised to see him run well.
8 Puffman Keikowin Racing Gaffalione T
A promising two year old he has been brought along slowly this year winning his last two in overnight grade. He has jumped about surfaces and trips so it is hard to weigh him up but you cannot write him off although he wouldn’t be my top choice. The draw will be tricky but if the pace is hot on his inside he may still find a decent spot.
9 Promised Prince John Henry Bahen S R
When he took the PEN Mile at nearly 50/1 he looked like a breakthrough three year old but his efforts in the BEL and SAR Derby since have been pretty disappointing since. Coming back in trip may be the key for him but he will have to either adjust his running style or rely on a suicidal pace. He has been very much a closer and whilst that was successful in the PEN Mile he will struggle to make up that much ground over this trip. Things could go his way with so many multiple stable runners here so he may just be a surprise package again.
10 Top Of The Crop Maxmillion Farm Cedillo A
The third runner from the stable he ran two very good races in the mud before failing in the Dandy last time. The key here may not be what he has done so far but what he can do differently in his first run on turf. A couple of swift works on the grass suggest that the turf king has an ace up his sleeve here. On paper you would have to say he may struggle from a wide gate but i just have a feeling that this one could jump up and spank them.
11 Whatchagonnado Fractious Davis D
One inside and one outside for the stable he has similar form to his stable mate but will be hard pressed from this draw to match his stable mate. I think this trip will suit him but i can’t see enough in his form or work times that says he can overcome the draw.
12 Tormented Mb Stables Hernandez C J
The third from the stable is in the car park but he is one of the few that has won over this trip and did it in a stakes race from the car park so that may be the clearest pointer to his chances. He tried the TC route so much of his recent form can be written off as he looks more of a turf sprinter than dirt router and if anyone can negotiate the wide draw it is Mb Stables.
SUMMARY
Well this is a very interesting sprint with a few here that look like they may be breakthrough sprinters. A full field of course brings the luck factor into things so it is hard to be bullish about any selection but i have a feeling about Top Of The Crop that may just pay a big price. That will be my top choice ahead of Shakespearean, Doug and Less Chance.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
