11/17 The Smith Handicap – Grade III
AQU Race #2 1 3/8m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Penitentiary D J C Racing Stables Ortiz I Jr
This one hasnt got a great win record with 3 wins from seventeen starts and that is reflected in his trainers efforts to find his best trip with runs between 5.5 furlongs and a mile and three eighths in his last 3 starts. His two wins this year have come over a mile and sixteenth which may be his best trip so this race may test hs stamina too far. His works are strong and this isnt a great field so if ever he has a chance of adding a win to his tally it will be today.
2 War Scent Our Athletes Velazquez J R
At seven he has looked past his best on occasions this year but with nearly 3K in prize money he has the track record to gain a first win of the year in a race where he gets a very winnable weight in the handicap. Despite not winning he has some good efforts this year including a second last time out in the Sycamore and a close second in the John Henry just behind Lets Do It Big Boy who ran so well in the BC Turf. This may be the chance for the old fella to get a win this season.
3 Cherokee Charlie Team 7 Illusions Castellano J J
inches behind War Scent in the Sycamore he gets a pound advantage in the handicap which should be enough to see him reverse those placings. He is another who has been hard to win with this year and he has been a little inconsistent to boot so you have to trust he is in the mood if he is your choice today.
4 Laff All Day Maxmillion Farm Carmouche K
The turf king sends this one here and he gets pretty harsh treatment from the handicapper considering he ony broke his maiden this year and he is onlya three year old. The turf maestro’s magic touch was seen in his last start when he won the Point Of Entry after being thrashed in an allowance in his start before. If that improvement continues the he may run well here but the handicap is against him and it would be a major achievement if he can get the win today.
5 The Laffin Sniper Diablo Diablo Alvarado J
He has run very well at allowance level this year but has been pretty bad when upped in grade finishing down the field in the Read Stakes and the Northern Dancer last time out. He is working well enough but there is a lot to take on trust if you fancy on him winning this race.
6 Dan D Man Nakamura Stables Cohen D
An honest sort he has been performing well and this looks like a good placement for him after his strong second in the Sky Classic in August. Rested since then he may benefit from coming here fresh but he does have joint top weight to contend with.
7 Built Like A Rock TwinTowersRacing Cancel E
Here is an interesting entry because he only managed to break his maiden in September after nine tries but then went on to finish third in the Pattison Canadian International at grade one. That is another testament to the failed class system but it is clear this horse is on a very steep improvement curve and he may just be the one here. Being a three year old he is at a disadvantage in a handicap but his works are getting stronger by the week and i am liking his chances.
8 Bowl Me Over Wolfs Den DeCarlo C P
This seven year old has got a decent record but its not really at this level. The wide gate may kill his chances but he has been working well even if he hasnt put that into his races and could be one of those crazy late season winners.
SUMMARY
If this was a weight for age i would be pretty confident in Built Like A Rock, he may still win but it will be much closer than it would’ve been under WFA conditions.
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