The Stephens – Grade 1 – $400.000

BEL – 7 Furlongs – Dirt

For Three Year Olds

June 10, 2023

1 Crack The Party (Maxmillion Farm)

Broke his maiden in January, and except for his last start, he has been running in graded company since with a second in the Southwest (Grade 3). Last out he finished second in allowance company at CD. Wouldn’t count him out.

2 Mamba (Mb Stables)

With the exception of a fifth in the Ruby Stakes (Grade 3), this gelding has been very consistent. Broke his maiden in the Battaglia Memorial in March and finished second in the Barrier (Grade 3) last start. Even so, he’s going to need a big effort to win here.

3 Loko Moko (South Shore Stables)

Hard to make a case for this one in this field. Hasn’t hit the board since the RP Springboard Mile back in December. Shortening up here and that should help but remains to be seen how much.

4 Mellow Magic (Riggins Racing)

Changed hands for $85.000 in February and has been on a roll since with a win in the CA-bred Eddie Stakes two back and in the Grade 3 Barrera Stakes last out. Could extend his winning streak to three with a big performance here.

5 More Twist (Mb Stables)

Purchased for $450.000 in April, probably based in part on his win in the Withers (Grade 3). Has been in a slump since then and he’s going to have a hard time breaking it here. Shorter distance should help. Works are solid. Needs a top performance.

6 Dayton (Pan Farms)

Not much experience for this colt, but he’s accomplished a lot in just a few starts, like a win in N1X company and a third-place finish in the Day Mile Stakes (Grade 2). Very promising colt. Should have a say in the outcome.

7 Prince George (Mb Stables)

Scored a 101 SRF last out in winning the Grade 3 Lang Stakes. With the exception of a mid-pack finish in the Lexington, this colt has put together an impressive string of first and second place finishes since changing hands in December. Should be competitive in this field.

8 Centennal Hall (D J C Racing Stables)

Finished second in the Peter Pan Stakes (Grade 3) last out. Last win came in the NY-bred Rego Park by 3 lengths in January which may indicate that he’ll like the shorter distance here. One to watch.

9 Twin Rackets (Alydar Stables)

After a less than successful KYD campaign, shortened up to 6 furlongs last out and won the Woodstock Stakes. Should like the shorter distance. Will most likely be coming from off the pace, so he’ll need a good trip.

10 Peace Pipe (Arindel)

Won the San Vincente Stakes in January. Didn’t fare so well when the KYD trail races got longer. Another one that should appreciate the shorter distance.

11 Semi Auto (Threshold)

Won the state-bred Coin Collector last out at 4 ½ furlongs in the mud. Has been very consistent with a string of first and second-place performances that goes back to October. And includes three second place finishes in graded company. Could get a piece of the purse.

12 Indian Summer (Diablo Diablo)

Won the Kittens Joy (Grade 3) on yielding turf in February before switching to dirt and finishing second in the Grade 2 Rebel. Back on the turf for his last start, he finished third in the American Turf (Grade 2). Not much to go on for dirt sprints, but works are solid.

Picks: 4-6-1

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES