The Stephens – Grade I
BEL Race #2 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $400.000 For Three Year Olds.

1         Evergreen            Mb Stables           Bridgmohan S X

Well the only horse to force Howl To The Hound into a nearly defeat faces a field here to take a consolation prize for his trainer who will have much bigger fish to fry a little later on. After victories in The Sham, The Risen Star and the LA Derby he went to the KYD as a very well fancied to win but a wide draw ruined his chances and he was pretty much a no show in that race. It remains a mystery as to why he ran so bad that day and in years past i am pretty sure he would’ve been rested as he has been and brought back for the BEL. However with Howl To The Hound looking for a TC it is probably safer for his trainer that he is here to take this prize and as he has come up with a great draw that should certainly happen.

2          Awesome Return         Axeman            Moran D

He too looked like he was going to build into a TC horse as a juvenile but things came apart this year as he failed in all of his attempts to get in the KYD. He bounced back to form in an optional claimer at WO last time, looking happier at the sprint trip but it would be a surprise to see him beating the best of this field even from this perfect draw.

3            Accountant         D J C Racing Stables        Ryan S

This is known for a race for TC failures and this is another who couldn’t make a dent in the TC qualification races. He won the Springboard Mile at the end of last year which is often a good guide but just couldn’t get it together as a three year old and has yet to win a race. A better draw and probably a better trip should see an improved run.

4            High Crimes           Alydar Stables        Contreras L

This one won the Swale at the start of the year over this trip but has since found the route distances of the TC chase too much for him. I think he will benefit from this return to 7 furlongs and it may be time he started paying back some of the $300 he cost his trainer to get on the TC chase.

5           Hint Of Sugar          Arindel               Davis D

I think this may be the biggest danger to evergreen on his efforts as a three year old. Second in the Fountain Of Youth and again in the FL Derby he made the KYD field and ran very well from a tough draw to be eighth beaten just two lengths. I am surprised to see him here and not in the BEL but it makes this one a much better race for having him here.

6          Resident Fox        Fractious                   Velazquez J R

Another made the KYD field but this one ran very poorly ending up 17th. That was a little surprising after his good efforts in the FL and AR Derby’s and he steps back in trip today to try and take the consolation race.

7           Papa Nature        Night Rider Stables        Gaffalione T

He looked better over this trip than he did when taking on the Fountain Of Youth and whilst he hasn’t set the world on fire he does look like a seven furlong specialist horse and this trip can need a certain type of horse.

8          Gran Man        Gdp Inc             Gonzalez Ru

He has really grown into himself this year winning both his races after a win less juvenile campaign. Both those wins have come at the seven furlongs which is a real plus and i think this may be the dark horse in the race.

9            Get Set Gone           Serenity Stables        Saez L

Another winner at this trip he took the Bay Shore in a fast time. He too has had a go at longer trips but although running well just hasn’t got home. I feel that this one may the upsetter in the field.

10          Indie Bread          Spankys Barn           Prat F

A through and through sprinter he has looked good on both surfaces and had racked up five wins in a row before the draw beat him in the Day Mile. Could be the bolter in the field.

11          Not A Big Deal           Mb Stables          Jaramillo E

It will be interesting to see how the three seven furlong specialists do against the TC failures and this is another that looks like she has the gene required to run very well at the seven furlongs. The big difference here of course is that this one is a filly! Having won two graded stakes in a row and working at 57 and 4, the same if not faster than most of the boy,s she should of course saunter home with the 5Lb fillies allowance. But this is HRP of course and fillies and mares seem to find it tougher here than in real life. A real winning chance but with a little doubt at the back of my mind.

12           Shifu Tan         Keikowin Racing         Van Dyke D

This poor trainer has been dealt some hefty blows by the draw monster recently and along with the terrible draw in the BEL he gets the car park draw against another couple of Mb runners here. His form and works are spot on and make him a big hope but this wide draw will be tough to overcome. The track however is big and roomy with long straights so with a bit of luck this one could be a main contender.

SUMMARY

This is an intriguing race with Evergreen and Hint Of Sugar who would have been good chances in the BEL preferring to dodge Howl To The Hound and come here. But they wont have it all there own way even though they have been given very favorable draws. Seven furlongs is a specialist trip and there are a few here that really excel at this trip. Shifu Tan, Get Set Done and High Crimes are all proven along with the in form filly Not a Big Deal.
There are plenty of combinations that may occur here so box up those trifecta’s and if you are picking one for the pick em, go with your gut.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES