The WV Governors Stakes – Grade III
MNR Race #12 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Long Time Ago Maletto Bracho A P

Gets a decent draw and has some good enough form but this is an even looking field and you can’t get too enthusiastic about any of them. He won the Hals Hope prior to a decent effort in the CT Classic and then again in the Salvatore Mile so he is certainly capable of running a race from a nice draw.

2 Veritas Aequitas Rampage Stable Ortiz I Jr

Has run three fair races since moving to graded company but this is the best draw he has had for a while so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he did OK today. The three year olds are always hard to beat but his works are solid and speed figures good so he has as good a chance as any.

3 Main Stage Mb Stables Fuentes Ru

The first of the three year olds he has been on the turf for the whole season but worked a 1.36 and 2 dirt mile recently which makes him hard to beat in receipt of the three year old allowance. Form not good enough but since when did that matter!

4 Master Puppet Estero Farms Bahen S R

Ran some nice races over longer trips but was pretty average over a sprint trip last time suggesting he isn’t the easiest horse to get a handle on. His works are strong and certainly on his last two gallops he would have a winning chance.

5 Ice Wall RNP Stables Lanerie C J

I like five year olds against the three’s as they have a little bit on the four’s and i suspect this one may be the biggest danger to the youngsters. He stuck on well in the Iselin Stakes last time when second and goes into the hopper with the older horses.

6 Feral Storm Winning Link Stables Lopez P

You could only really give this one a chance by the fact that he is a three year old because on form and works he has a bit to find. The longer trip may be OK for him.

7 Lord Of Peace Fractious Jaramillo E

Third in the IND Derby last time that was a very hot three year old race and i rather suspect he is the three year old to beat. The form is all there but the works are a tick slower but i don’t think that could be enough to see him beaten.

8 Unreleased Night Rider Stables Quinones L

The same applies to seven year olds as applies to five year olds as a good one can often hold their own against younger horses better than four year olds. This is a real tough nut but i would be happier about his chances from a better draw although he could well be the biggest hope for the older horses.

9 Socrates Mb Stables Juarez N

Finished in front of Lord Of Peace in the Day Mile so that puts him right in this with a winning chance. The draw is the sticking point but with a stable mate inside him i am sure the trainer will have that base covered.

SUMMARY

Socrates or Lord Of Peace should fight out the finish here, i will go for the seven year old Unreleased to come home in third to spice up the trifetca.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES