Tropical Turf Stakes – Grade III
 GP Race #4 1m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Ice Wall RNP Stables Lopez P

Put together some nice form lines in the second half of last year winning his last two before Christmas the second of those being the CC Iron Horse. Those claiming series races arent generally up to this sort of level but i rather think this one is better than that and the fact that there is no class distinctions at HRP and he has been doing so well suggests he will be competitive from the ace draw. He comes back to turf today where he has won 5 from 11 and i like his chances at what will probably be decent odds.

2 Van Wilder Fractious Hernandez R M

He is another that was improving as the year came to an end and there was a lot to like about his sub 1.10 turf work recently. The two box is considered to be the best draw at HRP so that is another tick in his box and both jockey and trainer have made a good start to the year. Although he has never won at a route trip i think he will get the mile OK and he too will be decent odds in an even field.

3 Project Zero Tiratzo Bravo J

If the 1.09 and 3 worktime of Van Wilder was attractive then the 1.09 and 1 work time of this one would make him a dead cert. Its crazy when you look at a 1.34 and 1 mile work and that last effort to consider that he didnt win a race last year but that is how it is at HRP these days and he will go into the race hopper to see if his number comes up today.

4 Green Rush Pennsville Farm – Scratch –

5 Butter Ball Aml Racing Tunon M

A winner of two from 3 in the wet if the rains comes this five year old could turn out to be the best bet. The brave winner of the Poker Stakes over this trip last summer he has a good strike rate and is proven at this level. His works are right up to it and he is guaranteed to love the trip. A safe bet if you are looking for one.

6 Multiple Shadows Our Athletes Leparoux J R

He has very comparable form to everything else and has some good enough works on the board so if his number comes up he wont be a surprise winner. I liked his win in the Jersey Derby last year but he has to face the five year olds on level terms for the first time and the four year olds can suffer at this time of year.

7 Latte Knowledge Nakamura Stables Juarez N

The trainer has made a lively start to the year and this lightly raced and improving four year old is sure to go well. His works are a shade off of some of these so he may need some moisture to be a winning chance but you certainly have to put him in the mix.

8 Perito Moreno D J C Racing Stables – Scratch –

9 Red Cup John Henry Velazquez J R

A grade two winner and grade one performer he is arguably the most accomplished runner in the field with the two question marks being his widish draw and This first ever run on turf. I am not worried about the grass as HRP surfaces seem to mean very little at this level but the draw does worry me a little. If the race engine is kind he would be the likely favorite along with the next horse drawn outside him.

10 General Ferro Mb Stables Jaramillo E

The advantage this one has over his main rival is that he is a confirmed turfer and in that role is by far the most accomplished in the race. The winner of the Pennine Ridge last year he was also very good in the grade one WO Mile when beaten just a length into fifth. His last two runs have seen two seconds at grade two level and the only thing that seems to be against him here is the draw.

11 Sunday Phunnies Nakamura Stables Saez L

Another good chance for the stable i liked his 1.34 and 1 work on Christmas Eve and his second in the Commonwealth Turf at the end of the season. The draw once again is the biggest question mark but he has the ability to continue the trainers great start to the year.

SUMMARY

Well this is sort of like HRP’s version of a handicap. The best horses have a wide draw and the less good have an inside draw thus making this race almost impossible to call. I figure the fact that it looks like a length will cover most of the runners is the reason we had a couple of scratching and i really couldnt make any sort of good bet in a race that really could go anywhere. On form General Ferro and Red Cup should fight out the finish with one of Nakamura’s in for third.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES