The Vanderbilt Handicap – Grade I
SAR   Race #10   6f   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $350.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Hathersage, trained by Sanny Village
Third in the Crosby last year and a close eighth in the BC Sprint, this nine-race winning five
year old is a tough sprinter with plenty of ability. Eased into this season, he ran a nice fifth
on seasonal debut after a long lay off and improved on that by taking a competitive open
allowance last time by a length in a slick time. He has a good racing weight and a competitive
draw, so I am thinking he will be ready to run today, especially with his trainer in good form at
the moment.

2 Sindaco Di Firenze, trained by Grimley
Bought for $75.000, this four year old has always shown ability but has only managed the two wins.
He hasn’t run over a sprint trip since being beaten in a maiden 18 months ago, so it is difficult
to weigh up his chances, although he has got grade one form as a three year old and was a lively
KYD contender last year. I have seen HRP throw up some surprising results before with routers
coming back to sprinting, but I would be very surprised to see him win.

3 Reel Steal, trained by Scarletandgraystable
Some how this four year old has ended up with top weight despite just the single black type win
in a grade three. Having said that, he has run two nice seconds in grade two handicaps since, both
times carrying a big weight. I would be pretty keen on him if he has a few pounds less, but weight
at HRP means a lot, and I am not sure he can win with top weight. His works are quick and he is
a natural sprinter with a decent draw, so I wouldnt be shocked if he ran well.

4 Giada, trained by Mb Stables
I have to say I am confused by this one and am not really sure where to put him. Beaten in a couple of
poor races at FL, he looked pretty average before being bought by Mb Stables, and if ever there is a red
flag, then that is one. On the same day he was bought he put in a blistering work which is pretty much
the best in the field, and it is that that has me scratching my head. On his form he shouldn’t even be in
the race, but on that work he could win, so I really am struggling to handicap him. He shouldn’t win, but
I have seen plenty of horses from this stable come into a race with poor form but one fast work and then
romp away with the race, so I am very wary of putting anyone off.

5 Sqawither, trained by Australia Wide
Whilst Giada chances are confusing at best, this ones chances are more obvious. Third, beaten just a neck
in the Met Handicap last time, he has had a pretty good season winning at grade three level and being very
competitive in all his other races. Although routing this season, he has a good sprinting record and gets
into this race with a very handy weight giving him a big winning chance. His works are showing plenty of
speed, and the only question will be whether he can lay up close enough to mount a late challenge.

6 Oversell It, trained by Mb Stables
Clearly a decent sort, he has been sandbagging the lower levels since taking the HOU Sprint and running
a good third in the LA Stakes. He has the work times to be competitive, but I can’t see him giving weight
to a horse like Sqawither, so I would be keener on his stable mate than him.

7 Zhitaieith, trained by Aml Racing
This six year old has been fairly lightly raced and is fairly underexposed, but he faces a tough task today.
He took the LA Legends Sprint last time, recording a triple digit speed figure, so you have to respect his
chances, but with a tricky draw again, I cant see him giving weight to the top two today.

8 Rock Boat, trained by Night Rider Stables
This real consistent six year old was claimed for just $15.000 as a five year old and went on to
rack up four wins in a row including three ungraded stakes. In his last two starts, he has managed triple digit
speed figures, taking the Vigil Stakes and then running well for a long way in the MET Handicap. His works are
OK, and he should run well, but with joint top weight and a wide draw, he may have to put up with going to the front
and getting run down in the stretch.

SUMMARY

On form the stand out is Sqwilther, and with a competitive weight he must be the first choice. Hathersage could
be the main danger, but I am worried about a HRP special occurring, and either the router bouncing back to form
with an unlikley win or the horse with no real form, but one fast work, suddenly finding grade one ability.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES