The Whitney – Grade I [BC]
SAR Race #10 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $1,200.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 On The Spot Mb Stables Ortiz I Jr
Three year olds have a huge advantage at HRP with the age allowance so you have to take them very seriously in these type of races. This gelded son of Ned Isakoff missed out on the KYD when placed in both the Rebel and BG Stakes but took his chances in the Preakness where he gave a good account of himself to finish seventh beaten five lengths. Given a short break he came out last time in the Dwyer and was a clear cut winner cruising home by two lengths. My only fear with this one is the extra furlong today but with a decent trip he is sure to be there at the finish.
2 Cajun Cuffs D J C Racing Stables Court J K
This trainer likes to have a gamble and this horse is another who is thrown in the deep end but a good draw and a trainer that can get the best out of these types means you can’t write him off. Mostly average form with just 3 wins from 16 races he did step up last time when taking an optional claimer at CD winning very nicely in a fast time and that performance must be considered good enough to get into the action here esepcially as it is backed up with some decent work times.
3 Sacred Brave Blushing Meadows Velazquez J R
This horse highlighted the inconsistency that HRP can throw up at times going from an 8 length fourteenth in the BEL to a comfortable win in the Queens Plate. After a couple of good efforts in the LA and AR derby’s that Bel run was a mystery but you cannot fault his win at WO last time and with a much better draw today must be considered a winning chance with the three year old weight allowance. I am sure Valezquez will try and get him on the speed again today a task that wont be easy with the outside speed push but as long as he doesnt get shuffled to the back like he did in the BEL i can see him running big for the outspoken trainer.
4 Sporty Greyjoy Saratoga Stud Ortiz J L
Looked great winning the Pegasus World Cup in January but has struggled a little since as four year olds can do at this time of year. He ran pretty well in the Gold Cup the time before last but was ordinary in the Foster Handicap last time and he may find this too tough again.
5 Bay Of Plenty Team 7 Illusions Bejarano R
This horse was better known as a sprinter until recently winning the grade one Vosburgh last year and finishing fourth in the BC Sprint. At HRP especially though a good horse seems to be able to run over pretty much any trip and he jumped up to routes with an impressive win in the New Orleans Handicap back in March. The trainer has pursued the longer races trying both the CT Classic and the Foster Handicap and whilst he ran pretty well in both of those he failed to get in the first three. This is a classy horse but he may find the three year olds too much today.
6 Clear My Way Mb Stables Bravo J
A winner of 6 from 12 he hadnt really shone at this level until winning the PRM Cornhuser Handicap last time and whilst that was a gutsy win it has to be said that bottom weight in a grade three handicap is a long way from this race. I suspect he may be used as a pace maker for his stable companion.
7 Stranger D J C Racing Stables Lopez P
This six year old was bought from Sanny Village back in May and continues his consistent from at this level. Just behind Bay of Plenty in the New Orleans Handicap he has since run two solid races in the Met Handicap and the Suburban Handicap where he was only beaten a head by Laffin Parrot. He will once again run an honest race and has it in him to win if his old legs can find a decent spot mid race.
8 Dr Carson TwinTowersRacing Gallardo A A
This five year old went from a one win allowance win to run in 4 consecutive graded stakes winning one of them and running a cracker in the Foster Handicap last time. With a record of 3 from 24 i am not sure why he seems to have suddenly improved but his last three efforts speak fro themselves and he must be given a decent chance in a less than stellar field.
9 Bronx Bomber Aer Stables Talamo J
When this horse won the Travers last year he finally lived up to his billing but since then despite some great efforts he has been a little dissapointing. He ran great to be beaten just a length in the BC Classic and again when third beaten under a length in the Gold Cup but whilst he has a ton of natural ability he doesnt seem to be able to get his nose in front when it matters. He need the run in the Cornhusker last time and i expect better this time but he is a tough horse to follow. Regardless of that he once again has a winning chance despite an awkward draw.
10 Made To Sin John Henry Lezcano J
Another classy horse that doesnt win too often he goes on and off the boil but at his best would be good enough to get into the finish, Behind Clear My Way but in front of Bronx Bomber in the Cornhusker Handicap last time out he is slightly worse off at the weights with Bronx Bomber so the two should again be very close at the finish, Its hard to be confident about this one but this is a field with no real superstars in it so he must have a chance.
11 Edwin Drood Night Rider Stables Maragh R
The enigma that is Edwin Drood lives on as his new trainer is finding the same problems as his late owner had. This is a horse with bottomless ability and at his peak would win this race hands down but he is very difficult to catch as he really has his own mind sometimes. His works suggest he is as good as ever and as long as the wide gate speed push doesnt ruin his chances like it did in the Suburban Handicap last time i can see him stroming home late to win.
14 Out On A Limb Jader Stable Pennington F
The runner up in the BC Dirt Mile last year he was recently sold by Smokey Stover and his new trainer would’ve been pleased with his hard closing run over seven furlongs last time out. He is a horse with bags of ability and if he can negate the speed push from his wide gate and stay close enough in behind he would be a very good chance.
SUMMARY
This is a wide open race with some of the superstars sidestepping it and this could be a real chance for one of the bridemaids of HRP to take a big purse. Unfortuntaley you have to look at the three year olds first as HRP tends to favour that age group with the weight allowance situation and both of them have a real chance of continueing a three year trend for the younger generation. They are both working around the 1.10 for 6 furlongs which is as good as the older horses so with the 5Lb allowance they may well fill the first two places. On the face of it Sacred Brave looks the better of the two but an Mb owned three year old is always worth respecting and this one could well be the one. Of the older horses Edwin Drood has obvious talent but must try and beat the speed push, hopefully his new owner learnt something from his last start and he will be finishing strongly this time. Bronx Bomber, Out On A Limb and Made To Sin are closely matched but ist pretty hard to write any of these off and that includes the older trio of Dr Carson, Stranger and Bay Of Plenty.
I think one of the three’s will win but will be seperated by Edwin Drood if you are seeking the trifecta.
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