The Hanshin

CD Race #9 1m Dirt Stake
Purse $300.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Wicked Good Lanfranco Stable Lezcano J 122 —

Put together a couple of good races at SA in his last two at State bred level including the Crystal Waters Stakes last time over the mile. With all his wins on the grass and the recent good form it is surprising that the trainer has opted to come back to the main track today, but a recent work said he can operate at a similar level on the surface. If the six-year-old has found the improvement curve late in life and he can reproduce his form on this surface, he may be at rewarding odds for those looking for one from left field.

2 Super Puzzle Team 7 Illusions Davis D 122 —

In contrast to the one inside him, he had a go on the turf but came back to the dirt last time for a good win at CD in a competitive allowance. That last win was a definite improvement and even though it was over six and a half furlongs he has won 3 of his 5 races over longer trips so the mile shouldn’t be a problem. Drawn perfectly and showing signs of improvement both on the track and in works the trainer may just have him ready to break through today.

3 Electric Angelos Stable Franco M 122 —

With no graded stakes penalties this one gets into a class which is certainly within his scope. The winner of the grade three Toboggan and the grade three Westchester already this year he very nearly added the Sexton Mile to that list last time going down narrowly into second. That sort of form is a standout for a race like this and whilst his works are less than flashy, he certainly has the form on the board to be a favorite for a race like this.

4 General Zod Royalty Stables Velazquez J R 122 —

Talking of form on the board, this is another that has achieved at a much higher level than this but the difference between him and Electric is that his works are far quicker but his victories fewer. Go figure ay, but whilst Electric has yet to venture beyond grade three this one followed up a strong second in the grade two Pincay with a good second in the KY Cup Classic. A closing fourth in the Gold Cup last time that sort of sums him up at stakes level as he has threatened a good win but as yet hasn’t really broken through. Running style from this middle draw will be key and I wonder whether an on-pace effort will be his best chance.

5 Misting Winning Link Stables Corrales G 122 —

It is always interesting when a prolific winner from the free track is brought to the pay side, but it is almost impossible to find any form to judge them by. The five-year-old could be anything and we won’t know what until they cross the line today.

6 Themefrom Antarctica Ajm Stables Conner T 122 —

Just behind General Zod in the KY Cup Classic the four-year-old is the winner of ten including the Harlan at the end of last year. Bought from Panionios Racing early in the year, he has been running well for the new owner and looks to make a deposit today. The works are strong, the speed figures high and the mile should be OK, so he has every chance of getting some today.

7 Crumbler Maxmillion Farm Gutierrez Mario 122 —

A close fourth in the Sexton Mile last time less than a half behind Electric, he is right in this especially considering that was a seasonal debut. He made all to win the Perryville so I wonder whether the trainer will attempt to do the same and use the wide gate speed push today as those tactics also worked in The Cherokee Mile and if he can get to the rail soon enough, he would be right in this with a win chance.

8 Distant Breeze The Sidley Stud Lopez P 122 —

Talking of wide gate speed push, this one has won his last three from the front all at a higher level than this so I think we may have found our front runner today. If he can get past Crumbler inside him and get leading and over as he did to win the grade two Alysheba you would have to put him down as the most likely winner. Triple digit speed figures and strong works, he has jumped on the stable band wagon this year and has looked better than ever as a six-year-old. He holds the best form lines through the Sexton Mile and if the race engine is kind he should win.

SUMMARY

Distant Breeze is the obvious choice here although a lot may depend on the first couple of furlongs. The closers will be trying late but he has run some fast splits and held them in his last three so I see no reason he can’t do the same today. I will put General Zod into second with maybe Super Puzzle adding some value to the trifecta.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded