The Cigar Mile Handicap – Grade I  
AQU   Race #5   1m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $500.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Blue Eight, trained by Grmley

Looked like a three year old ready to bust through when sold by Australia Wide back in August but he has been a little disappointing since considering his hefty price tag. A no show in the Travers he ran much better in the WV Breeders Classic last time but could still only manage second. He gets in here with a feather weight and definitely has ability so today could be his chance at Redemption.

2 Champagne Supernova, trained by Eastern Equine

Looked a live TC chance when second in the LA Derby back in March but failed in both the KYD and the BEL running well enough but not really in factor in either. He looked much better in The Longacres Mile and it’s probably best to ignore his last start on a muddy track. He gets a pretty heft weight but isnt working badly and is entittled to be one of the fancies for this.

3 Blowin Smoke, trained by Grimley
A lightly raced five year old he is favoured by the weights but will have to find a bit to win. He scrambled home in a competitive allowance at BEL the time before last looking like a mile was as far as he wanted to go and then weakened over seven furlongs last time. Tactics may help him last home but he will need to be improving to take a hand in this.

4 Impending Decision, trained by Night Rider Stable
Undoubtedly the class horse of the race his third in the BC Dirt Mile last time is much better than most of these could manage. He was beaten a half length by Champagne Supernova in the Longacres Mile but is better off at the weights despite this being a handicap. I would have no problem tipping this top weight to win if this was real life but we all know how tough it is to beat the three year olds at HRP even if the weights are on your side.

5 Ufc Morals, trained by Tiratzo
Probably the best three year old in the race and therefore the probable winner. Building nicely through the season he has never stopped improving and his win in the Dwyer and subsequent second in the Kings Bishop is very good form indeed. The mile shouldnt hold any fears for him and you need look no further for the winner.

6 Lots Of Laughs, trained by Mb Stables
A winner of a little maiden and then beaten fair and square in a low level Allowance he shouldnt have any chance at all in this race. But if there’s one thing Mb Stables knows its that with no class strcucture you just have to have the work times to win these races. Coming in with bottom weight he does have the work times to win and if he gets the trip, as silly as that sounds, he may just cause a shock.

7 Spanish Petals, trained by Scarletandgraystable
Got pretty close to Ufc Morals in the Kings Bishop and is nicely in at the weights to turn that round. If he can he wins. His fast finishing second in the Phoenix last time was his third triple digit speed figure in a row and his work times suggest he will finish first or second today.

8 Superwillie, trained by Ekli Stable
He was inches behind Spanish Petals last time in The Phoenix and inches ahead of him in the Amsterdam before that putting his form pretty close with that one and Ufc Morals. The one pound he has to give Spanish Petals may be enough to see the inches turn around and not in his favour.

SUMMARY
Its a true sign of the times at HRP when 6 of the 8 runners in a $500 handicap are three year olds. Its also the sign of the times that a horse that finished third in the BC Mile may not get in the first three in this race. Whatever the wrongs or rights are this looks an obvious boxed trifecta with Spanish Petals winning by a nose from Ufc Morals a nose ahead of Superwillie. Old Impending Decision may have to settle for fourth.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES