The Dust Commander Stakes

1/16th on Dirt for Four year olds and upward

Turfway Park, Florence KY

Skeptic from Pablo Racing Inc comes out of a grade three win while traversing a mile and an eighth and doing it with a 101 rating. Cuts back a tad for this affair, but a repeat effort marks him as the one to beat Saturday. Speter from Sheffler Stables is a horse that must be looked at asking the question “Is the glass half full or half empty”? A risky proposition here in that his last start, the first of his eight-year-old career was too bad to be believed unless he has hit the proverbial wall. Either of his previous two starts would make him the horse to beat, but the last dance was forgettable. Two bullet works since gives hope; I just wouldn’t put the rent money down. Night Rider Stables send out Everything For Sale and the owners probably let out some superlatives after the draw, when getting the outside box assignment. However, all is not lost as “Sale” fits big and does not have to necessarily close here as most would assume. He has plenty of speed if let loose and with the tracks natural outside push, I expect him to have most, if not all of these rivals in his rear-view mirror. Architect from Nakamura Stables is a four-year-old in a field of mostly elders, something that I usually shy away from, but his natural speed and post draw are huge assets here and the barn is traditionally good in this situation.

Of the rest;

Yes Yes Yes from Mojica Racing will be overlooked at the windows by most handicappers, but that could be a mistake. He draws the rail and will lose no ground. He should take back and lay down one extended run weaving his way through traffic. He has rolled the same number several times in a row, so expect a solid effort here.

The Stranger from Jerry Garcia Racing got messed up at the gate in his 2026 debut, so the race is worth throwing out. If you do so, he fits and should be close enough to add to your exotics.

Prairie Eclipse from Family Racing makes his 2026 debut in a tough spot, but has a couple nice works in tow. Enough talent showing to offer hope and the race will certainly allow the barn to know where he is at class wise.

Freaky Obra Party from The Sidley Stud was purchased for lunch money at a December auction and put right into a California Bred Stakes on the grass where he ran decent enough to offer hope. Makes a surface switch back to the main here and has a lot of questions to answer, but the last two works stamp him as a longshot to watch out for.

Prince Machiavelli from Wood Racing Stable has scored two blowout wins and a much better than looks effort in a stakes race in three starts since a lunch money claim back in July. Do not just toss out.

Platform from Team 7 Illusions has decent enough route speed to make his presence felt here, others just appear better in the overall context of the race.

This should be a good betting race top to bottom.

-Trackman

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded