The 13th Running of the NY Stallion Series: Times Square
April 23, 2022
$200.000 6.5 Furlongs
AQU Race #3 Post Time 13:00
NY-Bred 3YOs 122 Lbs (Plus Penalties)
Track Record-1:14.57 (Hidden Scroll-2021)
Stakes Record-1:15.24 (Vanderbillt-2020)
The lucrative NY Stallion Series continues Saturday with the $200.000 6.5-furlong Times Square. For 3yos bred in the Empire State, the 13th renewal of the Times Square drew only five horses with all five getting in at the 122-pound impost. None of the five entered have won more than two of their starts and the winner will be a first-time stakes winner as well. It may be short on quantity, but the field assembled appears to be very evenly matched. Here are the five horses who will contest the Times Square:
#1 Fireside Story (Mb Stables/J.J. Castellano): Gelding won his first two starts, is multiple stakes-placed, and drew the rail. Showed enough early foot to win on debut a year ago, but he’s been running from well off of the pace recently. He’s the most accomplished horse in the race and he was competitive in this series as a juvenile. Strictly the one to beat.
#2 Public Information (D J C Racing Stables/J.A. Vargas Jr): Our other two-time winner, his wins came just prior to his latest effort at TUP. Debut on the soft turf remains his only non-ITM finish, and, in fact, he’s been in the exacta in five consecutive starts. Could be just about anywhere early, but expect he’ll be gobbling up the ground down the lane. Contender for all the money.
#3 Force Of The Shark (Arindel/T. McCarthy): Started his sophomore campaign with a very strong 2nd in a similar spot before back-to-back 5th-place finishes. He is another that may be hitting his best stride in the latter stages. Not as consistent in his efforts as some of these, but his best may be good enough to take this one.
#4 Got Milk (D J C Racing Stables/N. Juarez): Made a winning debut last May and has only one non-ITM finish in four subsequent starts. Has more natural speed on paper than the three drawn to his inside and should be able to secure the rail fairly earl in the proceedings. Talented runner has never faced NY-bred company while being very competitive with open N1X runners. May be his toughest test yet, but have to like the way the race set up for him.
#5 Binnington (Royalty Stables/K. Carmouche): Outside horse (shocker) has never come back to the barn empty-handed. He’s honest and he gives his all every time he runs. A better trainer than the author would have multiple wins with him, but he’s fast and he gives all he has, that’s more than can be said for a lot of his stablemate. Has a chance.
Final Analysis: 4-1-3 is how we see it, but we’ll be rooting for the 5. Good luck to all of the connections involved in the Times Square!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
