Grade 2
Purse: $350.000
1 1/16 Mile on Dirt for Three Year Old

She’s undefeated against the girls (including a win in the BC Juvenile Fillies), has won more than $1,500.000 in just five starts, and she gets a five-pound weight allowance.  And if that’s not enough, she scored a 99 SRF, the highest in the field.

While Snow Peak looks unbeatable on paper, The other ten entrants won’t make it easy for her.  Four of them competed in the BC Juvenile, including second and third—place finishers Made To Sin and Jolly Be Native. Both faltered in their next races off the BC. Made To Sin didn’t like the off-going in the Jerome (Grade 3) and finished fourth. Jolly Be Native came up flat in the Sham Stakes (Grade 3).

These are just the top guns. This field is loaded with talent.

1 Indiana Jones
Owner: John Henry
Breeder: Australia Wide

Broke his maiden at WO and immediately moved up to state-bred stakes for a win in the Cup and Saucer Stakes, also at WO. Hasn’t been back to the winner’s circle in two subsequent attempts. Training very well. Wouldn’t count him out.

2 Pip Saltfish
Owner/Breeder: Chili King Stables

Comes here riding a two-race winning streak. Broke his maiden in maiden claiming company at DMR, then won a $25.000 claimer at GP. Big step up for this one.

3 How To Laff
Owner: Kopites
Breeder: Gdp Inc

Never out of the money in four starts, including a win last out in the PA Nursery Stakes for PA-breds. Making his first start for new owner Kopites. Looks like a talented colt, but another one making a big step up in class.

4 Snow Peak
Owner/Breeder: Mb Stables

The only filly in the field. Undefeated against the girls, including a win in the BC Juvenile Fillies. Has won all four Grade 1s she has started in and scored a 99 SRF three starts back. If ever there was a girl ready to take on the boys, it’s this one. She is the richest horse in the field with $1,691.000 in earnings in just five starts.

5 Made To Sin
Owner: Downwind Stables
Breeder: Team 7 Illusions

Missed a win in the BC Juvenile by a nose after setting the pace at every call but the last. Currently ranked #4 in KYD qualifying with 10 points. Already has one start this year in the Jerome (Grade 3). Finished fourth on an AQU track rated as Good. In fact, the only two times he finished worse than third was on off-going. So if the track is fast, count on this one to be a major contender.

6 Feeling Funny
Owner/Breeder: Mb Stables

Least experienced in the field. Just a maiden win at GG and an attempt at Grade 1 company in only his second start. Will take more than racing luck for this gelding to see the winner’s circle against these.

7 Shen Valley
Owner/Breeder: Keikowin Racing

Fourth in the BC Juvenile, flying from the back of the pack to get within a length of the winner. Has yet to win at this level, but has been close often enough that he currently holds ten KYD points. Definitely one to watch.

8 Jolly Be Native
Owner: Kopites
Breeder: Gdp Inc

Third by a nose in the BC Juvenile, this gelding has hit the board in six of his eight career starts. The only exceptions came in his first start and his last. His performance in the Sham Stakes was so flat, it may have just been a fluke. He was bothered by traffic, but even when he was in the clear, he just didn’t seem to have it that day. Still like his chances here.

9 The Force Awakens
Owner: Diablo Diablo
Breeder: Team 7 Illusions

After a win in the FrontRunner Stakes (Grade 1) at SA last October, he finished a disappointing sixth in the BC Juvenile. Even so, he owns ten KYD points and holds the #9 position in the BC ratings. Hasn’t raced since November, so the layoff may be a factor.

10 Night Terra
Owner: Nynl Stables
Breeder: Night Mare Racing

Back-to-back wins for this gelding. Broke his maiden at SA two starts back, then won the DED Jackpot (Grade 3) at DED. He’s #5 on the KYD list for a reason. Don’t count him out.

11 Idol Knowledge
Owner/Breeder: Nakamura Stables

Wired the field in the $150.000 Bongard at BEL for NY-breds. This will be his first try at graded stakes. Working very well, but may lack the experience to compete at this level.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES