The 7th Running of The Haynesfield
03/20/2022 AQU Race #2 13:10
$100.000 1-Mile Dirt
NY-Bred 4yo+ 123 lbs (plus penalties)
Track Record-1:33.67 (Omni-2004)
Stakes Record-1:34.51 (Detained-2021)
East-Coast stakes action on Sunday as NY-breds will take to the main oval for the 1-mile Haynesfield at AQU. Seven horses will battle for the $100.000 purse and all of the entrants will race without penalty carrying 123-pounds. This is not the most impressive group, but someone is leaving AQU with maybe the biggest win of their career. Here’s your field for The Haynesfield:
#1 Jigokudani (Spankys Barn/J.A. Vargas Jr): 6yo draws the rail for the second consecutive time and will look to improve upon a promising 2022 debut. Only two wins to his credit, but that is not a disqualifier vs this group. He was 2nd in the CC back in December and both wins came at Sunday’s distance. Feels like a pace-presence and may hang on for a share.
#2 Whatchagonnado (Nakamura Stables/M. Franco): Hopefully the Hulk Hogan reference played. This guy owns the most wins in the field and made a winning seasonal debut after being purchased for $270.000 in November. Nothing wrong with his form as he totes a modest two-race winning streak into this. Should sit an excellent trip and he is the top selection.
#3 Neo (Arindel/E. Cancel): 4yo has started his season with back-to-back 4th place runs and is still looking for his 2nd win in his 25th start. He’s been competitive enough to earn a decent bankroll; however, he needs to show a bit more fight to best this group. The fact that he hasn’t been in for a tag is a positive and maybe he relishes the move to state-bred company. Has a chance to hit the board.
#4 Pyragorn (Arindel/J.A. Gomez): Stablemate to the three, this guy has done his best work on the lawn. Has never won on dirt in five previous attempts, but he was gaining in the latter stages in his last run as a sophomore. May be dependent on things getting a little crazy up top, but think we’ll see him pass enough horses to claim a minor share.
#5 Triple Cocked (Gdp Inc/Os. Gomez): 4yo colt is a tough read as state bred company has not been kind to him while his open company races have been useful. Both wins came going 6f so maybe the one-turn mile will play to his advantage. If he improves off of last month’s effort, he can compete here. Going to pass on him for the top honors.
#6 The Bounder (The Sidley Stud/J. Lezcano): Stakes-winner as a juvenile, 4yo hasn’t seen the winner’s circle in a while. That stakes win does carry some weight; he’s the only horse in the field who has bested such a group. Hard to see him beating all six of his rivals in here, but stranger results have been posted.
#7 Tusk (D J C Racing Stables/D. Davis): Three consecutive exacta finishes (including a winning effort last time) bridge his sophomore and 4yo campaigns, so he’s in pretty good form coming into this spot. Looks like he’ll run his race from just about anywhere which can only be viewed positively. While the draw isn’t ideal, he looks to be the main threat and could win this in numerous scenarios. Win contender.
Final Analysis: 2-7-3 is how they’ll cross the wire in Sunday’s renewal of The Haynesfield. Good luck to all involved!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
