The Mr. Prospector – Grade III
Race #7 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Mystery Fractious Vasquez M A
These late season stakes races can attract tough fields simply because there is so little quality racing around at this time of year. This is no exception and this is one of many chances in this race. Second in the Wood Memorial he was thought of a TC sort but ran from a rotten draw in the BEL to finish tenth. Like most routers on HRP he found he could compete at sprint distances just as well as longer trips by switching in the Summer and running a brilliant second in the SA Sprint Championship last time from another horror draw. e gets a good draw today but must show some early speed so he doesn’t get buried and if he can do that would be a lively chance.
2 Highlines Angelos Stable Leparoux J
Claimed after showing improvement at that level his new trainer has gradually stepped him up and he has risen to the challenge pretty well running a close second in the Fall High weight handicap last time. This is much better than your average hundred buck stakes race so he may still have something to find but he has a great draw and is working well enough so he is not without a chance.
3 Red Cup John Henry Tunon M
Must be close to favorite for this starting from a great draw and with a strong fourth in the BC Turf Sprint last time. Another that has competed over all sorts of trips and surfaces it really doesn’t make much difference at HRP as long as they have the class gene and this one certainly seems to have it. I am not worried by the switch to dirt, in fact it is often a bit of a glitch that horses that switch surfaces can run big races on the new surface.
4 Catch The Day Gdp Inc Lopez P
Broke his maiden in a claimer less than four months ago but that seemed to inspire him as he ran a super race in the Vosburgh and then won the Perryville last time. He is certainly improving fast sine that minor win, will this be too soon? well if it is i am sure it wont be long before he picks up a race like this.
5 Global Strike Fractious Castellano J J
Won The Vanderbilt Handicap at grade one but has struggled at weight for age since. He ran better than his finishing position suggested in the BC Sprint but his last few runs haven’t been his best and one wonders whether he is going through a bit of a ad run. He needs to show me he is back to form before i start tipping him again.
6 Tourniquet Mo Mentum Farm Kimura K
His last six runs sort of typify just how different HRP can be to real life because this horse has run sprints and routes over both surfaces and apart from an off track failure has done pretty much as well over them all showing no preferences at all. He certainly could be in the finish but he is hard to tip on his form.
7 Audioslave Alydar Stables Zayas E J
A seasoned sprinter he is still competitive at five so must go into the hat of possible chances. His works suggest his season is not over but i think a place is his most realistic chance today.
8 Angelsinheaven Angelos Stable Bravo J
Winner of the grade one Jerkins Memorial over this trip after being second in the Preakness he is yet another who doesn’t seem to care how far he runs. I think his effort from the car park in the BC Sprint last time was enormous and on that effort i had him as a sure next time winner.
9 Bodivo Our Athletes Saez L
He has a good record but has generally been better at a slightly lower grade and despite a consistent record may just find this too tough from this draw.
10 Marx On The Moon Court Jester Racing Ortiz I Jr
Won the grade two O Brien Stakes over this trip and ran pretty well in the BC Dirt Mile last time suggesting he is certainly capable of taking this race out. The draw in very tough but he is good enough to overcome it.
11 Zombie City Eastern Equine Gaffalione
Third in the 2018 KYD he returned to sprinting at the end of last year and whilst he hasn’t reached the heights of his three year old season he did win the grade three Bold Venture in August and certainly retains plenty of ability. A tough draw but his best wins this.
12 The End Game RNP Stables Lanerie C J
Gets the car park and will need the race engine on his side to win this. Having said that he has had a few rough draws recently and has done pretty well most notably when a close third in the Gallant Bob. A chance but will need luck.
SUMMARY
A tough race to call but there looks a couple whose form stands out for this. Marx On the Moon, Aneglsinheaven and Red Cup look the choices here and i am siding with Red Cup just because he has the best draw.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
