Awesome Again Stakes – Grade I (P7) [BC]
 SA Race #13 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Rainstorm Fractious Hernandez R M

When this horse very nearly won the Wood Memorial and then finished second in the KYD from a tough draw the world looked like his for the taking. Sadly like many early three year olds however he failed to improve on those efforts and as the other three’s improved he stayed where he was. He ran fairly in the Preakness and then failed in The Stephens and after winning an overnight at SAR again failed to sparkle in the Jerkins Memorial. The step back up in trip may help him but one feels he has been a little left behind this summer and it would take a big turn round in form to see him winning. Having said that the gate will suit and at his best if he finds his old self he will be a danger.

2 Bad English Maxmillion Farm Baze T C

The winner of the Excelsior over this trip he has been OK since but this is a bit of a step up to try and get a crack at the BC. His works on turf have been encouraging and one feels that he may go that way if he doesnt make the grade today.

3 Shanghai D J C Racing Stables Lezcano J

Brought along pretty slowly he hasnt been able to perform in his own age group but exploded onto the scene last time when taking on the three’s and up races. Drawn ten in the Woodward he flew late and just failed to catch the very highly thought of Tactical. Just a half length behind that day that was a huge improvement and running from a much better draw today he would be a huge chance on that form.

4 Nice Distorted Laff Night Rider Stables Maragh Ro

The stable is in good form at the moment and though this horse was a big disappointment last time his previous two wins were pretty good and he would be right in this from a good draw. I wouldnt worry too much about his third in overnight grade last time as with the class system being what it is that could just as easily been a third in a graded stakes. Prior to that he was very game in winning the Eclipse and San Diego Handicap with top weight and those efforts put him right in the mix.

5 Snakie Authorization John Henry Esquivel E

This lightly raced four year old was looking pretty special as he went three from three and was then only beaten a nose in the grade three Ali but after being sold twice since then he hasnt found the winners circle again. Having said that his run on turf in the Fourstardave Handicap when third from a wide gate was very good and his dirt works are still fast so there is no reason he cant run a big race today.

6 Admiration Mb Stables Gaffalione T

The winner of the Tam and SA Derby he bypassed the KYD and then went on to finish a head second in the Preakness and a nose winner of the Belmont. You would think that that sort of form would see him at the top of the three year old pile but such is the closeness of horses that he hasnt been able to win either of his last two. They were both good efforts, firstly being fourth in the Dandy and then third in the Woodward but with such strong early season form you couldnt help be a little dissapointed. Make no mistake this is a VERY good horse and should start favourite for a race like this especially as he will get all the help he needs from his stable mates.

7 Soviet Warrior Mb Stables Saez L

A consistent type, he doesnt win much but his place form on the turf recently has been very good. At HRP turf and dirt form cross’s over far more consistently than real life so its not too much of a worry that he comes back to dirt today especially as his last dirt work was very similar to that of Admiration who is a true dirt racer. He doesnt look like a natural rabbit so i am thinking he will track a very similar race to his stable companion but on the balance of form he definitely looks second best.

8 Di Farley Gdp Inc Wilson E J

A great three year old like most horses he has found it much harder as a four year old but did throw a remarkable mile work last time which would suggest he has recaptured his old self. He has been kept to shorter trips this year which has been a strange decision but comes back to routes now and may just be the dark horse in the race.

9 Red Cup Our Athletes Geroux F

After getting horrible draws in the KYD and BEL he was pretty poor but has been much better in his last two from much better gates. A close fourth in The Haskell and a strong win in the O Brien last time suggest to me that the draw is the key and as he draws out again today it does have me a bit worried. Certainly good enough to get involved in the finish if he can cope.

10 Pretty Ferro Estero Farms Arroyo N Jr

What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago this wouldve been the odds on favourite but today he is 0 from 5 and looking like an also ran. Hold the press though because i am not sure he is as much of a has been that he looks at first glance. The 1.10 flat work suggest to me that there may be a big win left in this great horse and i just wonder whether today may be the day. The draw is a bit of a killjoy though and will make it tough for a fairytale comeback.

11 Delaware Warrior Nakamura Stables Franco G

We are getting out in the cheap seats now and though this is a decent three year old i am not sure he can win from the 11 box.
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12 Fox News D J C Racing Stables Pennington F

This horse doesnt get much luck from the draw monster and gets another horrible draw today. At his best he is good enough but i just think it will be too tough for him today.

SUMMARY

This looks on paper to be between the two MB horses with Admiration being the obvious choice. Obvious is a rare statement at HRP though i just wonder whether the very good work from Di Farley is trying to tell us something. Failing all that i think Pretty Ferro may have a good run left in him and there is always Shanghai who looks like a real late bloomer.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES