The Gun Runner
KD Race #4 1m Turf Stake
Purse $1,000.000 For Three Year Olds.
1 Winned Team 7 Illusions Garcia Mar 122 —
This son of Decima may have always been destined for the turf with a sire like that, but when he won the BG Stakes off a short back up the decision was made to have a go at the KYD. That gamble failed pretty spectacularly as he trailed in last, but I think the owner always knew this could be a top turfer and quietly put him away to get over his dirt exertions. His return came in the KD Preview Nashville Derby in early August where he cantered home by an easy two lengths and sent shivers down the line to the existing three-year-old grass horses. He didn’t go to the Nashville Derby and has gone for this race instead which looks very much like the owner taking every precaution after the KYD mess up. If he canters home here, he will enter a new level.
2 Keep Your Distance D J C Racing Stables Lezcano J 122 —
A consistent sort but as yet not one that has really fired in this sort of company. Have a go DJC however throws him in here and he is rewarded with a great draw. Though all of his recent form has been on dirt, he is a winner on turf and comes back to that surface more of a mystery waiting to run a race than a big race chance.
3 Crickets Martyparty Gutierrez Mario 122 —
Beaten a neck by Winned in the BG Stakes he too went to the KYD but also ran a bit flat ending up eleventh. With gate 16 and going pretty hard early the result was more easily explained than Winned’s though, but he always looked better than that and it has to be said looked more likely to achieve his best on the turf. He won the Manilla the time before last and then went to the National Museum Of Racing to run a game second to another of the three-year-old turf stars in Diamond Haggis. His recent work was off the scale, and I feel he may be the biggest threat to Winned or maybe the other way round.
4 Prickly Mb Stables Buick W T 122 —
Was going along nicely building a turf record but then used his State bred status to have a go at the Kings Plate on the dirt. He won the Plate Trial and then ran a great race in the Kings Plate itself beaten just a length into fifth. He comes here a bit of a dark horse and though he has some decent form seems a little better than what he has put down on his record so far and will relish this return to the grass.
5 Virtual Handyman Riggins Racing Alvarado F T 122 —
Another from the stable that has risen with the wave that they are riding he was super impressive in the Secretariat last time and represents some value here as he may not attract the betting attention that the toppy may. His record like a few others may not be as good as he has moved around surfaces a little but with three runs on the turf for two wins it certainly looks like this is his preference.
6 Feared Team 7 Illusions Davis D 122 —
Third in the American Derby in his fourth race this is an interesting entry as he comes here after running in the Tapit Stakes just a week ago. He may be here to make the running as a sacrificial lamb, or the canny trainer may have seen something that makes them think a quick turn round could benefit the horse. Either way a win in these circumstances would surprise.
7 Prince Of Africa Mb Stables Beschizza A 122 —
Bought from Spinetingling for $50.000 after running on the free tracks and fair levels he went straight to the SAR Derby and promptly finished third in that grade one. He is working well enough to be a real contender here and though he was a bit distant in the SAR Derby proved himself far better than what he had achieved previously. May still be a work in progress but looks a very good one.
8 Van Go Go Fractious Lopez P 122 —
A fair racehorse on dirt he comes here for a first ever race on turf and there is very little to go on as to how he will run. His dirt works are good, and I am guessing the trainer has some slick turf works on the farm, so he is a complete shot in the dark for us punters.
9 Deputy Dog D J C Racing Stables Pennington F 122 —
Another from have a go DJC he is a solid enough sort but as yet has not shown the sort of form to trouble the best of these. His works offer him the chance and he is consistent so whilst he may not be an obvious win choice stranger things have happened.
10 Knorth Kinght Our Athletes Dettori L 122 —
Won the Swale back in February but his form fell away on the dirt causing the trainer to go to the grass where he ran pretty well to be a close fifth in the American Turf. He just got home in an optional claimer last time and whilst he looks a good sort may not be up to this race just yet especially from this tough draw.
11 Cezanne TwinTowersRacing Jaramillo E 122 —
A maiden winner over five furlongs at LAD last time, it can only be TwinTowers who throws this one in here and dare I say it, it should only get a fleeting mention in the commentary. You can’t knock the fact that in his 12 maiden starts prior to his win he placed 7 times which makes him OK, but this is such a huge step up in every way and running from the car park it looks too big a task for even a horse from this stable.
SUMMARY
In truth there looks to be five in this with a realistic chance. Winned, Crickets, Prickly, Virtual Handyman and Prince Of Africa, Winned would be my first choice but any of those five could win.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
