Tropical Turf Handicap – Grade III
RACE DATE  TIME  DEADLINE  TRACK  RACE ##  DISTANCE  SURFACE  RACE TYPE
11/21/2015   14:35   11/18/2015 3:00   CRC   Race #5   1 1/16m   Turf   Graded Stake
Purse $100.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Perfect Force, trained by Gdp Inc
At this time of year it can sometimes be worth throwing a three year old in a race like this because they can sometimes improve out of all reality. This one was bought for less than five dollars and hasnt won a race in seven attempts this year. BUT, and heres the big HRP but, his works have improved like a frog can jump and as ridiculous as it sounds i think he may well be the dark horse in this race.

2 Big Badd John, trained by Nakamura Stables
Another who hasnt excatly set the world alight he was struggling along on an average looking season and then exploded ;ast time out to win an Allowance by open air. His works are also improving so although he is a four year old we could well see this one breakthrough today.

3 Effortless, trained by Threshold
A winner of last years FL Derby he was only beaten three lengths in the KYD before finishing the season just two lengths behind in the BC Dirt Mile. He has struggled this year and does look like an early sort who has lost his way but teh trainer has thrown him in here for a first ever turf race to try and rekindle some of his lost sparkle. If he comes back to his best he may be hard to beat but there hasn’t been too many signs that he is ready to do that.

4 Short Tempered, trained by Oval Express Farms
This six year old may be getting long in the tooth but he proved last time out that he is not finished yet. Sauntering home by two lengths in a competitive overnight he looked as strong as ever but i am not sure even his best run will be good enough today.

5 Hootie, trained by D J C Racing Stables
This three year old improved markedly after being gelded in the Spring and since then has put is some nice perfromances. A good third in the NY Stallion Stakes followed a nice win in an overnight but since then he has struggled to maintain that sort of form. He was beaten in a fairly average time on a fair track last time but muddied the waters with a fast seven furlong work afterwards. He is too inconsistent to tip for this race but he could end up surprising.

6 Bold Eagle, trained by La Canada Racehorses
This lightly raced but progressive three year old has been lumbered with the outside post but as he doesn’t mind making his own running and this is a small field it may work out ok for him.Three good wins in decent overnights since being claimed he hasnt managed to step up in a few efforts in black type company. I think the trip may have found him out in the Hill Prince last time out but a sound effort in The Manilla puts him in with a chance in an open race.

SUMMARY
A very tight looking race i have a sneaking suspicion that Effortless could bounce back to form with this change of track. If he carries on his down grade i belive Perfect Force may fight out the finish wih Bold Eagle

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES