The Sleepy Hollow (P4)
BEL Race #6 1m Dirt Stake
$250.000 For Two Year Olds Foaled In NY.
A bit of NY state bred action in the lead up to the BC here with some of the supporting actors looking to pick up some nice purses. Here is how they line up for the Sleepy Hollow;
1 Hardline Cobra TwinTowersRacing Jaramillo E
This one was a bit slow to get going over the shorter trips but as he stepped up over ground so he fulfilled the promise his breeding suggested. Taking his maiden and allowance over the mile he then switched back to sprinting and the turf for the first time to run in the Futurity and whilst he showed plenty of toe to lead the field into the final furlong he faded into fifth. That effort was pretty good so only time will tell where his future lies but i think he will be happy enough to be back up in trip here. The gate will help him find a good position and despite the fact he hasn’t got the best works in the field i do feel his trainer fancies a big run.
2 Sly Prayers Dawson Farms Davis D
Got off the mark at his third attempt when going the mile last time he is working very nicely and is clearly improving with his racing. A shining light in the stable he gets a great draw here to keep that upward motion and i wouldn’t be surprised to see a competitive run.
3 Tribal Politics Sccj Stables Saez L
I know the trainer has been high on this one since they bought him for $82 and his confidence was more than justified when the colt got home in a very competitive maiden last time on debut. To win on debut in September is often the mark of a good horse but i have also noticed how some debut winners take their time to get over that effort so he will be tested today for sure. A great draw will help and there wont be a more popular winner should he remain unbeaten.
4 Fireside Story Mb Stables Gaffalione T
A double entry from the champion trainer and as often happens with the random draw they are right next to each other. An easy winner at TUP and FP he then stepped up for a very game and close second in the Bongard last time and with the mile work he has put down since looks to be one of those that wins races like this. The trip is perfect and despite his rather lowly introduction he looks to be a winning chance here.
5 Knockout Mb Stables Velazquez J R
Working the same time as his stable mate he has gone a very different route taking on much better grade races and running pretty well for the most part. Stepped up to the mile at CD last time and ran pretty well to be second in a strong Allowance. It is difficult to really place him here but his works say he will be right in this.
6 Luke Warm Night Rider Stables Alvarado J
He looked very strong in taking a maiden claimer at CD last time, making all and coming home unchallenged. He is clearly better than that but the question is, is he as good as this. His works are solid and he ran the mile out really well at CD so there are encouraging signs.
7 Tiger Shark Arindel Garcia Mar
He has run well from wide before so i don’t think this deep draw will cause him too much concern but i think he may lack the scope to be a winner here. He ran OK in the Iroquois last time and was a good maiden winner at BEL but i am not seeing much improvement over all. Certainly a contender and wouldn’t be a surprise winner but there looks to be a couple more with bigger guns.
8 Paco D J C Racing Stables Bridgmohan S X
As so often happens the trainer gets the wide gate although again i don’t think this horse will be too bothered by it. The trip will be his biggest enemy here as his runs and works suggest he may struggle to get home and certainly his best efforts seem to have come over shorter trips and on pace. Not for me today.
SUMMARY
I want to tip out Tribal Politics because he looks to be a real prospect but i am always wary of Mb Stables runners. I think the son of Grand Sournoise will get home but Fireside Story may push him all the way and the recent gelding of Knockout may just improve that one enough to be a big danger too.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
