American Stakes – Grade III
SA Race #4 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1 Siberian Prince Sir Daniel Martin Espinoza V
2017’s win in the BC Juvenile Turf seems a long time ago and whilst it is true he has struggled a little in the last season or two he is still a classy horse who could just turn back the clock today. He won an open allowance in 1.33 flat back in March but hasn’t gone on from that running poorly in the MM Mile and then a little one paced in the Douglas Park. On his day he would run well.
2 Spanish Morals Nakamura Stables Pereira T J
Gets the Nak Factor but may need it as he hasn’t won for a while and his last win was in a PEN State Bred allowance last year. There are some pointers however as he improved from his debut run last time when second and his last work was pretty good, put those with the ideal draw and that Nak factor and its hard to discard his chances.
3 Bring The Pain Mb Stables Gutierrez Mario
Has really come back to his best this year running a huge race last time to be beaten a nose in the Shoemaker Mile. There is no doubt that with his ability, the trainer and a good draw he will be many peoples top pick and he could well repay that confidence.
4 Non Stop Big D. Stable Gryder A T
A real consistent sort but i think he may just be outclassed at this level.
5 Ghost From The North Maxmillion Farm Franco G
You can’t ignore The Turf King in these types of races but its hard to see how they can turn this horses form around. Doubtlessly capable but hasn’t shown enough in his last two.
6 Astrum TwinTowersRacing Prat F
I am not sure this one has really appreciated the switch to dirt recently and i think he is better suited in this return to turf. His works have been good but his recent performances haven’t so you have to take on trust that his heart is still in it.
7 Goldbracletparade Hunterman Stable Van Dyke D
A good sort who isn’t far off this type of level but in 35 starts i haven’t seen anything that gets him past Bring The Pain today. He will be hitting the line hard but may be looking at a place at best.
8 Nice Dive Threshold Fuentes Ru
After a great third in the MM Mile he ran like so many from teh stable are running these days last time out in the Shoemaker Mile. I would write that last run off but the trainer has a big red cross over the yard at the moment so i doubt if things will improve.
9 Midnight Special Allinthegate Desormeaux K
A dirt runner who has performed well enough at stakes level having its first run on the turf. Add in the fact that he’s a three year old albeit not getting as much weight allowance as others do and you get a strong chance from the cheap seats. If you play the HRP computer game this one will win, if you play a horse racing game it’s not so clear cut.
10 Time Warrior Paradise Stable Smith M E
A good winner in a fast time of the Crystal Waters Stakes last time out he did that from a wide draw coming from a long way back and if the race engine allows him to follow that same pattern he may well run well. Though much of his form in fact all of his form apart from that last start looks well below this level a recent 1.34 flat mile work and that last start make him a possible for a HRP rapid improver.
11 Viking Major Nakamura Stables Cedillo A
Gets a rotten draw but at his best he could overcome it especially with the magician Nakamura Stables on his side. He won the TAM Turf Classic nicely before running well for a long way in the Forrester Turf Classic last time and if the race engine is kind he could run a big race.
12 Sunpunch John Henry Maldonado E
Interesting that he was a nose second over 12 furlongs on the dirt last time ina grade three but comes back to 8 furlongs on the turf today. He has won over this trip in 1.33 so is not a forlorn hope but will need luck from the car park today.
SUMMARY
A very interesting race in which Bring The Pain looks head and shoulders above the rest. There are not guarantee’s at HRP though and there are a couple that have HRP written all over them in Time Warrior and Midnight Special. I guess the track and pace will play a major role with most of the dangers for the top choice being drawn out wide.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
