Wise Dan – Grade II
CD Race #7 1 1/16m Turf Stake
Purse $500.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1st State Apples Mb Stables Lopez P

Well, you won’t get any more apt than the wisest player in the game taking a race called Wise Dan. This improving five-year-old is more than happy on an off track and turned around his last two defeats with a gritty performance. Using the gate perfectly he stalked the early lead which as usual was too strong in the conditions and had to battle hard all the way to the line in a race dominated by the on-speed horses. This was a game win, and he has clearly found his form as some five-year-olds do here at HRP and could end up a serious contender in November.

2nd Grand Opening Riggins Racing Velazquez J R

Ran alongside the winner pretty much the whole way but was out battled in the run to the post and may find this trip just a little pacey for him these days. The BC Champ had no excuses as the going wasn’t a problem, and it really was a war in the final furlong after a strong early pace, I just think over the shorter route races his finish is tested too much. When he stretches out over the 12 furlongs again, I think he is still capable of defending his crown.

3rd Hawaiian Lord Our Athletes Buick W T

It is not often you see Buick lead them up but the wide gate speed push and maybe some encouragement from the trainer saw him take this one into a clear lead and set a strong pace for the wet conditions. Considering the work, he did on his own for a long way, he stuck on pretty well to hold third and maybe if he had taken the stalk early, he may have come off better in the finish.

4th Oh Brother Spankys Barn Saez L

The race was dominated by on-speed and though this one wasn’t very far off them he could not find a turn of foot to really get in a challenge. The six-year-old is still a force to be reckoned with in any grade but seems to find the mile his pet distance as he showed with a grade one win in April.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES