Grant Stakes
11/17
DMR Race #5 7f Dirt Stake
Purse $100.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward Foaled In CA.

1 Yanworth Night Rider Stables Talamo J

This three year old has been well placed to score 6 wins from 11 races but up until his recent owner claimed him for just $9.000 he hadn’t really been tested at a higher level. Its important to remember that the class system doesn’t really exist at HRP therefore a claimer can be as hard to win as a stakes race so its important to look at his record rather than how he got it. Winning a majority of his races on the turf his new owner has tested him on the dirt and he came out just as fast on that surface suggesting he is ready for this switch. This may just be another great find by a player who knows what to look for in this type of horse.

2 Smoking Makes You Il Maxmillion Farm Smith M E

Probably ran his best race over further than this in the CA Cup Derby when trained by Pan Farms and didnt show much under his new owner when switched to a sprint trip last time out. He certainly has ability but he doesnt look entirely genuine and i am not sure he can beat the best of this field.

3 Johannes Eastern Equine Baze T C

Ran in the DED Jackpot as a juvenile and didnt fair too bad ending up sixth after showing speed. Lightly raced this year he has concentrated on sprinting and coming here a fresh horse may be a big advantage. He won an overnight well enough after 4 months off the track last time out and should give a good account of himself with this handy draw.

4 Corum Jhaelen Irsei Boomtown Desormeaux K J

He has been contesting some top route races recently but has a good record sprinting and may just appreciate this return to a shorter trip. Good thirds in the PIM Special and the grade one Foster handicap confirm his class and he may just be the type to trouble the market leaders despite a 2 Lb penalty putting him at a disadvantage.

5 Withdrawn Chili King Stables Van Dyke D

This four year old has been pretty bad this year especially when you consider that he finished last season with a third in the grade one Clark Handicap. Another that has mainly been running over further this trip may rejuvenate him but he would have to find something to get involved in the finish.

6 Friends Of A Feather Royalty Racing Arroyo N Jr

This 7 race winner is a very nice sort but he has struggled a little as a four year old after being a graded stakes winner as a three year old. He has been tried on turf this year but i think his best form is on the dirt so he wont be inconvenienced by this surface and he had Smoking Makes You II behind when second in the Harris Stakes last time. He may struggle to give weight to the younger horses but should give a good account of himself.

7 French Eclipse D J C Racing Stables Delgadillo A

The trainer is in great form and this one was trucking along nicely after being claimed back in the early summer. His last start was a little disappointing but his works suggest he is better than that and he may prove good each way value.

8 Indian Chief Its All About The U Prat F

He has struggled a little this year not getting in the winners enclosure in 7 attempts and it doesnt look like he can today either. He may find this trip a little sharp but the outside gate may help him get up on the pace which may help his cause. A strong worker when with Mb Stables but even a donkey seems to work like a BC champ in that stable so i am not that convinced he is as good as his works. He has ability ads proved in the Ack Ack Handicap when third but this may not be the right race for him.

9 Rootin Tootin TwinTowersRacing Stevens G L

Gets the coffin draw but is an on pace sort and may make it work. A good fourth in the Ack Ack Handicap last time he gets a couple of pounds weight relief for a quarter length with Indian Chief and that may be enough to turn the tables on that one. He is working well and may be suited by this trip so goes down as a chance.

SUMMARY

I think Night Rider Stables has found another diamond in the rough here with Yanworth and i am picking that one to be the winner.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded