{"id":74934,"date":"2026-05-15T00:19:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T00:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=74934"},"modified":"2026-05-15T00:20:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T00:20:03","slug":"the-middle-jewel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=74934","title":{"rendered":"The Middle Jewel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

All eyes in the sim world look towards Maryland this weekend and the Middle Jewel Stakes (G1) which is run on the dirt over a mile and three-sixteenths. The second leg of the Triple Crown, the full field of fourteen horses are either looking f<\/strong>or a chance at creating sim history such as Chinoe<\/strong>, this year\u2019s Bluegrass Derby (G1) winner who continues his Triple Crown quest, and other runners to seek to spoil the achievement and earn their own place among winners of the three prestigious races. <\/strong>With clear skies and a fast track set for post time, a full field of fourteen will be going to the starting gate on Saturday. Let\u2019s take a look through the fourteen contenders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Eden Avenue<\/strong> \u2013 ashworth \u2013 H. Harzheim \u2013 6\/1 <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Sired by Street Sense, this bay colt has finished off the board only twice in his eight-race career. His most recent start, like most of the field was in the Bluegrass Derby (G1) at a mile and a quarter. Out of the gate and settling into eighth early, he made a late run in the stretch to cross the wire in fifth with a speed figure of ninety-eight. His most recent win came in his prior start which was in late March overseas during the Sand Castle Derby (G1), a Derby Lock Prep race held in the UAE over a mile and one-eighth. Prior to that the colt also won the Sleepy Fan Stakes (G2) at a mile and one-sixteenth across the country in California. Drawing the inside rail for The Middle Jewel (G1) the colt will need to try to avoid getting boxed in as he seeks to make his way back into the winner\u2019s circle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Code Of Mischief<\/strong> \u2013 fantasticfour \u2013 J. Harzheim \u2013 17\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drawing the second post from the inside, the bay colt is sired by top sire Into Mischief and is coming into this weekend\u2019s race off of a win in the Heat Less Stakes (G2) last month in Kentucky over a mile and one-sixteenth. Stalking the pace from second at the start of the race, the bay colt took over the lead by the halfway point of the route and managed to hang on to the win by a head at the wire while setting a speed figure of ninety-nine, which is a lifetime best for the colt. Prior to this the colt finished fifth in The Dubai 2000 Guineas (G3) at a mile in his only other graded stakes start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Hermanius<\/strong> \u2013 woette1 \u2013 B. Wu \u2013 9\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Coming into this weekend\u2019s race off of a win in the Bluegrass Derby Trial Stakes (G3) at a mile in Kentucky last April, the chestnut gelding is sired by Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Breaking out of the gate and settling into sixth early, the gelding would start challenging other runners early on in the race. He narrowly got up in time in the stretch to win the race by a head with a lifetime best speed figure of one hundred two. He\u2019s had only two other graded starts, the most recent The Land\u2019s End (G2) in March in which he would finish ninth and The Legoland (G3) at a mile in January in which he would finish ninth and third respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Ouyen Hall<\/strong> \u2013 nikkik \u2013 T. Fox \u2013 10\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Last racing in late March, this light grey colt is the son of top sire Tapit and will be making his eighth career start this weekend. His most recent start came in the Arkansas Juvenile (G1), a Derby Lock Prep over a mile and one-eighth. Well off the pace at eleventh early, the colt started to advance at the halfway point through the race and eventually got up to cross the wire in third while setting a speed figure of one hundred, which is a lifetime best for the colt. His most recent win was in November of his two-year-old season during the Pleasure Stakes (G3) at a mile and one-sixteenth in Idaho. Running as a deep closer in this race as well, the colt hung back in thirteenth out of the gate and gradually picked up ground throughout the race and would win the race by a head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Fast Ghost\u2019s Cry (CAN)<\/strong> – rubber15 \u2013 K. Ledwith \u2013 8\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bred in Canada and sired by champion Ghostzapper, the bay colt is graded placed but is still seeking out his first graded stakes win of his career. His last start came in the Bluegrass Derby (G1) where he shot out of the gate into a stalking position in third. He faded badly in the stretch to cross the wire in eleventh with a speed figure of ninety-four. Finishing on the board in two Derby Lock Preps, the Corkscrew Stakes (G1) and the All Saints Derby (G1), the colt saw his most recent win against listed company over nine furlongs in Oklahoma over a track that was rated as good. Held off the pace in eighth, he would start gaining position early in the race and would win by a head bob at the wire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Joel Robuchon (CHI)<\/strong> \u2013 alydar \u2013 B. Renfroe \u2013 8\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This light grey son of Constitution will be taking a step up in class this weekend for his first taste of Grade I company. With seven career starts, the Chilean-bred is seeking out his first graded stakes win in The Middle Jewel on Saturday. The most recent start for the three-year-old was in the Heat Less Stakes (G2) at a mile and one-sixteenth in Kentucky. Breaking and settling into sixth, the colt would steadily gain position throughout the race and would cross the wire second, missing the win by a head bob at the wire while setting a speed figure of ninety-nine which equaled a lifetime best for the colt. His most recent win came in December of his two-year-old season during an allowance race over eight and a half furlongs overseas in the UAE. Stalking the pace early from second, he took the lead midway through the race and would win impressively by seven and a quarter lengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. Strike Into It<\/strong> \u2013 given12 \u2013 O. A. Haack \u2013 10\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Making just the second graded start of his career, the gelding is a son of top sire Into Mischief. His only other graded start to date came in last March overseas in the UAE during the Sand Castle Derby (G1), a Derby Lock prep over a mile and one-eighth. Springing out of the gate sharply, the gelding was sent straight to the lead in the race and maintained being the pacesetter of the race right up into the final furlongs where he was caught by two closing rivals to cross the wire in third while setting a speed figure of one hundred two. His most recent win came in February against listed company over a nine-furlong track that was rated as good. Stalking early from second, he took over the lead in the stretch to win by a length. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    8. Chrome Campaign<\/strong> \u2013 jayvee \u2013 G. Speck \u2013 9\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Stepping up in class after securing his first win against graded company, the former claimer is sired by Global Campaign and is coming off a win before going into The Middle Jewel (G1) this weekend. The most recent race for the chestnut colt saw him score his first win against graded company. This came in The Grunt (G3) in Ontario over a mile and one-sixteenth. Settling into fourth out of the gate the colt had moved up into third by the midway point and put in a drive down the stretch to cross the wire in front by half a length while setting a speed figure of one hundred seven, which is a lifetime best for the colt. He has only started in one other graded race, which was his prior start during the Down By The Shore Stakes (G3) at seven furlongs in which he would finish fifth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    9. Chinoe<\/strong> \u2013 mitole \u2013 F. Gossett \u2013 6\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Coming into the Middle Jewel Stakes (G1) this weekend off of four consecutive wins, the winner of the Bluegrass Derby (G1) two weeks ago is seeking to make sim history by winning the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Held off the pace early in the race in sixth, the bay colt by Curlin started picking off other contenders early on in the race before going on to take the lead in the stretch and win by two and three-quarter lengths while setting a speed figure of one hundred six. Prior to this he had won the Derby Lock Prep, the Corkscrew Stakes (G1) in Kentucky over a mile and one-eighth. This other two wins in his four race winning streak are rounded out with a listed start and an allowance contest, both over nine furlongs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    10. Rational Pharoah<\/strong> \u2013 fdllodgeb \u2013 J. Dawg \u2013 9\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also coming into the race out of running in the Derby, this bay colt is by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and has made nine lifetime starts. He was off the pace at the start of the Bluegrass Derby (G1), held back in tenth out of the gate. While he would attempt to make a late run down the stretch, it was only enough for the colt to cross the wire in ninth. He posted a speed figure of ninety-five. His most recent win was this past February during the Vermont Is 4 Lovers (G1) at a mile and one-eighth. He was closer to the pace in this race, stalking from second out of the gate. He took the lead in stretch to win by one and three-quarter lengths with a speed figure of one hundred four. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11. Twisted Trail (ARG)<\/strong> – snoopthedog1 \u2013 R. Hansen \u201318\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nearing the end of our field for Saturday, this brown gelding has drawn post eleven for the race and is looking for his first graded stakes win of his career. Sired by Manipulator, the gelding most recently started in early March in the Florida Derby (G1), a Derby Lock Prep over a mile and one-eighth. Stalking from third early, he moved up into second and held that position up until the stretch where he was shuffled back again into third when he reached the wire, setting a speed figure of ninety-nine, a lifetime best for the gelding. His most recent win came during a listed stakes race in Mexico last November at eight and a half furlongs. Running from fourth, he\u2019d moved up into second midway through the race and then went on to win by five lengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12. Hard Rode<\/strong> \u2013 intostar1999 \u2013 J. Wilson \u2013 15\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The third of four colts in the field sired by Into Mischief, the bay colt has made seven career starts, winning three times. The most recent start for the colt came in New York during the Wooden Indian (G1), a Derby Lock Prep held last month. Well off the pace at the break, the colt wouldn\u2019t make a bid for the front until he reached the stretch. He would cross the wire in fifth, setting a speed figure of one hundred. His most recent win came in his two-year-old season in Ontario during the KeggarDay Juvenile Mile (G2). Seventh out of the gate, he steadily gained ground throughout the race and would win by a head at a the wire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    13. March Winds<\/strong> \u2013 tarton32 \u2013 M. Kiprusoff \u2013 8\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sired by Curlin, the chestnut colt has made eight career starts and will be entering the race as a fresh horse having skipped the Bluegrass Derby (G1). The colt, who has won half of his career starts, most recently started across the country in California in early April during the California Derby (G1) at a mile and one-eighth, a Derby Lock Prep race. Held off the pace in eighth early, the horse would start advancing forward midway through the race to eventually cross the wire in third while setting a speed figure of one hundred two. His most recent win was in his prior start in early March during The Rebel Yell (G3) at a mile and one sixteenth in Arkansas. Breaking sixth he would move up at about the four furlong mark and would win by a head bob at the wire, securing his first graded win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    14. Get With The Times<\/strong> \u2013 intoasr1999 \u2013 D. Givins \u2013 19\/1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The final horse in our field for this weekend as well as the longest shot on the board, the bay colt is sired by Into Mischief and most recently started in the Wooden Indian (G1), a Derby Lock Prep at a mile and one-eighth last month. Off the pace in thirteenth at the start, the colt would cross the wire in tenth after struggling to find his stride in the race. He would set a speed figure of ninety-seven for the race, a lifetime best for the colt. His most recent win came in his prior start, an allowance race over eight and a half furlongs in February. Closer to the pace and stalking from third he would win by a length and a quarter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Flrancho\u2019s Picks:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Win: Chinoe <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Place: Eden Avenue <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Show: Strike Into It <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    All eyes in the sim world look towards Maryland this weekend and the Middle Jewel Stakes (G1) which is run on the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":179,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[429,428],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74934"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/179"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=74934"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74934\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74940,"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74934\/revisions\/74940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=74934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=74934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=74934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}