Grade 1 United Countries Handicap
UNITED COUNTRIES HANDICAP
GRADE I $750,000
All Horses 3 and up 11 Furlongs on the Turf
As the East coast is entrenched in a heat wave, the New Jersey turf course will be burning up with seven horses vying for the Grade crown. A closely matched group of horses and the top jockeys at the track are sure to put on a great show for the thousands braving the heat and the millions watching worldwide. The stakes record is held by Puppet Regime, stopping the timer at 2:14 flat in 2007. The last two winners of this race will go head to head today, 2010’s winner Endzweck and last year’s winner Deputy Cadet.
1. ENDZWECK (IRE) 4/1 Tr- mharris Jk- E. Walker Res-Universal Racing Club
Since winning this race last year, Endsweck has gone on to win two Grade Three races. The last win coming three starts ago in the Pan American Handicap in Florida. The win in that race made this 6 year old horse one of two millionaires in the race. Last time at this distance Endsweck put a 110 speed rating, if he goes back to that form he will be there at the end.
2. STANDING FIRM (KY) 5/1 Tr- kewmwa Jk- R. Case Res- GR Simsters
On a three race winning streak, Standing Firm keeps getting better with every start. He won his last start at 11 furlongs in the Golden Bridge Grade 3 at Northern California in 2:15 1/5. Kewmwa’s 4 year old Colt put up a speed figure of 109 in the 3 length victory. Marking his first Grade 1 race, Standing firm has finished first or second in 11 out of 12 starts on the turf. If you are looking for a price this one may be your bet, no horse is hotter!
3. GRAN TORINO (IRE) 4/1 Tr- mtkplaz3 Jk- B. Heffernan Res- Blazing Saddles
After putting up a 112 speed figure and finishing 2nd in the Grade 1 Movieland Turf Cup, Gran Torino ships across the country for another shot at a Grade 1 crown. His last and only Grade 1 win came last year in the Grand Prix in France where he drew off by 3 lengths and won in hand. Gran Torino picks up hot Jockey Brett Heffernan. After what he did in his last start he shouldn’t be left off any exotics.
4. OLD AND NEW (ENG) 7/1 Tr- Redhill1 Jk- S. Myslinski Res- Blazing Saddles
A mainstay on the board in allowance races, Old and New is jumping out of his comfort zone to take on Graded company. Redhill1’s horse has been on a roll only missing the board 3 times in his last 15 starts. May not have the speed to compete with the rest of the horses in here, but has talent and anything can happen on any given Saturday.
5. DEPUTY CADET (KY) 7/2 Tr- Litde Jk- Q. Oliver Res- Empire State Racing
Last year’s winner of this race, Deputy Cadet returns in top form to defend his crown. Prepped for this race in Eastern Kentucky, winning the Grade 3 CEO classic by 3 plus lengths and putting up a tremendous 112 speed figure. Litde’s 7 year old horse comes into the race on a 3 race winning streak and has been getting better every start. Get’s veteran jockey Quincy Oliver who piloted Deputy Cadet to the win last year. 11 of his last 12 starts have had speed rankings over 100 and comes in with the highest ranking in the turf long division, ranking 9th.
6. ESCAPING JUSTICE (GER) 5/1 Tr- Blazsadco Jk- A Kelly Res- Blazing Saddles
Shipping in from across the river in New York, Escaping Justice comes into the race after winning the Grade 1, NY Island Cup by a length. Usually a European competitor, Blazsadco decided to ship to North America and try a couple Grade 1’s. Escaping Justice has won his last 2 starts and has a speed figure of above 100 in 7 of his last 8 starts. Only making his 5 start of the year, this 4 year old colt is in good form and could make waves in this field at 5-1.
7. GOT TO THE TOP (KY) 7/2 Tr- Racinpogs2 Jk- J. Benisz Res- Universal Racing Club
Coming off his first Graded Win in the Grade 2 Grand Prix in France, Got To The Top comes in as hot as any of the horses in this field. Has hit the board since he started racing stakes and graded competition 7 starts ago. Racinpogs2 has his 4 year old horse in top condition after putting up a super hot 115 speed rating in his last race. I wouldn’t leave this one off the ticket, if he came out of his last race good, he will be there at the wire.
Prediction
1. 5 – Deputy Cadet defends his crown
2. 7 – Got To The Top gets nipped at the wire
3. 6 – Escaping Justice leads throughout but gets passed in the lane