A Baker’s Dozen for the Royal Calm-G3
A field of thirteen older horses has been assembled for Saturday’s Royal Calm Stakes-G3 at a mile and a sixteenth over the turf. We’re expected to have warm, sunny weather in Florida for the races this weekend. Favored in this event is Jumpin’ Java, who drew a wide 12 post. He’ll have a bit to overcome, as we have a well matched field for this one.
Breaking from the rail is Big Thunder, who looks to add a “boom” to the Royal Calm. Trained by fugazi, this son of Thunder Gulch comes into this in good form since swtiching to two turn racing. He’s been 1-2 in his last three starts, and has been training well. Look for him to be running down the lane.
terp‘s Maryland Mover has not fared well in his latest stakes attempts. Recently, he won a minor allowance race in Tennessee over a mile. His form at this distance is a bit questionable, as he seems to prefer the mile distance. He will need to step it up if he wants to hit the board in this one.
Saratoga Sojourn, from the sojourneys barn, is by Red Ransom. He has fared poorly in his last four starts, all with SP’s below 100. He’ll need to run at least that in order to win this one, and that does not seem likely. The step up in class may be a little much for his ailing form.
Three Man Colt, a speedy son of Rahy, come sinto this off of an allowance score in Tennessee. Lately, he’s shown that he does not need the lead to run well. Trainer phonetrick seems to have him ready for this one, and with a little improvement, we may see this one in the hunt turning for home.
A recent allownace score lands Ice Rage T a spot in this one for trainer shanx. His SP# in that one was a good 105, but his stakes form is spotty, to say the least. A career best effort is needed in order to land this son of Alami in the winner’s circle.
Buttery Move is a proven stakes runner who breaks from post 6 for trainer pg46. He has been third or better in hsi last four stakes attempts, winning one of those. The stalk and pounce running style of this son of Seeking the Gold is a key asset in this race that seems to have a bit of early foot in it. Add to that his excellence at this distance, and we have a huge threat here.
Allowance wins seems to be a theme for this crew, as kevoman‘s Classic Dowelly did just that in his most recent effort. This son of Sky Classic won a conditioned event in style a couple fo weeks ago. He seems to excel at this distance, however, class will be a big question here. He’ll also need his best game.
Ben Is My Hawk introduces more speed into this one, as he loves to do his running on the engine. Breaking from post 8 for fastdream, we should see this Seeking The Gold horse flash his customary early speed. This, however, is his 75th start. Although he was second in his most recent start, it was restricted to 5yo+, and his SP#’s have really taken a slide. Unlikely to be a winner in this one.
aero44‘s Transcending(IRE), a son of El Prado(IRE), looks for his fifth consecutive win after a stkes triumph at 7 1/2 furlongs. He stretches out a bit today, bit that has not been a problem in recent efforts. Class will be a test here, but this lightly raced colt should handle it well. If he can get a god showing here, looks for bigger things out of this one.
Desert Star(IRE) is a bit of a live longshot for super2. Since switching back to the grass, we’ve seen several good races from this High Chaparral(IRE) colt. He looks for his first graded stakes triumph today, and if his recent form hold true, there is a possibility of that happening at odds of 12/1.
gene‘s Your Gatto simply has no shot in here. He lost four claiming races and a starter allownace before failing in stakes company last time out. It will be a pure shocker if this son of Globalize hits the board in this one.
Jumpin’ Java is the race favorite, and deservingly so for trainer waradmiral. He tuned up for this one with a good second in a 6 1/2 furlong sprint stakes. Prior to that, he was fourth in a pair of graded stakes. This field has come up a bit light, so it’s prime time for this Java Gold horse to join the ranks of graded stakes winners.
Triestar is the lone mare in the Royal Calm, and she’s drawn the far outside for goody5. She has routinely faced the boys in her days, finishing second in a Grade 3 last year, and in a listed stakes a few weeks back. She was badly beaten in a pair of Grade 1’s against males, but this daughter of Old Trieste should be ultra competitive today.