Ali’s Tater Stakes Up For Grabs

Welcome to Japan, for this week’s feature, The Ali’s Tater Stakes. This one will be for 4yo and older horses going 9.5 furlongs on the dirt track for a purse of $85,000. We have a nice-sized field of 9 for this one, so let’s take a look at the runners.

In post one at 8/1 is Guns Of August (Deputy Commander x Glitterman x Danzig) owned by waremblem4. He is a 4yo and hasn’t won since last year’s GR Simsters Preakness, and faltered a bit after that, but came back in his first race this year with a career best 105 speed figure. D. May(14%) is up.

In post two at 4/1 is Elyod’s Red(Ire) (Swain(Ire) x Deputy Minister x Alydar) owned by Ireland track manager techranger. This 5yo has had a very steady career, winning 7 races and breaking 100 the same number of times before venturing into stakes competition. His best performance came two races ago at today’s distance, losing a photo finish with a 107 speed figure.

In post three also at 4/1 is the lone mare in the race, Sophie (Smart Strike x Nashwan x Northfields), owned by bredtasell. A 5yo, she is coming off her first stakes victory in the Mama Door Challenge in Dubai at 8.5f, where she ran a career-best 106 speed figure. She has also placed in three other stakes. R. Scharf(14%) gets the mount.

In post four at 15/1 is the longshot everyone is talking about, Xtremely Crafty (Crafty Prospector x Kris S. x Blushing Groom(Fr)), owned by drbydude. In his short career, he has never finished worse than second, and ran a 104 while losing by only 1/2 length last time out in his stakes debut at 7.5 furlongs. He broke his maiden at 9f on turf, so it seems likely that the distance won’t be a problem for him.

In post five at 7/2 is the lukewarm favorite, Union Bay (Acceptable x Runaway Groom x Morning Bob), owned by tamure. A gorgeous light grey 6yo, he is one of two stakeswinners by Acceptable (Capote x Woodman). He’s hit the board in many stakes over the years, and finally scored his first victory last time out in his 36th start, running a 107 over 9f in Hong Kong. C. Roser(21%) would like to make it two in a row.

In post six at 9/2 is Lite Wells (Sadler’s Wells x Affirmed x Waquoit) owned by jrogue4. A lightly raced 6yo, he has won half of his 14 starts. As a 4yo, he ran twice, running a 112 and a 119! He’s got 2 stakes wins on his resume, and given a chance to get into racing shape and get in a groove, he could be very dangerous on the track. L. Fenner(12%) will be riding.

In post seven at 7/1 is Event Jack XP (Event Of The Year x Nureyev x Riverman) owned by irebreed. He is a 4yo out of one of my favorite mares of all time, River Nicole. He has won two stakes, and placed second in one last time out in Norway, running a 103 over 8.5 furlongs. He ran a 104 two races ago at 9f. G. Arnold(15%) thinks he’ll be even better at 9.5.

In post eight at 8/1 is Grembano (Gulch x Night Shift x Great Above) owned by notturna1. A 4yo, he has run in the money in stakes several times, but victory has eluded him. He’s run a top speed of 101 over 9 furlongs. Despite a heavy campaign, he hasn’t slowed down yet, and has the services of top jockey K. Ledwith(22%).

Rounding out the field at 19/1 is King Of Oblivion (Clever Trick x Fairy King x Strawberry Road(Aus)) owned by actlegend. He is a 5yo, and appeared in the Equinics two years ago in the turf mile. Despite his best efforts, and an impressive 111 speed figure over today’s distance on dirt, he has been unable to win a stakes race up to this point. He’s an outsider here based on recent form, but this is his best distance, and a reproduction of that kind of figure would have him right there.

That is our field. We have some pretty talented horses here, ranging from very lightly raced to 40 starts. There’s not a real clear pacesetter in here, though, so it’s anyone’s guess and quite beyond my abilities to predict how this one may play out. Best way to find out is to watch it! Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.