Portugal A field of 7 3-year-old colts is set for this edition of The ALYPYE Cap, to be run at 7.5 furlongs on the dirt for a purse of $35,000. A couple are really looking to move up in the rankings and make a name for themselves. Others are looking to break through and achieve that elusive first stakes win.

PP1 Splitenz (7/2) stretches back out a little bit after representing the Alpine Turf Club in the Equinics for breeder/trainer hawkz. This Stormin Fever colt out of an Al Hattab mare has won 3 of his 7 races. Apparently the feed in North America didn’t agree with him as he sandwiched a couple of disappointing efforts there around a 3^rd in a minor stakes. Returns to Europe where he has won all 3 of his races, including 2 stakes. Draws the co-leader in the rider standings at 21%. Has won on the lead and from just off the pace and might have his choice of either tactic here.

PP2 Azroc Shuffling (13/1) returns to the dirt after 2 trips on the grass. Palace Music colt out of a Dance Bid mare broke his maiden on the first of those 2 trips, then stepped way up to graded company in the other for breeder/trainer whoami. Ran evenly, if unspectacularly, in his only dirt try in his debut. Used closing tactics to get his win which would suit here, but wonder if he’s up to the challenge, especially with 4% jock aboard.

PP3 High Price(IRE) (5/2) sports the highest SP number of these with a 98 2 starts back when he won a stakes in Italy for breeder/trainer roosters04.  High Chaparral(IRE) colt out of a Blushing Groom(FR) mare also has the most races at 15 of the entries here. He has won 5 of those earning a total of $133,345. Gets a decent jockey and might have the pace he needs to sit in behind.

PP4 Smack Dab (3/1) apparently took issue with being run for a tag last time out and posted a SP of 96 in winning that race by 1-¼ lengths. Victory Gallop colt was struggling before that trying to clear his nw3l conditions against allowance company for breeder/trainer hamster. Has a show finish to his name in a 4 horse field stakes on the turf as a 2 year old. Can win this on the lead if he can repeat his last, but would prefer to watch this one and see if he can pull it off against better rivals.

PP5 Ted The Pom(GB) (37/1) goes off as the distant longshot for paulbee1. Fly To The Stars(GB) colt broke his maiden on the turf in his debut, but has only hit the board once in his 9 races since. He did post his career high SP last time out, but unfortunately beat only one horse doing it. Would take a monumental effort here to repeat that performance and the 2% jock won’t help in getting that.

PP6 Country Songs (7/2) returns to sprinting after trying routes in his last 6 trips to the post for breeder/trainer riverdance. He missed lighting the board only once in his sprinting tries, that being in his first stakes effort. He followed that 4^th place up with his first stakes victory and has return to the winner’s circle twice more in stakes since then. Despite winning 5 of his 12 races, this son of Unbridled’s Song has yet to crack the 90 SP number barrier which he’ll have to do to be competitive here.

PP7 Nick N Nick (5/1) has won his 4 races, out of 13 tries, since coming to the barn of moala after a disappointing debut on the turf for his breeder. This Fort Wood colt is 3-for-4 in allowance races, but has failed to impress in his 7 stakes efforts, with a 5^th being his best placing. With 14% jock, he should be able to at least match that and bring home a check.

Pick Suggest a $4 exacta box with Splitenz and High Price. For trifecta players, try wheeling 1,3/1,3/4,6,7 for $12. Neither will probably produce a windfall of cash.