One Dozen Line Up For His Phone Stakes

Welcome to Ireland for this week’s track stakes, The His Phone Stakes. This one will be 6 furlongs on the dirt course for all horses 4yo and up, with a purse of $65,000. A nice large field of 12 has turned out this week, so we should have quite a bit of excitement coming our way. Let’s take a look at the runners.

On the rail at 9/1 is the locally-owned Jacks’ Best XP(Ire) (Best Of The Bests(Ire) x Green Desert). The 4yo owned by irishcrown just missed last time out in a stakes in Hong Kong, losing by a head while running a 101. That was his best finish in his two stakes attempts, but he’s run his conditions and looks to be ready to move up. He runs best on the lead, and has the soft hands of D. Nickesy guiding him.

In post two at 15/1 is Hansom Ransom(Ire) (Swain(Ire) x In Reality) owned by sarasans. A 4yo based out of Epsom Downs, he is stakesplaced on turf and a stakeswinner on dirt. He’s run as fast as a 107 in a losing effort in New York, so he has ability. The long odds are based on a failed attempt to stretch out beyond his capabilities three races back. Worth a bet if he can run back to his earlier efforts.

In post three at 11/1 is Shannon’s Papoose (Affirmed x Fappiano) owned by bqs. He’s getting a little long in the tooth at age 8, and wheeling right back after racing last week, but he did win his first stakes race to start off this season. With 5 races under his belt already this year, his owner is looking to get as much out of him as possible before heading to the breeding shed. He’s still capable of running with these.

In post four at 49/1 is Leestown Affair (Leestown x Colonial Affair) owned by dblpfarm. He’s a 4yo who has struggled as of late, not having won in a year, although that win was right here in Ireland, and he broke his maiden in a stakes before that. Perhaps he needs a drop in class where he can win and gain some confidence. Up and comer F. Durst(12%) is his jockey.

In post five at 10/1 is another local horse, Silver Harley (Reparations x Harlan). The 6yo is the only active stakeswinner by Forty Niner son Reparations, and owner quietman49 is quite proud of him. He’s been running pretty well on turf recently, but his stakes victory was in a dirt sprint, so he’s returning here to that situation. The lovely E C Doyle(9%) is in the saddle.

In post six at 8/1 is Bborascas (Nureyev x Trempolino) owned by bbor3. The 7yo was running quite well at the end of last year, winning two stakes in a row, but has struggled so far this season. We could blame that on the fact that he is approaching 50 starts, but it seems more likely that an off track in two of the three starts is the actual culprit. A return to last year’s form puts him right in it.

In post seven at 6/1 is It’s Allinthe Stars (Grand Slam x Danzig) owned by lawdro. The 4yo has won three in a row, and has made a successful living off of allowances. As a just turned 3yo, he ran through his conditions in Northern Cali one right after the other, bang bang bang bang, but has seemingly been unable to make the jump to stakes. I’m not sure why, either, because he’s a nice little horse, with 10 wins in 26 starts. Maybe the tenacious Mizzi Russell(12%) can figure him out.

In post eight at 10/1 is Civil Servant (Jolie’s Halo x Grey Dawn II). The 4yo was claimed last year by twopine for a measly 10 grand. His new owner made good use of his starter tag, and must have been thrilled when he ran a 108 in a 75K starter. He opened this season with a close second place finish in a stakes, running a 102 from off the pace. That style could help him alot here, and last time he went from turf to dirt is the time he ran the 108. Could be a threat, especially with recently hot E. Newcomb(20%) on board.

In post nine at 6/1 is Condor (Bluebird x Proud Truth) owned by catkid. Lightly raced for a 5yo, he has won half of his dozen starts. He’s won from 6 to 8.5f, and didn’t look too bad in his one try at 11f. His turf debut leaves me wanting to see him try that again, as well. All in all, a versatile horse that has a nice looking future ahead of him. Certainly belongs in this crowd.

In post ten is the favourite, Hottest Hotty (Spinning World x Danzig) at 7/2. The 4yo rascal trainee is ranked #32 in the dirt sprint division, and recently ran a career best 111 while winning silver in the Equinics. He wasted no time in getting his career going, winning a stakes in his fourth start while still a juvenile. He ran a 100 right here in Ireland while still a 2yo. Throw out the clunker he ran last time out on Dubai Festival day, and he’s the class of this field.

In post eleven at 9/1 is Swiss The Dislexic (Olympic Prospector x Akureyri) owned by elida3. A 7yo, he didn’t even begin his career until he was already five. That first year went very well for him, though, finishing off the board only once, and having the misfortune of catching a very good field for his stakes debut, where his career best 110 was only good enough for third. He’s lost a step or two, but he likes to come from off the pace and a big effort could find him right there.

Rounding out the field at 7/1 is Go For Strikes (A.P. Indy x Go For Gin) owned by fabstables. It’s been awhile since this 5yo has won, but he has won a stakes and finished second in one two races back. His success seems to hinge on staying close to the pace without burning himself out, which could be a challenge in this field. A. Reed(14%), considered by some to be the top jockey here, thinks he can rate him just right.

That is our field. Whew! Talking about so many horses sure leaves my throat in need of a drink! Think I’ll wander on over to the Pub and let you all pick out your own personal favorites here, because I can’t decide who has the best shot at upsetting Hottest Hotty. Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.