The G1 More Nay Stakes

Can we start a petition to get the Concorde flying again? I think a $2500 claimer nag could have gotten me to France faster than that Boeing! But, I digress…

What has 2 graded winners, 4 stakes winners, and 2 graded-placed horses? The 14-horse field for the G1 More Nay Stakes at Deauville. This 6-furlong G1 turf-race, restricted to 2-year olds, should provide an interesting afternoon of entertainment on Saturday as the field fights for a piece of the $750,000 purse.

The field has several quality candidates to choose from:

1) Fast Train Nowhere: 11-1. A G3-winner LTO, Fast Train Nowhere comes in middle-of the pack according to the odds-makers. He’s done well in the shorter sprints, but faded to 4th when he went 6F in a regular stakes race. Maybe, if jockey A Arthur can save some of the speed at the start, Fast Train Nowehere can finish somewhere in the top-5, but I just don’t see him winning.

2) Marquis De Cuevas: 7-1. Foaled in April, this son of Dubawi has finished 1st in all 3 runs, a maiden, an allowance, and a stakes race. The jump to a G1 may be too big a step in his career at this point, but owner givenshared2 seems to think it’s the right thing to do. The horse had the speed with an 83 LTO, but this field is too deep.

3) Victory Dancer: 20-1. 5 runs this year, only 2 wins, and a top speed figure of 79. Not a contender.

4) Capt. Capote: 8-1. A 92SP LTO in the Hushwig Lion Turf Juvenile would seem to indicate Capt. Capote has a chance, but that 92 came on an off track. In four other races this year he’s not broken 80 on firm turf. I think that holds true in this race as well. Save the bets at 8-1 and look elsewhere.

5) Dark Priestz: 40-1. 5 races since January and he just broke his maiden in his last race. Someone has to be last, and he’s going to need more than a priest to finish anywhere better than that.

6) Minecraftsman: 6-1. 3 runs, 3 stakes-races, a win, and a place with an 85SP last-time-out. I think he’s a contender and I would bet him to at least place at 6-1.

7) Dark Flying Spurtz: 13-1. 2 allowance wins at 5 furlongs. 2 also-rans in stakes at 5.5 and 6 furlongs. Save your money and look elsewhere for a show-bet.

8) Con You Feel It: 22-1. Don’t get conned at the betting window with this horse. Broke his maiden on the dirt but switched to turf and won a 5.5F allowance in his last race. Do keep in mind that allowance race was a mere 10 days ago on 8/2…

9) Worldclass Quality: 8-1. Owner worldclass did a world-class job breeding this colt (Elusive Quality x Danehill x Stormcat). Worldclass Quality finished 3rd in his last race, the G3 Coventry Steaks and was closing at the end. I think he will be better suited for longer distances but would definitely put down a show-bet in this race.

10) Beauregards: 11-1. A maiden and an allowance win, both at 5 furlongs, and neither with a speed over 80. I think the odds-makers are holding Beauregards in too high of a regard at 11-1. Save your money.

11) Superannuation: 5-1. This son of Deep Impact has raced twice on the year. He won a 5-furlong allowance in June then finished 3rd in the G2 July Stakes but was fading at the end. I think he hits the board here, but not better than 3rd.

12) Lear and Stare: 12-1. You might be staring at this one in the Winner’s Circle on Saturday. 3 wins and a place on the year, with the place and 2 wins coming in his last 3 races. He won the G2 Norfellow Stakes his last time out, closing at the end. He could pull off the win here, but I don’t think so. I would definitely take some action to place at 12-1.

13) A. P. Rave: 5-1. I think this is who everyone will be raving about at the end of the race!! 3 races, 3 wins, all from outside post-positions (13, 13, and 14). He threw down an 88SP in the Devils Sky Turf Juvenile on 7/4. I think he repeats that feat on Saturday.

14) Cape King: 19-1. 9 races on the year, didn’t break his maiden until his 5th race, and his best speed is a 76. Not a contender.

My picks:
Win: A. P. Rave
Place: Lear and Stare
Show: Worldclass Quality

Giving some love to: Superannuation. Minecraftsman

Now, can someone talk to the BTB Travel staff about getting me into a HOTEL instead of a HOSTEL?