Writer Orange Stakes in Portugal
Writer Orange began his career as a 4yo, and struggled to break his maiden in his first six starts, before trainer, trooper7, sent him out over 14 furlongs and watched him blitz a stakes field, coming from 11 lengths from the lead. He then went on to win the Breeders Bowl turf later that year, in a stunning rags to riches story. Amassing over $4.3M in career prize money, it is only fitting that a race be named in his honour. The Writer Orange Stakes to be held in Portugal this weekend sees half a dozen young colts take to the fast dirt course to do battle over one mile. A purse of $40,000 is on offer, and all but one of this small, and intriguing field, are looking for the first stakes win of their careers. PP1 JURASIC BONE ID#124801 ksparrow 5/2 After disappointing at his first career start with a plodding 4th on turf, this son of Pine Bluff has turned it around since then, not finishing worse than second at his next five starts. The switch to dirt seems to have only further improved his times, and with some natural leaders, he will be nicely placed to storm home again. Has won over this trip and will be very hard to beat. PP2 BLOCK ISLAND ID#131802 wortud 3/1 Started his 3yo campaign in style, easily accounting for an allowance field, after leading all the way. Drops back 1.5 furlongs for this in an interesting move by trainer, wortud. The improvement he showed last time suggests he is capable of more, especially the way he spaced them before the stretch to lead by 6 ½ lengths at the third call. Harder here, and looked so good winning over 9.5f he will need to be able to adjust back to the mile for this, but looks talented and must be respected. PP3 DE JUANES ID#128882 lasthope 5/1 The unknown quantity of the race is this El Prado colt, lining up for his sixth start, but first on dirt. Breeding suggests he would be better placed on turf, on which he stormed home late two starts ago to easily win a NW1x Allowance, and followed that with a struggling second last time in the Her Attack Stakes. Distance won’t be a problem, but has been unplaced at two stakes tries, and unless the surface switch brings out great improvement, he may find this too tough. PP4 NO ALIBI ID#131739 fairhaven6 3/1 This Ghostzapper colt went two from two last time with an easy win over a field of four. Looked impressive, but this is much harder, so it is difficult to tell how he will stack up in this class. His time gives the impression he is up to this and has top jockey, B Tate (22%) in the saddle. Expect a bold showing. PP5 VICTORY BUDA ID#126000 lacostra 5/1 Four of his five race starts have been at this level, and he has two placings to his name so far. His only win came when he pressed the leaders early and was too good in the stretch in a MSW. Only battled last time on turf, and back to dirt here, he looks better suited, but with A Legler (4%) on board, and a couple of very slick rivals, a place is probably best for him again. PP6 NATIONAL ANTHEM ID#50222 reclaimed 9/2 First up after six weeks last time he finally broke through for his maiden win by the narrowest of margins in a much improved SP# of 90. Has hit the board at each of his six race starts, which shows he is a true battler, and even though the class rise is steep, he showed enough last time to make you think he could be in for an improved 3yo campaign. Should be finishing strongly and looks an each way chance. Hard to pick a stand out winner here with such little exposed form, but NO ALIBI looks very good, and his win last time in a quick time makes him the top pick. JURASIC BONE has proven himself at stakes level, and has won both his starts over a mile. NATIONAL ANTHEM improved so much last time that he must be considered a chance here, even though he doesn’t quite have the credentials of the other two. My selections are 4-1-6.