Preview THE HENPECKED STAKES France
Here we are on mainland Europe as we make a flying visit to France to take their feature event, The Henpecked Stakes. The boys have this race to theirselves and 8 4yo+`s go to post in the hope of adding this ungraded stakes to their resume.We will take a look at them in racecard order. Out of box 1 is the 6/1 chance White Stripe. This 4yo colt, by Afleet has won 6 of his 34 races. He has won 3 stakes races in his career, all as a 3yo, which has seen his earnings top the $300000 mark. Often shows early pace, but with another couple of frontrunners in the field I dont know if he will have the speed to do that today. Overall level of form leaves him a little to find with the market leaders. Trainer Boxerwood has R Girder booked for the ride. In 2 its the 5yo Danzig horse Happy Festivvus. This is another that has over $300000 in prize money to his name. He has been running really well in the most valuable of allowances, racking up 2 wins and 4 second places in these races since August last year. This Seinfield1 runner has had 5 career stakes starts and managed 2 second places. He has a squeak on his very best form, but he must be at his very best. R Stevenson takes the ride on this 7/1 shot. 6yo Truckee horse Storymaker, an 11/1 shot is in stall 3. A ten time winner, and in rhe money in 20 of his 31 races, this one became stakes place on his last run when 3rd in the 6 furlongs The Wind Geronimo Handicap, running a 96. Ran his lifetime best speed figure back in March this year when 3rd in a 6.5 furlongs claimer with a 101. From the Joann stable M Cheatham will be onboard. Spilotro is in 4. By Mt Livermore he has won 8 of his 27 races. He has a best speed figure of 105, achieved last December in a 7.5 furlongs allowance. He may need that sort of figure today in order to get involved. It looks a difficult task for this fjmracing runner, but he is sure to be staying on at the death. Relative newbie W Moss gets a chance to showcase his talents in the irons on this 6/1 runner. Jumping out of 5 we have the Zeplin trained Smugglers Catch. This one has turned out to be an inspired $15000 claim, winning 10 times and 4 seconds from his 21 races for his present owner, including 3 stakes races. He won one of these stakes races lto over 6 furlongs, running a 101, and he has also ran 107 twice in his last 4 races, the first time on rain softened ground over 6 furlongs and then he also ran the same figure next time out when second in a G1 over 7 furlongs fast dirt. He has the assistance of the top track jock J Stivers and this 3/1 2f goes to post with a big chance. Gemmas Lemon Kid, trained by Mets86 goes from stall 6. This relatively unexperienced 4yo colt ran a personal best lto when winning his first allowance race with a 101. May still be improving this Gemmas Star horse needs to again in order to take a hand in the finish. A deep closer he is sure to be staying on at the death. Jockey D Sheutte takes the ride on this 11/1 shot. Next in stall 7 we have our favourite Saintstown. His sire Spreightstown has made a sensational start to his breeding career,and Saintstown is from that very first crop that has done so well. He has won 9 of his 22 races and has been in the money in 16 of his 22 career starts. He is a 4 time stake winner and multiple stakes placed and has accumulated an impressive $400000 in prizemoney. This Champions4 trained runner is a deep closer and a big run is expected. H Mclean is on board the 5/2 f. Finally we have Smouldering Street, drawn on the wide outside in 8. This 7yo Fools Pleasure horse has broken the magic 100 several times this season, including last time when 2nd in a 6.5 furlongs stakes where he attempted to lead from trap to wire, but was just outdone by that ols warhorse Jeffism. Won a 6 furlongs stakes the start before that though, running a 99. Trainer Magoo2912 will be hopeing he runs right up to his best to put him in with a squeak. R Truitt getsthe leg up on this 9/2 shot. Pogo Predicts I hope i dont hurt the feelings of the other trainers involved, but its my job to say it as I see it, and basically this race looks a two horse shoot out to me. What makes it most interesting is the 2 horses in question have opposite running styles,and if the race plays out how I think it will play out,then Zeplins Smugglers Catch is gonna be leading entering the final furlong and Saintstown is gonna be igniteing the afterburners in a bid to catch him. The million dollar question is will he get to him before the line . To be honest im split 50/50, but if i have to pick one then im gonna say Saintstown gets up just near the line. I fancy Magoos Smouldering Street to fill the third place so its 7-5-8 Good luck to all participants