Race ID:3336.2116
The App St Special
Stakes

Two Miles
Firm Turf
$75,000
All horses, 3 years old

Welcome here in Michigan for a marathonrace between late 3y olds. The should be starting to mature so it is time to test some of those on the ultimate two miles. We have 6 horses on the start that will be competing for $75,000 purse.

PP        Age            Name                           Trainer                        Odds            Pedigree

1          3M            EL KURSAAL                       layeguada         5/2            Unbridled’s Song x AP Indy x Night Shift

Record: 18 races: 2-4-6

This 3y old comes out of a hemare that loved the long distance on dirt. El Kursaal has the same record on dirt as on turf (9R : 1-2-3), but the earnings on turf are much bigger.  In his latest races we see him make up some ground in the end and 12f seemed to short for him. He even was 4^th in his last race which was the G1-Owner’s Stakes. As he also has another G1 experience earlier this year where he finished 5^th in the G1-Adelaide Derby we might say that this Stakesrace could be a step back and maybe an easier task for him. He is at 5/2 this morning but does not have a good jockey guiding him.

2          3M            CALLIPPUS                    earthcat                        4/1            Cleone x Roanoke x High Estate

Record: 12 races: 3-4-3

Bargainbred Colt (yes indeed from the Delta Tiger Stables) who finished in the money every time he ran on turf. Broke her maiden late May on a wet track and recently won two allowances pretty easily. The first one wire-to-wire with a six length lead over the second and the last race coming off the back. So she can handle both runningstyles. It is time for a step up in class and he was already close to that 100 SP last time. Topjockey Young (10%) will be in the saddle today.

3          3M            FRICTION                    peeps2              5/2             War Chant x Irish River x The Minstrel

Record: 12 races: 4-3-0

Out of late maturing sire War Chant this colt indeed seems to come to full maturity at this point of his career. His latest 4 races we saw him finish first or second every time and he was able to post 100SP twice. Although the bookies will disagree with me I am not sure this typical frontrunner will be able to run wire-to-wire for two miles as it is clear at 12f he has difficulties sustaining the pace. Very close to have won a G1 last time I do think this 2 milerace will be a little bridge too far.

4          3M            GHAZRATS                  darny                4/1            Ghazi x Darshaan x Barathea

Record: 8 races: 4-2-0

Today will be the 9^th race in 5 months for this colt out of sprinting/miling sire Ghazi. He has progressed pretty quick in such a short time: from winning his maiden in June to winning a Stakes end July. His trainer cleverly managed to place this guy in short fields but on the other hand the speeds and his running style do not lie: he seems to be able to run forever and I don’t think today’s distance will be a problem. Very serious contender for the win today with Egger (10.6%) on his back.

5          3M            PLEASANT WAR             layoff                4/1            Pleasant Tap x War Chant x Capote

Record: 11 races: 4-3-0

The Worldwide stables have the only colt in the race that already has experience on the two miles. Earlier this year he won the G3-The Queen’s Flower Pot from wire-to-wire and in last race he was beaten in the stretch. Has thus proven he can run at high speed from start to finish and will battle for the pace in this race with FRICTION. Will have to watch out for GHAZRATS in the stretch.

6          3M            HARRY HATLESS                       hatless              9/1            HARRY THE HAT x TINNERS WAY x HARRY

Record: 14 races: 4-1-1