3yo’s gather in New York for the Grade 2 Bettis.
The Bettis Handicap – New York – Saturday 3rd October 2020 at 2.20pm EST.
Grade 2/Group 2 $375,000 Restricted to 3yo.
8 Furlongs/1600m Dirt.
A very nice collection of 3yo’s gather in New York on Saturday for a Group 2 race over 8 Furlongs/1600m. Weather is fine and the track rated fast for the event. Let’s take a look at each of the runners.
- 27477 – Naps and Snacks (Honor Code) Owned by tenpin. Jockey – B F Abman. 9/1
Been a little off his best form of late. Last start finished 7th in the G3 The Full Island over 9F running a 105 and beaten 11 lengths. Prior to that he ran 7th in the G1 Clerk of Scales Stakes over 9.5F running a 99 and finishing more than 14 lengths from the winner. If you go back six starts ago he won the Olivers Gift Stakes over todays distance of 8F running 107. That day he stalked the pace before overhauling the leader and winning by a length. If he can stalk the pace again and not get to far back he may be in with a chance.
2. 14520 – Nuka Ultimatum (Uncle Mo) Owned by fairhaven5. Jockey – D. Raymond. 11/1
Has run some nice races before last time out in the G2 State Penn Derby over 9F where he finished 12th with a 100 rating. That day he went well back in the field and made no impression from there. Prior to that he ran a great 2nd in the G3 Vinny Barbarino over 8.5F running 2nd beaten ¼ length and running a 110 which was a career best. Prior to that he ran 5th in the G1 Middle Jewel Stakes 104 and 4th in the G1 Arkansas Juvenile – Derby Lock Prep 102 both coming from well of the pace and finishing hard. He has had a nice little freshen up for this one with his last race back on the 29.8.2020. If he brings his A game he could be in the finish.
3. 15111 – Smart Frosty (Frosted) Owned by harrylanexp6. Jockey – R. Waples. 13/1
Has an imposing record of 7 starts with 5 wins and a 2nd and has not finished further back than 5th in his career. Has won his last three in style over this route of 8F which he obviously relishes. Last start took out the Eighty Nine Breed Dirt Stakes over 8F stalking the pace and finishing best with a 112. Prior to this he took out a couple of allowance races over 8F with 104 and 103 (Off) leading all the way in both. Has not faced the calibre of the field before but judging by his last run he is certainly capable of running a big race. Relishes the distance and think he will be in the finish.
4. 12115 – Eager Anticipation (More Than Ready) Owned by lentenor. Jockey – B. Child. 6/1
Another 3yo with an impressive career to date. 13 starts, 6.3.2. Has been tackling allowance races to date with a nice record, winning the last two easily with 107 and 111 respectively over todays distance. Last start he stepped up to Stakes level in the Bright Sal Dirt Mile when running 5th beaten just under 4 lengths running 109 after trying to lead all the way and only just tiring late. If he can find the front and no pressure he will be in the finish judging by his last few starts. Just think with the speed engaged today he could find pressure and may set the race up for the swoopers. Chance.
5. 40390 – Personable (Mendelssohn) Owned by ticketman0. Jockey – M. Clooch. 14/1
This 3yo has been running over much longer distances than todays 8F. His last start he finished 12th over 10F in the G1 Travellers Stakes with a 102. Prior to this he was tried on Turf for the first time and finished 9th in the G1 Owner’s Stakes over 12F with a 93. He was clearly not suited to the turf and returned to the dirt. If you go back to his earlier form over 8.5F and his win in the G1 The Partnership over 9.5F running a 106, then he would be a chance in this race. Just needs to recapture some old form to be in this.
6. 11119 – Justifiable TB (Justify) Owned by hood2. Jockey – T. Barn. 7/1
This 3yo has won 9/14 starts with 3 minors. Had won 6 in a row prior to last start where he raced poorly over 9F in the G2 Winchester Park Derby just over a month ago finishing 9th some 13 lengths from the winner running a 97. That was his first try over 9F and may just have been a bit too far. Prior to that run he won the G1 2020 Equinics – Hadron Collider over 8F with a 115. He bolted in that day by 2 lengths stalking the pace before exploding in the stretch to win easily. He won a few allowance races prior to the G1 victory running nice times and winning very easily with a nice turn of foot in the stretch. If he can repeat his effort from two back he will be a major threat.
7. 57506 – Builds (Constitution) Owned by corza1. Jockey – C. Orza. 22/1
Has been a little out of form of late and mixing distances and track surfaces to find that winning formula. Last start ran 6th in the Again Find Dirt Route Stakes over 9.5F running 101 coming from back in the field although well held in the end. Prior to that he was 11th beaten some 26 lengths in the G3 Derby De Swedish over 12F never really threatening. 4 starts back he tried the Turf for the 2nd time in his career when running 7th in the G3 Danish 2000 Guineas beaten just over 7 lengths running 94. He did run 3rd in the G1 Merry Christmas last December running a 100 stalking the pace but well held in the end. Would need to find a career best to be troubling some of these but not without a place chance.
8. 11132 – Big Fight (Violence) Owned by vinery. Jockey – P. Haynes. 8/1
Lovely 3yo colt by Violence with a nice record, 11 starts 7.2.1. Interestingly has not raced over a route and has been kept to sprinting in hi short career. Think his running style will suit the longer distances and could be the blow out. Last start finished 2nd beaten just under a length in the G1 Prince’s Knights Stakes over 7F coming from a mile back and finishing powerfully running a 112 in the process. Prior to this he ran 3rd in the G1 2020 Equinics – Niagara Falls over 6F again coming from a mile back running a 106. Two starts prior to this were both stakes victories over 7.5F and 7F winning both impressively. His closing style will suit if the pace is on and expect him to finish powerfully and perhaps claim another victory. Big Chance.
9. 12210 – Twirling Enforcer (Twirling Candy) Owned by francua1. Jockey – B. Ironside. 11/1
Had been running really well prior to last start failure in the G1 2020 Equinics – Hadron Collider finishing 11th behind Justifiable running 103 for the 8F. Prior to that he was in really good form winning the G2 Trial by Night Stakes over 8F with a 110 leading all the way and kicking on in the straight to win by ¾ of a length. The start before this he was 2nd in the G3 Barbara Walters Special over 8F with a 105 after setting the pace and fading late to be beaten 2 and ¼ lengths. This horse likes to lead and this is probably his pet distance so must go in with a chance if allowed to dictate from the front.
10. 86014 – Leavemytailalone (Hansen) Owned by gordonlordbyron. Jockey – V. Jef. 16/1
Last couple have been in allowance races trying to recapture some form after a string of outs in graded company. Finished 4th last time out over 8.5F in an allowance jumping in 4th and staying there throughout. Did make up a bit of ground in the straight running an SP of 106. Prior to that ran in another allowance over 8.5F and was just off the pace stalking in 2nd before pouncing in the straight to win running away by 2 ¼ lengths running an SP of 96. Best graded race as a 3yo was in the G3 Chief Snow HCP over 9F where he stalked the pace early only to tire in the straight and finish 6th although only beaten 3 lengths running an SP of 100. Would need to be at his very best and judging by his last dew efforts he is just about there. Outside chance.
11. 12511 – Admiral Nimitz (Cairo Prince) Owned by personalensign. Jockey – V. Jennings. 8/1
This 3yo has been in fine form of late winning the Grade 2 The La Holla last time out over 8.5 furlongs running a 112 for the trip. Prior to that he won the Grade 2 The Liar over the same trip with the same bayer of 112. Oddly enough hasn’t raced over 8 furlongs prior to today. He comes from well off the pace with a withering burst each time. Over a month between runs and freshened up nicely for this race. He is a major contender judging on his past two starts. Will be charging late but will it be to late over this slightly shorter trip.
12. 17163 – Stay on the Road (Stay Thirsty) Owned by phillipj3. Jockey – M. Jolly. 10/1.
Has run some cracking races of late and last start was 3rd in the G2 The La Holla 8.5 F beaten by Admiral Nimitz by 3 lengths coming from midfield and running 108. Prior to this he ran 6th over 8F in the Trial by Night Stakes running 104 and beaten nearly 7 lengths behind Twirling Enforcer. Three starts back he won the G3 The Grunt over 8.5F running a 110(Career best) coming from midfield and running home hard to win by ¼ length. Has been beaten by two horses in the field and needs another career best to be taking out this but is capable.
13. 41139 – Frocked (Distorted Humor) Owned by asrstar1. Jockey – R. Bokie. 10/1
3yo that has been sprinting of late and owner has decided to test the route again. Think this may be stroke of genius for this horse as he gets well back early before unleashing a powerful finish. Last start he ran in the G1 The Foregone over 7F finishing 9th beaten just over 6 lengths however he did finish very hard that day from a mile back running 106. Prior to that he ran 3rd in the G2 The Everything’s Legal over 6.5F again running on well from a mile back running a 105. He won the Fernando Slew Dirt Stakes over 7.5F finishing to well for a big win running 108. That day he was a little closer in the run and finished over the top of them to score an impressive win. Has only placed once in 4 tries at a route however most of them were over unsuitable distances and he ran a slashing 4th in the Dorian Disaster Stakes over 8F as a 2yo. Think he will be running on hard and the distance should suit. Major Player.
14. 10124 – Vindicated Grey (Graydar) Owned by ahmanda. Jockey – J. Piotrowski. 10/1
This 3yo loves todays distance of 8F and on that he must be a chance. Last start ran really well in the G1 Equinics – Hadron Collider 4th behind Justifiable with a 108 coming from well back and running on hard although beaten over 5 lengths. The start prior he ran 2nd in the G2 Trial by Night Stakes behind Twirling Enforcer running a 109 closing hard from the back to be beaten ¾ of a length in a nice trial for this race. Won an Allowance race prior to the run in the Trial by Night easily by nearly 2 lengths running 102. He may go back in this large field and be finishing hard at the end. Would need to be at his very best to win but is very capable. With luck in running he could be a winning chance.
8. – Big Fight. Like that he is stepping up in trip. Suited by the speed of the race. Big chance.
3. – Smart Frosty. Smart 3yo with an imposing record. Think he can stalk the hot pace and could finish over the top of them.
11. – Admiral Nimitz. Really nice 3yo. Should be finishing hard from well off the pace. The pace sets it up nicely for a closer and he could be the one.
Best Roughie: 9. Twirling Enforcer. If allowed to dictate can sneak home or at least be in the money.