Grade III Belgian Tike Stakes

Belgian Tike Stakes
Grade III
Four and one half furlongs
Firm Turf
$125,000
All horses, 2 years old

If there is anything I have learnt over the years it is that a grade III race for 2yo’s this early in the season can be a pretty unpredictable affair and this race shows no indication of bucking that trend.  Eight runners line up for this one and they are:

DON’T BE STUPID(NZ)

Trainer: ploink

(Darci Brahma (NZ) x Galileo (IRE) x Irish River(FR))

Odds:  2/1                   Earnings: 10,250                    Runs/Wins: 1/0

A 2yo colt from Ploink Stables bred from an H grade mare.  A maiden from an unproven mare who failed to win any of her four runs.  His one run to date showed good form and landed 2^nd spot with an SP# of 78 in NY and he’s travelled a long way in an effort to go one better – though the dreaded second race bounce may take its toll. 

RACKHAM THE RED(JPN)

Trainer: screech

(Came Home x Tale Of The Cat x Red Ransom)

Odds:  9/1                   Earnings: 33,830                    Runs/Wins: 3/1

A 2yo colt from Screech Stables bred from a G grade mare.  Failed badly on dirt in his first run but put that right on turf next time.  His subsequent allowance run, though gaining 2^nd place, was disappointing so this will be a real test of his character.

CLEVER CONCERTO(JPN)

Trainer: lure92

(Stravinsky x Clever Trick x Pleasant Colony)

Odds:  9/2                   Earnings: 21,840                    Runs/Wins: 1/1

A 2yo colt from Vkstables Stables bred from a G grade mare.  Unbeaten after just one run in an average sp# 66.  None of those he beat have managed to win yet so it remains to be seen just how good that performance was and whether he can justify favouritism here.

PRINCE FOR RANSOM(IRE)

Trainer: snowlynn

(Strategic Prince x Red Ransom x Crimson Satan)

Odds:  9/1                   Earnings: 39,525                    Runs/Wins: 2/1

A 2yo colt from Ldyssecret bred from a G grade mare.  His first run was in a stakes race in NZ which he won in a slow time, and his next allowance run only netted him a 4^th place, despite a much improved performance.  Could find this sharp 4.5 furlongs a bit too short.

UNSATURATED(FR)

Trainer: whoswho

(Domedriver (IRE) x Hawaii x Semipalatinsk)

Odds:  13/1                 Earnings: 2,160                      Runs/Wins: 1/1

A 2yo scratch bred colt from Fortune500 bred by tenwhisper.  Claimed from a $13,600 maiden claimer which he won comfortably.  Could find this race a little more challenging.     

FIVE ALARM PRAYER(KY)

Trainer: zoz

(Gone West x Van Nistelrooy x Barathea(IRE))

Odds:  5/1                   Earnings: 38,420                    Runs/Wins: 2/1

A 2yo filly from PazJazz Music City Stables (Est Wk 1299) bred from a C grade mare (Five Alarm).  A brave filly to take on the colts so early in her career but she has a lot to live up to as her dam won over $400k in 47 races.  Was unlucky to only grab 2^nd in her first race (to a filly who has since gone right off of the boil) but came good next time up.  Probably the on to watch in this race.

DEPUTIES TALE(KY)

Trainer: ozstable

(Silver Deputy x Tale Of The Cat x Machiavellian)

Odds:  9/2                   Earnings: 19,080                    Runs/Wins: 1/1

A 2yo colt from Ozstable Stables bred from a G grade mare.  Won his only race easily over in IR, though his opponents on that day haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory since then.  A front runner so he could go well over this shorter distance.

NINE POURS(FR)

Trainer: dundey

(Daliapour (IRE) x Forty Niner x Doneraile Court)

Odds:  5/1                   Earnings: 27,120                    Runs/Wins: 1/1

A 2yo colt from Dundey Acres  bred from a G grade mare.  His only run to date can’t be faulted as he won comfortably at Ascot without too much trouble, though it is hard to put that run in context as none of his opponents on that day have had a run since.

Summary

Okay, due to an absence of too much information this is a hard race to look at with any certainty.  Apologies to the owners but the only thing I will say is that none of these look like future superstars and may never get a better chance to win a graded race in their careers.  The possible exception to that is the lone filly Five Alarm Prayer who has a lot to live up to, but these are very early days for these youngsters.