All Things Point Due North
What about the card here in New York today. With so many good horses facing the starter today it really is an honour to be reporting on the Grade 2 – Due North Stakes to be run over 6F on a fast dirt track. With a full field of 14 to face the starter, lets have a look at their form and see if we can find the winner.
Tired Wings – 18 – 10–1–1 10/1
Winner of the G1 – Breeders Bowl Sprint in October. This 4y.o. Daughter of Pollard’s Vision ran last start in the G3 – Maryland Breeders Bowl and ran a disapointing 11th posting a 100SP. A winner at her previous start with a 108SP over 6F in stakes class and her record in big races makes her a solid place chance.
Sword Breaker – 24 – 6–4–1 23/1
Has been below his best in his last couple of runs. His trainer Topicount4 appears to have sparked him up for this by putting him on turf last start. Proved he can run big SP’s 4 starts ago running a 108 over 6F. Would have to improve on latest runs to win here.
Happy A – 28 – 8–0–4 11/1
I actually covered his last run where he ran a much improved race finishing it well to run 3rd posting a 102SP. As I said before his last start he was disapointing in the G1 – Maryland Special. Would need to improve further here to win but hopefully I might be a good luck charm for this horse and he will place again.
Bleacher Creature – 21 – 5–1–3 9/1
A super run in the G1 – The Sand Castle Golden Sprint where he steamed home from 2nd last at one stage to finish 4th beaten 1 ¼ Lengths posting a 111SP. Prior to that had been running below his best. If he reproduces his last run is exellent value at 9/1.
Fleeting Account – 44 – 14–9–8 5/1
Equal favourite for today’s race who comes into this on the back of a career best 115SP in an allowance NW2T last start. Has performed well at stakes level in the past but has been running in allowance races and would only have to step up slightly to match this field. At 5/1 is no value but he will be on the speed for a long way.
Bastian – 30 – 12–8–1 5/1
The other equal favourite who ran an absoulte monster last start in the G3 – Maryland Breeders Bowl coming from back in the field to win by a length in a 116SP. Had been very consistant in allowance races before that. Only has to run up to his last start to win or finish in the money here.
Doctor G – 15 – 4–3–1 29/1
Another who has been running in allowance races but his 2 starts in stakes company have been terible. Nice run last start posting a 106SP but I would prefer to see him in a lower grade stake race and run well there first.
Grosse Isle – 19 – 6–1–0 11/1
A nice run last start although it was in a restricted allowance winning by 1 ¾ lengths posting a 104SP. He has the ability to be up on the speed but would have to improve to win this race.
Skanonymous – 41 – 15–7–3 8/1
Is third up in this after taking a short rest following the G1 – Breeders Bowl Sprint in October. Best of his last 3 starts in all in G1 races was a closing 2nd in the G1 – Deep South Sprint where he finished only a ¼ length behind the winner posting a 106SP. Last start although making up ground could only finish 9th in the G1 – The Sand Castle Golden Sprint. If can repeat his run 2 back is in with a good chance.
Act of Brave – 41 – 9–7–3 18/1
Another who I covered at his last run where he finished 10th posting a 96SP. Previous runs have been below best and posting low SP’s. Needs to find the form he showed last year to have any hope here.
Holy Reverse – 14 –5–1–4 8/1
Likely leader who will be suited by the drop back to 6F in this race. Has been running well in stakes races in his last 3 for a win and a third. 2 starts back over 7.5F got out to a big lead and just held on to win posting a 108SP. Will be in front a long way and if he kicks on the turn will run a place.
Senorita Si Na Dren – 25 –6–4–4 15/1
Comes into this after running well in open allowance race in his last start running 3rd posting a 103SP over 5F. Start prior was disapointing and would have to improve to pose a threat to this field.
Sing For Gold – 30 –5–4–3 11/1
Hasn’t missed a cheque in his last 9 starts which is an outstanding effort. His last 4 runs have been solid and last start ran a 107SP running 4th over 6F. At 11/1 given his record you can’t leave him out of your trifecta’s.
Smouldering Street – 48 –14–6–7 9/1
If you can forgive and forget his last start you would have to think he has a good chance to run a place here. 2 starts ago in the G1 – The Sand Castle Golden Sprint he sat on the speed and held on well for 5th posting a 105SP.
Good Luck to all horses and trainers and I hope everyone comes home healthy.
Chris