Amillion bucks and Grade 1 Glory up for grabs

Eddie Haskell Stakes
Grade I
A mile and one eighth
Fast Dirt
$1,000,000
All horses, 3 years old

A very even field here today but to me there is a clear top pick. There’s a million big ones up for grabs and a shot at Grade 1 glory in the offering.

Here’s how they line up:

Breeding: KINGMAMBO X DANZIG X NIJINSKY II

Grade 2 winning colt looking to add to his big time record here today. Great win four starts ago to win the Arkansas Juvenile Derby Lock Prep by 2 lengths posting a 103SF and prior to that won The Mammoth Limo Special by a length posting a 104. Last two runs have been a little bit disappointing however he has proven he can mix it with the big boys and a forward showing here would not surprise. Each way.

Breeding: SMART STRIKE X DEPUTY MINISTER X BATES MOTEL

This colt has raced only ten times and has managed to greet the judge in first place on only one occasion. Run a good race three starts ago in The Unknown Moe Special when 3^rd beaten a length & ½ posting a career high 97 SF. Rising sharply in class here today and will need to find another gear to be competitive. Place best

Breeding: INVINCIBLE SPIRIT X DIESIS X LYPHARD

This guy started his career off on the dirt and ran some nice races however when he tried the dirt he really started to hit his straps. He is a two-time Stakes winner and has a Grade 1 victory to his credit when taking out The Wooden Indian Derby Lock Prep winning by a head posting a 98 SF. Has been fairly well held at his previous few runs however did make up good late ground last time in a 9F Smackdown event. As mentioned he is a Grade 1 winner so its hard to rule him out. I rate him a good each way chance.

Breeding: ENCOSTA DE LAGO X FOREST WILDCAT X THEATRICAL

Another who started out his racing career on the dirt and decided that he liked the baldes of grass under his hooves better. Since switching to the dirt this guy has had two wins, three seconds & a third from 6 starts. Best of those a 3^rd in The Grade 2 Clerk of Scales Stakes posting a 101 SF. Improving all the time and definitely has claims here. I like his chances a lot and jock N hamilton is no slouch. Looks to be the likely leader here and will attempt to hold off all late challengers to score. Good chance.

Breeding: FREUD X OUR EMBLEM X BUCKPASSER

Very versatile type who switches surfaces regularly with some success. First start beyond 8.5F today but his form suggests he’ll relish the extra trip. Been making up good ground of late including a fast finishing 3^rd in The Senor A.P. Handicap and another fast finishing 6^th beaten 3 ½ in The Forest Trying Cap. On his form it would be fair to say that he may prefer the dirt slightly over the turf and as mentioned looks to be screaming out for a longer trip which he gets here today. Will be running on strongly.

Breeding: DISTORTED HUMOUR X STORM CAT X SEEKING THE GOLD

Definite improver looking to add a Graded victory for the first time here today. Excellent run last time out in The Grade 3 Hoover Handicap when made up many lengths in the straight to finish 2^nd beaten a length and a ½ posting a personal best 108 SF. Prior to that run two consecutive 100+ SF races in ALW company. This guy is one horse that is on the up and given that fact he must be rated amongst the top chances here today. He should be making good late ground and could finish all over the top of them. Strong claims.

Breeding: ROCK HARD TEN X SEATTLE SLEW X NIJINSKY II

Quality router and Grade 1 winner looking to add to his already impressive record here. Three starts ago run a great race to take out the Lonesome Cowboy Bert Special Grade 1 by a length and ¾ and before that was an excellent effort to finish second in the Grade 1 Chicago Derby Derby Lock Prep. Has mixed it with the best and is ranked 3^rd in the division so must be rated highly here today. He’ll most likely settle about midfield and will be looking to make his run before the home turn and pick off the leaders one by one. Strong claims.

Breeding: ROMAN RULER X SEATTLE SLEW X SEARCH FOR GOLD

16 starts for this colt have resulted in a 50% winning strike rate. He is a multiple Grade winner and is ranked 5^th in the division. Excellent run last time when led all the way in The Grade 2 Flat Land Derby to win by 2 ¼ lengths posting a very good 115 SF. Previous runs include a victory in The Grade 2 Corkscrew Stakes and the Grade 2 Fountain of ute. He’s won over the distance and as mentioned is a multiple Grade winner and is one thats not to be taken lightly. Excellent chance.

Breeding: FUSAICHI PEGASUS X NUREYEV X BLUSHING GROOM

Just nine lifetime starts for this colt but already he has managed to amass over $1.4 million in prizemoney. Broke the magical 100 SF at just his 3^rd start when winning The Wow Stakes and two starts later was a huge run to win The California Derby Lock Prep posting a 106 SF and running away with the race like a superstar. Again won at Grade 1 level two starts later in The Middle Jewel when came from well back to grab victory right on the line. Up and coming superstar who is definitely the one to beat in this. Pattern of racing suggests he’ll settle well back in the field but has a withering finishing burst that he’ll be looking to rely here. The one to beat.

Breeding: MARIA’S MON X STORM CAT X MR. PROSPECTOR

Another colt who likes to settle well back in his races, he is also a Grade 1 winner and also another with claims in an open event. This guy’s Grade 1 win came in the Sand Castle Derby Lock Prep when he came from well back to win easily posting a good 107 SF. Has only won twice but has raced against some top quality horses and has won over the distance. Tried the turf last time out and wasn’t disgraced when running second in The What Guide Bonanza. Back to the dirt today and loves this trip so I rate him a good each way chance.

Breeding: POINT GIVEN X DEPUTY MINISTER X FORTY NINER

Impressive start to this colts career winning six of his first seven starts including three Stakes wins and a Grade 2. The Grade 2 victory was in The Felipe Alou Cap when led all the way to win posting a 104 SF. That was the only occasion he has broken the 100 SF mark and he will need to improve on that run again to figure in the finish here. He has won seven from ten and earned almost half a million so deserves his crack at the big timers. Each way claims.

Breeding: KITTEN’S JOY X STORM CAT X SEATTLE SLEW

Eight starts for four wins and three seconds and in each of this colts eight career runs he has improved on his previous best SF. Yet to race out of ALW company so its hard to rate his chances in this Grade 1 event but his recent form has been sound. Recent SF’s of 112, 104 & 103 put him in this with a good chance but I think I may have preferred to see at least a Stakes victory to his name before this one. He has got his chance to shine here and can’t be ruled out based on the SF’s I mentioned above. Each way.

In summary I believe that whatever beats FOLSOM BLUES will win. Top class performer and proven at this level and distance. I ve gone with ROMAN PLUTONIUM for second and PRO MON for third.

Good Luck to all connections!!!