Prince’s Knight Stakes Grade I

Prince’s Knight Stakes
Grade I
Seven furlongs
Sloppy Dirt
$300,000
All horses, 3 years old

Welcome to Texas home of the Prince’s Knight a test of the fastest 3 year olds in the sim. In years gone by horses have blazed this track turning spf’s as fast as a 120 (King Ransom back in 2002) This is the time of the year when the three year olds are getting good enough to tackle older horses, and this race may be a prep for a couple of young fellas who fancy themselves Breeders Bowl candidates.  Two years ago it was Moneygrowsontrees that was having his picture taken here. This time his trainer is sending out a two horse entry and they are running out of the hottest stable group in the sim.  Often lost among the sequoia’s at GRS the Desperado stables have made a huge impact of late and one would think you’d have to keep an eye out for one of the dangerous duet. There are a dozen horses that would like to bring the Desperado roll to an end lets get a microscope on this field and see if we can’t pick a winner.

THE FIELD

PP 1 APPLESGOTYOURPIE(KY) TR tenderfoot JY K Smith  ML 18/1

(SILVER TRAIN x SPECTACULAR BID x MISWAKI) Since his debut score in a stakes this guy has showed flashes of talent mixed with disappointing efforts. His top spf of 101 will need to improve here if he is to be a factor. This guy looks like 7f may not be the best distance for him as his best wins have come a half click longer. He has not proven he can handle this level yet but Saturday may be the day. 1-1 in slop

PP 2 HILLS NOT FOUND(KY) TR vegasjef  JY C Rembert  ML 7/1

(ELUSIVE QUALITY x DANEHILL x MR. PROSPECTOR) A look at his chart inndicates this guy may be finding his best form right now. His eye opening 110 loss in an allowance last out shows that the best is still ahead of this speedy colt. His bankroll seems a bit light for a race this big, but a check on Saturday will cure that ill. Won’t be surprised if he gets one here. He will sit 3 or 4 off the pace and look to make a move just before the stretch. Not sure if 7-1 is good value for a horse needing to step up in class here. Never won in slop

PP 3 OISHI(KY) TR fetti50  JY R Fav ML 9/1

(FORESTRY x SEEKING THE GOLD x ALYDAR) Back to back 106’s in second place runs shows how these 3 year olds are really growing race to race. Those times might have been runaway wins a few months back. Another one in here who looks like a little more ground might suit his best run. He is a grinder who likes to make a long sustained run late and if the pace is hot it will set him up to have a real big chance. It would not be a shock to see this one turn in a career best here, but will even that be enough? 0 for 1 in muck

PP 4 INDY STREET(KY) TR beefcake9  JY Wa Robinson  ML 14/1

(STREET CRY (IRE) x A.P. INDY x KEY TO THE MINT) Trying graded company for the first time and bringing in a career best spf of 102 is a little like bringing a knife to a gun fight. Still a knife can be deadly if the wielder can get close to you before you fire. His versatile style of stalking or sitting further back should be useful, just not sure it will help enough in this field. His breeding says he should be getting better every day so beware. No wins on the wet stuff

PP 5 JESUS WALKS(KY) TR milesius JY S R Vaughan ML 6/1

(CAME HOME x PULPIT x MEADOWLAKE) Seemingly bred to sprint Jesus Walks was a Derby hopeful a few back and today makes his first try at sprinting. No doubt this guy has the speed required and the class needed, but will he like the cut back in distance. I think he will love the shorter track and the 114 at a mile could be repeated here. If he goes that fast I think most in the field will be hard pressed to beat him. He is coming off two sub par efforts but the closer may be sitting on a career race. May not love an off track

PP 6 WOLF’S SLAM(JPN) TR graywolf4  JY V Waddle ML 9/1

(FRENCH DEPUTY x GRAND SLAM x DIXIELAND BAND) One of the grizzled vets of the division, Wolf’s Slam enters with 22 career starts. Has a graded score three back, but the last two have been abysmal. No rest for the weary here either. At his best he will be pressing the leader at his throat latch or on the lead. Has the speed, and class, but form is a question mark. Is this one just tired or ready for a field that he can make the lead with. At 9-1 not super value in here.  Top 2 in each of 4 sloppy starts

PP 7 SHOTGUN RIDER(KY) TR desperado4  JY P Henderson ML 11/1

(STORM CAT x SEEKING THE GOLD x SUNNY’S HALO) The first of the Desperado entry here is coming in off a series of stakes runs that have been ambitious but not all that effective. This one knows how to cash a check 9 of 12 lifetime starts have been itm. Shotgun Rider may be an apt name here cuz I am not sure this one is ready for the drivers seat yet. He possesses a big move that he likes to uncoil around the third call. The speeds he has run don’t match up favorably. The one thing he has going for him is the hottest barn in the sim sends him out. Beware of the heat! One win and one place in two lifetime off track starts.

PP 8 PHILIBUSTER(PA) TR  opus JY J Lucas ML 18/1

(ATTORNEY x PULPIT x STORM CAT) The son of Attorney may need to call a lawyer to argue his case in this one. He comes in off a series of mid level runs against foes softer than these. Sometimes being good enough to enter a race is no blessing and that may the case here. His best race came in the slop and my guess is that is why he is in here today. Still will need to go faster than he has ever gone before. Stalker with some punch late.

PP 9 CALL WAITING(MD) TR roundtable JY J Chapman  ML 11/1

(TWO PUNCH x PHONE TRICK x GLITTERMAN) This is one of the only horses in this race stretching out to get 7. He ran a blistering 5.5 in 108 last time on a good dirt track. He is not adverse to a wet track having won that 1 and hit the board once in two starts in the off going. Is he a freak on the soft ground? I know a few folks will be hoping that the surface keys the outcome.  A lifetime best spf last out so a bounce is also possible. A hard one to read here.

PP 10 BRAVE BIRDIE(ENG) TR jsimpson JY F Cross  ML 11/1

(GREEN DESERT x CAPE TOWN x STORM CAT) You might think Danzig blood and a front runners style might love the off going. It does not seem to be the case here as this ones only start on an off track was not good. He tired second fighting for lead in a game effort last out (108) in an allowance. Will face a tougher field here but may find himself winging it on the front end which seems like a good place to be given the weather. Ran 102 in winning a g2 at this distance a few back. Looms a large threat at 11-1.

PP 11 WILD TO THE TOUCH(KY) TR fortywalt JY F Pritchard ML 9/1

(TOUCH GOLD x WILD AGAIN x UNBRIDLED) only 3 wins in 12 lifetime starts and a first time across an off tack are not big advertisements here. The stakes win in 107 last out is. In a field full of contradictions this one fits perfectly. He is experienced at this level and distance but 9-1 sounds short to me given the odds you can get with similar. Does he like the soft track, will he bounce off last effort or was that the beginning of a big stretch for him? Lots of questions to be answered after the gate is open. Dismiss at your own risk.

PP 12 LUMBERRED(AUS) TR oostende2  Jy  J Webb ML 9/1

(ZEDITAVE (AUS) x PURE PRIZE x NORTHERN DANCER) An Aussie bred in a texas mudbowl? Sounds like a daunting spot but this one is coming in off three straight triple figure runs and a win in its only start in the muck. 7f may be the best distance for this horse and if it is look out. Needs to prove himself at this level but may just do that here. Has a powerful late move and that may be the key here. Who has the most surge late on the slop. Do not be surprised if the outsider pedigree wise is the best runner on Saturday.

PP 13 ALL ABOUT HENNY(KY) TR desperado5 JY R White PP 12/1

(HENNY HUGHES x GRAND SLAM x WILD AGAIN) If there is a hotter sire/trainer combo in the sim than Henny Hughes/Desperado I will need someone to point it out. This guy has been winning with a fleet of Henny’s all over the globe. All about Henny likes the off going and seems perfectly placed coming off two huge efforts. As I said earlier the connections have given new meaning to the words En Fuego. Lightly raced and two lifetime bests in a row do throw up a bounce caution light. However it just as easily could be the sign of a horse hitting its best stride at just the right time. 12-1 looks like nice value in here.

PP 14 SMOKY FOREST(KY) TR rjfarm  JY C Shoemaker  ML 8/1

(TETON FOREST x APTITUDE x SMOKE GLACKEN) comes in off a slate of bridesmaid or less stakes runs. He has not had his picture taken yet as a three year old but has been remarkably consistent in hitting the board. He likes the off going too with a couple of triple figure speed figs in the slop. Has to be viewed a danger in your exotics and may need to be put on top of a saver ticket or two. Smoky should be part of the chase pack that the winner emerges out of and no surprise if this one shakes of the photo shyness here. Another who looks like 7f maybe a perfect distance.

The Pick

The pace scenario in here is very interesting should be one or two winging it on the front end and the rest looming right off them. You have horses cutting back and some stretching out to the 7f distance. Horses that have million dollar pedigrees and some from sires that are far lesser known. So where do you put your finger down? Call waiting has the earmarks of a mud freak and will be in the exacta box I am picking. The Desperado entry is in there too and I will round it out with the horse that put up the best speed fig so far Jesus Walks. If that exacta lands it will pay big, but I have to say this race is awfully tough to see the winner in so bet with your head and don’t blame me.