Posh Purse Stakes
Posh Purse Stakes Grade II over a mile and one sixteenth where there are 14 runners contesting the purse of $200,000. The runners are horses 3 years old and up and not a bad bunch of champions here either.
1. Basketball Jones(KY) – Trained by guyinchlt – Odds of 9/2
Well this is one classy colt. Just look at the recent speeds. SP rating of 118 last time out in the G1 Canada Mile and a resounding win by 2 lengths. Previous to that SP rating of 113 with another win by 2 1/2 lengths in another G1. Earnings of over $2,000,000 with 11 wins from 24 outings. Hard to go past this one both on recent form as well as just pure class and talent which is just oozing out of him. Turf is what he likes and this distance is perfect for him. Will be shooting threes all night and should be another win I think.
2. Dwyck(AUS) – Trained by willyam13 – Odds of 29/1
As always, being an Australian myself I am biased to Aussie bred horses. This one out of Spinning World looks very good. Coming off a win in The Bounded Que Stakes with a speed rating of 102 will give him plenty of confidence for this race. That said this is a lot harder and much classier competition. Has run faster and will need to here. Still if he gets a good run you might be raking in the cash if you back him. Great odds of 29/1 if he does come in.
3. Shriver Mine – Trained by shawke – Odds of 14/1
Out of Dynaformer and an impressive earnings of over $1.1 million. This guy can run thats for sure. 6 yr old so one of the old boys but still pulling out good wins and good ratings. Most notable win of late was at the G1 Doomben Cup back in May and came close in August in the G1 Windy City Turf Classic with a well run second placing. Good odds to be honest and well worth backing certainly for a place if nothing else.
4. Torino(KY) – Trained by wistfl – Odds of 7/1
4yo out of Eurosilver with some impressive bloodlines. This is his distance with some great runs and good speeds. Last time out was a win in the G2 Fivestarnick Handicap. Run mainly of late in Allowance grade with consistent placings each time. Up another level here but his consistency should stand him in good stead for the race. Trainer certainly hasnt rushed him up and that says to me that the trainer knows what they are doing and slowly bringing this one up to his full potential. Should be there in the final straight you would have to say. Well worth watching this one.
5. George W. Loser – Trained by monimonica – Odds of 99/1
Well this one is the roughie of the race. Aptly named his recent form doesnt really give you a ton of confidence that he can win. Out of his last 8 outings he has finished second last in two of them. The rest have been the last one in. Earnings of only $35k. And he is up against it in this field. So why is he here? Does the trainer know something we dont? Have he and the horse been colluding to get the fantastic odds of 99/1 and then come out and blow the whole field away? If so, then the trainer is going to walk away very very rich. All I can say is good luck and well deserved if you pull this one off. Might put a dollar or two on just in case…
6. Scythian(KY) – Trained by imatiger2 – Odds of 7/1
Sounds like a scythe – like a blade – like a knife that cuts through the pack and slices open the competition to take the win. This is Scythian out of Sky Classic, trained by imatiger2, earnings of over $300k and in good form. G3 win in his last outing and ready to go up to this level here. Distance is good for him. Will have to run well to take this one but is I think ready to have another go at G2 level.
7. The Fast Lane(KY) – Trained by seacadet – Odds of 8/1
Late nights, endless parties, money, power – this is Fast Lane. The horse who bends the rules and his trainers patience with party party party. That said he can still run with a very impressive run in The Gala Boomer (IRE) memorial, speed of 114 and a win by 3 lengths. Needs to pull another run like that here to take it out. Please just for once dont go out before the race. concentrate says the trainer.
8. Bannaby(KY) – Trained by zalduendo – Odds of 9/1
Another champion runner out of Unbridled’s Song also coming off some recent good form. Third in a G1, win in allowance company, fourth in a G3. Prior to that included a win at G3 level and a couple of second placings at G2 company. So you get the picture. Well worth considering here at 9/1 odds. Needs to get a win at this level and may well do it today.
9. Rockabilly Rock(IRE) – Trained by marusha – Odds of 15/1
Out of Rock of Gibraltar which might be why he has Rock twice in his name. Makes sense anyway. Last outing was a win in Stakes company. Has some very good speeds in Allowance company as well but also a third place in G3. Wasnt able to put it together recently in a couple of G1 races but hey this guy can still run. Needs to get a good start and likes to lead. If he leads he has a chance – simple as that.
10. Hoegaarden(KY) – Trained by simsters6 – Odds of 7/1
Lightly raced with 6 wins from 21 outings is this 4yo out of Gone West. Loves his gardening specially on a nice quiet summer day, hoeing out the weeds n watching the vegies grow. That said, he also likes to run with some very good speeds. Will need to reproduce that here again today and is a likely contender certainly for a place.
11. Severe Warning(IRE) – Trained by fairhaven5 – Odds of 7/1
What an impressive last run. Second placing, speed of 116 in the G1 Canada Mile behind probably the favourite in this race. Has to be a massive chance here again and should be the one to trouble Basketball Jones in my opinion. Still needs a good run though but has to be a major showing. Slightl longer distance here to the last time out will only benefit him. Big chance!
12. Ragspoint Deputy(KY) – Trained by jrogue5 – Odds of 11/1
Well this trainer has two horses in this race and this one would have to be the better of the two. Up and down a little in form has been able to win well at both Allowance and Stakes level. Faded last time out in G3 company over 8 furlongs so will need to keep the stamina on for this one. Place chance?
13. Seeking Nessy(KY) – Trained by rlogan – Odds of 10/1
Who is Nessy? Thats my question. Out of Hennessy, 4yo colt trained by rlogan. Ah I just figured out the Nessy! I like the name thats for sure. Even chance here – good odds. Is jumping up here but then is he as he does have a win at G2 level back in May. Good speeds back then and may be coming back into form now at just the right time. May well surprise and good odds if he does. Worth backing.
14. Skidmore Cat(KY) – Trained by jrogue5 – Odds of 20/1
The second entry by trainer jrogue5 and I love the name of Skidmore Cat. At 20/1 one of the roughies but in saying that has a decent record. Not quite at the $100k earnings mark yet but has run some good races at Stakes level including a well run sixth in G2 in June. Will need to better that run here.
So after all of that who is actually going to win this one. My picks are:
1 Basketball Jones
11 Severe Warning
10 Hoegaarden