Equinics – The Authentic Stakes
Vermont, Saturday, June 15, 2024
Equinics Day 3
The Authentic Stakes
A stellar group of 16 world class race horses will line up in the 8 furlong, The Authentic Stakes. There are 9 graded winners, and 3 millionaires amongst the field in what should be an exciting showdown by some of the best these residencies have to offer. Got speed?….. we have it! Got horses that come from the clouds?….. we’ve got those too! Appears to be a very competitive race on paper and on the tote board as there’s no clear-cut favorite. Why don’t we take a closer look at the field and with whom they represent.
The Field:
PP1. STALKING CLAREMONT – (MORE THAN READY x FORTY NINER x DEPUTY MINISTER)
Crawf68 Racing Stables – East-West Connection
Major Wins: Big D Park Handicap
This 4yr old gelding comes in off a career best effort in the G3 Big D. It was his first win in nearly a year, after some very fine near misses in the Enter The Warrior and Credit Given Stakes. The hammer is always down when this guy comes around, so expect pace to be moving. This group will be tough to wire, but his 120sp shows he can hang with anyone. Cuts back in distance for this.
PP2. FROM THE GODS – (AMERICAN PHAROAH x TAPIT x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY)
Tees Racing Stables – All-Stars Racing
Major Wins: Bluegrass Cup Classic, Insulin Cap
The race should set up to his liking if he’s up to the call. Made some serious runs in winning the two G2’s on his resume last fall. Attempted the BB Dirt Mile afterwards, where he made up 6 lengths in the last quarter, but only managed a 10th place finishing. A dip back down to the ALW ranks got this 6yr old a much needed visit back to the winners circle, and he then doubled that by winning the follow up.
PP3. YOU GET TAPIT – (TAPIT x WAR FRONT x MR. PROSPECTOR)
Harrylan Racing Stables – Elite Racing Club
Major Wins: Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile, The Long Acres, The Chester West Handicap
Your reigning Breeders Bowl Dirt Mile Champion has been battling the best milers this game has to offer since spring time last year. Another absolute speedball that will surely be eye to eye with Stalking Claremont from the rip. Has not been able to hang on late in most recent starts, but will make you earn it if you want to go by him. I expect him to get the jump and take them a long way.
PP4. ARTIC VANDER KAMP – (DISTORTED HUMOR x SUMMER SQUALL x BROAD BRUSH)
Kimugle Racing Stables – European Union Racing Organization
Major Wins: Cryptozot Dirt Mile
A strong closing kick last out allowed this, 5yr old colt by Distorted Humor, to chalk up his 5th career win and a 115sp. Will have to bring that same energy into this matchup, and probable pace scenario will definitely give him something to run after. Will have to shock the board at over 20/1 odds…… like he did in Ohio for his stakes win!
PP5. GENERAL BUFORD – (MACLEAN’S MUSIC x STORM CAT x A.P. INDY)
Waremblem5 Racing Stables – Universal Racing Club
Major Wins: URC Breeders Championships, URC Met Mile
Comes in dawning the URC Dirt Mile Champion title. Has been running blistering SP numbers consistently. Two straight gut-wrenching losses in the G1 February Stakes and G2 Sand Castle Godolphin Mile. Two more steps in each gets him to the winners circle. A sneaky hot horse that could make a name for himself here. Must get the jump on a few of his main rivals.
PP6. FOR MY LIL BRO – (TAPIT x DEPUTY MINISTER x MR. PROSPECTOR)
Given Racing Stables – GR Simsters
Major Wins: Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf, The Florida Man Mile, The Summertime
Dan doing what Dan does… This beautiful Tapit has G1 wins on both surfaces. Former Breeders Bowl Juvy Turf Champion made his way back to the dirt surface and reeled off 3 wins in a row that included the G1 Florida Dirt Mile. Will look to turn things around after not having enough in most recent attempts. Does his best running from just off the pace, jockey will have to time correctly.
PP7. ESTO NO ES FACIL – (GHOSTZAPPER x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x FORTY NINER)
Tgerk Racing Stables – Florida Racing Club
Major Wins: Eighty Nine Breed Dirt Mile
Another in here with some really eccentric late turn of foot. Hasn’t quite nabbed that elusive graded win yet but he’s been knocking on the door. Only 1 ½ lengths from winner in the G1 Cocked and Loaded Stakes after being far back throughout. Most recent showed a closer than normal approach and proved to be successful, drawing away by 1 ¾ lengths in a NW1S in KY. That same approach might give him the edge on other late speed.
PP8. RISING HAND – (DEEP IMPACT x SHAMARDAL x GALILEO)
Ace Racing Stables – Only Stayers
Major Wins: The San Dimas, The Chester West Handicap, Hoosier Racing Golden Gate St
Late rallies gave this 7yr old horse by Deep Impact two graded scores out of his last three races. Throw out the clunker two back when facing G1 horses in the Sterile Mile after coming back from a 4 month layoff. Took another 5 months off before his latest and seems back into form now. Will have to find his way through a crowd in the back of the field to find his path to success.
PP9. LEGENDARY KINGDOM – (CAMELOT x FORTY NINER x DEPUTY MINISTER)
Coolk Racing Stables – Orphan Racing
Major Wins: Clouded Judgement Stakes, The Woodbine, Big & Tall Dirt Dash
Just missed coming in here on a 6 race win streak and winning 8 of his last nine races. Never got a head in front two back in the G1 Cocked and Loaded, and it cost him, yet still ran exceptionally well. Typically gets his wins in wire to wire fashion, as shown last out in the G2. Takes a half-length jump in distance than he’s used to recently, but has the experience to handle it. His fate will be decided at the break I assume.
PP10. INFINITY JEF – (STREET SENSE x CURLIN x STORM CAT)
Unreal Racing Stables – Northwest Racing Circuit
Major Wins: Bone Roaming Dirt Special
Been super consistent, running better than 100sp for the most part, for more than 2 years now. Has 3 in the money finishes in his last 5 races, and 10 total lifetime wins. That’s a great accomplishment in any class. Dam was a G1 winner that ran until she was 6yrs old, so this guy is still there age wise, but have to wonder if the short rest between his last handful of races is catching up to him.
PP11. TWO HARBORS – (CATALINA CRUISER x HUSSONET x DANZIG)
Spruce5 Racing Stables – British and European Racing Club
Major Wins: Euro Dirt Mile Final, Oslo Stakes
Left himself a little too much to do last out in the Sand Castle Godolphin Mile, finishing 6th, beaten over 4 lengths. Two back though, he made a serious move at the midway point of the race to make up nearly 10 lengths, and win drawing away in the Euro Dirt Mile Final. Has versatility to sit closer if needed. Comes in super fresh, making only his second start of the year. Maybe that G2 is better than it looks off the layoff?
PP12. MAGALLANES FOREVER – (TAPIT x DISTORTED HUMOR x SEATTLE SLEW)
Haack Racing Stables – Latinos Del Mundo
Major Wins: Phone Until Phones Dirt Challenge, Woah Stakes, Serie Clasica para 3yo
Been at the winners circle or second in 7 of his last 8 trips around the oval on dirt. Although this 4yr old colt will be making his first start versus graded company, it was only going to be a matter of time before Haack released him against the best. He’s been stellar against Stakes rivals and sports the second fastest SP time of the group. Could be dangerous from just off the pace.
PP13. FILLIN’ MY CUP – (WAR FRONT x FRANKEL (GB) x AWESOME AGAIN)
Beerkeg Racing Stables – Midas
Major Wins: Cosmopolitan Handicap, The February Stakes, Enter The Warrior Dirt Route
Woke up big time, now in his 5yr old campaign. On a roll, winning consecutive G1 wins in exhilarating fashion. After a promising 2yr old start, his 3yr old year did not go as planned. But, this guys like fine wine, keeps getting better with age, so this field better get some steam going before this guy makes his move. Owns the top SP number with a 125, and he’s done it TWICE!
PP14. THE DRAGON PRINCE – (CAIRO PRINCE x BERNARDINI x STORM CAT)
Ace Racing Stables – Hoosier Racing
Major Wins: The Scam, Cornfield County Dirt Juvenile
Hard trying 4yr old colt, hasn’t been able to get over the hump versus graded company recently, but has been running at longer distances. The shorten up could be a very good thing for this guy as he’s been losing stamina in the last 1/16th of a mile. Was probably hoping to see an off track, as there was a high probability, due to his romp 2-back in Kentucky versus locals. Must take a step forward.
PP15. TOUR DE MAPLE – (TOUR DE FORCE x CURLIN x MONTJEU)
Royaldenmark Racing Stables – Down Under Racing
Major Wins: 2nd Tilting Plus Tie Dirt Route, 2nd Rook Dirt Route
Has tactical speed that increases his chances here, as there are a handful of speedsters and from the cloudsters. Still looking for that elusive Stakes or Graded win, but has just missed on multiple occasions. Will need to find that right balance of speed to assure himself something left in the tank at crunch time. Will need an all-time best to hit the board here, but not out of the realm of possibility.
PP16. NOT THIS LUKA – (NOT THIS TIME x DEHERE x SEEKING THE GOLD)
Ace Racing Stables – Empire State Racing
Major Wins: Code Mat Dirt Mile
Came flying down the stretch last out in the Double Barreled Mile, after being over 13 lengths out of it. But it came a little too late, and he ended up 5th, beaten by only 3 lengths though. He’ll be well behind early, therefore will need to find some wiggle room in the stretch to make his presence felt. No doubt he’ll have something to run after, but this will be the toughest challenge of his career.
Handicapping the field:
This race could go soooo many different ways. Will the battle up top cause them to burn out, and leave the late travelers to pick up all the pieces? Could we see a gate to wire, or that stalk and pounce attack. Your guess is as good as mine…
I’ll be rooting for my residency to take home the prize, but if I had to pick a different one… give me Two Harbors to complete the exacta!