Strong Belwas Logical Choice in German Headliner

The Grand Prix
Grade III
A mile and three eighths
Firm Turf
$150,000
All horses, 3 years old and up

 

PP       Horse                        Owner         Jockey   Odds 
1  THE XMAS SPIRIT(IRE)   shamran   J Walsh   9/2  

2  STRONG BELWAS   asoiaf   E Bernstein   2/1 

3  FROM SIN CITY(IRE)   euroalien   L Tuggle   5/1 

4  EXPECTED YIELD   super8   M Spencer   7/1 

5  LAND OF LEGENDS   stalurko   A Shove   6/1 

6  KEPLER PLASTIC(ENG)   marre   Al Glover   7/2 

7  STERNWOOD FOREST   reddog   U Solar   5/1

 

 

Six grizzled veterans of the turf wars and one fresh four year old filly will contest this year’s edition of The Grand Prix.  Here’s a look at the starters from the hedge outward.

 

 

Shamran Stables proudly sends out their lightning quick four year old filly, The Xmas Spirit, for The Grand Prix.  The big daughter of High Chaparral is already a graded winner having won the Danish Oaks (G III) last summer in front running fashion by almost five lengths.  The Xmas Spirit won her Grand Prix prep stake in Paris last month under a patient and well rated ride from journeyman Boo Boo Wu.  So it looks like she can now stalk in addition to setting the pace.  Needs to replicate that big speed figure (108) to contend here.  If she does, Shamran’s red and white colors may very well be seen in the charmed circle.  

 

 

Next comes the remarkable Strong Belwas.  A millionaire three times over, Given’s war horse is a veritable four legged ATM.  The Empire Maker six year old has won three grade I stakes and been runner up in eight more.  He has knocked heads with the best of the best for the past three years and still packs a lethal wallop.  Last time out his patented late rally fell less than a length short of the legendary Lex Luthor in Argentina’s Grade I Prometheus.  Big shot to take down the top prize on Saturday. 

 

 

Ridgecrest Champion Stables dished out a slew of breeding points and $125,000 cash to claim From Sin City last March.  The rangy Theatrical stallion has handled his busy schedule quite nicely for his current barn.  Four allowance wins and a bunch of in the money finishes have earned him another graded start.  Unfortunately, the six year old has not fared well in graded company in the past, double digit defeats being the norm.  Needs easier. 

 

 

Super Stables will be represented by outsider Expected Yield.  In his younger days, the son of High Yield managed to grab a few checks in graded stakes.  But he has won only one of his last eighteen starts and that was an allowance race.  Would need a complete reversal of form to contend here.

 

 

Urko’s Belgium Racing Team sends out their new acquisition, Land of Legends, for this test.  The multiple stakes winner was recently purchased for just under three million dollars at auction.  He rewarded his new connections immediately with a conditioned allowance win over twelve furlongs.  It’s been a year since he won a stake and this group seems a bit beyond his ability at this time.  Look for an eventual he-mare operation for this exceptionally well bred (Empire Maker x Seeking The Gold x Buckpasser) veteran.

 

 

There are deep closers and there is Kepler Plastic.  Marre’s flashy chestnut is a DEEP CLOSER!  For example, three starts back in his graded debut, the Red Ransom colt found himself seventeen lengths off the pace halfway through the eleven furlong contest.  Still almost eleven back at the top of the lane, the son of prolific producer Sea Project finally kicked into gear.  He flew past everyone to score by a widening two and a quarter lengths at 20-1.  Arrives fresh off a sharp second in a Japanese stake.  Can be the one. 

 

 

Sternwood Forest has been a model of consistency for Reddog stables throughout his career and is still going strong.  The seven year old Lear Fan horse has won twelve of his forty nine lifetime starts and is approaching the half million dollar mark in earnings.  Every once in a while he pops a big fig like the 109 he posted while finishing second in an Irish stake at this week’s distance four starts ago.  And he won a South Carolina stake two back.  But his three graded tries have been indifferent so he’ll need to do more for any chance on Saturday.  

 

 

It looks like the classy Strong Belwas’ race to win or lose.  I like the filly and Kepler Plastic to complete the tri.  Either could prevail if my top pick fails.  Good luck to all!