Grade II – The Manofjunk Stakes

Field of 9 going at it for probably a shot to get into the Breeder’s Bowl 2yo turf Juvenile race.

1. 77240 LINDEMAN HOLLANDIA mgstables 12/1. A maiden 2yo by Pure Prize trying to make his 1st win a big one. In 3 turf races he came in 2nd in each and his SP has improved in each as well. A big step up in company, maybe he can finish ahead of at least 1 or 2 horses in here.

2. 100164 CLEMSTONE(IRE) lou64 9/1. A 2yo colt by Ballingary, has raced only once and I can’t say much. He broke his maiden easily by 2+ lengths which was in a sprint race. Most of his dams $ was earned sprinting, so he might not take to routing or he might who knows?

3. 11992 FANTASTIC MUSE borden 7/2. A 2yo by Fantastic Light, pedigree screams turf as well. He broke his maiden then went straight to a G3 race which he won. He then went to a G1 turf race which was his first route race, where he finished 6th losing by 8 lengths. He has the class experience and only one who has won a graded event. Looks like a sprinter, but if he can route he can win this.

4. 38238 REMINGTON wistful2 5/1. A 2yo colt by Chiselling. Has a nice pedigree and has raced five times but never on turf. Was doing well in sprint races, but in his route race on dirt he didn’t do well coming in 6th. His mare ran twice on turf and did horribly, if that trait passed on, it doesn ‘t look good for this guy.

5. 97424 TBONE whalebones 13/1. A 2yo colt by Afleet. This will be his 9th race, record on turf is 6(2,0,2). He has 1 route race where he ran at 9f coming in a fast closing 3rd. However his SP #’s are average and will have to increase a lot to win this, doesn’t looks good for him. Could finish ahead of a couple here.

6. 33929 MICHELANGELO(IRE) given2 5/1. A 2yo colt by Galileo, his pedigee says turf and he has done well on it. He won his first 2 races, then entered into a owner restricted stakes where he finished a dull 8th. However in his last start he tried a open stakes at this G2 distance and he came in a fast closing 2nd with a 89 SP, which is the highest of any horse in here. He looks like he can take this and win.

7. 96782 LISTEN TO THE LION(IRE) super10 6/1. A 2yo by the Rock of Gibralter. In his second try on turf he broke his maiden, then tried a G3 sprint where he finished a dull 10th. In his last two races he has tried routing and has come in 2nd in both with a come from behind move in both. His 2yo half brother(from the same mare) is a 2yo graded winner, and I believe he can make a impact here, I think a 2nd or 3rd place finish is likely.

8. 98299 STING LIKE A BEE maplefarms 6/1. A 2yo colt by Victory Gallop. Won his first 2 turf races, then tried a sprint stakes where he got 2nd, then in his last start tried routing at 8f in a stakes. He collected 3rd there losing only by a head. He’s a speed horse and he likes to get the lead, if he gets it I think he can hold on the late closers to come in 3rd or 4th.

9. 84705 PACIFIC EMPIRE dancer 9/2. 2yo colt by Kingmambo also has nice turf pedigree. However is another that has five starts and none being on turf. His dam did badly on turf as well, but with his pedigree that can go either dirt or turf he might do decently. He has never routed, but in his sprint races he has closed in each race, so you can say he can probably handle the 8.5f distance here.

My Picks would be MICHELANGELO(IRE) to win, for second would go LISTEN TO THE LION(IRE), and third FANTASTIC MUSE

Longshot LISTEN TO THE LION(IRE)