Grade 3 – The Force Stakes
A small but talented field of 8 line up to contest the Grade 3 Force Stakes in Paris over the classic distance of 10 furlongs on the grass. This race likely drew a small field because of the competing 2 million dollar Japanese 2000 Guineas but a win here could easily propel a contender to the English Derby as a next stop. Who will The Force be with in today’s race?
1. Ain’t Gonna Wait – AFC’s Ghostzapper colt ran the first 4 races of his young life on the dirt and did nothing wrong winning two with big speed figures including the ever competitive GRS Juvenile. After faltering in his January debut he was switched to turf and is now 2 for 2 on the grass and winning for fun. He faces a real acid test today and if he makes it 3 for 3 his connections will know they have a legit runner on their hands. His speed figure of 79 last out will need vast improvement but his big margin of victory shows its likely possible. A strong contender.
2. Bravest of All – Trained by Dixiedotco this Falbrav colt is out of classy mare Golden Reward (Sadler’s Wells X Mr. Prospector) who has produced 2 SW and 1 GW from 5 total foals. Stamped himself as a major division contender when he won the Grade 3 Summertime in just his 3rd lifetime start last October. Has the look of a total need to lead horse and he could be very dangerous if allowed to wonder alone in the front uncontested. His 97 speed figure at 9.5 furlongs two back could be a sign of what to look for if you think he can get it done today
3. Bossost – Rafa Stables’ Alkaased colt has already raced 11 times in his young life and he is nearing in on the 100k in lifetime earnings mark. He gave his best lifetime effort 3 back at 9.5 furlongs where he ran a strong 97 finishing 2nd in The Transylvania Stakes. Has done his best running off of the pace but his best chance today might be to go full throttle and attempt to wire this short field.
4. Velate – Another entry by the Rafa Stables/Alkaased combination this colt has also been campaigned aggressively but he is still seeking his first stakes win. His highest lifetime speed figure came two back when he ran a 96 at 10.5 furlongs finishing 5th in the process. Is hard to forecast a breakthrough today but it is the SIM and anything can happen on any given Saturday.
5. Witherspoon – Not sure if trainer cocoabeach named this horse after Reese or Clarence but either way this son of Japanese racing standout Daiwa Major is a Witherspoon. Achieved stakes placed status after just 3 lifetime races but has yet to break through for that big win despite knocking at the door. Ran a career best last out in the 10.5 furlong Super hero Role Playing Stakes where he was gaining big on the leaders at the end. His form appears to be improving and if that hunch is correct look for him to pick up a share of the simulated Euro’s today.
6. Weinhard – At first I thought Larsonist stables named this horse after my wife but that likely would have been spelled Whine Hard and it would have been a temperamental filly. This son of Holy Bull has never finished out of the money in 8 lifetime races so its hard not to like that kind of consistency when picking a key horse for today’s race. He has shown versatility by winning wire to wire and also has run well from further back as demonstrated by his 104 speed in the 9f open stakes last out. A speed anywhere near that figure likely wins the day today and that is why the betting public has made him the 5-2 favorite. Bet the simulated farm!
7. Auburn Hills – What do you get when you mix a sprinting sire like Red Clubs with a stamina laced backend of Giant’s Causeway X Cozzene? Thus far it’s produced a horse that can sprint and route that appears to have a bright future ahead of it. Ran a big race last out when he made up 6 lengths to towards the end of the race to finish 2nd posting a lifetime best 98 in the process. He could easily go up or down after that effort and due to the unpredictability of his racing pattern I am going to seek more consistent performers to back today.
8. Proschemata – I’ve already told you that we have experienced vets with over 12 races in today’s field and now it is time to meet today’s up and coming greenhorn. Whirlwind’s Street Cry colt has but 3 lifetime races to his credit but he has won both of his turf starts and fits right with today’s field so the entry appears solid. He comes from phenomenal hemare Bluegrass Ghost who earned over a million dollars in his sim career but did most of his best running on dirt. This guy has the looks of a potential star but he’ll need to continue his surge in speed figures to take down the top prize today.
Prediction: Although Weinhard has the highest speed figure in today’s race I think he is going to have to settle for second as Bravest of All is my choice to use the force most effectively in today’s race. I’d include both Ain’t Gonna Wait and Proschemata as in the show spots on my trifecta ticket to hope to fatten up the ticket cashed for today’s race.