HOLY BRAT LOOKS TO GET THE SPOILS

Three year old graded races always seems to catch the imagination of race fans worldwide and this week will be no exception when  a field of seven quality three year old colts will do battle over nine furlongs at the picturesque Puerto Rico dirt circuit in the Chief Snow Handicap Grade III. With a purse of $150,000 up for grabs there is sure to be no quarter given by any of the competitors so without further ado lets line them up on paper.

1 – FLESH AND BLOOD(IRE) = ce5s97p – 6/1

(DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) x STORM CAT x FAPPIANO)

J Benning ( 49 – 9 – 6 – 5 – 18% )

Comes into Stakes racing after two quality wins in allowance races over this distance and nine and a half furlongs. His best performance in recent times was over this distance two runs back in a field of five where he flashed home to win by one and three quarter lengths producing an SP# 93. He will be hoping to reproduce that if he is to be competitive in this.

2 – ROYAL LYTHAM(IRE) – fatattack2 – 5/1

(MONTJEU (IRE) x KINGMAMBO x DANZIG)

J Hughes ( 215 – 48 – 35 – 33 – 22% )

Ran in his first stakes race just two starts back where he caught the eye with a very fast finishing second. Followed that with a drop back to allowance level and a smart victory leading most of the way in an exhibition of his racing style versatility.  This horse seems to be improving every start and will need to again in this race to win. Has the advantage of a quality jockey.

3 – HOLY BRAT(KY) – banterror – 5/2

(SONGANDAPRAYER x SUBOTICA(FR) x RAISE A NATIVE)

M Solt ( 34 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 9% )

A classy winner of seven from fourteen races who boasts a dirt classic rating of 58. He ran a super race in Grade 3 company two starts back when finishing fourth and producing the quality SP# of 100. He steps up half a furlong on his recent runs which looks like it will suit him perfectly. Trainer banterror was quoted as saying “I’m expecting him to finish in the top two” earlier this week. All indicators point to that being a better than average chance of happening.

4 – ADVANCED REPORT(JPN) – racingfan – 3/1

(ADMIRE MOON x STREET CRY (IRE) x COMMANDS (AUS))

J Drozd ( 285 – 68 – 56 – 42 – 24% )

This Japanese bred colt comes into this race nicely with his last two runs resulting in top three finishes. Last time out saw him run on well for a third at Grade 2 level over this distance. Before that he ran second in a Stakes event, also at this trip. Has super hoop J Drozd engaged and will be given every chance to win this.

5 – PATCHER(KY) – goody – 5/1

(LAWYER RON x TOUCH GOLD x PRIVATE ACCOUNT)

M Shockey-Lopez ( 229 – 33 – 34 – 31 – 14% )

A striking colt who had only fair form leading into last start where he absolutely demolished a field of nine in an 8.5 furlong allowance race where he produced an SP# 100. The main concern is his last two stakes and Graded attempts have seen him well beaten. He will need to carry on the brilliance of last start to figure in the finish here.

6 – UNFILTERED(KY) – craftlady – 9/2

(THUNDER GULCH x EUROSILVER x MOUNTAIN CAT)

D Muth ( 53 – 7 – 6 – 7 – 13% )

Has been thereabouts at his last three starts and flew home to win last time out over 8.5 furlongs in an allowance race. On that occasion he ran an SP# of 95 when defeating the field of eleven. He did have a go at Graded racing earlier this year and was beaten a long way. That said, he looks to be in much better form now and if he can reproduce last starts effort and get a few things go his way he could surprise us here. Trainer craftylady is buoyant about the colts chances and was quoted as saying “I wouldn’t swap him for any other runner in this race”.

7 – DEFINE THE PINE(AR) – backagain – 7/1

(PINE BLUFF x ROSES IN MAY x STORM CAT)

M Meza ( 37 – 3 – 3 – 5 – 8% )

The rank outsider of the field at 7/1 who has only managed one career win to date. His best recent run was in a Grade 3 event over 8.5 furlongs where he looked to  be making ground on the leaders over the concluding stages, however he still only managed a seventh there but did produce an SP# of 95. He rattled home last start over 9.5 furlongs to finish second over 9.5 furlongs in an allowance event and may be even looking for further. This is a tough race for him here and he does look tested.

So we see a race with a lot of colts who are trying to make their name in stakes and graded racing but are yet to stamp their authority on this type of event. Whoever manages to win his could go on to bigger and better things.

I’ve selected 3-2-4

Good Luck And Good Punting

BUTCHA