Due North In New York

What a day’s racing we have here in New York today. I have been given the honour of doing the form for the Grade2 Due North Stakes to be run over Six Furlongs on the Fast Dirt Course for All Horses 3yo & up.

This appears to be a very open field so lets see if we can narrow down the chances before they jump.

1. Color And Light ¨C 23- 9-3-5

A lovely colt who has been racing in top form of late. In his last two starts both at Graded Stakes level he sat up on the speed before running home well finishing 3rd on both ocasions posting 104 & 108SP’s. If he can sit on the speed and get a cheap run early on he will find himself in the money here.

2. Procedure – 33- 12-3-4

A Grade1 winner just 6 runs ago who has an excellent chance here. Last start he ran a much improved race in the G3 The Lost Angels Handicap being beaten by Master Full by a 1/2 length with a 110SP.If he reproduces that run he will be very hard to beat here.

3. Captain Tony – 41- 10-5-5

He has been below his best form for a while now but he has had plenty of starts at this track and distance and if he is ever going to find his peak it will be here. Last start he sat at the tail of the field before running home really well to finish 3rd with a 103SP.

4. Cranky Squirrel – 29- 12-5-2

A horse that every trainer would love to have in their barn having not posted below a 100SP in her last 19 starts. Looking at her racing pattern she will be back in midfield early on before unleashing a powerful finishing burst. At her last start she showed that finishing speed to win by 1-3/4 lengths over 7F with a 108SP. A deserved favorite here.

5. Hanny Again – 27- 10-3-5

Last start he sat just in behind the speed before opening up in the straight to win by 1-1/4 lengths with a 104SP. I assess this fellows chances on his previous Grade1 performances. Needs to come up a grade from last couple of runs but has the potential to be in the finish here.

6. Master Full – 17- 11-2-1

A winner of his last 3 starts. Last start in the G3 The Lost Angels Handicap this son of Forest Wildcat sat back worst then midfield early before coming with a great turn of foot to get up by a 1/2 length with a 111SP. Given that he has posted SP’s of 111, 110, 114 & 112 at his last four gives him a real chance here.

7. Golden Silk – 18- 9-2-3

Winner of his last 2 starts at G3 & G1 level. Last start in the Grade1 The Sand Castle Golden Sprint he was with the leaders before sprinting clear for a comfortable 1 length win with a 115SP. You just know he will go forward and if he can get a breather during the run he will be hard to beat.

8. Two Punchy Ted – 25- 6-4-3

Has been running really nice races in slightly eaiser grade but has proven that he can find that extra when he needs it. Four starts ago he won at stakes level over 7F with a 114SP. If he can repeat that here, it would make him a serious trifecta chance.

9. Vingeance – 33- 10-4-6

Another runner who comes through the G3 The Lost Angels Handicap. In that race he sat at the back of the field before running on well to finish 4th beaten 3-1/2 lengths by Master Full. If he performs up to his previous start where again he sat towards the back of the field but this time he found enough in the straight.A big chance a good value.

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A really open race and it would not surprise to see any of these strapping colts winning. My selections for the race are 7 – 6 – 4.

I hope all horses have a safe run and I wish all the trainers the best.

Chris