This week in New York sees the running of the Grade II Flying Carpet Handicap, to be staged over 11 furlongs on a fast turf track.\u00a0 A fair mix of front runners and late closers will make for a truly entertaining affair.\u00a0 And with some proven older Graded performers lining up against some up and coming 3yos, this race could signal a changing of the guard. longshot chance to 6 Classy field to fly over 11f on firm turf<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":219,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/219"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5116"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5116\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
PP1 BORZAKOVSKI(KY) ID#115912 (THE CLIFF’S EDGE X DANZIG X HABITAT) laxe 7\/1
<\/STRONG>3yo colt who had some very promising results in the early part of this year, including 3 successive placings in Graded events before he finally broke through with a huge result in winning the Grade I Monster Mash stakes over this distance by more than 3 lengths.\u00a0 In his 5 starts since, he hasn’t managed a return to the winner’s circle, twice going around here in NY for a midfield finish in the New Yorker, and then a next to last result in the Traveler’s Stakes.\u00a0 Just when it appeared that his career may have already peaked, he came out at his last 2 starts and ran SPs of 107 and 108 respectively in the World Cup and then the Bad to the Bone Mile last time out.\u00a0 Steps back up to 11f here and makes the switch to turf for only the second time.\u00a0 Despite missing the board at his last 2 starts, he drops a grade here and another effort like his last 2 will put him right in this, if he manages to handle the grass.
PP2 OH MAN ID#119593 (AWESOME AGAIN X MR. PROSPECTOR X TOM FOOL) pokemyeyeo 11\/1
<\/STRONG>On-pacer who has shown some potential in his last 3 starts with a hatrick of stakes placings, 2 of which have been over this distance.\u00a0 His biggest win came in an Allowance 4 starts ago when he opened up more than 7 lengths on the field before turning for home to eventually run out an easy 4 3\/4 length winner.\u00a0 Has brought home just over $70k in prize money, so doesn’t have the credentials of some his rivals today, but has cracked the 100 SP at each of his last 4, and he should be able to position himself handy to the front for the most part of this race.\u00a0 Will take a big run for him to match it with these, but must be considered a place chance.
PP3 SHADOW CREEK(GB) ID#120932 (MOTIVATOR(GB) X BLUSHING GROOM(FR) X CREME DELA CREME) fatattack2 18\/1
<\/STRONG>The winner of last year’s KY Horsemen Grade I Juvenile worth $1m, but has been somewhat struggling for form recently.\u00a0 Managed a career best SP 103 last time around in the DelPenn Breeders Cup Mile, but after being handy to the lead early on, he faded to finish 7th of 17.\u00a0 Before that he was switched onto dirt for a second place in a restricted allowance, and in his 2 previous runs he battled to beat many home in much tougher events.\u00a0 Having put together a record of 8 wins from 9 starts to kick start his career, he has gone winless in his last 6.\u00a0 Will need a form reversal to figure in this.
PP4 HARRISON’S CLOCKS ID#93867 (DYNAFORMER X SADLER’S WELLS X HABITAT) tulloch 6\/1
<\/STRONG>Graduated to stakes class 8 starts ago and has rewarded the tulloch stables group with some very good results, including his best win 2 starts ago in the Bare Sky Special with an SP107.\u00a0 Last start he led for most of the way but was run down a long way from home to finish second, and he was a winner by the narrowest of margins 3 starts ago.\u00a0 Is running in career best form, and his front running tactics will put him in the action for a long way, despite the class rise to Graded stakes for the first time.\u00a0 Jockey winning strike rate of only 6% is a concern.
PP5 AMERICAN ELECTRIC ID#68691 (TREMPOLINO X WOODMAN X GREEN DANCER) bewitched 9\/1
<\/STRONG>5 year old who has done remarkably well since returning from close to a 2 year let up as a maiden, to win 5 of his last 11 starts, including taking out the Grade II Bluegrass Turf Cup, 3 starts ago.\u00a0 Came with a rush last time out, but was outgunned from behind by two swoopers, when finished third in the Grade III Carlton Fisk Handicap.\u00a0 Prior to that he failed to run home well, when disappointed in the Canada Turf over 12f.\u00a0 Still has plenty left in the tank after only 15 career starts, and his late closing tactics should be suited here, especially as he doesn’t get too far back.\u00a0 His best could still be ahead of him, and makes appeal at the odds.
PP6 EMPIRE STARTER(ENG) ID#9856 (RAINBOW QUEST X RIVER OF KINGS(IRE) X BLAKENEY(GB)) snappa 45\/1<\/STRONG>
Big wraps on this youngster, despite coming into this as\u00a0a long shot in the morning line following only 5 career starts.\u00a0 After making his debut on an unsuitable surface, he quickly improved at his second start to come from a distant last, to go away winning his maiden.\u00a0 Next up he did exactly the same to a field of just 4 starters over 12f.\u00a0 Starting at odds of over 100\/1, he was sent to the World Cup to represent the crazy FENZA group in the turf survivor alongside DUR FRED, and he struggled to make an impression after getting way too far out of his ground.\u00a0 His most recent start was a try back at this trip in the Flat Hoop(IRE) Challenge where he once again dropped way back off the leaders, only to come charging home to run out an easy 1 1\/2 length winner.\u00a0 Will need to time his run perfectly\u00a0taking on this classy field, but is an improving type who could be the big surprise packet.
PP7 PERFECT SON(KY) ID#123097 (PLEASANTLY PERFECT X MIESQUE’S SON X L’ENJOLEUR) neumaya 7\/1
<\/STRONG>Another 3yo backmarker will be taking on the older division for the first time here, coming off a disappointing result in the Cherry Limb Stakes over 9f.\u00a0 Before that, he couldn’t have been more impressive, coming from well back in the field to run away and score a 2 1\/2 length win in the Grade III Saint Ledge Stakes with an SP108.\u00a0\u00a0 He was placed at his previous 2 starts to that, both in graded company, matching his 108 and going one better with a 109 when second in the Upper California Derby.\u00a0 Goes an extra furlong here than he has ever gone before, but races like he should relish the step up in distance.\u00a0 Won’t win if he runs like his last outing, but on previous form he looks to be right in this.
PP8 MEETBALL(GB) ID#34588 (DIESIS(GB) X A.P. INDY X COZZENE) honeyj 8\/1
<\/STRONG>Grand old veteran of 48 starts, with a record of 16-6-7.\u00a0 Settled midfield last time out in the Breeders Bowl Turf over 12f, but weakened throughout to beat just one home.\u00a0 His start before saw him employ a very similar racing pattern, and unfortunately, the same result occurred in the listed Sleezy Pass Stakes.\u00a0 Didn’t threaten in the Bluegrass Cup behind AMERICAN ELECTRIC, but was ultra impressive only 4 starts ago when he took out the Grade III Winchester Park Cup with an SP111.\u00a0 Cannot be dismissed on that effort, however his 3 runs since then have not looked good enough to suggest he would be a winning chance in this.\u00a0 Needs to lift, but is capable of an upset with N Lawton (23%) on board.
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PP9 ELUSIVE RILEY(KY) ID#127686 (ELUSIVE QUALITY X HALO X RAISE A NATIVE) okdavid196 12\/1
<\/STRONG>Has been a big winner at his last 2 against fields of 4 runners, so will feel the heat in this, lining up in a full gate.\u00a0 Was perhaps not quite suited by the drop in distance to just a mile 3 starts ago, when he finished worse than midfield in the Grade II Jockey Club Classic.\u00a0 Was an easy winner before that over this distance in a NW4L Allowance.\u00a0 Is yet to prove himself at this class, with 2 attempts in graded company both ending in off the board finishes.\u00a0 His last 2 runs should have him going in with some renewed confidence, and is still an improving type, who if he was to show his best here, could take a cut of the purse.
PP10 FALCON JACK(IRE) ID#18333 (SULAMANI(IRE) X GONE WEST X SADLER’S WELLS) jackworm 15\/1
<\/STRONG>Ran a career best SP104 3 starts ago in an overnight stakes to finish second, and wasn’t disgraced in his follow up effort when fifth in the Canada Turf.\u00a0 Found the trip beyond him last time when he got well out of his ground, and made little impression in the Grade I Millwood Cup over 2 miles.\u00a0\u00a0 Backs up with just a fortnight’s rest, and has won just 1 in the last 12 months.\u00a0 This looks a tough ask, and would be needing another career best effort in order to challenge this field – the drop in distance is in his favour.
PP11 GIANTSBANE ID#111305 (MINESHAFT X GIANT’S CAUSEWAY X MR. PROSPECTOR) sangster 9\/2
<\/STRONG>Crossing the oceans from England is this 4yo, coming off a huge win in the Graduation Night Memorial, when he opened up an insurmountable lead at the half way mark to ease down for a 3 1\/2 length victory.\u00a0 Beat all but MEETBALL home at his previous start, when he was second with an SP110 over this distance.\u00a0 Was never a factor in the Smackdown, back in July over 10f when he failed to reach the lead.\u00a0 Has been lightly raced this year, and his only career appearance at this track was a second in the Grade I NY Island Cap 4 starts ago.\u00a0 Hasn’t raced for 7 weeks, but if he is fit enough, he should take some beating from up on the pace.
PP12 GALACTIC BOMBER(KY) ID#121526 (ORIENTATE X THEATRICAL(IRE) X STORM BIRD)\u00a0 focusforce 8\/1
<\/STRONG>Stepped up to open company 2 starts ago in the Grade I Man of War Stakes and destroyed the older runners, coming from 10 lengths off the lead at the second call.\u00a0 Went into the Breeders Bowl Turf full of hope, but was outclassed, finishing just worse than midfield.\u00a0 Put together 4 overnight stakes wins in a row earlier this year, before placing in the Derby de English and the Owner’s Stakes.\u00a0 He is the third ranked 3yo in this division and should appreciate the drop in\u00a0class from the Grade I’s he has been contesting.\u00a0 Will go back with the late closers and should be finishing home hard.\u00a0 Looks ideally suited here for a big run.
PP13 PRIZED INDY ID#11771 (PRIZED X A.P. INDY X CAERLEON) m92885 11\/1<\/STRONG>
Another who comes here off a career best result and SP, in winning the I Stay Forever Memorial over 10.5f when led from gate to wire.\u00a0\u00a0 Never in the hunt at his previous effort, when weakened throughout behind MEETBALL and GIANTSBANE to finish 16 1\/2 lengths from them.\u00a0 Scored his first stakes win before that on an off-track with an SP97.\u00a0 Looks more than capable of scoring against slightly weaker company, but has a big question mark over whether he can match some of these proven Grade I performers.\u00a0 Should take up a prominent position throughout, and could be a rough place chance.
PP14 THE GAS GUZZLER ID#114616 (FANTASTIC LIGHT X MAJESTIC LIGHT X RAINBOW QUEST) 67\/1
<\/STRONG>Has missed the board at just 2 of his last 13 starts – one of those on dirt where he was distanced, and may have been injured.\u00a0 However, despite his great record, he lines up here at 67\/1 due to his best SP being only 88, which he scored last time out when third in a NW4x Allowance.\u00a0 Likes to go forward and settle close to the lead, if not in front, and will be under enormous competition here to take up such a position against some real speedsters.\u00a0 Looks like he would be better suited back in allowance company, although he ran his best SP last start, so could improve on that again here.
Selections –
12
11
7<\/P>
goodluck to all!<\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"