Underwood Grade III
For Three Year Olds And Upward
Going Six Furlongs on the Dirt Course
For a purse of $100.000
at Hollywood Park
on Saturday November 26, 2011
This is the ninth year that the Underwood Grade III has been run at HRP. In the past eight years there has been one trainer that has won this race three times and that trainer is Unreal Racing in 2003, 2006, and 2008. Back in 2007 trainer Barking Stables saddled the winner Ljosalfar who holds the race record with a time of 1:08.06, which also serves as the track record. The track has been fast there and it looks like there is no chance of rain before this big race. Lets look at the 2011 entries
1 Southern Picnic
Owned by Two Hearts One Love
Bred by Golden Stables
Sire Rochan
Dam Black Dehere
Life Record 15-5-5-1
Southern Picnic was recently acquired on November 23, 2011 for $110.000 from Running Farms. This will be Southern Picnics debut for his new trainer. He comes into this race with a second place finish in The Jimmy V at todays distance for $85.000 at Churchill Downs on November 4. Prior to that he ran on the sod at Del Mar in an Optional Claimer for $100.000 Non Winners of 4 races where he wired the field to win. Three back in the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar he scored a second versus California Breds at seven furlongs on the dirt. Four back in the Unbridled Stakes at Calder Race Course he finished second over todays distance. I think there are others more likely here.
2 Laughing Face
Owned by Mb Stables
Bred by Australia Wide
Sire Meals On Wheels
Dam Party Of Ten
Life Record 6-4-0-0
Laughing Face was purchased on August 22, 2011 for $10.000 from the private sales. He has made two starts for his new trainer. Most recently he picked up a win against Non Winners of 2 races $48.000 Allowance company at Philadelphia Park at todays distance. His first race for his new trainer was at a mile on the dirt in the El Cajon Stakes where he did not hit the board. His other three career wins have been at sprint distances and against Maiden or Allowance company. As he gets back to work at the sprint distance should help him here. This is a likely place for him. Good test for him coming off an Allowance win.
3 Fifties Palace
Owned and Bred by Barcelona Farms
Sire Roaring Fifties
Dam Ivory Palacio
Life Record 22-13-5-3
Fifties Palace picked up a Stakes win at CLS back in August in the $15.000 Amadevil. From there he would finish second in a $40.000 Allowance at Calder Race Course at a mile. He comes into this race from a win at Belmont Park at todays distance as he took on $57.000 Open Company Allowance horses. I think he will have to step up a bit, but Fifties Palace is not a new comer to Grade III races as he ran at Arlington Park in May in the mile Hanshin Cup where he was on the lead and lost in the final two furlongs second by a neck. The shorter distance should help him here.
4 Revelations
Owned and Bred by Nakamura Stables
Sire Hidden Outburst
Dam Letters To God
Life Record 11-7-3-0
Revelations enters this race looking for his fifth consecutive win. Four back he was on the good sod at Louisiana Downs in an Optional Claimer $25.000 Non Winners of 3 races. Then shipped over to Saratoga Race Course for the Quick Call at five and a half furlongs on the sod. Both were victories. His next two wins would come from todays distance. At TP he ran in the KY Cup Sprint Grade III, and then shipped to Hawthorne in the Lightning Jet Handicap. He likes to be on the lead, so look for him to compete early for the lead. If he has to, he can save ground and win from off the pace. Others have better races, but I think this is an under rated horse that could pull off the upset if placed well with the right fractions.
5 Cherokee Chicken
Owned and Bred by Riggins Racing
Sire HRP-Cherokee Run
Dam HRP-Stafaralla
Life Record 16-7-3-1
Cherokee Chicken comes into this race from Finger Lakes where he faced $24.000 Allowance company over the mud at a mile and seventy yards. He was on the lead to lose it in the last two furlongs to finish second. Prior to that he was running at todays distance. He finished third at Golden Gate against Starter Allowance $16.000 company. Prior to that he finished fourth in the Amadevil Stakes race at CLS. I think others appear more likely.
6 Mastercraftsman
Owned by Unreal Racing
Bred by Smokey Stover
Sire HRP-Tiger Ridge
Dam HRP-Hermanville
Life Record 19-9-3-3
Mastercraftsman comes in this race from Belmont Park where he finished fourth at todays distance in a $57.000 Allowance. Prior to that he was at Philadelphia Park in an Optional Claimer $40.000 Non Winners of 4 races, where he won after coming from off the pace. These are the only two starts that he has had for his new trainer before being acquired for $62.500. Three back he won an Optional Claimer $62.500 Non Winners of 3 races at Del Mar. Fits well here. Unreal Racing is going for his fourth win in this race. Good Luck with your entry.
7 Twin Mon
Owned by Dynark Stables
Bred by 30west
Sire HRP-Montjeu
Dam HRP-Twins
Life Record 27-9-7-7
Twin Mon just picked up a win at Santa Anita against California Breds in the CA Cup Sprint for $107.500. Prior to that he ran at Keeneland in the Grade III Phoenix at todays distance. He was far off the pace in this race, and never really got anything going to finish eighth. Prior to that he ran in a pair of Starter Allowances for $30.000 at Del Mar at six and seven furlongs. In both of these races he picked up victories from off the pace. Looks like there are better in this race.
8 Tinas Flag
Owned and Bred by TwinTowersRacing
Sire HRP-Personal Flag
Dam HRP-Galatina
Life Record 26-5-6-5
Tinas Flag comes into this race a third place finish in the Grade II Breeders Cup Turf Spint. He has not raced on the dirt since December 30 2010. His last win on the dirt comes from his September 30 2010 run against $31.000 Allowance company at TP. That race was at todays distance. He had two more wins in June and July where he faced Allowance company. We now know that he can win at the distance and over the surface. The question is can he do it today?
Iwin Picks: 4-3-1
The Tout Picks: 3-1-6
Until next time this is Iwin signing off!
