10/19: Far Hills Steeplechase and XC P5

[Flatterer]

Moorland Farm hosts the 103rd running of the Far Hills race meeting in North Jersey Saturday featuring 5 hurdle stakes races and The John Forbes 2 mile flat stakes. Post time is 12:50 PM EST and Monmouth Park is the wagering hub with many horizontal and vertical wagering options. Lasix is permitted in the jump races but not in the flat race. The going stick rating is 2-4 which means turf will be firm and speedy.

Races 1, 2 & 3 are 2 ⅛ miles around 4 turns over 11 fences, race 4 is 2 ½ miles around 5 turns over 13 fences and race 5 is 2 ⅝ miles around 5 turns over 14 fences. Race 6 the flat race is around 4 turns. The course is mostly flat and there is a slight run uphill about 10 feet in elevation after the last fence to the finish line.

There is a cross country pick 5 that starts with race 5 and includes race 6. Here are the cross country pick 5 races: Leg A: Far Hills - Race 5 (3:42 pm) American Grand National Stakes
Leg B: Keeneland - Race 7 (4:12 pm) Perryville Stakes
Leg C: Far Hills - Race 6 (4:32 pm) John Forbes Memorial Stakes
Leg D: Belmont @ the Big A - Race 10 (4:52 pm) Athenia Stakes
Leg E: Keeneland - Race 9 (5:16 pm) Lexus Raven Run Stakes

Race 1 The Harry E. Harris is a restricted 4YO stake. #1 Biggerthanbigtime, #2 Smart Uncle and #4 Sultan Pierji are maidens over jumps. #3 Little Trilby and #8 Kyogo each have 2 wins that includes a course and distance win for #8 Kyogo. In addition, #5 Hidden Path hit the board in all 4 starts that includes a third in a grade 1 open company race, is top jump earner with $54K and has the best flat track speed. #7 Clifton Down has the highest American rating (125) and #4 Sultan Pierji has the highest French rating (138).

#5 Hidden Path and #7 Clifton Down are the runners to beat. #2 Smart Uncle (3rd) and #6 Southpaw Mike (4th), #8 Kyogo and #3 Little Trilby can run underneath in exotics. I don’t give the European shippers #1 Biggerthanbigtime, #4 Sultan Pierji any chance because of the firm turf.

Race 1 Selection:
A) 5 (2nd) - 7 (WON $9.20) $2 EX $27.60

Race 2 The McDynamo Maiden Sweepstake is a wide open race. 8 of the 10 runners have a chance to win. Most runners were private purchases to run over jumps and owners spent a total of $600K. After the $50K purse, each owner put $1K in the pot and Michael and Anne Moran added another $10K and a trophy. The race is a calcutta on steroids!

#3 Milnella Juke made a nice run finishing over a boggy course at Shawan in a relatively fast time and should improve off that effort. #2 Rucker Road 1st timer for trainer Leslie Young should run well. Trainer Leslie Young and jockey James Bargary teamed up for a winning score with a 1st timer at Nashville that runs in race 4 #8 Old Tom Morris. #1 Moonshine Time for trainer Keri Brion will appreciate the cutback in distance and will be forwardly placed coming out of a Nashville race that had 2 next out winners. #6 Harrenhal got top rider Jack Kennedy for trainer Ricky Hendriks and finished well at Foxfield. #9 Mr Gower 1st timer for trainer Mark Beecher may run well so pay attention to early betting.

Race 2 Selection:
A) 3 (WON $10.60) - 2 (4th)
B) 1 (2nd) - 6 (crashed wing last fence while 3rd...DNF) $2DD 32.60


Race 3 The Peapack is a handicap stake for fillies and mares. #1 Right Tempo is the best runner, giving 4 -18 pounds to her rivals however weight will not be as much of a factor over firm speedy turf. #3 Exculpate will open up a big lead and try to hold on but the late run up the hill will have her falter for the win. #7 Easy Squeeze finished impressively winning at Foxfield in a good running time and may surprise. #8 Gold Charm (Won $10.40) loves Colonial Downs and wins there but nowhere else and may run underneath in exotics. #5 Clara Belle tried the boys in 2 of her last 3 races and runs against her own sex today and can run underneath in exotics.

Race 3 Selection
A) 1 (3rd)

C) 3 (fell last fence) - 7

Race 4 The Foxbrook Novice Stakes at 2 ½ miles showcases the best new hurdle runners. #2 Abaan has the highest American rating (139) , gets back on Lasix and has the fastest flat track speed for Kate and Bernie Dalton. #2 Abaan had a nice 2 mile flat run at Foxfield 6 lengths behind #8 Old Tom Morris. #4 Saint Riquier has a 125 English hurdle rating and has 4 wins from 6 starts on the flat and over jumps this year. #8 Old Tom Morris takes a big step up in class. #1 Evie’s Prince won a novice stake and has 3 jump wins this year. #5 Going Country (Won $18.60) drops in class and beat #2 Abaan at Saratoga but only gets a 6 pound break in weights instead of 14 pounds from #2 Abaan. #6 Jimmy Dan has improved with every race and takes a step up in class.

Race 4 Selection
A) 2 (2nd)

C) 4 - 8 - 1


Race 5 The American Grand National at 2 ⅝ miles features the best American jumpers in training. All the stars are aligned for #5 Snap Decision. #5 Snap Decision is running at level weight of 156 pounds even though he is rated 8 points higher than his closest rival #8 Galvin with a 155 English Chase rating. #5 Snap Decision gets firm ground with a target to run at (#9 High Defination), and Lasix. #5 Snap Decision tired, finishing 3rd at Foxfield over soft ground that he does not like. #8 Galvin comes from England for powerhouse trainer Gordon Elliot and jockey Jack Kennedy but there are doubts with a firm turf, lack of speed and relatively short distance. #4 Sebastopol was only 3 lengths behind #5 Snap Decision at level weights at Nashville and beat #5 Snap Decision at Foxfield while getting 12 pounds from #5 Snap Decision. #3 Noah and the Arc and #6 Merry Maker get firm ground today and will have to improve to beat #5 Snap Decision.

Race 5 Selection
A) 5 (Won $7.80)
B) 8 (2nd) $2 EX $44.40
C) 4


Race 6 The John Forbes Memorial 2 mile flat race that does not allow Lasix. #12 Tide of the Sea will scratch. #13 The Grey Wizard has the highest speed figure without Lasix, gets firm ground, has tactical and late closing speed, and 2022 champion rider Parker Hendriks who makes good real time race decisions. #3 Familiar Dreams for trainer Gordon Elliot and jockey Jack Kennedy has strong Timeform ratings on good turf and hated Kentucky Downs in his last race so draw a line through the Kentucky Downs race. #8 California Frolic also has good speed ratings while not using Lasix. #9 Too Friendly and #14 Dean Martini can run underneath in exotics.

Race 6 Selection
A) 13 (Won $3.40) - 3 (scr)

C) 8


And now for the Cross Country Pick 5 selections from Aqueduct and Keeneland.

Keeneland Race 7 (Leg B) The Perryville for 3YO at 7 furlongs on the dirt. This is a tough race. Based on Thorograph and Equine Edge, the top runners are #5 Book’em Danno, #3 Knightsbridge and #10 Locked. Possible underneath runners are #6 Goodlookinjustice, #4 Who Dey and #7 Patriot Spirit.

Leg B Selection
A) 5 - 3 - 10

Aqueduct Race 10 (Leg D) The Athenian for fillies and mares at 1 ⅛ miles on turf. According to Equine Edge, this is a 2 horse race between #6 Prerequisite and #7 Papilio. #1 Tufani and #2 Spirit and Glory can run underneath.

Leg D Selection
A) 6 - 7

Keeneland Race 9 (Leg E) Raven Run for 3YO fillies going 7 furlongs on the dirt. According to Equine Edge, also a 2 horse race between #3 My Mane Squeeze and #5 Emery. Underneath runners include #6 V V’s Dream, #7 Mink’s Palace and #10 Haulin Ice.

Leg E Selection
A) 3 - 5

So for the XC P5 grid post time 3:40 PM EST:

Leg A (FH R5) A) 5, B) 8, C) 4

Leg B (KEE R7) A) 5 (2nd) - 3 - 10

Leg C (FH R6) A) 13 - 3, B) C) 8

Leg D (AQU R10) A) 6 (2nd) - 7

Leg E (KEE R9) A) 3 - 5

Good luck at the races!!