Harlan’s Holiday Stakes 2019 (G3)
Harlan’s Holiday Stakes 2019 (G3)
Purse: $100,000
Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Age: 3YO and Up
The current forecast is for sunny skies in South Florida when a field of 8 will make their way to the starting gate for the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday Stakes 2019 at Gulfstream Park.
Harlan’s Holiday Stakes 2019 field by post position with analysis
1. Prince Lucky – Pletcher trainee is 2 for 2 at Gulfstream going 1 mile in graded stakes races this past spring. Exits the Bold Ruler won by Maximum Security who went on to win the Cigar Mile last weekend. Pletcher is hot with 55% winners but Johnny V. still looking for his first at the meet. And more likely than not that this will be one.
2. Eye of a Jedi – Will make his first start in 4 months for little known owner/trainer Budhoo who has secured the services of top jockey Lopez for his first graded stakes test. Has a pair of victories at Gulfstream – most recently two-back going 1 mile when beating Red Crescent here in a $75K overnight stakes. Skipped the GPW meet in preparation for a return. Still eligible for NW4 lifetime.
3. Red Crescent – On a two-race win streak during the GPW meet giving him 4 total wins over the track. He and the ‘Jedi’ faced off several times throughout the year here, finishing ahead of his ‘powerful’ counterpart in five of six races. Gaffalione gets the call for the first time with a 6-1 chance to make it three in a row. But I’m not buying it.
4. Flowers for Lisa – Fast starter will be sent from the break off a three month layoff. Delaware specialist last raced here a year ago in the Claiming Crown Jewel in a tiring effort going 1 1/8 miles. Victorious in several outings at Gulfstream and will like the cutback. But his odds to go all the way are greater than his 6-1 ML opener.
5. War Story – Nothing more telling than horse for course stats. And this guy’s three tries here scream no chance despite having tried and won more graded stakes races than any of his competitors in here. Switches barns for this and makes first start in 2+ months with Saez who was aboard for the Monmouth Cup win three back. Multi-millionaire is short-priced and without success over this surface making him hard to fight for.
6. Bodexpress – Technically, he’s still a 3YO who’s eligible for NW3 lifetime races. And who only broke his maiden two-back vs. the lightweight runners who contest races over this strip during the GPW meet after all the big boys have left for New York. Will be making his 10th career start on a two-race win streak after being subjected to Maximum Security in the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby. And losing his rider in the Preakness. On the surface that seems impressive . And there’s no doubt he’ll push the pace. But gotta believe that he’ll be hard pressed to keep Prince Lucky at bay.
7. Phat Man – The first race in his form shows he wore blinkers as the heavy favorite at Keeneland when beaten. Raced sans the hood in his next seven starts with little success. Added blinkers two back to take a $75K overnight at Monmouth before finishing 5th at Parx to Spun to Run who went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Sitting on a bullet at Tampa and gets the red hot rider Ortiz, Jr. for what could be an upset performance at a PRICE.
8. Realm – Another with a standout stat of 0 for 6 at Gulfstream. Hasn’t won a race since August ’18 and don’t see any reason why he’d turn things around in here despite the modest talent in this year’s running of the Harlan’s Holiday.
