An open renewal with Locked representing last year’s winning trainer having beaten the The Wine Steward less than a length in a Grade 1 at Keeneland. Muth had the measure of the Wine Me Up when landing a Grade 1 over track and trip but had earlier been beaten by subsequent Del Mar Futurity winner Prince Of Monaco. TIMBERLAKE disappointed at Saratoga in September but the blinkers were removed for the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont last month and he duly inflicted an impressive four-length defeat on General Partner. This slightly longer trip won’t be a problem and Brad Cox’ colt may prove the one to side with.
Prince Of Monaco (USA) 1-20fav (8-11) Ins,angled out,best, won at Del Mar 7f fst in Sep beating Mirahmadi (8-6) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Wine Me Up (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Pace ins,clear,yielded, 2nd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Muth (8-10) at Santa Anita 1m stks fst in Oct.
Timberlake (USA) 9-2 (8-10) 6-7w upper, edged clr, won at Belmont At The Big A 1m stks fst in Oct beating General Partner (8-10) by 4 1/4l, 8 ran.
Locked (USA) 3-4fav (8-10) 5-3w 1st,4w uppr,drvng, won at Keeneland 1m fst in Oct beating The Wine Steward (8-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cuban Thunder (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 8th and pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 5 1/4l behind Mountain Bear (9-5) at Dundalk 7f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
General Partner (USA) 9-2 (8-10) In hand 3-2w, 2nd best, 2nd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Timberlake (8-10) at Belmont At The Big A 1m stks fst in Oct.
Fierceness (USA) 11-20fav (8-10) Lunge st, tired, 7th of 8, 20 1/4l behind Timberlake (8-10) at Belmont At The Big A 1m stks fst in Oct.
Muth (USA) 2-5fav (8-10) Ins,bid2w1/4,going awy, won at Santa Anita 1m stks fst in Oct beating Wine Me Up (8-10) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Noted (USA) 3-1 (8-8) Ins,6pupr,bid,led late, 2nd of 12, shd behind Can Group (8-6) at Keeneland 1m stks gd in Oct.
The Wine Steward (USA) 19-5 (8-10) Sttld,dug in rail,game, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Locked (8-10) at Keeneland 1m fst in Oct.
Ecoro Neo (USA) 8-1 (8-9) 2nd of 12, shd behind F Eight (8-7) at Hanshin 6f fst in Sep.