Sands Point Stakes Quick Picks

Saturday’s $200,000 Sands Point Stakes (G2) attracted a highly competitive group of 3-year-old fillies who will travel 1 1/8 miles over Belmont’s turf course.
Carded as race six of ten, the Sands Point post time is 3:15 PM ET.

Let’s take a quick look at the horses most likely to hit the board.

#5 Higher Truth (IRE) (2-1)

Higher Truth finished in the money in all three of the Triple Turf series this summer, including the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1), missing by a half-length, the Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G3) by three-quarters length, and the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational by a half-length. A winner of two of three starts over this course, the Chad Brown trainee cuts back in distance, and she is the one to beat. Win contender.

#2 Jordan’s Leo (6-1)

Since switching to turf two races ago, Jordan’s Leo has hit the board in both starts, including a victory at 1 1/8 miles. She finished second in the Pebbles Stakes in her last start, one length ahead of Runaway Rumour. The Todd Pletcher trainee is one of two fillies who could set the pace. Win contender.

#3 Harajuku (IRE) (3-1)

Harajuku was third in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes in her American debut, 2 1/2 lengths behind Higher Truth. Unfortunately, the outside posts were at a disadvantage that weekend, and she was stuck on the outside. Additionally, she had to close into a slow pace, making her third-place finish much better than it appears on paper.

Previously Harajuku faced won and placed against Group 3 competition in France. Graham Motion took over her training, and 16 percent of newcomers to his barn won their initial start. Exotics.

#4 Runaway Rumour (8-1)

Runaway Rumour returns to her favorite track, where she is three for four lifetime; however, she’s searching for her first graded victory. She was second in the Lake Placid Stakes (G2) at Saratoga, so this Jorge Abreu trainee fits with this group. Runaway Rumour adds distance, but her pedigree and running style indicates that 1 1/8 miles won’t be a problem. Live longshot.

#8 Our Flash Drive (12-1)

Our Flash Drive closed with a furious charge from last in the one-mile Pebbles Stakes, but the Mark Casse trainee ran out of the ground and had to settle for fourth place, just a nose behind third-place finisher Runaway Rumour and a length behind second-place finisher Jordan’s Leo.

Our Flash Drive previously won three straight, including two Grade 3’s. She pressed the pace in those races and could revert to that style here. The only drawback for Our Flash Drive is that she’s never navigated 1 1/8 miles; however, she has the pedigree to love the extra distance. Live longshot.

Sands Point Stakes Analysis

No particular running style has been favored in the last five runs of the Sands Point. The race contains only two early speed types; neither needs the lead.
Chad Brown is looking for the hat trick Sands Point, and overall, he has won three of the last four editions of the race.

• #5 Higher Truth (IRE) (2-1)
• #2 Jordan’s Leo (6-1)
• #4 Runaway Rumour (8-1)
• #8 Our Flash Drive (12-1)