UK- York 8/24 Ebor Handicap

[tenfurlongs]

GOING: Good-to-firm


YOR R1 (8:50am ET)- 1m1f (1m177y) Strensall Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+)

#6- Royal Dubai (20-1) has been close in two Group races since returning from Dubai, distance and ground are right in his wheelhouse. #9- See the Fire (2-1) 3yo Sea The Stars filly gets 10lbs from older males, finished just a neck behind Opera Singer in Nassau S. (GI) at Goodwood, which points her out.

EX- 6,9/2,4,5,6,7,8,9  Result: 9,5,1  Exacta $49.00




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[tenfurlongs]

YOR R2 (9:25am ET)- 1m6f (1m5f188y) Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/107/york/2024-08-24/872998

The 3yo 'Ebor', if you will. #1- The Equator (7-1) son of Galileo wasn't beaten too far in the Queen's Vase (GII) by Illinois at this distance, still has to prove that he can see out the trip, however. #8- Tactician (4-1) is a logical favorite in here, broke his maiden at the distance, last time won a two-miler at Ascot against lesser. Lots of jockey changes today with racing spread far and wide across GB and IRE, so nice to see PJ McDonald get a crack at this for Andrew Balding.

EX- 1,8/1,4,6,8,10


YOR R3 (10:00am ET)- 7f City Of York Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/107/york/2024-08-24/870567

Will renew my annual complaint that this race should be a GROUP I!! #2- Audience (9-5) has been the bright spot in an otherwise subdued season for the Gosden yard. Won the Lockinge S. (GI) on seasonal debut, then blitzed a good field going 7F in the Lennox S. (GII) at Goodwood. #8- Lake Forest (7-2) gets 5lbs from elders, improving colt from Haggas yard tries seven furlongs for the first time but may relish it.

EX- 2,8/1,2,5,6,8


YOR R4 (10:35am ET)- 1m6f (1m5f188y) Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+)  Purse: $635,000usd

www.racingpost.com/racecards/107/york/2024-08-24/871424

Twenty runners going 14 furlongs with a 4+ furlong run-in to the finish. Don't move too soon or they'll pick you off late. Sir Mark Prescott is having another fine summer with horses that he has brought along slowly and only unleashed when they are good and ready to fire. #14- Sea King (20-1) fits the mold, improving in four starts this year, winning over 13F at Ayr in Scotland, then going close in the Bell-Ringer at Ripon last time. Gets blinkers today, and still has to prove himself in large field handicaps, but not doubting him yet. #11- Ziggy (12-1) is the UIC hunch bet of the day, consistent 6yo is having a fine season and won here four weeks ago over 12F. Drew nicely in PP4. #12- Fairbanks (8-1) drew a bit wide in PP15. 4yo son of Nathaniel (AWD 11.3F !) has a turf record of 9//4-2-1, has a win and two seconds in his last four, Andrew Balding appears to have him razor-sharp for owner George Strawbridge.

WIN- 14  EX- 11,12,14/4,8,9,11,12,14,17,19




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