Horse Race Preview: Race 6 – Marathon Series Stakes at Grande Prairie

0
118

The $10,000 Marathon Series Stakes returns to Grande Prairie on Sunday, July 20, 2025, as Race 6 on the card. Post time is set for 3:20 PM MT, and the race covers 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Restricted to four-year-olds and upward that have started for a claiming price of $6,250 or less, this second leg of the Marathon Series features a competitive field of five seasoned geldings, each with regional stakes experience and pedigrees built for stamina.

Contenders & Horse Profiles

Horse NamePedigreeTrainerJockeyAgeOrigin
Flash of GloryPoint of Entry – Sandi’s Ready (More Than Ready)C. SniderG. Gordon7KY
Shining TigerSmiling Tiger – Brooke’s Halo (Southern Halo)C. MeadL. Allen4CA
SimmsAmerican Pharoah – Quarter Moon (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells)K.A. ShearerA. Larios6KY
Kiss Me HelloImperialism – Kiss Me Goodbye (Kissin Kris)C. RycroftS. Williams5AB
The BeatDominus – Beat the Blues (Great Pyramid [IRE])J. ConeyT.R. Foster7KY

Pedigree Insights & Stamina Potential

Flash of Glory, by Point of Entry, is bred for turf and distance, with More Than Ready adding versatility. He’s a proven router with solid late kick. Shining Tiger, by Smiling Tiger, is a stakes winner with sprint-to-route adaptability. His dam Brooke’s Halo was a Grade 2 winner, and the pedigree traces to Southern Halo and Northern Dancer. Simms, by American Pharoah, brings elite bloodlines and European stamina through Quarter Moon (IRE) and Sadler’s Wells. He’s a grinder with upside at longer distances. Kiss Me Hello, by Imperialism, is Alberta-bred and has shown consistency in local stakes. His dam’s line includes Kissin Kris, a known stamina influence. The Beat, by Dominus, is a veteran with tactical speed and a pedigree that leans toward middle-distance success.

Jockey & Trainer Matchups to Watch

Larris Allen (Shining Tiger) has guided the gelding to multiple stakes wins and knows how to time his late surge. Gordon Snider (Flash of Glory) is a respected regional conditioner with a knack for prepping distance runners. Antonio Larios (Simms) and Krista Shearer have teamed up for consistent top-three finishes in Alberta. Scott Williams (Kiss Me Hello) is a savvy local rider who excels in route races at Grande Prairie. Tevin Foster (The Beat) brings experience and aggressive tactics that could suit a front-running strategy.

Recent Form & Speed Figures

Horse NameLast Race ResultNotable FinishSurfaceDistance
Shining Tiger1st in Marathon Series Stakes (July 6)Stakes WinDirt1 mile
Kiss Me Hello2nd in Marathon Series Stakes (July 6)Neck behindDirt1 mile
Simms4th in Marathon Series Stakes (July 6)CompetitiveDirt1 mile
The Beat5th in recent allowanceNeeds reboundDirt6f
Flash of GloryFresh entryStakes debutDirt1 1/16m

Predicted Finish & Strategy

Winner: Shining Tiger – proven stakes form, strong pedigree, tactical versatility

Place: Flash of Glory – fresh legs, distance pedigree, late kick potential

Show: Simms – grinding style, elite bloodlines, improving form