Horse Race Preview: Race 3 – Buck’s Boy Stakes at Hawthorne

Dive into Race 3’s Grade III Buck’s Boy Stakes, a one-mile, 110-yard turf test for three-year-olds and up. Seven runners chase a US$75,000 purse (US$47,250 to the winner) at Hawthorne, post time set for 3:48 PM CT. Expect a blend of front-end speed and veteran closers vying on the firm turf.

Field Overview

Post	Horse	Age	Weight	Jockey	Trainer	Pedigree (Sire – Dam)
1	Towering Storm	5	119 lb	Jareth Loveberry	Chris M. Block	Oscar Performance – Rally Catcher
2	Katie M’lady	7	120 lb	Julio Felix	Michele Boyce	Dominus – Katie The Lady
3	Another Mystery	9	126 lb	Orlando Mojica	Chris M. Block	Temple City – Ioya Two
4	Journey	3	114 lb	Olaf Hernandez	Michele Boyce	Tourist – Kitty’s Castle
5	Lone Return	5	119 lb	Santiago Gonzalez	Fernando Alonso	Risk And Return – Sligo Rose
6	Man On Attack	5	119 lb	Javier Tavares	Shane Childers	Forest Attack – Southern Wonder
7	Harper Briana	5	114 lb	Frank Reyes	Fernando Alonso	Soul Of Ekati – Aundreya

Pace & Run-Style Breakdown

Katie M’lady and Journey bring speed to the gate—Katie M’lady made all at Hawthorne in June under a swift pace, while Journey dueled and edged clear in last month’s mile turf tilt. Lone Return and Man On Attack will press from just off the leaders, whereas Towering Storm and Another Mystery sit mid-pack before unleashing a late kick. Deep closer Harper Briana needs honest fractions up front to mount her rally. Expect opening splits around :23-flat and a pivotal third-quarter move.

Leading Contenders

2 – Katie M’lady (Julio Felix – Michele Boyce)

Official Rating: 105. This seven-year-old mare has won over half of her career starts, including a front-running score at Hawthorne in June when she shook clear by a length in a seven-horse field. Trainer Michele Boyce excels with turf veterans, and Julio Felix has been in strong form aboard her. Her Dominus–Katie The Lady cross delivers both early speed and sustained energy.

3 – Another Mystery (Orlando Mojica – Chris Block)

Official Rating: 100. The nine-year-old veteran by Temple City has run competitively in graded company, most recently finishing fourth of seven—beaten 6½ lengths—at Hawthorne over a mile in July. Chris Block’s runner boasts tactical versatility and a pedigree that sustains a late turn of foot. Look for Mojica to conserve ground before asking for run.

4 – Journey (Olaf Hernandez – Michele Boyce)

Official Rating: 82. Three-year-old by Tourist, unbeaten in two turf tries, including a head-victory at Hawthorne over a mile last month. Hernandez will press a quick pace before relying on Journey’s closing burst. Expect improvement now that she stretches out off that breakthrough score.

1 – Towering Storm (Jareth Loveberry – Chris Block)

Official Rating: 98. A five-year-old by Oscar Performance, he’s shown tactical speed but faded to sixth of nine in a Keeneland Grade II in August. Loveberry can secure a stalking trip; if he rebounds, his Rally Catcher dam line provides a solid late kick.

Dark Horses & Value Plays

5 – Lone Return (Santiago Gonzalez / Fernando Alonso): Rated 77; stalked the winner before finishing second of four—beaten 8½ lengths—at Hawthorne over seven furlongs in July. Stamina might pay off if fractions are hot.

6 – Man On Attack (Javier Tavares / Shane Childers): Rated 84; bumped multiple times and faded last in a five-furlong turf sprint in July, but pedigree suggests better at a route. A pace collapse could spring a price.

7 – Harper Briana (Frank Reyes / Fernando Alonso): Rated 62; cut the corner before finishing a clear second in a five-furlong turf dash last month. Needs a fast pace and clear path in stretch.

Trainer & Jockey Highlights

Michele Boyce fields two with Katie M’lady and Journey, underscoring her sharp touch with turf specialists. Chris Block also sends out dual threats in Towering Storm and Another Mystery—both by elite turf sires. Julio Felix and Jareth Loveberry will handle the favorites, while Fernando Alonso’s stable might leverage pace pressure with Lone Return and Harper Briana.