Grade II Joystick Dirty Time from Turkey
We have the Grade II Joystick Dirty Time race based out of Turkey folks across 8.5 furlongs on Turf and the weather people have promised 0% precipitation. Ha we will see! A great field of 12 runners in this 3yo race:
LOCK DOWN LARRY
Foaled in IRE
Owner: given28
Career: 6 runs 3-3-0 $130,095
Lock Down Larry…… Love the name – it just rolls off the tongue and the race caller is gunna love it too let me tell you! Out of Invincible Spirit this guy has never finished worse than 2nd in his 6 races to date. This is a step up for him too but his last race on 3 Dec was a Stakes outing and he won impressively with a speed of 99 and totally ok with the distance of 8.5 furlongs. Looks very strong, improving each race and should be a contender here no doubt.
GLOBAL ROAR
Foaled in FL
Owner: ragincajun
Career: 9 runs 3-1-2 $152,165
Global Roar out of Global Response has raced twice before at this level and does have a win at G3 level with a speed of 95 that day on dirt. Only has the one run on turf which was a closing run across 6 furlongs for a 2nd place finish. Might figure well here if he carry over his performance on dirt to turf. Certainly the class of this race won’t faze him at all. Trainer ragincajun hoping for an increase in speed with the swap to turf. Get on him if you like a bit of a bet.
CAMELITA
Foaled in IRE
Owner: philstc
Career: 7 runs 2-1-2 $105,379
Out of the famed and very well proven Camelot, has been impressing at Stakes level over 8 and 8.5 furlongs late last year with speeds of 93 and 96. Was gelded early in his career and has improved with each race since. Strong finisher and looks like can have more distance than that as well. Is going to be a very good stayer from all looks now. Might need more distance than what is on offer here but we will see on the day.
WHITE BONES
Foaled in FR
Owner: ksparrow9
Career: 8 runs 5-0-2 $76,200
I can feel it in my bones and so can the trainer ksparrow9 when they entered White Bones in this GII race. Has raced once before in a G1 but couldn’t run that one out. Was gelded straight after that one and has come back with two outstanding wins across 6.5 and 8.5 furlongs in Starter Allowance company. Outstanding because his pace has picked up considerably with his last outing a 101 across 8.5f! Keep his nerve together and should go well here if can repeat his last few performances.
FASTNET BARRON
Foaled in JPN
Owner: surfcatt
Career: 8 races 2-1-0 $173,758
Out of Aldebaran which I have always liked as a sire! Unlike the others in this race, Fastnet Barron has raced at Grade level including a G1, G2 and G3. Apart from his last outing at G3 level where he failed to finish well, his other races including in some good fields at G1 level has shown a lot of promise. Usually likes to sit from mid to rear in the pack and then closes well at the end. Might be wanting more distance than the 8.5 furlongs here but owner and trainer surfcatt is letting him feel his way. Will need some extra speed here but has every chance.
RYZE NYNGAN
Foaled in JPN
Owner: standflu
Career: 7 runs 4-3-0 $169,810
Wow! There are some seriously good horses in this race and this is no exception. Out of Eishin Flash has 4 wins out of 7 outings including across 8.5 furlongs. Races near the lead usually and obviously has a big heart to stay at the right end across the line. Good speed last time out too with a 99 rating. Will need to add to that here to win but can’t see any reason why that won’t happen. Huge change to impress at Grade level.
DON’T TAKE MY HAND
Foaled in JPN
Owner: zbiz9
Career: 6 runs 3-1-2 $147,325
Out of Silver State who is a new sire from 2021 and fast proving to be a winner as well, owner zbiz9 has been given him more room each race which he has been eating up each time. Perfectly suited here for the distance and coming off a Stakes win in late Nov 2022 with a speed of 96. Doesn’t really want to take anyone’s hand as can do it just fine by himself with 3 wins to date with 2 of them at this distance out of 6 runs. Another that should perform well here at the finish.
PINATUBO’S CHOICE
Foaled in GB
Owner: dkstables9
Career: 4 runs 1-1-2 $70,180
Least experienced horse in the field with only the 4 runs to date in his career. Out of the new sire (2021) and highly rated Pinatubo though and hasnt disappointed yet either. Has been running at the 8 furlong range in his last two runs and has closed very well in the last stages of each race. Will definitely like the further distance here and may even want longer again as he matures. Fast finisher – look for him screaming home at the end. Owner will be hoping for that and some extra speed to compete at this level.
STILL D R E
Foaled in GB
Owner: beerkeg
Career: 7 runs 3-2-0 $167,055
This 3yo gelding is out Dubawi x Kingmambo x Danehill. Great bloodlines and lots of potential in this one. Owned and bred by beerkeg, he really likes and performs well at the 8 furlongs distance on Turf. Starting to push his distance at 8.5 furlongs but did hold on for second in the G3 outing at Thailand on 2 Dec last year. Look for him leading early and see if he can hold out for the distance. Should be a top 3 finisher.
DARKBLACKCOFFEE
Foaled in IRE
Owner: cheapbimbos
Career: 7 runs 6-1-0 $177,660
Impeccably raced on both turf (4 wins out of 5 outings) and dirt (2 wins out of 2 outings) is this 3yo by Dark Angel(IRE) x Miswaki x Fastnet Rock(AUS). Seems to prefer the turf in terms of his speed ratings and is coming off 5 wins in a row. Now that folks is most impressive. Last outing was a stakes so this is a step up as it is for all in this race but should go very well here and I would expect to see him challenging at the end. Watch this one.
JAPANESE PRIDE
Foaled in IRE
Owner: amir1799
Career: 8 runs 4-2-0 $216,406
Owned and bred by amir1799, this 3yo gelding ran his best race yet last time out in the G3 The Kid Line in Thailand back in early Dec 2022. A speed of 106 saw him fly from the rear of the field for the win across 8.5 furlongs. This is the same distance just a step up in class. Fast finishing – should go well if he can repeat his last outing.
PREACHERMEISTER
Foaled in TUR
Owner: hkselur
Career: 7 runs 3-3-0 $95,310
A very well bred runner here in Bodemeister x Pulpit x Danehill. I can only dream of having a horse like this! Initially owner and trainer hkselur has run him on dirt with some good results. But has swapped to turf allowance racing in his last 2 outings with an immediate increase in speed and two wins as well. This is much harder here at Grade II Level so will need to find a big jump in speed to be competitive. Has delivered each time to date though so a lot riding here on what he can do.
In terms of who will be in the top three I am thinking Lockdown Larry, Still G R E and Japanese Pride. Not necessarily in that order :). Get your bets on!