Will An Irish-bred Win In Ireland?

Ten 2yos will be vying for an $85,000 purse in this week’s Serial LC(Ire) Special, going 7.5 furlongs on the turf course. Half the field consists of Irish-breds, which speaks well for the success of Irish sires.

The post parade will be led by techranger’s Celerity. The morning-line favorite, this son of Sadler’s Wells has won two races already here in Ireland. He placed in a stakes last time out in Finland. He will be ridden today by E C Doyle, who piloted him to his two victories previously. Asked to comment, techranger stated that “Celerity has the pedigree,” and wandered off muttering something under his breath about blueblood allowance runners who can’t win at the next level.

Following him will be taleofcat9’s Super Coverup. The son of Squirtle Squirt has Ireland’s top jockey Z. Kentucky in the irons. He won three in a row, including a turf sprint stakes. He finished fifth in the G1 High Flyer Stakes here in Ireland last time out, beating a graded-stakes winner by more than five lengths.

Crown Vic(Ire) won his debut last time out at Newmarket. He only ran a 74, but won easily going away. A son of El Prado(Ire), he should appreciate the extra furlong to work with, and is sharp, so I would expect an improvement on that number.

Randwick1’s Da Vinci Co Ed is stakes-placed on turf. The Tabib colt tried dirt last time out and didn’t fare so well, but he has yet to finish worse than second on turf. He’s been off for six weeks, so he will be well rested and should show improvement.

My Own Turbo(Ire) defeated Celerity in their last race. He is graded-placed, and looked to be improving each time out before a disappointing run in the G3 Finnish Line Stakes. He has since rebounded, and it is my opinion that his poor performance was due to the backing off in distance. He seems to improve as more distance is added. He will be ridden today by D. Nickesy, who was up for his maiden victory here in Ireland. Asked to comment, trainer gael1 stated, “That extra half furlong (beyond his last race) might be perfect. I do think he will have a good chance of winning this time. He looks to have great form.”

Pattips sends out Off The Block(Fr), a son of one of my favorites, Highest Honor(Fr). He has run more than half his starts here in Ireland, and has his regular rider S. Collins up once again. He ran third in a G3 back in August at this distance, and has been resting for six weeks. I would expect this colt also to show improvement as he matures and runs longer distances.

Manni153’s Hesky won his first stakes last time out at this distance. The son of Hennessy likes to be up front, and will likely be the one taking the early lead. He will need an effort equal to his last one to win today, but has the second-best jockey in A. Reed which will increase his chances.

Candlepower(Ire) has already nearly won back the amount that trainer Morrighan paid for him. Auctioned after his first start, his new owner recognized the need for turf in the Law Society(Ire) colt, and was rewarded with a victory in his first try on the surface. Shipping to his new home in Ireland for this race, he is another who will surely enjoy the extra half-furlong, and probably many more beyond that.

While stablemate Bead Two(GB) takes on the top colts in the Breeder’s Bowl, Sharp Bend(Ire) will seek to earn his second win here. His first win? Ah, nothing special, just the G3 Sprinklers Are Broke Again Stakes. By Refuse To Bend(Ire) out of Queen Deputy, a G2 winner by Deputy Minister, the colt had a rough trip in the G1 G.S.R. Diamond, and is looking to reverse his fortunes.

Rounding out the field is erasmus’s Crimson Sun(Ire). The Giant’s Causeway(Ire) son is already stakes-placed in only two lifetime starts. He ran a strong race last time out, and it likely won’t be long before he can change his status to SW instead of just SP. He has a ton of stamina in his pedigree, and will be one to watch as he moves up in distance and matures.

Although these colts differ in experience and range from those making their second or third start to those who are already graded winners, this field is more or less wide open. Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.