Hello, Moto: Fujimoto(G2) mile attracts six graded winners, full field
Japan– How many degrees can we seperate the Fujimoto(G2) from this year’s Breeders Bowl Mile? *Two*!
1. In 2003, Leven Seventy Won *won* the Fujimoto Stakes(G2) mile.
2. Two years later in 2005, Leven Seventy Won is 7/1, breaking from post #10 in the Breeders Bowl Mile.
Ha! Or is that just *one* degree of Sim Seperation? LOL! But, hey, all that matters is that there’s hope for all 14 trainers in the Grade 2 $250,000 Fujimoto Stakes. Two years later, and who knows? Maybe your Monster Miler will run for BB glory!
And we’ve got many, many candidates for such a feat in this year’s Fujimoto renewal. Six recent graded stakes winners lead a full field in a monstrous turf mile trip. The key time is 1:34 and change — so we’ll test these battlers to the wire…………
Get On The Bus
Our co-racetime fave A Bus(AUS) (6/1) garners major bragging rights due to his splendid Eddie O Cap(G1) score three back. The Viscount(AUS) son is often brilliant … but sometimes throws a mean stinker here and there. He didn’t care for an off track following his Eddie O win and got beat by sharper horses in the Brown Fields(G3).
Brew’s 4YO colt cuts back to flat mile running and we’ll see if he can summon a furious drive from midpack or thereabouts. Great horse, still at the top of his game after 31 starts too. Will the sophomore mile specialists prove superior since this guy’s kind of “invading their turf”? Ha! They’ll need their best.
Top jockey L. Fenner (13%) pilots the big star.
An Affair If You Dare
Awesome Affair (6/1) arrived on the scene after bagging the Boogity Bear(G3) in just his 15th career outing. The colt proved much the best in the 9f event, recording his 6th trip ot the winner’s circle.
The 4YO son of Awesome Again had previously exhausted well his ALW conditions. He’s since hit the board in 3 of 5 stakes starts, marking ultra-consistent 100 SP#+ performances. The stalker seems to suffer from mixing it up near the pace too early — he got into a scuffle LTO and subsequently weakened a tad down the lane.
‘Affair might prefer an extra furlong most of all, but should throw another honest race. We’ll see if he can find that little something extra Saturday.
Desert Heat Back On The Beat
True frontrunner Your Desert(IRE) (7/1) keeps getting better and better. The Desert King(IRE) colt scat-catted out to a brazen early lead in the Mospe Cup(G1) on October 1st. Trainer baldrick must’ve been screaming once Manifest Destiny came flying down the stretch, spoiling not only Your Desert’s photo finish, but also his clear-cut arrival at the top of the 3YO turf miler ranks.
The colt ran his heart out just like he did over the summer, taking grades at Maine and Sweden. Totally impressive and cries, “Danger, danger!” to all foes. Your Desert’s the classy speed of this group… but the only knock on him is that he can and will fold if majorly pressed through the first half-mile. A so-so jockey on board faces a difficult scenario of one of the longshots (or even Gingobell) applies pressure.
One to take seriously…. don’t count him out of your trifecta.
Gingo …. And Hit The Afterburner Bells
Two weeks ago, Gingobell (7/1) sure foiled this reporter when he steered clear of a speed duel in the Coalmine Mile Cup(G2). The Pine Bluff sophomore instead relaxed behind the lead and belted home a gorgeous 106 SP# mile victory.
He was among the top faves for that 3YO event. The strength of his close-up 5th in the star-studded Canada Mile(G1) brought high expectations. I thought he’d hook up in a suicide speed duel with another fine colt (Duex Bloon), but Gingobell displayed excellent versatility avoiding that nightmare scenario. Expect the same this time around — Your Desert’s a formidable pacesetter, so ‘Gingo would be wise to avoid him.
Notturna1 races this colt often and hard on two weeks rest, but ‘Gingo’s capable and attracts a top-rated jockey. If ‘Gingo wins this grade, he’s gonna be one to seriously watch next year, despite 20+ outings already. Kick the tires and light the fires! Watch this bad boy go. 🙂
Li’l Miss Sweet Alberta
She’s the lone filly in the race, but don’t dare hold that against Alberta Gold (10/1). The Forty Niner daughter proved “filly vs. colt” doubters wrong in her last start: a 105 SP# runner-up rally in the Walnut BB Mile(G2). How ’bout them green apples….. and that was against older males too!
Tack on the fact that *two* Walnut BB Mile winners have gone on to capture the Fujimoto Stakes and we’ve got lots of karma with this little filly. And it’s not like ‘Alberta’s some will o’ the wisp slouch either — she had prior beat the best sophomore turf filly milers in the Sun State Cup (G1; 106 SP#) and boasts graded stakes experience galore.
She’s best if she can relax behind the lead, but can also switch to midpack running. Good jockey on board for the bertaal starlet. At the top of her game, ‘Alberta’s good for the board if not the win.
Big, Bold Neon Lights
Here’s another colt who made me eat crow. Neon Swan (13/1) just elevated his game after trainer db leapt him to the graded level. He was still eligible for a NW3L in the Jockey Club Classic(G2) last month and I thought, “Talented outsider, but c’mon!” Ha!
The Festival Of Light sophomore brashly closed to take a nailbiter photo in the Classic. The 1:34 2/5 109 SP# sure suggests something special. Comes here with a 5-week breather to see him zippy fit. Prior to his Classic score, he hit the board in two straight sizzling grades.
Suspect jockey in the irons is what it is, but this colt’s non-textbook resume makes him one to watch already. Look for ‘Swan far back in prep for a major stretch drive.
Care for an upstart to make his mark? The rest of the field holds promise……..
Gallantry, Galleons
Galleons (6/1) strangely shares racetime favorite status with A Bus(AUS). The 6YO son of Huckster leaps from the ALW ranks. The modest bred was very effective there, posting excellent SP#s and racking up the purse monies as a turf mile specialist. Most of the time, the in form ALWers will translate to the stakes level… but maybe a bit more of a stretch to the graded level. Can hopefully survive a wild pace scramble though. Good jockey should bring out the best in the leestroyer trainee.
Revenge And Rebound
Joshua’s Radke’s Revenge (8/1) could only pass tiring horses in the star-studded Canada Mile(G1). The 6YO son of Seeking The Gold makes his 40th career call to the post and he can still pick up his feet too. The turf mile specialist hit the board earlier this seaon in a Grade 2 over an off track. The closer usually takes flight from the back of the pack. Would be the crowning moment of his long career if he can pull off the win. Needs to bring his old stuff.
Searching For A K.O. Knockout Punch
Urko’s Danzig (11/1) should appreciate the flat mile. By Danzig, the 4YO royal bred could hook itup with Your Desert on the lead and thus compromise that sophomore’s chances. Spirited runner from urko stable hasn’t earned much ($137k) in his lifetime, but manages to hit the board honestly in ALW and listed company. Big class leap then and I think he should be like 20/1. Has a chance though to hang around for minor share at the wire.
Another Go For Fujimoto Gilded Gold
Silver Hawk son Gilded Hick (13/1) finished 3rd in last year’s Fujimoto renewal. The 5YO horse must have a special inkling for this particular stakes — while he’s a miler specialist through and through, the big boy hasn’t won in over a year. Frankly, he should be at much higher odds for gonzo3 stable. It would be a big surprise if the far-back closer hit the board again this time around.
Jack O’ Lanteen, Light My Way
Sophomore Jacky Hollandia (14/1) was so talented, he went straight from the MSWs to stakes and won! The Sahkee colt even reeled off 3 in a row over the late summer, bagging turf sprint overnighters. What a superb individual for trainer tote! With only 9 starts under his belt, we’re gonna hear more from this promising star next year. In the meantime, he makes his graded stakes debut off of a good trip in ALW miler company. Closes from back of pack or thereabouts. Dark horse.
Slew Temptation or A’ Sensation?
Trainer lazysranch has been trying to recapture A.P. Slew II’s form. The 26/1-shot presents only one decent 100+SP# over a mile in his recent outings. The dirt effort LTO could’ve woke up the AP Indy 4YO colt. I don’t think so though, since this is a step up in class after his last 5. Nice old boy, but maybe it’s time to return to ALW ranks if there aren’t any milerish listed stakes in a given week.
Home Sweet Home, Japan
Despite being eligible for a NW3L, Rahy Breaks Away(JPN) (27/1) ran super-superior in Neon Swan’s Jockey Club Classic(G2). The sophomore finished 3rd, beaten only a length, with a 107 SP#. He’s sired by the Japanese stallion Sunday Break(JPN). Vies for pace scramble again, and, if he can run to his last, must be considered for the board if not victory. Like Casual Habit, I think ‘Rahy is being rushed to the ranks, but I thought the same for Neon Swan — LOL. Why do I even write these articles!!!?? Ha! 😉
Greetin’ The Unbeaten
Grimreeser’s Casual Habit(IRE) (62/1) has done everything asked of him with a MSW and 2 ALW wins for a perfect 3-for-3 record. The sophomore Giant’s Causeway(IRE) royal bred checks in at mucho longshot odds due to his SP#s (72, 87, 100). What can I say? With the maturity spike nowadays, ‘Habit could easily throw a big number versus these. Personally, I don’t agree with rushing him into the ranks this soon — I believe you build a stakes champion through exhausting the ALW conditions and building SP#s…. but oh well. 🙂 Talented, should press pace. On the other hand, faces more experienced and just as classy Your Desert for that honor. Odds are, regroup afterwards.
Snowchief’s Picks:
I ain’t getting fooled again …. LOL! So, I’m going with Neon Swan over Gingobell, and the dark horse, Jacky Hollandia. A Bus(AUS) might make me look real stupid though! :^) Ditto for Your Desert, but, again, he faces big pace pressure.
If you want a creeper, then maybe Awesome Affair, but I think he’s an overlay. I don’t like Galleons with the level leap. Casual Habit’s one to watch (out a bet on at those odds!) — can go either way though. Watch Rahy Breaks Away …. boy, do I *don’t* know how to pick ’em. Ha!
Just watch every horse in the field…. LOL!!!
Finally, special note about the filly, Alberta Gold. The Walnut BB Mile(G2) has been very kind to the Fujimoto (Like its perfect stepping stone! See the “History” below). So, if you want to play the karma, take the filly.
Win: Neon Swan or Alberta Gold
Place: Gingobell
Show: Jacky Hollandia
Happy Halloween, Simmers! Good luck to all and enjoy Breeders Bowl 2005!
Grade 2 Fujimoto Stakes History:
6th installment this year, first run in 2000. All runnings at track JP (Japan), over 8 furlongs on turf. All firm turf. Purse: $250,000. Stakes Record: 1:34 (Leven Seventy Won, 2003).
2000: Won by Pro Amad (sunairfarm), 1:34 2/5. Appeared hopelessly beat at top of stretch, but grittily made up over 7 lengths to run down the solo pacesetter at the wire. Defeated millionaires Pompous Project, High River, graded winner Senior Rizzo etc. By Northern Baby, Pro Amad was an iron horse, capturing 26 of 92 career starts. He was a 5YO in the prime of his career when he won the Fujimoto. The victory came on the heels of another fast-closing triumph: the Walnut BB Mile(G2), won in equal time (but as a longshot). Pro Amad would race 3 1/2 more seasons, earning many a cheque ($1.1 million!) in listed black type company. Retired C-rank. “Dam” of MSW winner.
2001: Won by Pharwood (kwswps2), 1:34 3/5. Duked it out with a fellow stalker to capture a 1/2-length photo finish. The great miler Volotile Nijinsky, millionaires Pharchat, Dynaform Sir numbered among also-rans. By Tap On Wood, Pharwood was graded-placed a couple times prior to capturing the Fujimoto. He would rightly earn Grade 1-winner status the following year. Retired B-rank, with $1.1 million in earnings. “Dam” of lousy 1-for-18 A.P. Indy filly.
2002: Won by Slew J. (redalert), 1:34 2/5. Stalker took over from solo pacesetter and that was all he wrote. The race boasted no clear-cut favorite. Graded winners Big Cat Diary, Nightly The Gordie, Jericho’s Judge(FR), etc among also-rans. Slew J. enjoyed a couple more graded victories the following season. The Seattle Slew son’s greatest triumph came in the 9 furlong Brown Fields(G3) (dominatingly won from gate to post by 8 3/4 lengths!). Retired B-rank, $1-million bankroll. “Dam” of stakes-winning Came Home colt, Exbourne’s Slew J.
2003: Won by Leven Seventy Won (skids), 1:34. Gorgeous closer finish over a very deep field. Defeated major graded winners Prospector Rizzo ($3.7 million), West With Act, Keep The Faith(IRE), Duck Wow, Barkboy, etc. The Fujimoto merely reaffirmed Leven Seventy Won’s arrival as a major stakes player. As a 4YO, the Danehill son had prior bagged a rocketing Grade 1 and, today, he’s no stranger to the divisional rankings. He won this year’s All Comers Stakes(G1), part of a 4-race win streak to kick off his 2005 campaign. The 6YO horse makes his first Breeders Bowl Mile appearance Saturday. Active at 41 starts, $1.5-million.
2004: Won by Kid Fabulous (socko), 1:34 3/5. Midpack rally over graded winners Don Quixote, Stealing The Show, etc. Like Pro Amad (2000), Kid Fabulous used a Walnut BB Mile(G2) victory as a stepping stone. Awesome Again son winless this year though. Active in listed stakes ranks, $750k earnings.