Division Leader Battle Dream Faces Tough Test in Tokyo

Rising Sun Spring Cup
Grade II
Seven furlongs
Firm Turf
$250,000
All horses, 4 years old and up

PP         Horse          Owner         Jockey      Odds 
1  STAR OF EQUINOX(AUS)  ajay11  B Van Houten  13/1 
2  RIGHT ARM OVER(JPN)  crawf682  A Bryant  13/1 
3  GLOBAL DIPLOMAT(GER)  coolk  W Mosebar  6/1 
4  POSITIVE VIBE(GB)  newastina  C Roser  7/1 
5  NAVIGATION SYSTEM(KY)  desimster  W Lloyd  18/1 
6  BLAZING LEGACY(KY)  jhenry  L Fenner  9/1 
7  MARLAIS(IRE)  wss  W G Home  5/1 
8  K’S MADISON AVENUE(KY)  ledwith2  A Hudson  7/1 
9  BATTLE DREAM(GB)  tigereyes  K Ledwith  4/1 
10  PUT ON A SHOW(NZ)  redhill5  D Davis  12/1 
11  SAN JACINTO(KY)  super13  G Arnold  5/1

 

 

A cool quarter mil will be on the line when an excellent field of eleven meet the starter Saturday in the Grade II Rising Sun Spring Cup.  The seven furlong test for older turf sprinters lured both the number one rated Battle Dream and eighth ranked San Jacinto,  Those two finished first and second respectively in the prestigious Grade I Penn Dash to close out 2011.  Let’s meet all the contestants in post position order.

 

 

Breaking from the hedge will be Ajay’s Star of Equinox.  The rangy son of Redoute’s Choice and career claimer Kepler Zilzal arrives from Munich off a rousing allowance score.  He won a grade III sprint last year and has career earnings approaching $250,000.  Has not fared well against top tier rivals.  Needs to improve quickly to compete at this level.

 

 

Right Arm Over appears ambitiously placed by Crawford Incorporated.  The Deep Impact colt was impressive in allowance company late last year and early in 2012.  He posted a respectable 109 speed number in one victory.  But two subsequent stakes tries have produced little and this one would also need to move forward quite a bit to best these.  

 

 

Coolk’s Global Diplomat has won seven of his last eleven starts.  The German bred son of Monsun posted a 113 speed figure winning a Queensland stake two back.  Last time out he was a powerful second to the well meant Pop’s Avenue in Dublin.  This will be the Diplomat’s first graded stake try.  Can he step up?  Class will be severely tested.

 

 

Astins Place may not be a household name like Super, Dixiedotco, Lenny, Given or Texasace.  But the guy wins 25% of all his races and hits the board 60% of the time.  Universal Racing Club rivals have tried to stop him using poison, voodoo, dancing girls and vodka.  All to no avail (although the dancing girls and vodka did slow him down a bit briefly).  His Positive Vibe has won eight of ten since he stole the Pivotal colt from Kevoman for $35,000.  The flashy chestnut has the speed, class, and connections to make every post a winning one.  Catch him if you can.  Won’t be easy.

 

 

He won the Grade I Irish Guineas over a monster field.  He won the Grade II Ribot in 1:33.4.  He’s a millionaire.  And the longest shot in the race.  That’s how tough this field is.  Navigation System isn’t real sharp right now.  But mtk (Shamrock Stables) is one of those elite trainers who know how to get a horse ready for a top effort.  It would come as no surprise to me if the big son of Henrythenavigator outran his odds by a wide margin.

 

 

Billy2shoe sends out his front running Blazing Legacy for The Rising Sun.  If this guy can somehow manage to run with Positive Vibe early, he might be able to stick around for a share.  The almost white Dynaformer four year old won a graded stake at three and was a game fourth two back in the Grade I Sabalou Special.  Must respect.

 

 

Once Magoo and Wispa decided that he was a sprinter and not a miler, their royally bred Marlais (Dylan Thomas x Gone West x A.P. Indy) became a true monster.  Marlais has been first five times and second twice in his last seven sprints.  He throws big time speed figures routinely and should prove to be a major player if he fires.  Won last two stakes including the prep for this race.  Two for three lifetime here at Tokyo Downs and fired a 116 taking down a grade III here in 2010.  

 

 

Senor Ledwith sends out one of his many “K” stars for this event.  K’s Madison Avenue is a cut below the upper echelon Ks.  But not by much and certainly not for lack of trying.  Missed winning graded stakes twice by the narrowest of margins.  Has been graded placed often and if the Seeking The Gold stallion fires his best, he will be a factor. 

 

 

Tigereyes’ Battle Dream has been first or second in four straight grade I stakes.  Earned over $3,000,000 lifetime.  Now ranked first in older sprint division.  Stalker type seems better at seven furlongs than six.   The son of Dansili and multiple graded winner Battlefield Earth has a third gear when he needs it.  Gonna need it Saturday. 

 

      

The aptly named Put On A Show has done just that lately.  Veteran router has gained a new lease on life since being shortened up.  Won last two sprints.  Posted a lifetime best 110 in most recent.   High percentage trainer redhill (Foto Finish Stables) will have his Zabeel chestnut locked and cocked and ready to rock.  Beware.

 

 

Rounding out the stellar field is Super Stables’ sensational San Jacinto.  The brilliant Giant’s Causeway colt is a multiple grade I winner and has earned almost 2.5 million dollars.  Three back he made up a ton of ground to be second to Battle Dream.  Two back he won the Grade III Sumo Sprint.  Last time out he was just a bit short as the favorite in a race won by General’s Son.  If he’s ready after a two month break, will be a major factor.