Top Turfers in the GII Carlsbad Lessons
This Saturday, eight battle tested warriors will battle it out in the Grade II Carlsbad Lessons in Italy. Last years winner, Signs of Change (Dynaformer x Storm Cat x Alydar), followed up his victory with three straight Grade I wins and topped it all off by winning the Grade I Breeders Bowl Turf, he is currently ranked as the number two long turf horse in the world! If last years race is an indicator, the winner here could be on to very big things this year.
Scabby Crabby (High Chaparral x Sadler’s Wells x Peintre Celebre) races for thetnilsson barn. Ignoring his last start because of the off track, he comes in off a strong victory in the GI 5-Series at 12 furlongs with a 118 figure. His record is 24-7-0-6 with numerous listed stakes and that one GI win. The key to this horse seems to be distance and today’s distance of 12 furlongs is his best. He has excellent early speed and if left alone he can carry the lead far.
Modern Science (Galileo x Storm Cat x Red Ransom) races for the johnhoward barn. He comes in off a solid race in the GII Hardcourt in which he finished 2nd with a 108 figure. This 4 year old has a record of 18-5-7-2 with eight straight top two finishes. He stretches out and with his pressing style this may be just what he needs in the stretch. The breeding is excellent across the board for the conditions of this race. Could be something special!
Brazenly (Teofilo x Fusaichi Pegasus x Seattle Slew) races for the bigeasy barn. He comes to this race off an easy win versus Allowance foes in which he ran a 105 figure over 12 furlongs. Another 4 year old, his record is 20-5-4-5. His best running style is on the lead. The faster fractions with this jump in class will be hard for him to overcome.
Stormhill Dancer (Danehill Dancer x Kingmambo x Storm Bird) races for the mrbigb barn. This Colt enters here off a 3rd place finish in the Grade III Great Beer Cap in which he ran a 107 figure. Yet another upcoming 4 year old, his record is 20-6-4-2. He won a listed stakes three back at 11.5 furlongs with a competitive 114 figure. He is a dead closer and if he can bounce back to that form today he can make this race very interesting.
Twitter Grade Ted (Mineshaft x Entrepreneur x Buckpasser) races for the tempstable barn. He enters off a 2nd in a listed stakes. He ran a 99 speed figure. As a 5 year old, his record is 27-5-4-4. His career best figure is a 108 and he has not done very well versus graded company. He would be a big suprise here.
Kidpasser (Lemon Drop Kid x Danzig x Buckpasser) races for the jacklad2 barn. He comes in off a 2nd in the Grade III CEO Classic at 12 furlongs. He ran a 109 figure versus a very good field. His record is 20-5-4-4. After winning a handful of Allowance races he decided to try his hand at stakes this year. He has not disappointed with a 2nd and 3rd versus graded horses. His closing style fits very well with this field. The only question is if he can out kick some of the classy horses he faces today.
Capinsky (Cape Cross x Dynaformer x Nijinsky II) races for the phantom2 barn. He comes in off a 6th in the Grade II Sanka High at 10 furlongs. He ran a 106 figure. His record is 19-8-6-1. Prior to his disappointing last two races he was in great form. He won a GII at 10 furlongs with an excellent 119 fig just three races back. He has won multiple graded races in the past and even though his form is somewhat off he must be respected. He is also a dead closer so the key to his race is if he gets a clean trip and can unleash his fury in the stretch.
Cotes Du Rhone (Dubawi x Sadler’s Wells x Kingmambo) races for the skunkman2 barn. He comes in off a 2nd in a listed stakes at 13 furlongs. He ran a 108 figure in that race. His record is 15-6-3-4. His best race was three back against Allowance foes in which he ran a very good 114 at 12 furlongs. This one has been very consistent with ITM finishes in six straight races. His running style leans toward early speed but he has shown he does not have the lead to win.
Handicap: Scabby Crabby cannot be ignored. Already a Grade I winner at this distance he is a deserved favorite. His only negative is there are at least two others that have early speed. A sleeper might be Modern Science. This 4 year old son of Galileo is improving rapidly and the added distance may be just what he needs to get into the winners circle.