NWRC Cavalcade Cup Turf Classic
The NWRC brings its best 3 year olds and up going a grueling distance of 12 furlongs on the firm turf course in
#1 Duke Peace 16/1 (Sprizzo x Trempolino x Grey Dawn II) Kyfiesta – Tommy
5 year old son of seldom used sire Sprizzo is looking to cash in his biggest win to date. It’s been quite awhile since he won, but is a two time stakes winner going longer. Distance will be no problem for his front running style, but his speed figures are a tad low and might be on the downward end of his career. A six time winner of $193,303 will need to pick it up here to have a chance.
#2 Confederacy (ire) (High Chaparral(ire) x Caerleon x Conquistador Cielo) Dawgpound – Sharon
3 year old son of highly touted sire High Chaparral, certainly has the breeding to run this far and longer. With a record of 13/5-3-2 and $175,147 in career earnings, he figures to be prominent early and might forget to stop. It’s good to see that someone has produced a long distance horse by this sire, as all of mine have been duds so far.
#3 Bright Sunset (Barkerville x General Meeting x L’enjoleur) Pilot747 – Ken
4 Year old son of Barkerville is the classiest of the field. Multiple grade one winner of $844,666 can win on turf or dirt, but this might be a bit too far. He has yet to win at a distance beyond 11 furlongs and he lacked punch down the lane in his prep for this race last time out. He hasn’t won since stringing together back to back grade one victories and has past the dreaded 32nd start of his career. If he can run back to either of those early wins and can handle the extra furlong, he’ll be tough to deny. I’m banking that the added distance and the downhill of his career make him an also ran.
#4 Jdawg Child (Lion Cavern x Prized x
3 year old son of Lion Cavern has yet to hit the board in a route race or on turf. This is an ambitious placement by trainer Terrel, since he hasn’t won in ages, shows no affinity for turf or a route. Current form is very suspect, so he is shooting for the stars here. Morning line of 75/1 is an underlay, if you ask me. I can’t see him anywhere near the pack at the wire.
#5 Rare Forum (Octagonal (NZ) x Diesis (GB) x Grundy (Ire) Jaytrotter – Dave
This classy 7 year old was all the rage when he was claimed by Dave as a 3 year old for $5,000. Talk about a bargain purchase, a multiple stakes winner who has since gone on to bank $1,135,999 and win 15 races for his current connections. Distance will pose a problem as he has yet to win at the distance and his best days are behind him. One of only 6 older horses, he’ll be facing a sophomore cast that have much more upside potential, but he belongs in this race. It would be a delight to see him cross the finish line first and show why he is a highly touted NWRC horse for the ages.
#6 Wonderboy Dockers (Rahy x Fusaichi Pegasus x Sword Dancer (ire) Vegasjef01 – Jef
3 year old son of Rahy will be making his first start against older. As mentioned above, there are only 6 older horses, so the task won’t be as daunting as it could be. He has yet to win at the distance, but shows two easy wins going 11 furlongs. The last furlong maybe his undoing, but he is lightly raced and could proof a formidable horse. He is trained by one of the best trainers in the circuit, so you can never discount a horse he enters in a race of this magnitude. He can run on dirt or turf, but the green stuff is his preferred surface. Look for him to be part of the speed brigade with several others in here.
#7 Ruling Empire (Empire Maker x Spectacular Bid x
3 year old son of Empire Maker is royally bred and could be any kind. Hasn’t lived up to the breeding line, but with only 12 starts, he could mature into a top runner. Has yet to show an affinity for the turf and has not run farther than 9.5 furlongs, so this could be a big task to overcome. There are other horses who are already proven on the surface and distance and the 5/1 morning line is way to short a price. I don’t expect a good showing here, but follow with the switch back to dirt and a shorter distance.
#8 Dan Colony (
4 year old son of Danzig Connection is bred to run all day long. He has multiple stakes wins going 2 miles, so the distance will pose no problem for him today. Didn’t care for the off track and the grade 2 class last time out, but won’t find those types in here. Another who likes to run up front, but will have some company with him as there are several others with the same style of running. He is lightly raced with 22 starts and has won 10 of them and banked $331,439. Morning line price of 9/1 is a gift and will be in the thick of it at the end. He is Jef’s second entrant in the race and both have a similar running style, so it will be interesting to see what the jockey instructions are.
#9 Sandansel (Hansel x Green Desert x Darshaan (Eng) Boldrule99 – Goody
3 year old son of Hansel is ambitiously placed by his connections as he has yet to win at a route in 9 tries or tally against winners. His speed figures are among the lowest in the field; current form isn’t very good and will find this tough sledding against this bunch. Might need softer to show his best.
#10 Heresy (Hennessy x Dehere x Tom Rolfe) Pullaway3 – Goody
3 year old son of Hennessy is trainer Goody’s second entrant in this race. This would appear his best chance at victory, but it would take a monumental race to get the money. Has yet to break the 90 speed barrier or a win at the distance, but his last race was encouraging. A mid pack closing win going 10 furlongs against NW2L allowance foes, he might like the extra distance. Hard to like on top, but could come closing to complete the exotics.
#11 A.P. Adventure (Forty Niner x Sadler’s Wells x A.P. Indy) Pedroza – Todd
3 year old son of Forty Niner is starting to put it all together. He is 8/3-4-0 in turf starts and likes to sit just off the pace. His style of running could be place him in the perfect position, but will have to rely on the stamina of the dam sire and dam dam sire. He has yet to face stakes level company, but has run some great races. Not sure he will like the added distance and will be running out of his home track of
#12 Start the Music (Jump Start x Medaille D’Or x Stop the Music) Hihosilver – Ken
5 year old son of Jump Start has won 15 starts and banked $1,753,755 in his career. This is trainer Ken’s second entrant in the race and turf is definitely his game. He last won the NWRC Message Board Marathon, but has failed in 3 subsequent tries against allowance foes. A multiple graded winner at this distance looks like time has finally caught up with him. If he can run back to his glory days, he’ll be a cinch winner, but that might be expecting a bit much. Nevertheless, 5/1 on a grade 1 winner at the distance and surface might be hard to pass up. He will sit a great trip in mid pack and rely on his closing ability to get the job done.
#13 Toms Lunar Limbo (Polish Navy x Shadeed x Crème Dela Crème) Haulinoats – Tommy
5 year old son of Polish Navy is trainer Tommy’s second entrant in the race. He is listed as 13/1 on the morning line, so the fans here in
#14 My Quarterback (Boundary x A.P. Indy x Bluebird) Hihosilver – Ken
3 year old son of Boundary is trainer Ken’s third entrant in this race. De we get the feeling that Ken wants to win this race? He is coming off an allowance win at the distance running the time in 2:33 1/5 scoring an 88 speed figure. Distance should not be a problem nor will the surface and if he can run back to that 2nd place finish and 101 speed figure, gives him a big shot at victory. He’s just starting to put it all together and has 4 wins in his last 8 starts and at 8/1 deserves a long look.
Best of luck to all the horses and trainers in this year’s race. It will no doubt be fun to watch and could crown a potential NWRC turf router of the year award.