Acid Meets the #1 Ranked Older Marathon Horse

A full field will be running in this week’s feature event, The Alychocolate Count Special, a marathon event at 13f on the dirt course for a purse of $75,000. Quite an interesting mix of runners it is, too. We have everything from the #1 ranked older horse in the long dirt division, to a mare who is a veteran campaigner in these marathon races, to a pair of up and coming 3yos who have their sights set on taking this division by storm.

That #1 ranked horse would, of course, be Shock And Awe Too. Now on his third owner, the 4yo Point Given son has won one G1 and placed in the G1 Queen Victoria Cup back in August. Twelve furlongs seems to be his best distance, as he has run a 110 and a 109 at that distance, but he has also run a 106 at today’s distance. He does seem to have slowed down since then, however, as he has run sub-90 in three of his last five races. His odds today are 7/1.

Ranked #12 in the division is Quiet On The Set. A 6yo by Quiet American, he scored his first graded victory in the G2 Grumpy Old Men Marathon in Alabama this July. His speed figures haven’t been as reliable as they were last year, when he ran speeds as high as 117, but he ran well in his last race. Age and wear and tear from his 45 starts do seem to have taken a toll on him, though. He goes off at 5/1.

Another seasoned veteran, Utility View is ranked #28 in the division. He is a 6yo by Al Mufti, and although he has not won a graded stakes, he has placed third in one, and has run as high as 115 in two different years. He has won three stakes races this year, although the last was in April, but he has hit the board in 5 of 7 since then. His odds today are 6/1, and he has top Ireland jock Z. Kentucky on board.

The lone mare in the race, Violent Storm, is ranked #104 in the older mares long dirt division. She is a 5yo by Illinois Storm, a son of Storm Cat, and has won nine stakes races in her career, although none were graded. Her last stakes victory came in July, when she ran 100 over 12f. She has run a top speed of 111. D. Doyle will be in the irons, and her odds are 9/1.

Heading the list of up and coming 3yos is the much talked about Acid. He is ranked #40 in the 3yo division, and has second place jockey A. Reed in the saddle. A son of Woodman, he has won two stakes races already, and has never run less than 10f. Owner tbgifted was gracious enough to grant a pre-race interview. “Acid is a solid performer although he needs more experience. His record kind of speaks for itself, 3 for 5 and 2 of those wins were stakes races. He should be cranking out 100+ speeds at 13f soon.” Definitely one to keep an eye on, even with odds of 14/1.

One horse who has been following Acid’s career with interest is Sinanju, ranked #56 in the 3yo division. A full brother to Fantastic Light, he has won one stakes race and is graded-placed, finishing a fast-closing third in the G2 Clerk of Scales. He ran a 106 in his stakes victory at 14f against older horses, before a luckluster effort in the G1 G.S.R. Derby for 3yo only last time out. His connections have no explanation for that last race, and are hoping he can rebound and repeat his Firey Car effort. E. C. Doyle, Ireland’s best jockey for riding closers, has the mount, and he goes off at 6/1.

Going off at 5/1 is Marscat Attack, a 4yo by Tale Of The Cat. Although he did break his maiden at 13f, his best races have been in the range of 9-10f. He has been improving and placed in a pair of stakes at 9f recently, and certainly has the makings of a future stakeswinner, but he has run into a pretty tough field here.

At 7/1 is Green Lantern(IRE), a 5yo son of Green Lightning(IRE). And what would a race in Ireland be without an Irish horse! Although he has never won a stakes race, he did win an allowance at this distance last time out, and with a little luck’o the Irish, is a possibility to cash a minor check, particularly since Mizzi Russell is on board.

At 14/1 is Von Trapp. This 4yo is as handsomely bred as they come, by Sadler’s Wells with Seattle Slew as his damsire. Despite the pedigree, he has only managed to break 100 once, but is stakes-placed.

At 19/1 is Cam’s Forbidden I, a 3yo by Yokohama, a son of Theatrical(IRE). A later bloomer, he has only recently started to come into his own, running a career-best 98 at 12f last time out. He may be one to keep an eye on as he enters into his 4yo season.

Also at 19/1 is Anera(AUS). A 4yo by Arena(AUS), he was very lightly raced until this season, and has slowly increased his distances up to 14f. With continued improvement, he could be at his best next year as a 5yo.

At 20/1 is Capt. Nine Fingers, a 3yo by Polish Navy. Claimed for $40,000 back in August, he was then rushed into stakes competition, perhaps a bit before he was ready. He has run a 97, though, and if he can gain some consistency, should be able to run at this level at some point.

At 37/1 is Velvet Lion. A 6yo by Polar Falcon, he only began racing last year as a 5yo. He has won an allowance, but has found the most success at the high claiming level. His owner likely figured that this race would draw a small field, as the marathons often do, because in a less-accomplished field, the 96 this horse ran last time out would often be enough to hit the board.

Rounding out the field at 49/1 is the 8yo Storm Joker. A handsome grey by Spectacular Bid, he just returned to the track in September after two years off. He won an allowance in his second race back, but age and lack of conditioning will likely leave him no chance here.

That is our full lineup. Will one of the older horses prove that their high rankings are deserved? Or will one of the young colts on their way up make a statement in their bid to get a head start on the older division for next year? Whatever happens, good luck to all, and may they all come home sound.