Niner Connection tries dirt; Spectacular Cat, House Of Phyl co-faves at Ontario
Ontario– Leading sophomore turf miler Niner Connection adds spice to the $75,000 Soft Light Bonanza. The gras star tests a main track sprint for the very first time after missing the board in the BB Mile(G1).
A full field of sprint specialists readies for the challenge. We have a number of promising sophomores as well as game older horse ALWers ready for some black type of their own………
Post 1: 22/1 – Mystical Dancer (emirates): Bargain (or even Skidz?) baby sophomore sure has outrun his pedigree. Speedster earns his mettle mostly in ultra-short 5.f or less sprints. Upset his age group in a 6.5f stakes three back with a 104 SP#. Who says we all need Storm Cats? Ha! Faces moderate speed challengers here, so might show the way by his lonesome. But there’s a couple nice stalkers as well as the big closers this time around. Factor for board.
Post 2: 34/1 – Hally’s Blusher (rbixler): Former 3YO claimer by Graeme Hall doesn’t have a chance. He can’t beat ALW level, so why would he beat higher level? Pace presser for a short while. Slim to none chance afterwards.
Post 3: 12/1 – Four More Years (bezza1975): Here’s your winner. Sophomore by Mountain Cat rides 3-race win streak from 6f to 8f. Handsome individual finally finding his mojo after injury in early summer. Superb. Only two drawbacks — there’s not a lot of true blue pace and this closer needs it. You might see him chasing stalker House Of Phyl for the photo then. The other drawback is if Niner Connection enjoys the surface and beats ‘Years to wire from midpack. Other than that, this colt’s looking good. 🙂
Post 4: 7/1 – Niner Connection (n2racing2): Most interesting entrant of course…. and my favorite too. 🙂 This year’s 2,000 Guineas(G1) winner and leading sophomore turf miler finished 6th, beaten only 3 lengths, in the BB Mile(G1). Though seriously competitive, ‘Niner hasn’t won since May and I guess Todd wants to try and “wake him up.” The Forty Niner colt did finish well in 3rd over the main track this past spring. He’s good sprinting over the grass and there’s really no reason to suggest that he won’t transcend well to main track. Only danger is that sometimes this switch can go south in an abrupt hurry. Keep an eye on him midpackishness and we’ll know enough by the half-mile. Wildcard.
Post 5: 13/1 – Chief’s Dancers (sharpe): 7YO veteran by Chief Bearhart sure has been around a block or two. Old boy still game over an ALW mile and can even jaunt over the lawn for good measure. Only 1-for-6 lifetime in sprints though. In the hunt for piece of purse. Doubtful for win though.
Post 6: 21/1 – Hit For The Cycle(NZ) (doubledan): Lightly raced Zabeel(NZ) 5YO hears the bugle for just the 12th time. Live longshot — won a ALW sprint LTO after a few starts testing short routes without great success. A more experienced stakes performer might beat him to wire, but this guy could pull off the upset. Keep an eye on him at fabulous price.
Post 7: 10/1 – Allaballa (webefine): Sophomore Common Grounds(GB) grandson finally pocketed his NW4x LTO in 18th call to post. The traditional stalker switched to pacesetting tactics and zipped a 106 SP# mile versus his elders. Makes stakes debut in fine spot — he was pretty good over six penels, so no problem going a sixteenth less than his last. Sleeper, but probably a better factor for the board.
Post 8: 7/1 – Earl Silver (rohan): Old Silver Ghost horse loves this distance at ALW level. Worthy appearance by the stalker to try and garner some black type. Chances are that he’s probably better suited to the lesser level at this point. Factor for the board at best, but not without a chance since there’s no real clear favorite in this group. Perhaps the specialist in his element then will show them how its done.
Post 9: 11/1 – Abner Hill T (apacolypse): Hard luck sophomore by Akaaber. Grassy pedigree, but has never tried green stuff. Closer in main track sprinting contention versus age group, but hasn’t translated the same versus his elders. Looks like he’s spinning his wheels. Still eligible for NW3x. Sure, he can toss the SP#s every now and then, but can just as easily throw clinkers. Hasn’t won in ages, so need to try something else after 20 starts. Even if he doesn’t like the grass, perhaps the switch back then to dirt might improve his numbers.
Post 10: 6/1 – Spectacular Cat (subwinner): Gone West royal bred recently hit his best groove, winning 3 of last 4. The 4YO colt hasn’t won much from 36 outings and seems best at 6f to 7f. He can vie for the flat mile though, so I don’t think the odd distance will hamper him. Difficult to discount one on a roll. However, must transcend that ALW form to the stakes level leap. Yicky jockey, but closer should be there at end.
Post 11: 7/1 – Celtic Sweep (rickpitino): 5YO Deputy Minister son must rebound from two straight subpar efforts. At 37 starts, wear and tear kicking in? Enjoyed a good stretch over 7.5f earlier in the season. Fires gamely from midpackishness. Flip a coin though whether or not he’s at his best anymore.
Post 12: 6/1 – House Of Phyl(GB) (sal): Major threat from this sophomore Opera House(GB) colt. Pretty consistent from 25 starts and marked a 108 SP# win over 7.5f a ways back. Gets the fast track again this time around. Best when measuring just behind the frontrunners. Runs often and hard. If fit, should be there at wire. Two weeks rest though, but with top jockey in the irons.
Post 13: 9/1 – Cat Academy G (wassie): It took a while, but promising Storm Cat 4YO finally grabbed stakes win in 6th start. Very sweet 103 SP# stalker-style score over 6.5f. Better jockey aboard might turn tables around from dismal outing in his last. Only one route try and prefers to stick to 6 panels. therefore, must extend to longer one-turn. Not without a chance if he can put it all together.
Post 14: 13/1 – Sudden Royal (elida3): 5YO Palace Music grandson hasn’t won much. Career ALWer won three back over this distance in modest time and closed well in stakes as a follow-up. Closer not on same level as faves. Looks overmatched.
The full field navigates 7.5 furlongs on the main track.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Win: Four More Years
Place: House Of Phyl(GB)
Show: Niner Connection or Hit For The Cycle(NZ)
Good luck to all.