Twice Told Tale, Granhee Face Off In Sweden

Ten horses are here this week for the G2 Jacobsson Stakes. This race is 8.5 furlongs on the firm turf for a purse of $200,000. This will be the sixth running of this race. Historically, this race will require something in the range of a 118 speed figure out of the winner, discounting the inaugural running and last year’s race which was run on a good surface rather than firm. Such sim legends as Pro Amad, Huge Treasure, and Seriously Double have run, and lost, here. Certainly, that will happen again, as we have some top notch runners today, despite more lucrative G1 races being run this same week.

The morning line favorite at 5/2 is nextbonus’ wonderhorse Twice Told Tale. The 5yo by Java Gold is coming off a most excellent victory in the G3 Harry Carey Memorial, in which he came flying from the back to score by over a length with a 112. As his owner says, he is back in peak form and will give the other runners all they can handle. There should be plenty of frontrunning speed for him to run down once again.

At 7/2 is ruby7’s Causes Wood(IRE). A 4yo by Giant’s Causeway(IRE) based on a Woodman horse, he is ranked #14 in the turf classic division. He hasn’t finished off the board since he was a 2yo, and has won six of eight starts this year, all at the stakes level. He typically races at longer distances than this, and loves to get out to a very large lead. He made the leap into graded races two starts ago, and scored his first G1 victory last time out in the Coxless Stakes. He has the top jockey here, and is a very real threat to win this wire to wire.

The first of Jacobsson’s entries is Tete Novembre(IRE) at 9/2. Appropriately enough, he will be ridden today by J. Jacobsson. A 4yo by Noverre(IRE), he has won his only two graded starts to date, both G3 and both this year, the last being the G3 Premium Jockey Guild Stakes in Italy last time out. He also prefers to run on the lead, so it looks like there will be a battle up front in this race. It should be noted that jockey J. Jacobsson won this race last year aboard George’s X Con, and he did it by rating, so perhaps the same tactic will be employed today.

Granhee should need no introduction to anyone who follows the 3yo Classics in North America. The 4yo by Sakhee won the G1 Bluegrass Derby last year, and followed it up with an astounding run in the G1 Travelers Stakes. He fell off form this year, and was subsequently labelled washed up and put in the auction. New owner freeky brought him back after a much-needed layoff, and ran in an allowance to get him into race shape. It will be interesting to see what he does here, as his pedigree (Sakhee x El Gran Senor) is loaded with turf influence, and he was graded-placed on turf as a 2yo. His only other start on turf was beyond his distance capabilities, so this will be a true test to see what he can do. As his owner stated, “He is on 4 weeks rest, sharp and kicking down the stall doors! The question now is – when is the last time Granhee was sharp and properly rested for a race. Been a long time, eh?” He offered one additional comment before walking away,”I will be more than pleased if Granhee finishes 8th and the two Tete horses bring up the rear! Woot!” Granhee goes off at 6/1 odds.

Neon Swan is an interesting little horse. He is the only graded-winner by Festival Of Light, who has 48 runners, 32 of which are winners. A 3yo, he really came into his own in his last four races…and has won a G2 and placed in another, both right here in Sweden. Well, they do say there are horses for courses, and it seems he may be one of them. His win was in the G2 Jockey Club Classic, where he ran a 109. He gets his usual jockey, S. Marts, once again, and prefers to come from clear back, so he likely will be flying at the frontrunners in the stretch along with Twice Told Tale. His odds are 7/1.

At 8/1 is the grand old campaigner Foggy Prospect. The 7yo Spinning World horse last ran in the G3 Harry Carey. His last really good race came a year ago, when he ran second in the G1 Kingab Mile with a 112, which is being contested this week in Ireland. He’s had a very nice career, winning a G2 as a 5yo, but age and wear and tear have likely left this class of racing beyond his current abilities. Regardless, he has won over a million dollars in his career and his owner should be proud.

At 14/1 is daunte6’s War City, a 3yo by War Chant out of a Zocor mare. This young man is still in the early stages of his career, which he began on the dirt. Once switched to turf, however, he showed his true colors, and is 3 for 3 on the surface. He made his presence known last time out in the G2 Cherry Limb Stakes in California, winning from off the pace with a 104. This is a bit of a jump in class for him, but we will definitely be seeing more of this colt no matter where he finishes today.

The other Jacobsson entry is Tete Bloody Tete(NZ), a son of Zabeel(NZ) out of an Indian Ridge(IRE) mare. A 4yo, he goes off at 15/1 and will be ridden by the younger brother S. Jacobsson. He is dropping back in distance today, not having run at less than 9.5f this year, and having won at distances up to two miles. His speed figures aren’t up to those of the top entrants today, and it seems likely that he will be better off sticking to running long, but when a race is named after you, well…you run!

At 16/1 is socalsipe’s Monkidle, a 5yo horse by Turkoman out of a Theatrical(IRE) mare. He ran second in this year’s G2 Kakarazuka Tinen Cup in Japan, and ran third in a G1 last year. He has run as fast as 116 at a mile, and if he can dig down and find that kind of effort within him, could surprise here.

Rounding out the field is former claimer One Oh First, a 3yo by War Emblem out of a Luthier(FR) mare. His new owner ariel finally tried what should have been tried earlier, running him beyond 12f, and he should find future success if he sticks with that.

There are plenty of questions that will be answered on Saturday in this race. Is Twice Told Tale really back in prime form? Can Granhee recreate himself and find a new career on turf? Will Causes Wood(IRE) be able to hang on up front when faced with the type of come-from-behind threat that Twice Told Tale brings to the table? Or will one of the Tete colts uphold the family honor and bring home the victory for the Jacobsson clan? Even with all of the other major races being run this week, this is one that will make sim history. Don’t miss it!