Not Ready for Prime Timers Clutter Middle Distance
There’s the Delaware Mile, and then, there’s the not quite ready for prime timers, a/k/a the Middle Distance Classic, sort of like Festivus for the rest of us. As usual, enough nags were rounded up that the race was split into two divisions. The first division stays put, the others have the misfortune of going to Jersey. It’s short of a shame to put up $500k for a race like this, but hey, it’s Christmas time, so why not have a giveaway? And, for once, the race has drawn a pair of graded stakes winners so track management might actually get some bang for its buck, even if it is essentially a match race with the General as a possible spoiler.
Super Empire or Super Hype? You decide. Flashed talent early on, including a narrow loss behind future graded stakes winner (and Delaware Mile contender) Taking Risks, but has failed to truly deliver the goods. Showed signs of life last time out, but will have to show a lot more of a pulse to have a shot here for the super8 motel. Next.
Penultimate has been on a steady downward spiral, and from the looks of things, the colt is trying to live up to his name – if that’s the case, the gradeone colt is gunning for fourteenth. Next.
Herbert Ross was apparently, um “persuaded” to take the mount on Sumo Left. This once precocious juvenile has gone the way of Nebraska – instead of playing on New Year’s, as in past seasons, they’re playing in the Alamo Bowl. Kind of a let down. An upset here, based on the last four, is unlikely. Next.
Blushing Ballet. Still eligible for NW2L after 23 starts, ninth in this event last year for domedriver. ‘Nuff said. Next.
Finally! A horse that has actually won in his last four starts. General has General K. Mambo, who rides a two race winning streak into this event. Of course, those wins were against allowance competition, but at this point, we can’t afford to be all that picky. Showed decent speed figs, has a shot against this bunch, which is damning with faint praise.
Tim made a pretty nice claim with Indigo West, as the blue-blood turned claimer finally showed some ability, winning an allowance in his first start for his new trainer. Never ran a lick two weeks later, and perhaps suffered an injury in that race, as there’s a seven week layoff between then and now. If Tim works his mojo (patent pending), there could be an upset; but most likely starters are more suitable than claimers right now.
Bonechewer spits out Edict of Trent, who rebounds from two abysmal starts on the lawn to run an even fourth. Yeah, he won at a mile a few starts back with a 100 SF, but until he looks to be more than a one-hit wonder, I’ll pass. Next.
What a difference a year makes. Last year, afc3’s Razor King won this race with a 114 SF (and a runner-up effort two years ago), now, the blade is dulled and rusted. After a lengthy layoff (15 weeks), the six year old broke sharp, then went backwards every step of the way, finally managing to finish with an 80 SF for the mile. Not sure that went anywhere near enough to sharpen him up for the big dance. Connections have to hope that the big guy can step up for the big day one more time; but the magic eight ball says “No.” Next.
Rocinante has another of these, step up in allowance races just often enough to keep your hopes alive (sort of like golf), but then fail miserably the rest of the time runners that plague this field. In Seventy Six Piddle’s case (what sort of name is that? Piddle? Like P Diddy?), there’s been a handful of one mile allowance wins with quite a bit of forgettable runs. The plus side is that he likes the mile, but the last two hint at a visit from the wear and tear fairy. Next.
Whirlwind sends out Controversy Again, who finished just behind Razor King in last year’s edition of the MDM, and in that year, has precisely two allowance wins from 11 starts since (this race is starting to look more like an N3y than a stakes . . . .). A few flashy performances, a lot of forgettable ones; other than the General, this race is starting to remind me of the Jets a few seasons back, when the team kept finding ways to lose the game. Like countless others in this race, on the right day, sure, has a chance, but way too inconsistent to bank on it. Next.
Silver Shadows hails from the bigiron barn, has an allowance score three back, and a decent second at this distance, but like most of the field, would need a step up to win here. Last race three weeks ago was not a good sign for things to come. Next
Texas Ranger, for super2 is starting to turn out to be a one-hit wonder, and doesn’t have a much better record than the baseball team. A 110 SF at a mile three starts back, and not much since – yeah, one was a Grade 1, another a turf race, but still. Barring a lift from the turf to dirt angle, this guy is a one-hit wonder until he proves otherwise. Next.
Danzig With Buda puts up fast times, but not very many wins, for juju. A finicky sort that has to have things exactly his way – he hasn’t found the winner’s circle in a year, even when dropped to the allowance ranks. Next.
Finally, we get to the good stuff:
Vindiana Jones, winner of the G2 Shiny Gem four starts back for peeps6 with a 105 SF for the 9 panels. Hasn’t one since, but two were longer routes, and drops back to the mile here. Was third in his only previous try at the distance; which is the main question mark. Rumor has it that some of the DelPenners are consulting the Temple of Doom in an effort to derail this guy’s hopes.
Orca, like many of afc3’s horses, has had a rough 2005 after a banner 2004. Clearly needed his latest after an extended layoff. Horse has been a victim of his inability to rate – taken off the lead, he frets and sulks, so his best chance, even if he gets fried out there, is to live and die on the lead. Will be interesting to see the riding tactics on this one. If he can recapture the form of last season/early this spring, look out, but that’s a big IF.