Marathoners Invade Ireland

Nine horses go to the post this week for our feature race in Ireland, The Phil’s Burritos Cap, a marathon affair at 13 furlongs on the dirt course for a purse of $75,000. As seems to be the usual case here, we have a nice mix of one-time claimers, hard-knocking veterans, and up-and-comers for this one.

Leading the post parade is Big Grey Tom Cat. I love this horse’s name. He is a son of Tale Of The Cat out of a Grey Dawn II mare. He’s a bit of a hard horse to figure out, having run as well as second in a stakes at this distance with a speed fig of 92 earlier this year, but he’s kind of bombed out since then, although most of those were on turf, and he clearly seems to prefer dirt. Perhaps the dirt sprint last time out shook some of the cobwebs out of his brain and he will find himself today.

The favourite today is Aubrey, a handsome dark grey 4yo by Cozzene, at 2/1. I must admit that I ducked this horse in his last race and ran elsewhere, as he has been running very strong all season. He has won four races this year and run second in his only two stakes outings. This is his first try beyond classic distances, but with a stamina-packed pedigree and Mizzi Russell in the irons, he looks like a strong choice here today.

In post three is gonzo2’s Alyphager. He is a 5yo by Prosper Fager, and is hoping to pull it off like H’siao Chu did in my last article…get to the front and don’t let anyone by. He’s another one that’s a bit hard to figure, running well in allowance company but just not quite being able to get it done at the stakes level. He has run a 94 at this distance, though, which certainly puts him in the running here.

In post four is Go N’Bonkers. A dazzling light grey 4yo by Spectacular Bid, he won a stakes at two miles just two starts ago. Anyone want to guess his damsire? Yup, good old Ela-Mana-Mou(Ire). This colt has a dirt record of 7-3-3-0, including that stakes race. Teamatc1 knew what they were doing when they claimed him off the turf and put him back on dirt for his next six starts. He hasn’t run the speed figs some here have, but he hasn’t been tested in his dirt races much. He won the two mile race by 6-1/4. Nice.

In post five is Toprofitwithlove. He is by Danehill out of an Affirmed mare, and only recently moved up to longer distances. He’s earned a check in both of his stakes races so far, but he’s shown a tendency to get too far behind too fast and then forgetting to fire. When he does fire, he looks very good, though, so maybe today he’ll put it all together.

In post six is the up-and-coming 3yo As Wells Mambo. You want a blueblood marathon horse? How about Sadler’s Wells x Kingmambo. Ruby6 has taken his time developing this youngster, and finally stretched him out to 13 furlongs last time out. The result was a convincing win in a mighty stretch run from a good 13 lengths back. Today is his stakes debut. This baby is on his way up, and will be one to keep an eye on next year as he turns four and matures even more.

In post seven in the second-favourite at 3/1, Majesty’s Way(GB). A 5yo by Diesis(GB), he has been off the track for nearly two months, so he should be fresh and ready to run for top jock Z. Kentucky. All three of his wins this year were in stakes company, and he’s won allowances at this distance with speeds up to 100, so he should pose a threat to the favourite if he’s not too rusty.

In post eight is Babyfaced Assassin, a 4yo by Graeme Hall. He won an allowance at two miles two races ago, and placed third in a stakes at this distance last time out. He ships in from the midwest, where he has been running very well in allowances and the occasional stakes race. He is the third-favourite at 4/1.

Rounding out the field is my own Yachsen(GB), a 5yo by Dubai Millennium(GB). He ran well earlier this season, nabbing a couple of allowances then running second in his first two stakes races. He’s still licking his wounds from a poor performance last time out in a G3 in which his so-called trainer decided to screw with the jockey instructions. This time the instructions are left up to jockey A. Reed, who surely will know what’s best for the horse.

This is shaping up to be an interesting race for sure. We should see Alyphager on the lead, with Aubrey and Yachsen(GB) tucked in not far behind him, and perhaps Babyfaced Assassin as well. The rest of the field tends to want to come from farther back there, and it’s really anyone’s guess which one(s) will come flying. Tune in Saturday to find out. Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.