Xtremely a Fan Makes Second Start for New Stable

One of the top ten stories of 2005 was the controversial dispersing of the EJDStable, in particular, the number one rated classic turf horse Xtremely a Fan.  Placing him up for grabs in a claiming race led to two rule changes and who knows how many new stables created just for a chance to get in on a claiming jackpot.

The winner of that jackpot was the very capable JPCrazy stable.  Xtremely a Fan seems to be thriving in his new environment and didn’t lose a step in the Grade I DelPenn Dash, finishing second by a diminishing length.

Now Xtremely a Fan tries the $500,000 Grade I Nijinsky Handicap against a nice field, including the winner of the Pennsylvania Handicap and the show horse in the KingAb Mile.

Here is a look at the field:

1. CapnCoke (13%) does not like to overwork his small stable.  Dreaming of Lauren (4 yo c, Lear Fan x Theatrical) has been off for nine weeks since his disappointing effort in the Breeders Bowl Mile.  Last several races have alternated good race/bad race.  If that trend continues, look for something good today.  He finished ahead of Xtremely a Fan in the Grade I Turf Invaders.  Will be coming late.

2. Honour My Name (4 yo c, Galileo x Bluebird) has finished in the money in six of his last seven races.  The Manager (15%) trainee can run early or just off the pace.  He is 0 for six in graded stakes, but with two thirds, including a nice effort against a tough Crazy Horse Classic field four races back. 

3. The Toppa1 (11%) stable is back from another vacation – this time for eight weeks.  (Tappa1 takes more vacations than George Bush, who, coincidentally is currently on vacation.)  Jet Boy (4 yo c, Gold Carat x Brown Arc) is a winner of six out of ten turf routes. Like all of Toppa1’s charges he is lightly used this year, with four wins and a second in five starts.  He makes his third stakes appearance and his first graded effort here.  The speed figures are very competitive for this early/pressing type.

4. Surgeon Tubes (4 yo c, Rousillon x Be My Guest) ran in a restricted claiming race just three months ago, and he is winless in his previous two stakes tries, though he did make a nice late run against a suspect field in The Spring Head Stakes last time.  BigRama (20%) is an excellent trainer who sees reason to think he has a shot for some more improvement from the big colt.

5. As Xtremely a Fan (4 yo c, A. P. Indy x Kris S.) gets used to his new barn, trainer JPCrazy (18%) gets used to his new charge.  Xtremely could not get up in time for the seven furlong DelPenn Dash, so he stretches out here.  In his old barn, he ran mostly miles.  He has gone zero for six at nine furlongs or longer.  Today’s race is nine furlongs.  Former quarterback Joe Montana rides, and he is only winning at a 5% rate in 2005.  All of that said, the race is his to lose.

6. Gerfly’s Deed (4 yo c, Geri x Shadeed) is ten of 16 in turf routes, including one graded win.  The Tomsfly (11%) trainee looked sharp in his late charging win earlier this month.  He was not competitive the last time he faced such a tough field in the Man of War.  The worry here is he will again be outclassed.

7. Pepe’s Pipes (4 yo c, Singingintherain x Iron) was a huge upset when he wired the Pennsylvania Handicap field last time.  Now the Dundey5 (16%) trained colt is number two in the field in earnings per start and has ten wins in 15 turf routes.  There aren’t any others in here who need the early lead, so jockey Edwards’ instructions will be clear: shoot for the lead and hang on. 

8. Manifest Destiny (3 yo c, Storm Cat x Fusaichi Pegasus) hasn’t shown much since his last prep for the Breeders Bowl Mile.  He still ranks as the number one three year old at the distance for trainer Tigerman (16%), but his form seems to be regressing.

9. Second choice in the morning line is Gingobell (3 yo c, Pine Bluff x Silver Ghost).  The Notturnal (9%) trainee lived up to his favoritism last time in The Little Pond, earning a 111 speed figure.  He has five stakes wins this year – all against three year olds.  Efforts against older have been more like in The KingAb, where he finished behind two others in here.  Very nice speed figures though, and an ability to run near the lead.

10. The third three year old in the field is the lightly raced Redsadky (3 yo c, Red Ransom x Sadler’s Wells).  The Sherwood (13%) trained colt is coming off of his second straight 110 speed figure while finishing third in the highly contentious KingAb Mile.  Five for eight now, that last was his only try against older.  He attracts the services of number one jockey H Harzheim.

11. The outside post goes to A Bus (4 yo c, Viscount x Ack Drone).  The Brew (8%) trainee is making his 34^th career start.  Earlier this year he was running speed figures that would be competitive here, but his recent efforts have been dull, and he has recent losses to Gingobell, Dreaming of Lauren, and Honour My Name.  Would need to wake up.

Morning line selections: 5-9-10-2

Timmn’s picks: 10-5-3-1