The RED HOT RUMOURS Challenge

$90,000 Purse – One Mile for Three Year Olds

Winter is here in Louisville and the forecast for Saturday is a seasonal 41 cool degrees and windy.  This won’t deter the spirits of nine bright eyed young colts out to test their metal in the one mile RED HOT RUMOURS Challenge.  No doubt a few of their owners will have visions of Kentucky in May dancing in their heads while the $90,000 up for grabs Saturday should keep their feet firmly on the ground.

#1        SAINTSTOWN                      Owner/Breeder – Champions Stable

Out of Speightstown’s first crop, Saintstown has never been out of the money though all efforts to this point have been sprints.  His is well accomplished at the Stakes level having a stakes win plus four stakes-placed results so far.  Distance will be a question though his off the pace running style will likely help in a race full of early speed.

#2            DEVILWOOD                               Owner/Breeder – Chapin Farms

Least experienced in this field, this son of Devil’s Bag does have his only win at this distance.  This step up will require an improvement over that effort.

#3            FERNANDO STORM             Owner – Fernando Stables      Breeder – Fersara Stud

This well-bred son of Storm Cat is the leading earner in the field at just over $200k.  He is also the only entrant to demonstrate any success at the Graded Stakes level with two placings so far.  That being said, he has yet to show an affinity to a distance beyond 7f.

#4            DR. KINGSHIFT                        Owner/Breeder – Cooma1 Farm

This crop leading son of Monarchos is zero for three to date in Stakes company.  Would need a significant jump in form to compete here.

#5            PRETEND AND COVET       Owner/Breeder – Dade Farms

This one turned in a very sharp effort last time out over 7.5 f on a sloppy track.  If this son of Sky Mesa can turn in another 93 Beyer at this distance over this track, he will be hard to beat.  If the sloppy going was the reason for the jump in form, the hard going expected for Saturday won’t help this colt.  

#6            GOLD BANSHIII                       Owner/Breeder – Dolphinman Investments

This Arazi colt is the first foal of the talented racemare Gold Banshii.  She was a Grade II winner and a five time stakes winner herself, so you know there are high hopes for this colt.  Her son does come into this race with the best Juvenile ranking.  He was a stakes winner at this distance back in September though his form seems to have dropped off somewhat since then.  With ten starts in his Juvenile season (the most in this group) he may be in need of a rest.  Perennial leading jockey, Don Givins should help matters.

#7            SADLER JONES                      Owner/Breeder – Amybab1

This son of freshman sire Smarty Jones should be vying for the early lead with Deblush.  He will need to show some more ability to place well here.

#8            DEBLUSH                                       Owner/Breeder – Tenpin7 Enterprises

A son of Dehere, Deblush has a lot going for him coming into this race: most wins (4), one-for-one at this distance, and the best Beyer at a mile (91).  He is most successful when able to get a clear lead early and is certain to be fending off some closers in the later stages.

#9            THAT’S AMORE G                  Owner/Breeder – DGDG Inc.

Not much to say about this son of Mining other than he has shown a remarkable versatility in running styles.  In his last three starts; he has been free and clear on the lead, sitting cozy just off of the pace, and run at the back of the pack.  Interestingly, all three efforts have been quite credible.  Those races have been in lesser company so an improvement would be required Saturday and the rated running style is likely to show the most promise in this one.

My Picks:  Saintstown .. should get the distance – Deblush – Gold Banshiii