Preferred Power, Gingobell lead Marcos Footwear(G3) short field
Queensland– Not really surprising that the Grade 3 $225,000 Marcos Footwear Handicap only attracted five runners. Historically, this race’s January fields have been on the lite side.
However, what the Marcos(G3) lacks in bulk, it more than makes up in drama. This year’s renewal sees one of ’05’s top 10 furlong grass horses, Preferred Power, kick off his 2006 campaign. Additionally, we have a bright miler sophomore of last year (Gingobell) trying to extend his stamina. Toss in a shining upstart Aslan’s Mane(IRE) and a pair of longshots and we’ll test these fellows to the wire……….
But first, some Marcos(G3) Q & A:
Q: So what’s the story with moving this race from California to Queensland in 2001?
A: Blame it all on the newspaper’s editors! Ha! Back in ’99-’00, the Sim’s graded races pretty much followed their IRL equivalents. This race follows Santa Anita’s San Marcos Handicap, so therefore it originally appeared at California. Since most graded races are at a handful of tracks in the U.S., this meant that California, New York, and other big tracks hosted huge graded cards near each week.
To make a long story short, this wreaked havoc on the newspaper staff! We assigned writers to tracks and they were responsible for ALL stakes races at their track. “Big track” people covered 5 races sometimes, while “little track” people (LOL!) always covered one race. This was a huge mess, so the editors complained and convinced the Sim powers that be to “spread the wealth” around. Thus, the powers moved races like the Marcos to help bolster new or “little” tracks.
Q: But it was downgraded from Grade 2 status!
A: Yup, and probably to fit it into the grand graded scheme of things. But hey, it got a $75k boost in purse. 🙂
Q: ‘Footwear’?!!?
A: Darned if I know. A brand of tennis shoe? Or Marcos = Philippines’ former moonbat-lady Imelda Marcos and her “new shoes each day” lifestyle? The Sim powers must’ve been fans (or just drunk). Ha! 😉
Q: Who was the most popular winner?
A: Though Huge Tale (2000) was a genuine Sim superstar in his day, the “most popular” award has to go to Paper St. Soap Co. (2004). With an odd-n-memorable name, foxon’s ‘Soapie had a lot of fans among both players and SRF/BTB writers when he raced. 🙂
Q: Who was the richest Marcos winner?
A: Prospector Spend. He counted the 2002 lion’s share amongst his career’s $5.2 million dollars. Next up is Huge Tale ($5.1M), followed by Majestic Water ($4.8M).
Q: Which horse competed the most often in this race?
A: Prospector Rizzo. He appeared three times, winning the 2002 renewal. He finished 13th in 2003 and 6th in 2004.
Q: How many Breeders Bowl winners have graced this race?
A: Four. Both Alone Between Robe (Mile) and Stormy Prospector (Classic) ran 2nd in 1999 and 2003 respectively. Huge Tale (Mile) won the 2000 renewal over Writer Orange (Turf).
Well, that was fun! LOL! Scroll down the page to read more about the history of the Marcos Footwear Handicap. This year’s field’s short (and a tad boring — LOL!), so sorry I got kind of carried away with blarney. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Now for your 2006 renewal:
4/5 – Gingobell (notturna1): I wrote about this guy a couple times last year — he won the Coalmine Mile Cup(G2) against a pretty solid field of Monster Grass Mile sophomores. I love this 4YO Pine Bluff colt over the mile — he was one of a handful of last year’s 3YO crop that could compete effectively versus older horses (only beaten 4 lengths in Kingab Mile(G1) — that was a wicked race! Ditto for Canada Mile(G1)).
In his final ’05 start, Gingobell got in a speed duel and weakened just a tad over 9f. It wasn’t the first time that he weakened over 9f either. I’m kind of skeptical that he can win over 10f. This is such a short field however and he’s the only legit pace. Possible he can wire this one and hold clear late-closing Preferred Power.
Which leads us to…………
8/5 – Preferred Power (dshock): But Kingab’s horse is just not gonna sit too far back. He’s proven in the past to stalk well and I don’t think Larry will let him drop too far out of it. Pulpit 5YO makes his 31st start and you always got to worry when a horse hits that benchmark — wear and tear just might be right around the corner.
However, ‘Power specializes in 10f. He won the 2nd-half of the end-of-year “twin” million-dollar 10f Grade 1s (Eclipse(G1), 108 SP#). ‘Power coughed it up on DelPenn Day, but he should be back in form if fit. I think this race is his to win and Gingobell’s to lose (due to stamina questions).
But hold your horses because………
3/1 – Aslan’s Mane(IRE) (eddieboo): Eddieboo couldn’t ask for a more perfect graded stakes debut spot for this Theatrical(IRE) blueblood. C’mon! This race is totally written for him! Ha! Looks like a 2005 late-summer 3YO homebred. Won MSW and ALW easy peasy, then proceeded to take 3 of next 4. Talk about textbook with not one but *two* listed stakes wins to build class, SP#s, and confidence.
Gorgeous — he’ll probably sit behind Gingobell and maybe a longshot. This 4YO’s ready to pounce if the favorite gets winded on the far turn. More than enough class too to outrun Preferred Power to wire. Of course, he’s green with only 6 career starts, so tip the hat to ‘Power.
Finally the longshots…………
17/1 – Bounded Fool (freddy): 7YO ALW closer guaranteed a cheque — enjoys 10f and might pick up more money if one of the favorites cough it up badly. All 3 would have to fall flat on their faces if ‘Fool was to win.
78/1 – Mamool(FR) (punterdoug): The same for this 4YO. He’s in it for the minor cheque. Can’t fault the trainers, good race-spotting. 🙂
Snowchief’s Picks: (Not much of a trifecta!)
Win: Preferred Power (he’ll rebound to outrun inexperienced horse)
Place: Aslan’s Mane(IRE) (one to watch though!)
Show: Gingobell (possible, but I don’t see him getting the distance… worth a shot though!)
Good luck to all.
Grade 3 Marcos Footwear Handicap History:
8th installment this year, first run in 1999. First run at track CA (California), 1999-2000. Moved to track A3 (Queensland), 2001-present. All over 10 furlongs turf. All but two renewals on firm turf (course listed as “fast” (1999) & yielding (2001)). Purse: $150,000 in 1999-2000; $225,000 from 2001-present. Grade 2 ranking, 1999-2000; downgraded to Grade 3, 2001-present. Stakes record: 2:01 2/5 (tie: Huge Tale & Majestic Water). Real-life equivalent = San Marcos Handicap at Santa Anita
1999: Won by Pharivor (mrluck), 2:04 2/5 at California. Longshot survived pace cooker to hold off 1998 Breeders Bowl Mile(G1) champ Alone Between Robe by 1 3/4 lengths. Graded winners Pharsea ($690k) and Holy Ransom ($838k) led rest of mostly claimer-filled field. Turf course listed “fast” (off surfaces added in 2000).
5YO horse Pharivor won the Grade 2-ranked Marcos in just his 4th career outing. The River Mist son won several more turf listed stakes before eventually retiring in 2001. His greatest victory though came as a surprising longshot again in the Burrito Grande(G2-6.5fD) over the main track. Retired C-rank, $388k earnings. “Dam” of obscurely-sired filly who went winless through 8 starts.
2000: Won by Huge Tale (tfv), 2:01 2/5 at California. One of the Sim’s all-time great racehorses bagged stalker-style score over 1999 Breeders Bowl Turf(G1) champ Writer Orange (Huge Tale finished 6th in that BB race!). Millionaire also-rans Dynasea ($1.4M), Alyrap Roar ($1.7M), and Trillium Rick ($1.1M) led pretty decent field.
Already a Sim superstar, Huge Tale kicked off his ’00 campaign with the Marcos(G2) victory. The 7YO Nureyev horse would go on to win 4 Grade 1s that year, including a coveted triumph in the 2000 Breeders Bowl Mile (defeating eventual Sim Eclipse Horse Of Year, School Kris(GB)). A versatile grass star from 8f to 12f, Huge Tale’s best known for two things: 1) he was the celebrated rival of legendary Enough Knock (champion, 2001 Breeders Bowl Mile), and 2) he was his popular trainer and Sim pioneer Davarto’s (aka tfv stable) greatest racehorse. Retired A-rank in 2004, $5.1M bankroll. “Dam” of winless Carson City filly.
2001: Won by Prospector Spend (mv4ever), 2:03 at Queensland. Easy-peasy wire-to-wire romp over graded winner Prospector Doc ($1.1M). Remaining 4 starters were claimers/ALWers.
One of the Sim’s richest racehorses, Prospector Spend had a splendid career, winning 5 Grade 1s and hitting the board in 8 others. The Mr. Prospector son appeared twice in the Breeders Bowl (8th in ’00 Turf, 10th in ’01 Classic). He also performed in four consecuative Sand Castle Festival racedays (won ’01 Sand Castle Fee Duty(G1-9fT)). Although he was never a champion, such accomplishments really point to the depth and class of this horse’s career. Retired A-Rank in 2005 after earning $5.2M from 7 seasons of racing. “Dam” of active 3yo Green Desert colt (recent MSW winner).
2002: Won by Prospector Rizzo (basalt), 2:02 4/5 at Queensland. Authoritative stalker-style victory by 6 1/2 lengths. Left major graded winners September Matt ($1.8M), Erica’s Well ($1M), Seriously Form Ham($1.4M) in wake. ‘Rizzo also finished 13th and 6th respectively in the ’03 & ’04 Marcos(G3) renewals.
You can sure count Prospector Rizzo among “Sim oddity” horses. The Mr. Prospector son has made at least one start in 8 consecuative racing seasons and is still active at age 10 (Last start: 7th of 7 in Week 2734 ALW company)! In 1999, Prospector Rizzo additionally broke his maiden in a Grade 3 race (his turf debut)! Oddities aside though — if you look further into this horse’s career, you’ll realize that he was a tremendous 10 furlong turfer. He basically won 3 of the perhaps 5 or 6 great 10f grass races: winning the ’01 Windy City Turf Classic(G1-10fT), ’02 Doomben Cup(G1-10fT), and the ’03 Judgemont Intern’tl(G1-10.5fT). He also finished 2nd to Dusty Dance in the ’99 Breeders Bowl Turf. Never a champion, but fabulous career for Prospector Rizzo. Active at age 10, in ALW ranks at 49 starts. Earnings: $3.7M.
2003: Won by Majestic Water (simshady), 2:01 2/5 at Queensland. Greatest Marcos(G3) renewal saw stalker Majestic Water hold clear late-closing Stormy Prospector (champion, BC Classic winner, $11M). Popular racemare Amanda Jane ($3.4M), ’02 Middle Jewel(G1-9.5fD) hero Unbridled Fury ($1.4M), defending Marcos champ Prospector Rizzo, and graded winners Jericho Judge(FR), etc among full field also-rans.
One of the great claims in Sim history, Majestic Water began his career in the *Computer barn. The Majestic Light colt wasn’t highly regarded — he was let go in claims twice for $30k before simshady welcomed the overlooked sophomore. Thus embarked a wonderful 5+ year odyssey with Majestic Water taking his trainer twice to the Breeders Bowl Turf (6th in ’02, 7th in ’03). Along the way, the duo won a heap of dough, including the Classic Turf(G1-12fT), John Scott(G1-12fT), Movieland Turf Cup(G1-12fT) and a glorious 7 1/2 length victory over major turf winner Bristol Rovers in the 2003 Coalminer Cup(G1-12fT). They’re still rumbling in the graded stakes ranks today. Active at age 8; 50 starts. Earnings: $4.8M.
2004: Won by Paper St. Soap Co. (foxon), 2:02 4/5 at Queensland. Wire-to-wire romp for the odds-on fave. Pretty weak field that included a past-his-prime Prospector Rizzo. Graded winners Manni’s Petrush, Individual Knee ($1M), etc. among 8-horse field.
With a memorable name, it wasn’t surprising that Paper St. Soap Co. became a popular Sim star. The Academy Award son boasted modest bloodlines, but beat the bluebloods more often than his fair share. After his Marcos(G3) triumph, he’d collect three Grade 1s in 2004, earning himself a ticket to the Breeders Bowl Mile (didn’t like the cutback in distance, finishing last of 14). He retired soon the following year. A-rank with 18 wins from 40 starts, $2.1M. “Dam” of 4YO claimer colt by Theatrical(IRE).
2005: Won by Dreaming Of Lauren (capncoke), 2:02 at Queensland. Only off pace closer to win the Marcos(G3). Commanded 3 1/4 lengths on 11-horse field at wire. Graded winners Black Hank, West Of Slew, Sadler Mambo, etc among also-rans.
Dreaming Of Lauren finally broke his maiden after 5 starts on the lawn (2004). It would take another full year before he’d make the Marcos(G3) his first black type victory. The Lear Fan 4YO colt competed admirably afterwards in 8f to 10f turf grades, wining the Turf Invaders(G1) last summer. He was unplaced in the Breeders Bowl Mile. Active at age 5; 24 starts in graded ranks. Earnings: $777k.