2YO OPEN SPRINT SMACKDOWN CHALLENGE
If the smackdown series between Delpenn and Grs has not been determined by the time the final race is run then we are in for a wild finish in the series as this race looks to be a wide open affair with just about every entry having a shot at the win. This final race is the 2YO open dirt sprint to be run over 7 furlongs at the Deleware track. The race is so close that even the morning line hanidicapper had difficulties seperating the entries with the co-favorites listed at a whopping 7-1 with the next 3 choices listed at 8-1 and 2 more at 9-1. The longest shot in the race is listed at 16-1 and even this entry has a good shot at winning the race. While the race seems to have more closers entered than speed the field looks like it will provide an honest pace and a wild finish for the $250,000 purse and more importantly the bragging rites to the Smackdown title.
Let’s take a look at the field:
1) DISHONORED 16/1 NOCALBRED(GRS) Z WYLDE (13.7%) EXPLOIT X MR. GREELY X GALLANT MAN HIGH SR-82 RUNNING STYLE-CLOSER
This colt won his MSW debut posting a 72 sr over a 5.5 furlong contest on the dirt and then came back to finish 2nd in THE TIMELESS DOLLAR STAKES posting an 82 sr over the 6.5 furlong contest. That race was 10 weeks ago and we will have to see how the extended layoff will affect the colt’s performance today. An above average jockey is a bonus as with the closing style a good trip will be needed to score here today.
2)LULU’S FIRST TAP 8/1 EPIC(GRS) H ROSS(21%) TAPIT X KING MAMBO X SADLER’S WELLS HIGH SR-86 RUNNING STYLE-SPEED/STALKER
This colt won his debut in a 2YO open allowance with a 72 sr over 5 furlongs. After a 2nd place finish in another open allowance he won THE WOODCUTTER STAKES posting an 80 sr and then finished 3rd in the GRADE III ABSTRACT JUVENILE with an 86 sr which is the high rating for any in this field. He has the most experience of all the runners in this field with 4 races under his belt and has the services of the track top jockey today. He is coming in off of a 5 week layoff and with his ability to both carry the speed and stalk the early pace looks to be a serious factor in this race today. This colt is the 16th ranked juvenile dirt sprinter in the sim which is the highest ranking of any in the field today.
3) ECHOVIBE 13/1 SANATARIUM(DP) A THOMPSON(8.8%) VICTORY GALLUP X HENNESSY X IN REALITY HIGH SR-80 RUNNING STYLE-CLOSER
This colt has yet to break his maiden having finished 2nd in his MSW debut over 5.5 furlongs on the dirt course 5 weeks ago. He earned an 80 sr in that debut race and any improvement on that number would make him a solid contender today. Below average jockey will have to guide this colt with a solid trip as he will be coming from the back in this one, which may make him like the extra distance today.
4) PERFECT GAME 10/1 SIMSTER8(GRS) T CROW(11.7%) PLEASANTLY PERFECT X SEATTLE SLEW X CONDUCTION HIGH SR-84 RUNNING STYLE-STALKER
After a 5th place finish in his debut he rebounded with a MSW win in his second start posting a 78 sr over the 5.5 furlong event which prompted a stakes attempt where he finished 3rd in THE ALNAAB AVENGER STAKES posting a nifty 84 sr over the 6 furlong contest 6 weeks ago. Above average jockey should have him close to the pace setters today and with his improvement in every race should be one of many who will contend in this wide open affair.
5)BADDER THAN BAD(IRE) 8/1 SUPER18(DP) PE HENDERSON(1.2%) EL PRADO(IRE) X NIJINSKY II X RAISE A NATIVE HIGH SR-78 RUNNING STYLE-STALKER/CLOSER
This colt took 2 tries before scoring his maiden win in a MSW contest, both of which he was credited with 77 sr over the 6 furlong affairs. He came back 8 weeks ago in THE NATURAL STALLION STAKES posting a 78 sr while finishing 4th in the 6 furlong race. He runs a closing style of race but can sit up closer to the pace if needed to. He picks up the services of a very poor win percentage jockey and I cannot see that helping his cause any. I prefer some of the other closers in this race to him but with 2 year olds you can never discount on an improved effort.
6) TEUTONIC TERROR 15/1 WEMBLEM(GRS) G ROGERS (12.2%) GILDED TIME X SOVEREIGN DANCER X PRINCE JOHN HIGH SR-82 RUNNING STYLE-SPEED
This colt is another who took 2 starts in the MSW ranks to post his first win but he improved his speed rating from 73 to 82 in the process in his win 6 weeks ago. If he can continue the improving trend in this contest he will be a formidable foe today. Above average jockey should have this one out gunning for the lead and depending on the pace will determine where he will end up at the finish line.
7) DARK PRINCES 8/1 SUPER27(DP) W CISCO(7.4%) EMPIRE MAKER X WILD AGAIN X NUREYEV HIGH SR-81 RUNNING STYLE-CLOSER
This colt won his debut race 5 weeks ago posting an impressive debut sr of 81 over the 6 furlong MSW contest. He has a below average jockey aboard who will have to contend with many other closers in this race that is shaping up to be a wild stretch finish.
8) BILLZDANZIGGOLD 7/1 BILLZPAID(GRS) G GUNN(7.2%) GONE WEST X NUREYEV X HAIL TO REASON HIGH SR-81 RUNNING STYLE-CLOSER
This colt took two tries to break his maiden after posting an 81 sr in a 6 furlong MSW race 6 weeks ago improving over his 77 sr in his debut where he finished 2nd. Another below average jockey will need to be on his game today to guide this closing colt in the stretch drive.
9) BACHELOR PARTY 10/1 SUPER19(DP) B IRONSIDE(12.5%) POINT GIVEN X BLUSHING GROOM(FR) X MR. PROSPECTOR HIGH SR-80 RUNNING STYLE-CLOSER
This colt won his MSW debut with a 73 sr in a 5.5 furlong contest and followed that up with a 3rd place finish in a NW2L allowance contest improving to a 76 sr. His last race 6 weeks ago was THE GRIM DANCER STAKES where he finished 3rd improving again with an 80 sr over 6.5 furlongs. Average jockey will need to find an open lane in the stretch for this closer to get him up at the wire, but with the improving trend over his 3 lifetime starts will be a solid contender here today.
10) HUSKER DU 9/1 MIKEHUSKER(DP) M SWANN(9.5%) EMPIRE MAKER X DEPUTY MINISTER X NATIVE CHARGER HIGH SR-80 RUNNING STYLE-STALKER
This colt won his debut MSW race with a 76 sr over the 5.5 furlong affair. He has run in two NW1X allowances since finishing 2nd with an 80 sr and 4 weeks ago winning with a 79 sr while running 6.5 furlongs in the slop. He is the 92nd rankes juvenile dirt sprinter in the sim this year. Average jockey should have him up close to the front runners waiting for the stretch to make his final move. A solid contender here in this race.
11) WORST DAY EVER 7/1 LENNY16(GRS) T VINCENT(10.3%) KINGMAMBO X SADLER’S WELLS X SECRETARIAT HIGH SR-78 RUNNING STYLE-CLOSER
After winning his debut MSW race with a 76 sr he was entered into the GRADE III MONTANA FUTURITY where he finished 5th with a 78sr over the 5.5 furlong contest 4 weeks ago. I tend to think this was to big a class jump for him right away and would have been better to have tried the allowance ranks in his second race before jumping up into graded company. He will need to improve his sr today as a mid to high 80’s will probably be required to win this one today. Average jockey will be charging hard from behind in the stretch drive.
12) WTAS HOLLANDIA 14/1 WTAS05(DP) H WILSON (11.6%) EXPLOIT X FORTY NINER X DIMAGGIO HIGH SR-79 RUNNING STYLE-SPEED STALKER
This colt is a perfect 2 for 2 having won his debut MSW race with a 78 sr and then scoring in an owner restricted allowance (sponsored by this horses owner) with a 79 sr over 6 furlongs, 7 weeks ago. He is another who will have to improve the sr figure to be competitive here and has the services of an average jockey who should have this one either on or up near the lead. This colt is ranked 125th in the juvenile dirt sprint category this year.
13) GRAND CRU 15/1 SUPER10(DP) I WIMPY (10.7%) CAPE TOWN X BLUSHING GROOM (FR) X TORSION HIGH SR-81 RUNNING STYLE-CLOSER
This colt won his debut with a 73 sr over 5 furlongs and then degressed finishing 4th in a NW1X allowance posting a 70 sr over 5.5 furlongs. 7 weeks ago he came back to score an impressive win in a NW2L allowance improving with an 81 sr over 6 furlongs. His closing style may have him enjoying the extra ground in this one, and he does have the services of an average jockey.
14) FOREST ROYALTY 9/1 GIVEN2(GRS) D SILVER (9%) FOREST WILDCAT X GONE WEST X ROYAL SKI HIGH SR-83 RUNNING STYLE-SPEED
This colt is one of the few speedters in this race and will be gunning for the lead from the outside post at the start of the race. He is a perfect 2 for 2 winning his debut MSW with a 78sr and then winning a NW1X allowance 7 weeks ago improving to an 83 sr over 6 furlongs. As with the other frontrunners the pace will determine how long this one will last but if he improves off of his last race he will be a formidable fow today.
Wow, what a tough race to handicap here. While I have made my picks to be 2-4-10, there are many more who figure to be tough in this race today, and with the unpredictability of 2 year olds who can improve so much race to race it will make for a very wide open final race in the smackdown competition.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING.