Breeders’ Bowl 2013: Turf

Breeders’ Bowl Turf

Grade I / Group 1 – Purse : $3,000,000
Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older
12 Furlongs | ~2400 Meters | One Mile and a Half

We have great weather, the track is in perfect condition, the ladies are dressed in their finery and the gentlemen are in their element. On this spectacular day of racing we are featuring a fantastic international field of 14 elite turf horses, trained by some of the best trainers in the game, the Grade 1 Breeders Bowl Turf over the classic distance of one and a half miles (2400 meters), restricted to 3 year olds and older. The Breeders Bowl races are among the most prestigious races on the Sim calendar and we wish all runners the best of luck in running and may the best horse win. Now let’s have a look at the runners.

TO CATCH A KITTY (icbomber7 – GR Simsters) 19 runs, 10 wins $5,925,113.
My No 1 selection. This 4 year old grey colt by Kitten’s Joy has won over the 12f on turf 4 times but as yet has not been tested on this track. He is in scintillating form winning his last 3 starts easily in G1 company, running speed figures of 114, 118 and 120. His last start was a win in the 12F G1 Classic Turf Stakes on turf running a SP 114. His scintillating win in the 11F G1 United Countries Hcp, 2 runs back, running a sizzling SP 120 sets the benchmark, can he reproduce that here? To be ridden by his regular jockey L Radzinski, he won’t get any favours from gate 12 but is an almighty chance to add to his already outstanding record. Great horse, one of the best chances in a very open race. ODDS 4/1

DYNAMIC FORCE (jdrhys – All-Stars Racing) 16 runs, 8 wins $5,282,670.
My No 4 selection. This 4 year old brown colt by Montjeu has won 5 times over the 12f on turf and has had success at this track, winner of this race in 2012. 2 runs back he won the G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald Stakes 12F turf at Surrey (England) running SP 112. His last start was a 3RD place finish in G1 The Champion Stakes over 10F turf in Ireland, running on nicely. Winner of this race last year running a sizzling SP 120 and looks primed for another big performance. Also to be ridden by his regular jockey V Drosos and drawn ok in gate 6. Will be putting in the big ones at the finish. Another great horse hoping to create history. ODDS 7/1

JOYSIS (jellybeams – MIDAS) 13 runs, 7 wins $2,031,560.
My No 2 selection. This 4 year old grey by Kitten’s Joy has won 3 times over the 12f on turf but is also untried on this track. 3 starts back he was beaten a head in the G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald Stakes 12F turf at Surrey (England) running SP 112. 2 starts back he won the G1 The G.P. Von Baden over 12f turf by a head running SP109. His lead up run into this was a 5th place finish in the G1 Classic Turf Stakes over 12F turf in New York running SP 108. Fell victim to a hot To Catch a kitty that day, can he turn the tables. To be ridden by F Gossett and drawn perfectly in gate 3. Is capable of running scintillating speed figures, can he do it today? Huge chance. ODDS 11/1

ANOTHER HEARTBREAK (eminc2 – Blazing Saddles) 17 runs, 5 wins $941,903.
This 4 year old brown colt by Galileo has won twice over the 12F turf and has tasted success on this track over the distance also. 2 runs back resulted in top win in the G2 The Rheinstone over 12F turf in Germany running SP 114. His lead up run was a pleasing 3rd place finish in the G1 The Europe Classic 12F on turf in Germany running SP 105. He has arrived in fine fettle, trained to the minute and hoping for a career highlight. To be ridden by R Harzheim and drawn in gate 8, must be given a good chance. ODDS 10/1

SHUTDOWN CORNER (checkmate3 – GR Simsters) 27 runs, 8 wins $5,331,230.
This 5 year old brown horse by Distorted Humor has 5 wins over the 12f on turf but is untested at this track. This fellow’s last win was back on the 30/03/2013 in the G1 Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic over 12F on turf in Dubai running SP 113. He has been around the money in his 5 runs since culminating in a 3rd place finish in the G3 Ark Trial over 11F on turf in Berkshire (England) running SP 107. Experienced runner to be ridden by W Kewmwa and drawn ok in gate 7.I believe he must lift his game to be successful here but you don’t win $5 million in prize money without being a great horse. Must be given a chance. ODDS 9/1

OVERINDULGENCE (udhens – Blazing Saddles) 25 runs, 7 wins $5,928,829.
This 4 year old brown colt by Smart Strike has won twice over 12F turf, the last one being in the G1 Canada Turf running SP 118. A super time which augers well for this. He was runner up in this race last year when Dynamic Force ran a huge SP 120. He likes to set the pace which can leave him vulnerable but he is a year older and stronger, if left alone is a huge chance. His lead up runs have been ok with placing’s in the G2 The Rheinstone 12F turf SP 113 and the G1 The G.P. Von Baden 12F turf SP 107, but his last start 6th in the G1 Ark De ComicDog 12F turf SP 100 turf must have been slightly disappointing for connections. To be ridden by regular jockey M Kelly and drawn the extreme outside in gate 14. If he can get across without burning too much fuel will be competitive. Can he avenge last year’s defeat? ODDS 9/1

SOUND OF SOULS (checkmate4 – GR Simsters) 24 runs, 11 wins $5,734,735.
Firstly let’s congratulate checkmate for getting 2 great chances into this time-honoured race, outstanding performance. This 4 year old roan colt by Medaglia D’Oro has had 3 wins over 12F turf including the G1 Derby de English running SP 102. At his final lead up run he won the G1 Ark De ComicDog over 12F turf in Paris running SP 109. Ran ok in this race last year running a pleasing 7th place recording SP 112. To be ridden by H Harzheim and drawn well in gate 7. I can see this horse sitting mid field or worse, hopefully with cover, and coming with a late charge. My concerns are the track and a fairly quick back up. He has handled a quick back up in the past so I will go with the trainer here. ODDS 12/1

CROSS CHECK (rtribbett – Blazing Saddles) 33 runs, 12 wins $1,771,617.
This 5 year old brown horse by Cape Cross has had 7 wins over 12F turf including the G1 Canada Turf at his last start running SP 107. He is untested on this track but a versatile horse capable of hitting high speed figures and very much suited to the surface and distance. Is mostly an on speed runner drawn out wide which could represent trouble for not only him but Overindulgence also. To be ridden by D Givens and drawn out in gate 13. I hope the jockey has his smarts about him here or I can see this horse having some trouble. His chances will depend on the first 2 furlongs in my opinion. ODDS 12/1

SANDMAN RUNNING (skunkbred3 – Blazing Saddles) 13 runs, 6 wins $1,519,625.
My No 5 selection. This 4 year old grey colt by Monsun has had 2 runs over 12F turf for a last start win in the G1 Coalminer Cup in Victoria (Australia) running SP 115. He had the coveted 1 gate last start, which he has again, so his rider should to get him into a good spot when they settle down. He is another untested on this track but did run on nicely in the G1 Windy City Turf Classic over 10F turf in Illinois running SP 106 2 runs ago. 3 runs back resulted in fine 2nd placing in the 11F G1 United Countries Hcp in New Jersey (America) on turf running a slick 115, the winner that day was To Catch A Kitty who ran a sizzling SP 120. After his initial outing he has been a very consistent and courageous horse in all his runs. To be ridden by K Ledwith drawn gate 1. With even luck is a very strong chance. ODDS 7/1

COCOOMA (redcar – EAAA Racing) 14 runs, 4 wins $759,185.
This 3 year old brown colt by Dynaformer won the G1 The Irish Derby at Surrey (England) over 12F turf running SP 107 2 runs ago. His final lead up run resulted in a fair 7th placing in the G1 Ark De ComicDog over 12F in Paris on turf running SP 100. Another horse untested on this track but has performed admirably in this region. Not sure whether he can win here although his Irish Derby win tells us he is a very good horse. To be ridden by J Ledwith ,drawn gate 9 and being an on speed runner may have trouble as there is a lot of speed drawn inside him and some elite seasoned performers he has to compete against. Let’s hope the jockey can navigate a good passage for connections. Must be given an outside chance. ODDS 21/1

FORZA (itch – Comedy Central) 17 runs, 8 wins $629,770.
This 4 year old brown colt by Pulpit has had 3 wins over 12F turf. His best win over this distance on turf coming 3 runs back in the G2 Dawn To Dusk Cup, at this track, running SP 107. He was fair 2 runs back in the 12F G1 Sword Swallower Stakes in New York (America) on turf running SP 105. His final lead up run in the 12F G1 Classic Turf Stakes over 12F on turf in New York (America) resulted in a fine 2nd place finish running SP 111. He drew the coveted 1 gate there and drawn ok here in gate 5. Versatile horse that can be ridden quiet or on the speed. To be ridden by E N Tice, I hope he grabs hold on jumping away and rides for luck. Must be given a solid chance. ODDS 12/1

CONTRATIEMPO (zielissimo-The Minnesota Test Barn) 12 runs, 5 wins $629,770.
This 3 year old chestnut colt by Sea The Stars has had 2 wins over 12F on turf. His best 12F turf win came 3 runs back in the G1 The French Derby in Paris running SP 111. 2 runs back he impressively won the 12F G2 The Great Volt on turf in Surrey (England) running a very fast SP 115. His final lead up run resulted in a fine 2nd place finish in the 14F G2 Saint Legend Stakes on turf, again in Surrey (England) running SP 111. Untested at this track. To be ridden by T Verdin, will jump from gate 10 which should not worry him as he likes to settle back anyway. Lightly raced 3 year old in form but in against the guns here. Only an outside chance for mine. ODDS 22/1

WEEKEND ROMANCE (chloedawg- GR Simsters) 18 runs, 9 wins $2,359,430.
My No 3 selection. This well-bred 4 year old brown colt by Dynaformer has had 1 win over 12F on turf in the G2 CEO Classic in Kentucky running SP 108. He has also won over 11F on turf, 3 runs back, in the G1 Man Of War Stakes in New York running SP 104, steaming home and winning by 3 lengths. His final lead up race resulted in a fine 3rd place in the G1 12F Classic Turf Stakes, again steaming home running SP 110. This horse has had 1 run on the track, disappointing in the BB Mile turf last year, which puts a slight question mark in my mind. To be ridden by O Brim. Likes to get back so the 11 gate hopefully won’t be too much of a problem. I like the look of this horse and will make him one of the leading chances. ODDS 12/1

KING TO GROOM (aredneck – Hispano Parlante) 18 runs, 7 wins $657,234.
This 4 year old brown colt by King Kamehameha has won 2 of his last 5 runs. Untested on this track. 5 runs back he won the 11F G3 Manatee Cup in New Zealand on turf running a slick SP 111. This was followed by another win in the 11F G2 Buck Dharma Hcp in Florida (America) on turf running a fast SP113. He was tested in the 12F G1 Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic in Dubai (UAE) finishing 9th on good turf running a disappointing SP 99. He followed that up with an improved 5th placing in the 10.5F G1 The Good Day in Paris on turf running SP 106. His final lead up in the 12F G1 The Milan Grand Prix in Italy on turf resulted in a 3rd place finish running SP 98. To be ridden by S L Ledwith and jump from gate 2. Deep water here, has the job ahead. ODDS 19/1

My Selections

1st place = TO CATCH A KITTY
2nd place = JOYSIS
3rd place = WEEKEND ROMANCE
4th place = DYNAMIC FORCE
5th place = SANDMAN RUNNING

Well, congratulations to the trainers that got there, commiserations to the horses that got oh so close and to all the trainers out there, next year may be our turn.

Greg (Gcliffo)