Big Race Preview 2762
In a week which features one of the truly special events in the sim, The Equinics, we have three grade I events. Some of the top runners are not going to be at the Equinics like top older handicap runner Call of the Wild II, and top three year old filly No Apagues La Luz.
Race: 2762.3316 The Brian Classic – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and three sixteenths on the Turf
A full field show up for the Brian Classic and all but a couple of runners look capable of winning this race. The favorite is Skills in Magic. Skills is a two time stakes winner and has competed all right in his couple of graded tries. He does not face any of the top runners that were finishing ahead of him here. The distance seems right up his ally and his deep closing style will probably make him a player.
Swift Drift is fresh off a second place finish in the G1 Fainting Goat Nightmares. He has a stalking style and looks like a runner that can stretch out to this distance. Early Riser (GB) is running some very solid speed figures. He is a three time stakes winner and stepped up last time out in grade I company. He was a little flat at the finish but held fourth. Clemstone (IRE) is off a second place finish in the G1 Japan Racing Association. He was on the lead there and ran a nice speed figure. It probably would not be a surprise if in the end Clemstone (IRE) is holding off the late flying Skills in Magic.
Drop the Bomb (GB) steadily improved as a two year old and makes his three year old debut here. If he fires and continues to improve he could add to his current total of three stakes wins. Lex Luthor won last time out in a restricted stakes at this distance by six lengths. He ran a nice speed figure and if he can do that here he has a shot.
Race: 2762.4916 El Pato Estupuendo Especial – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt
The number one ranked three year old filly heads this field. No Apagues La Luz has never finished worse than second in eight starts. She was second at the Breeder’s Bowl, bounced back with a grade I win on Delpenn Champions Day. She tuned up for this run with a leisurely stroll in listed company last time out. There are some nice fillies in this race but No Apagues La Luz just seems to hold all the cards.
Frostfang is the second favorite and will probably be the speed of the field. She has lead gate to wire in her last two races that include a stakes win last time out. Her speed figure was pretty solid and if she is left alone on the lead she could be dangerous. Yochem has the best possible sleeper here with Solo Hollandia. She began her career on the turf and ran pretty well. Last time out in her first appearance on dirt she exploded down the stretch for a nice stakes wins. Her running style would seem to suggest this distance may be more to her liking.
Race: 2762.0213 Glenn Handicap – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt
A juicy stakes for older handicap horses is set. Call of the Wild II is your favorite. If you did not know he is the reigning Breeder’s Bowl Classic winner and an eclipse winner. He had one of the best seasons for an older handicap runner on dirt in sim history and he still only has nineteen career starts. He won the two richest races in the sim in the same year.
In this race Call of the Wild II seems to have a clear class advantage and one of the few capable of runners a 108+ speed figure. He did not run all that well last time out but that can be thrown out. He has a great stalking running style and should start the 2006 season off with a bang.
There are runners in here you should know that were making a name for themselves as three year olds last year. Fly For Buda was considered one of the top three year olds last year but has not run well since last September. This could be a spot he can get back on track on maybe we have scene his best already. Squall Me Halo seemed like a late bloomer last year winning the Eddie Haskell. Since then he has struggled. His last two races have been solid but he was dropped back into allowance company and finished second in a listed stakes.
You have two ladies attempting to take on the boys. Squall is a Storm keeps running well. She is running well enough now to think she can crack the top three here. I’m not sure she is fast enough now to take down Call of the Wild II. Daylight T (IRE) upset Squall is a Storm two races back but fell flat last time out. She seems an extreme long shot here.