Red Carpet Should be Rolled Out for the Stars

GrtGradGrradddGrade III                  One mile and one sixteenth               Fast Dirt
$125,000                 All horses, 4 years old and up          

I feel like I was in a whirl wind trying to get around to each stable to learn about the entries into this event.  One has to be impressed to see the success of some of the runners, and when you envision the experience that they bring to this race, it is understandable how calm and confident that they appear.

As for the 2005 Field for The WHIRLAWAY CAP (Gr. III):

Storm Cat x Pine Bluff

One of sim-stars over the past few years- ownership is eager to get back to the winner’s circle.  A winner of over two million in purses- but, sometimes in this sport it is more of a “what have you done for me lately” approach.  STORMY BLUFF II has battled in some of the toughest sim settings, but his last few outings have been disappointing.  He is still showing that competitive drive but, his rallies in the stretch have been coming up a bit short.  Despite his nine race non-win streak, he has finished strong enough to warrant much attention in this event.

Forty Niner x Deputy Minister

After winning the ‘Glen For Lord Cap’ (earning a sp rating of 112), ownership of MR. NINER AGAIN had reason to be optimistic.  The four races since can be termed “uneventful”, and one has to be a bit puzzled over it all.  He just doesn’t seem to carry that fire that one saw several races ago. 

Smoke Glacken x Atticus

Only one that wins over four hundred thousand in earnings should deserve some attention, but he has not been running as a contender.  One thing to notice is that he has taken on some tough competitors (like in the Breeders Bowl Sprint Gr.I), but it also indicates that ownership is shopping around for the right distance to place him. He is one for 4 in races over a mile, so he is a former sprinter that will be trying to stretch it out a bit. 

Lemon Drop Kid x Unbridled

He has had much success on dirt, and has recently shown some versatility with some good turf outings.  Now, he is returning back to dirt and should be one of the early runners near the front.  I would consider him a strong challenge if he breaks well out of the gate and positions himself on or near the pace.

Lemon Drop Kid x Ufuwain

The second runner in this race from the sire- Lemon Drop Kid.  He has passed the half-million in earnings and will get plenty of looks from the railbirds.  I am not sure why, but I wonder if he handle the pace over this distance.  He has shown signs of tiring in his last three outings, and this field may cause that streak to continue.

Stormin Fever x End Sweep

A five years old mare running against the boys-but, don’t toss to much pity her way.  She is a millionaire and her heart is made of more that glass.  Like STORMY BLUFF II, this talented mare has associated herself with some of toughest competitors in the sim.  Ignore her four race losing streak and keep in mind that she has faced some of the finest in the past.  If she is far off the lead early on, don’t get too discouraged as her strength is her late move forward.  The early pace may play into her final finish.

Finder’s Gold x Slew the Surgeon

This four year old is shortening his trip in this race –after being a non factor in his last three trips.  He likes to come from off the pace, but he will have plenty of company early on in the rear.

Sakhee x Redoute’s Choice

1 time stakes winner, but much of his success has been in allowance competition.  He likes to run close to the front of the pace, but LTO- he broke poorly and was never in contention.  That race was two weeks back so his performance was apparently not due to any injury.  Ownership is hoping that the trip was not an indication of how he will run against a solid group of runners in a graded stakes event.

Kingmambo x Sadler’s Wells

A non stakes winner but has been close in several past attempts.  He is shipping in from New Hampshire off of a strong showing in capturing an open allowance event.

Storm Cat x Nijinsky II

A six year old with 36 previous starts- with much of his success coming from allowance races.  However, if he throws a race like some of his best, he may be in contention for a piece of the pie.

Tabasco Cat x Green Dancer

This four years old should be on or closely stalking the pace setter. After setting the pace in several race, a slight change in running style resulted in VAE VICTIS becoming a winner in the Mr. Paunch(IRE) Challenge two races back in a drawing away fashion.  He is a hard nose competitor that usually ends in-the money.  This race may be too difficult for him to continue that trend.

Fasliyev(IRE) x Quest for Fame(GB)

FASLIYEV QUEST(IRE) topped the half-a million dollar in purse winnings LTO.  He has finished in the money on 25 of twenty eight career starts.  He is known for his sweeping drives to the wire, but most of his starts have been at longer distances, and will he be able to get to the front before running out of real estate?  May no to that question- but, don’t count him completely out.

Forty Niner x Peintre Celebre(IRE)

A nice five year old with only 19 starts, but he will need to throw a big one to overcome the talent of this field.

Fantastic Light x Northern Dancer

Race Favorite-Lost in the appropriate named “Narrowly Missed Stakes (Gr III) last time out.  He should be pressing the pace early on and will be looking back for the expected challenges in the stretch.   His speed ratings are very impressive, but has it been against the talent that exist in this field?

This race consists of a good group of runners that should be spread out from front to back early on.  A quick pace may serve beneficial to those that like to bid their time off the pace. 

You have millionaires that have tasted the champagne before, and want so badly to a return to that setting, while others are more lightly raced, and feel that the time is right to knock off a former sim-star.  The set up should be one of excitement for those involved.

My selections are: DEPUTY DROP    FASLIYEV QUEST(IRE)         GLASS HEART

-deajai