The Gold, the Rain and the Piggott

So here’s the other half of the story, you know, the one that tony (afc) told with such great effect in covering the Sandy Hawley. But you see, he could only tell you half the story, because that’s all he _knew_.

See, here’s the deal. The boys at DelPenn, with their conservative connections and all, had somehow managed to finagle the use of some top experimental military plane that’s currently at some secret location to jet the DelPenn crew from (Europeans say Torino, Americans Turin – except for NBC, who’s on the pretentiousness turnpike) to Vermont. I don’t know the what methods they used to pull off this method of transport, and I’m not sure I really want to know. Italy’s six hours ahead of Vermont, and the plane can fly the distance back in something crazy – I think less than two hours, but it’s classified, so they might shoot me if I try to find out the details. Catch the Italian races, then somehow we’ll land before we take off and get to Vermont in time to catch those races. At least, that’s the plan. We might end up in the oubliette in Guantanamo Bay, or at the bottom of the Atlantic, who knows? But, you only live once.

The catch? The plane couldn’t get back in time for us to saddle the horses (that’ll have to wait for version 2.0). Someone had to stay in Vermont to look after the horses and make sure security was on the up and up. The problem was, no one wanted to stay behind. But, then there was tony – who was on vacation and didn’t know any of this. [Note to self – never take a leave of absence when there’s dirty work you can get “volunteered” for] We took a vote, and elected him for the task. No inventory, no marathon, no commitments (except perhaps, all the horses we had to saddle in Italy), just a bunch of lame excuses that tony bought – hook, line and sinker. Wayne volunteered to make the call, after all, he’s the poker player in the bunch, and has the Horseshoe Bay ace in the hole. I couldn’t believe it when he demanded the upgrade to first class – nearly burst out laughing and spoiled the call when I heard him call tony “Nimrod.”

When the call ended, I looked at fats and asked, “Why?”

“There’s a great poker game going on in first class,” he replied.

I should have known.

Anyway, it was a good plan, but there was one big problem that became apparent as soon as the Air d’Italia flight touched down. Rain. Lots of it. Not cool. That’s the price you pay for being at the foot of the Alps instead of _in_ the bloody Alps themselves. No chalets with fireplaces, hot chocolate and lots of snow, only cold, wet, rain that won’t quit until you’re chilled, soaked, wretched and shivering. All the turf races were in turmoil, question marks abounded. Rain God ended up scratching – isn’t that a bit of irony? The horse that ought to love it, doesn’t. “At least it’s sunny in Vermont,” I thought sourly. Fats, who’d won a bunch of money on the flight, lost his good humor at the sight of the sodden mess. And yes, the only job where you can consistently be wrong, yet not get fired, is that of weather forecaster. Ten percent. That’s about as helpful as “partly cloudy.”

With the late defection of Rain God, 17 horses and one filly are left to compete for the gold in the Lester Piggott, run at the unusual distance of 13 furlongs. However, three loom large above the rest of the field, in an epic showdown worthy of a Sergio Leone movie. In one corner is:

Representing the DelPenn residency:
Horseshoe Bay, 4yo colt (Red Ransom x Woodman x Raise a Native), R Harzheim
The newly crowned Horse of the Year is given quite the test in his first race since capturing that title, as the texasace trainee faces an off-track for the first time in his career. That’s really the only knock on this guy, as he bounced back from his trip to Japan with a smart win to kick off his 4yo campaign. Like the jock, and he’s already beaten the other two convincingly in the BB Turf, and he enters this race with five weeks’ rest, so he should be poised for another big effort.

Squaring off against the newly crowned champ in the next corner is:

Representing the Vermont residency:
Sunnybank Memorial, 5yo horse (A.P. Indy x Sadler’s Wells x Buckpasser), M Day
Two years ago, this guy was Horse of the Year, and while Horseshoe Bay stole the limelight (and the title with a win in the BB Turf), Memo had another superb season in 2005, tying, then breaking, Joe Cayenne’s longstanding record for the most G1 victories of all time. Sunnybank (aka lilbitfarm) knows his horse can handle the offgoing – Memo previously carried the green and white silks to victory in the G1 Aslan Memorial Turf Classic (12 furlongs, 108 SF). The charismatic dark bay is still as popular as ever, and both he and Horseshoe Bay draw a large crowd any time they head to the track, even during the dark miserable training hours. Rested since a third place effort behind Allied Assault’s swan song, Memo is raring to go.

And, just as lethal as the two Horse of the Years, in the final corner, is:

Representing the Kentucky Horsemen residency:
Bristol Rovers, 6yo horse (Rahy x Danzig x Roberto), H. Harzheim
The defending Equinics champion, having won the Cortina d’Ampezzo Run in Athens 18 months ago (114 SF). Unbeaten in three prior tries at 13 furlongs. Unbeaten in five starts over an off-track, including last year’s Ark De Triumph-G1 and the Dawn to Dusk-G2 (1 ½ miles, 118 SF). What’s not to like about this guy? With the sudden rainstorm, a horse with an already imposing resume starts looking like the stars are in alignment. While he’s been somewhat overshadowed by Allied Assault, Sunnybank Memorial and Horseshoe Bay, this guy has still managed to carry swampy’ (aka iant’s) lime green silks to victory 24 times in 38 starts, earning more than $6.2 million along the way. Saturday may be this striking dark bay’s time to shine once more with Equinics gold.

However, while these three are favored based on their past accomplishments, all of the others in the field have a chance of stepping up this Saturday, just like any other given Saturday, to capture the glory and the gold. In a notable achievement, one trainer is represented by three runners in this race, Robscoobi, so keep an eye out for the blue silks with red trim and black cap:

Representing the Minnesota residency:
Scoobi Wells, 4yo colt (Moon Ballad x Sadler’s Wells x Hawkster), J Stivers
Lightly raced colt gets “The Great One”, France’s leading jockey. Has been racing mostly in allowance company, but is stakes-placed, and returned from layoff to rally for second at 9 ½ furlongs last time out (95 SF). Another colt on the improve, but the Scoobi Wells gets a real class test here. That said, like many of the others, he’s making his off-track debut, so who knows?

Representing the CR Racers residency:
Scoobs City, 4yo colt (Carson City x Kris S. x Nearctic), C Knauer
With only 11 lifetime starts, this brown colt is the least experienced runner in the field. Scoobs City does have experience though, over an off-track, as he was second in a 7 furlong maiden event early in his career. He brings a four race win streak into this race, which culminated with a determined head victory in the Brass Kingdom Challenge (13 furlongs, 98 SF) last time out. Steadily improving, with lots of potential, he still has to face the big three, but is coming up to the race the right way.

Representing the Epsom Downs residency:
Hard Miss, 4yo colt (Miswaki x Kris S. x Lyphard), L Kamer
Poor guy – he’s got to have some issues with that name. Anyway, the attractive dark bay colt has done little wrong to date in eight starts on the turf, winning half and finishing second in the other half. Two of those seconds have come over courses rated good – a 12 furlong owner restricted allowance (92 SF) and a 10 ½ furlong stakes (95 SF). Hard Miss has never been this far before, but his running style suggests that he should appreciate the extra distance. In a lot of ways, he’s coming up to this race in the same manner as stablemate Scoobs City.

Hollandia’s familiar blue and orange silks will be carried by two different runners:

Representing the Benelux residency:
Dales Hollandia, 4yo colt (Noverre x Unbridled x Sir Tristram), K Ledwith
Landed one of the best jockeys in the sim. This guy spent part of last season chasing Horseshoe Bay, and got a much needed confidence boost last time out when dropped down to allowance competition, when the chestnut had a smart win over 12 furlongs, opening up a 10 length advantage at one point, before cantering over the wire well in hand, still five lengths clear (98 SF). Has to prove himself at this level, but signs are that he’s headed in the right direction. Big question mark for him, like several of the others, is how he’ll handle the off-going.

Representing the Alpine Turf Club residency:
Hey Hollandia, 4yo colt (High Chaparral x Peintre Celebre x Red God), P Harzheim
One stall to Dales’ outside is Hey Hollandia, yet another stakes winner from High Chaparral’s first crop. Once again, Hollandia has negotiated the services of a truly top jock for this guy. The lightly raced pale brown colt has shown plenty of ability in his brief career, and like Dales, he enters this race in fine fashion, having won the 2 mile Ivory Jove Challenge (97 SF), which should set him up well for a 13 furlong run over a boggy course. He has tackled an off-track once before, finishing second against maidens. This is only the third stakes of his career, and his graded stakes debut. A tough start indeed, but he’s been steadily improving with every start.

The rest of the trainers only have one gun to bring to this shootout, but sometimes, that’s all you need, especially if you bring a big enough gun. In post position order, here they are:

Representing the Down Under Racing residency:
PJ Spring Air, 4yo colt (Aljabr x Coastal x Al Nasr), D Evans
This well-travelled colt was sold at auction three starts back, with proffactor shelling out a hefty $4,000,0001. At that time, the colt had won an N2x allowance impressively, and was also stakes placed at 14 furlongs. He has been somewhat disappointing in three starts since, but clearly likes the turf and a route of ground. It is hard to say how he’ll do on the offgoing – Air lost all chance at the start in his lone try over the off-track, so I’d call that race a toss. He’s got his work cut out for him against the big three, but then, so does everyone else. Has a sharp jock that will coax the best out of this guy.

Representing the GSR residency:
Ichi Rashi, 6yo mare (Kris S. x Nureyev x Mr. Prospector), A Reed
This filly must be wondering how she ended up in a field of colts, especially as tough a group as this. Dagrims2 has a very nice filly, and up until her latest effort, she’s been fairly effective over an off-track. The golden chestnut won a 14 furlong stakes three starts back (91 SF), and was G3 placed this fall and has been competitive against the girls, but this is a tough assignment. Still, the rain definitely helps her chances.

Representing the Queensland residency:
Egyptian Empire, 4yo colt (Empire Maker x Pine Bluff x Greinton), J Riggs
Holyghost, a division of babyfarm, sends out this tall, imposing chestnut son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, who has also had a successful start at stud. Well managed and patiently handled, Empire is riding a four race win streak, culminating with a sharp score in a Danish stakes (9 ½ furlongs, 104 SF). As the distances get longer, he gets better and better. There are several question marks – Empire’s never gone this far (but, see above), and this is the first time he tries a wet turf course. But, this guy’s got a lot of potential, and if he takes another step forward off of his latest, he could very well be in contention for a medal. Lots to like about this guy, particularly if one or more of the big three stumble.

Representing the Great Plains residency:
Pepe’s Pipes, 5yo horse (Singinintherain x Iron x Slick Slew), S Ledwith.
For those who think you can’t breed a good bargain bred, this guy is here to prove you wrong. Dundey, who campaigns this guy in his dundey5 division, has worked magic with this near black horse. But even he didn’t know what he had. Pepe’s Pipes spent his first two starts running in maiden claimers, and could have been had for $10k. After he won that race, his turf debut, in solid fashion, Pepe’s gained valuable experience in starter allowances, although he did win one allowance along the way. After paying his dues, and showing that he had potential, Pepe’s Pipes made his stake debut in memorable fashion, jumping straight to the G3 King George BB Stakes, which he won by a determined head in a protracted stretch duel, putting up a 109 SF for the 9 furlongs. He added to the fairy tale by carrying the red and yellow silks to victory in the G1 Pennsylvania Handicap at 9 ½ furlongs (105 SF) to cap off his 4yo season. His seasonal debut was a bit of a disappointment, and like several of the others, the distance and the surface are definite question marks (I’m actually surprised that he’s not running at 10 furlongs). Lots and lots to like about this guy, but may be a bit vulnerable with the extra furlongs. If he wins, however, what a story that would be, and it wouldn’t even be that much of a surprise, even with the big three.

Representing the Viking Racing residency:
Tete Dialysis, 4yo colt (Diesis x King of Kings x Mr. Prospector), B Ball
I’m not exactly sure how you get a sabbath trained horse at odds of 50/1, but that’s what has happened here. Dialysis’ dam competed in the Equinics as a 2yo back in 2000, finishing seventh in the Hermes Winged Flight Stakes. Dropped back to sprints, she was a successful racemare, winning the G2 Healthy Appetite Sprint, and retiring with a B rating. Diesis seems to have added some stamina, along with a copper chestnut coat, to Gots the Gold Teef’s speed, and their son has been a steady runner, winning 6 of 21 starts. Racing mostly in allowance company, Tete Dialysis was a disappointing sixth in the Father A.P. Memroial in his 4yo debut. Prior to that, he raced over a yielding turf course, and earned the show spot in that allowance. Tough assignment here, but his connections know how to get the most out of a horse, and you’ve always got to respect them.

Representing the GR Simsters residency:
Bane, 4yo colt (High Chaparral x Danehill x Pleasant Colony), B Schardein
Another talented runner from High Chaparral’s first crop, Bane has made some noise, and quickly, winning six of 14 starts on the lawn, and earning almost $700k in the process. In the samurai division of galileo, Bane carried the grey silks to the front in the G3 Buck Dharma last time out, and led the field a merry chase through the first 9 furlongs before getting caught late and having to settle for third (101 SF). Prior to that, the dark chestnut with lots of flashy white markings had reeled off three straight victories. While he was the pacesetter in his latest, this guy can rate from off the pace if need be. Has shown steady improvement, but has shown a preference for firm going. Bane was second in a 12 furlong allowance, but that time was slower than most of his efforts over a harder surface. Has both talent and class, and has one of the best in Danish jock Schardein, but a tough assignment against the top three was made more difficult with the rain.

Representing the Northwest Racing Circuit residency:
Confederacy, 4yo colt (High Chaparral x Caerleon x Conquistador Cielo), T Small
The third son of High Chaparral in this race, this guy has won seven of 10 on the lawn, including five straight going into this race. After winning the Turf Classic on Cavalcade Cup day (102 SF), he finished up his sophomore season with a two mile stakes victory. This guy is out of the G1 winning mare Con Unit, who produced G2 winner Congressional and now Confederacy. Trained by dawgpound, better known as snowchief, this guy should be winging it on the front end in the familiar yellow silks, Snow Chief’s head prominently displayed. Gets a class test, and makes his debut over an off-surface. In his final prep, he seemed a little anxious and rank, which I’m told is normal for him, but other than that, didn’t seem to have any problem with the sticky going. The most challenging race of his short career, but definitely has talent.

Representing the Nexis residency:
Lumbier, 4yo colt (Sadler’s Wells x Alydar x Storm Bird), N Labreche
Royally bred colt has flashed talent without really putting it together in a big race. From the always capable rafa stables, this guy is based in the sansebas division. The green and red silks were seen in the winner’s circle three stars back, when Lumbier won the 11 furlong Rapid Water Memorial (97 SF). Sadler’s Wells’ offspring usually get better with age, and he definitely started off his 2006 season well, finishing a best of the rest second in a California stakes, also at 11 furlongs. The rain, however, put a damper on his chances, as the seal brown colt was a distant sixth behind Bristol Rovers in the Ark last fall, and was also unplaced in his only other try over a wet surface, and seemed none too happy with it in the morning trips to the track. Still, he’s got solid connections, and he’s still maturing, so he’s capable of putting it all together here, although I’d fancy his chances more over a firm turf course.

Representing the Ireland residency:
Plastic Golem, 7yo horse (Beaudelaire x Fabled Monarch x Banderilla), T Nugent
In a field full of up and coming four year olds, this veteran warrior keeps plugging away, making his 47th lifetime start on Saturday. He’s been an honest, tough competitor, winning 12 times and earning more than $700k, and his one off-track performance makes him dangerous here for igonzuela. Running for the gonzo3 division, the only time this guy saw a wet track, he exploded with a 106 SF for 9 furlongs, good enough for second in Golem’s stakes race. Despite the miles, Golem carries the red and black silks with distinction still, having finished second in a pair of graded stakes (earning a 107 SF three starts back), and winning the 11 furlong Sheryl’s Hill Stakes in preparation for this trip to Italy. I don’t think you can afford to ignore this guy particularly based on his recent form, prior off-track performance and connections.

Representing the Ohio Thoroughbred residency:
Swain Centaine, 7yo horse (Swain x Royal Academy x Shirley Heights), C Dawkins
Like Plastic Golem, this is the other veteran of the group, and sports 47 career starts. Bred by manni, this guy has gotten around, changing hands five times before being purchased at auction for $250,001 by nywinger, a division of epcotlen. In his lone start for his new connections, Centaine carried the blue, gold and white silks in front most of the way in a Northern California stakes before fading in the stretch (13 furlongs, 90 SF). It was a promising start for the former claimer, although nywinger will have to work some more magic to handle the jump up in competition. The real knock against this guy is that he didn’t really seem too fond of the offgoing in his prior race over that surface, when he finished seventh in an allowance (his other four tries over an offtrack were on dirt). Would also like to have seen him get a better jock than Dawkins, who is winless in 17 starts this year. Nice purchase, but a tough task, made tougher with the rain. Still, I don’t think you’ve seen the last of this guy in stakes.

Finally, now that you’ve met the 18 competitors, it is time for that all too familiar question: who will win? As Lester Piggott once said, “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Are you going to win?’ How on earth do you know if you’re going to win or not?” Only time will tell. Good luck to all of the competitors!