Another Heartbreak Seeks Repeat in Los Angeles Turf Cup

Saturday’s feature in sunny Southern California is the Grade 1 $250,000 Los Angeles Turf Cup.  Eleven long winded runners entered, each seeking the lion’s share of the quarter million dollars being offered.  Let’s meet them in post position order.

What would a Grade 1 race be without a horse from The Super Conglomerate?  Their King Of The Damned drew the ace.  The King is seeking his first graded victory.  In fact, he’s never won above open allowance level.  But not for lack of trying.  The well bred son of Danehill Dancer and Queen’s Oasis (Kingmambo x High Chaparral) has started in six graded events and brought home checks in five.  His best finish was a bang up second in the Grade 3 Timberland Lodge two back.  Only needs slight improvement to contend here.

Eminc2 trains favored Another Heartbreak who won this race last year.  A repeat win would make him the sport’s newest millionaire.  Another Heartbreak loves the distance and arrives in decent form.  He finished fifth in the Breeders’ Bowl Turf last time out.  Versatile sort is comfortable pressing, stalking or closing.  His remarkable pedigree certainly shows up on the track.  He is by the great Galileo from Street Creds (Street Cry x Silver Hawk).  Mom was a graded placed stakes winner of over $450,000.  And each of her offspring has either won a stake, a graded stake or produced a Grade 1 winner.  Obvious threat.

Weekend Romance is the richest starter.  Chloedawg’s blue blooded scratch bred (Dynaformer x Mr. Prospector x Nijinsky ll) made his money the old fashioned way, he earned it.  Four graded wins, including the Grade 1 Man of War Stakes, account for the bulk of his bankroll.  Weekend Romance has been a “pattern” horse all year.  He has turned in four great races but each one was followed by a clunker.  This week he is due for a big one.  Beware!

Ben Gowans’ five year old Green Trees may have a bit of a home field advantage.  Five of his twelve career victories have come over the Hollypark turf including The Grade 2 Del Webb three back.  Last time out the son of Dansili and Deadwood Doll (Dynaformer x Galileo) annexed the Grade 2 Carlton Fisk at Delaware Park.  In peak form.  From a top barn.  Likes to be on or near the pace.  Dangerous foe.

Grade 1 winning millionaire Stormhill Dancer is next in line.  The huge son of Danehill Dancer and Blue Hen broodmare Storm Queen (Kingmambo x Storm Bird) has earned a check in five straight graded starts.  Trainer MrBigB is grateful that his veteran marathoner wasn’t claimed when offered for a tag early in his career.  Honest sort can share if he brings his “A” game.

Muchalucha sends out four year old Step Aside Please.  The deep closing son of Malibu Moon won The Grade 3 Timberland Lodge two back.  Last time out he showed a disdain for two miles so he cuts back for this tilt.  Overall form is satisfactory and speed figures are not far off those of the favorites.  Has a puncher’s chance if he fires his best shot.

I try to find something good to say about every horse I cover.  Roys and Sharon encouraged me to stay positive when they trained me many moons ago.  Cursed Origins is very cute and loved the carrots I gave him.  If you ignore the fact that he was almost distanced in a $2000 claimer last time out, you have to believe he has some chance to finish the race.  I think maybe trainer Dakota dropped the entry slip into the wrong box by accident.

Willyam has long been one of my favorite trainers.  The guy kinda flies under the radar but he keeps coming up with really nice horses year after year.  And he often utilizes my jockey, NBonus, for which I am very thankful.  At 14-1, I’ll plop a few bucks down on Powerundercontrol.  The son of Dubawi and This Is The Life (Dynaformer x Empire Maker) finished a good fourth in an Italian Grade 1 last time out.  Any improvement at all puts him squarely in the picture.

Desert Brad is actually underlaid at 924-1.  Should be more like 9,240,000-1.  Both PETA and the ASPCA are picketing Wolverines’ barn.  Should be fun to watch the battle for last with 417-1 Cursed Origins.

Tazenshag’s I See Red has a shot at a decent price (7-1).  The six year old son of Red Ransom and Zyalley (Flower Alley x Theatrical) checks in off a powerful allowance tally at thirteen panels where he posted a 108 speed figure.  Popped a 112 back in January taking down a listed field at this week’s distance.  Fast enough to compete for his first graded win.

Man Of Mystery is one of the fastest horses around.  His game is simple.  It consists of opening up a big advantage as quickly as possible and then trying to last on the lead.  This strategy paid off big time in allowance company.  Mtk’s rangy Smart Strike scratch bred toyed with four consecutive fields late last year and early this season.  The sledding has gotten a bit tougher in graded company.  But M O M did hang on for second place finishes in a Grade 2 and a pair of Grade 1 stakes.  Catch him if you can.