The Dubai Maruzensky(GB) Challenge
What’s left to say when a perennial Gr.I runner drops down to the lower stakes ranks because there’s just nothing out there for him to run at? Well……that’s what we’ve got here on Saturday afternoon. To add salt to the wound, his name just happens to be Digging The Grave. Which is probably what he doing right now for the remainder of the 7 horse field.
At 6f (T) there is not much room for error, not much time to make up for miscalculations. Come Staurday in race .3810 there’ll be no room at all. The purse is small for some entered, out of the reach for one or two others. The turf surface is listed at yielding, the result of an overflowing pot of fresh coffee being brewed in neighboring Vermont!!! Ha! So without further fanfair “Let’s Roll!”.
The favorite at 3/2, 6f (T) Walter Swinburn Equinics Gr.I winner Digging The Grave. This guy’s got almost $2 million in earnings, 4 Gr.I races out of his last 5, inclusive of 2 victories at the distance. He produces steady 100-110 speed ratings while turning out 1:09 and such times. To add insult to injury, he’s a pacesetter type who won his 1st off track race, The Walter Swinburn Gr.1. The Silver Ghost 6yr old is trained by zewango2 stables and get’s the services of jockey P. Haynes, who just happens to be hot hot hot!..take a picture of him as he goes by..next race.
In The Evening at 5/2 is the fields second favorite betting choice. He’s trained by duke stables and is a homebred raised from duke stables outstanding brood mare Nana’s Girl. The 4yr old Forty Niner colt has an outstanding 16/7-4-0 turf record and $885k in turf earnings. He likes to just off the pace and may have no choice in that style Saturday. He’s Graded stakes tested and can produce 100’s speed ratings. He’s 2/2 on wet surfaces. Top jockey N. Ambrose is up.
At 9/2, the fields third choice is Frenchy Fequa. The 4yr old Lemmon Drop Kid prodegy is a solid sprinter trained by liblelady stables. He’s sports a 6/2-2-0 turf record and is solid form. He’s used to running a little further distances and considering the company he’s keeping on Saturday, may wish the he had another 1/2 to 1 furlongs to rumble over. P. Ward, a struggling rider, will guide the pace stalker.
Union Colony, a 4yr old Dixie Union colt, is tabbed at 7/1. Running for the luckyhobo stables UC has proven himself over wet surfaces 8 times and has 4 victorirs and 2 show finishes for his efforts. He’s stakes proven and can produce upper 90’s to low 100 speed figures when he’s on. Luckless rider R. Newsome is in the irons.
rokeby stables Reflected Glory2 is rated at 8/1 nad has the sharp riding B. Gates up. The 7yr old Storm Cat warrior has earned $248k over the lawn and has 1 win in his last 5 outings. He shortens up here vs what he’s been running and his form is somewhat questionable considering the task at hand.
Barb’s Libby(IRE), at 9/1 is saddled and trained by barbstable. The Giant’s Causeway(IRE) 4 yr old has his work cut out for him. 0/5 in recent races, he’s stepping up from the allowance ranks and into a real competative situation. His race will be all uphill.
At 12/1 and the fields longshot is Yokel Acting(GB). Sired by Steinlen(GB) and trained by redmarilyn stables the 8yr old will need to find his best race considering the company he’s keeping. A very capable stakes runner YA has hit the board twice in his last 5 outings and is very competative at the distance. He’s a pure sprinter who likes to run just off the pace. W. Iverson, an accomplished rider gets the call.
The has been “A View From The Rail”..by glfstrmdoc..The Doc!!