2014 Equinics – Equinics Residencies

What would the Equinics be without the Residencies who compete?  Past and present Residency competitors are celebrated with a five and one half furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares four years old and up.  A field of sixteen goes to the starting line with perhaps one of the most prohibitive favorites of the day in the group, 7/2 London Mistress the only grade one winner in the field.  With each entrant we’ll highlight the Residency they represent.  Let’s take a look at the field.

 

#1 Storac                                                             Mano Stables                                    10/1

Residency – Pastures of Green

It is fitting that Pastures of Green is represented first in this race.  Pastures of Green is the host track for this year’s event and was one of the founding residencies who has been represented in every Equinics from the beginning.  Pastures members also host the Equinics webpage and have been instrumental in organizing the event year after year.

Storac is an impressive 14-9-3-0 with all of her starts coming in turf sprints.  A specialist at the shortest distances, she has six listed stakes victories at five for five and one half furlongs.  She is also multiple grade three placed, including a second place finish in last June’s five furlong Kaz Hayashi Sprint Cup.  She enters off a victory in a listed at this distance last time out which she won with a 102 speed.  Storac is a daughter of Acclamation out of the Storm Cat x Hilal mare Jennifer D.

 

#2 Captain De Lago                                          Dragnil Stables                                  11/1

Residency – South African Racing Association

South African Racing Association (SARA) is the newest residency to join the Equinics.  SARA promotes breeding South African-bred horses by offering contests and stakes races restricted to horses bred in that area of the world.  They have an active membership that converses via their message board and, showing the best spirit of the Equinics, their camaraderie is exceptional.

Captain De Lago has won turf listeds at five, six, six and one half and seven furlongs.  Her last stakes victory came in October of 2012 and her last victory of any kind came in March of 2013.  Since that victory she ran in six straight graded stakes, with her best finishes including a second in the Grade Three Summer Handicap at six furlongs and a third in the Grade Three Las Vegas Handicap at six and one half.  During that skein she ran 100+ speeds in all but one of her races but in her last two starts – which both came at the listed level – she has failed to reach triple digits.  Captain De Lago is a scratchbred daughter of Captain Al x Encosta De Lago x Danehill.

 

#3 Arch Ahead                                                  Newmarket Stables                        11/1

Residency – Universal Racing Club

Universal Racing Club enters the 2014 Equinics hungry for medals.  They fielded their first Equinics team in 2012 and quite impressively ranked in fifth place.  This Residency is known for their innovative contests and support for members’ runners.  URC boasts its own Hall of Fame and highlights the graded stakes wins of residency runners.

Arch Ahead is a two time listed stakes winner with those wins coming at distances of six and one half furlongs and one mile.  Since last July she has hit the board in all of her six starts, three of which were stakes races.  She has never tried graded stakes and her only try at this distance on turf resulted in a second place finish in a listed with a 100 speed.  She may be the type of filly more suited to longer distance races.  Arch Ahead is a daughter of Dream Ahead out of the Arch x Unbridled’s Song mare The Queen.

 

#4 Maribel PT                                                    Ivanyamil Stables                             14/1

Residency – DelPenn National

DelPenn National was formed in 1999 as Delaware Links.  They have competed in every Equinics since the beginning.  DelPenn is perhaps best known for sponsoring the annual DelPenn Champions Day races which are open to the entire sim in December.  Major runners from the DelPenn barns include Hall of Fame member Horseshoe Bay and 2009 Horse of the Year Jeepster.  DelPenn was the overall gold medal champs in the 2008 Equinics.

Maribel PT is a specialist at this distance.  She’s never missed the board in five starts at the distance including two listed stakes victories.  She has also won three additional listed races at a flat five furlongs.  This filly is quick out of the gate and likes to take her fields wire to wire.  She enters this race off a winning prep at the distance where she ran a 103 speed.  Maribel PT is a daughter of Johannesburg out of the Woodman x Silver Hawk mare Gilded Clerk.

 

#5 Vitality Theory                                             Adrian Stables                                   12/1

Residency – All-Stars Racing

All-Stars Racing makes its Equinics debut in 2014.  The residency is home to Eclipse Winner Dynamic Force and Breeders’ Bowl winners Of Whitehorse and Seeing Means More.  They highlight members’ graded race victories throughout the year and members have already won five grades with five separate horses this year.

Vitality Theory is an Equinics veteran, having run in this race in 2012, finishing ninth but beaten only four lengths.  She entered that race off a victory in the Grade Three Kaz Hayashi Sprint Cup which remains the biggest victory of her career to this point.  This season she is entering off a HOT race prep.  On January Eighth she won a seven furlong allowance by over three lengths while earning a 75 speed.  In spite of that unorthodox prep her three previous races all came in listeds and she won two of them, including one at this distance in which she ran a 104 speed.  Vitality Theory is a scratchbred daughter of Giant’s Causeway x Kingmambo x Deputy Minister.

 

#6 Tiz a What                                                     CCBruno Stables                               19/1

Residency – Minnesota-Testbarn

Minnesota has been an active residency in the Equinics from the beginning.  In 2000 they tied with California for the overall silver medal and in 2002 they took the bronze.  In 2010 Minnesota and Testbarn were separate entities and competed against one another in the Equinics.  Since the two residencies merged they have become regular leaders of the weekly residency stats in the game.

Tiz a What also scored her biggest stakes victory in the Grade Three Kaz Hayashi Sprint Cup, in her case the 2013 version of the five furlong race.  She enters this spot on the back of back to back listed victories with one race coming at five furlongs and the latter at five and one half furlongs.  Overall Tiz a What has won five stakes races in her career but she has never shown herself to be particularly fast.  She’s only topped triple digit speeds in three of her nineteen career starts with the best clocking in at only a 101.  She did run a 100 in her most recent start and that could be a signal of good things to come from this young filly.  She’s a daughter of Tizway out of the Street Sense x Pulpit mare New York Dutchess.

 

#7 London Mistress                                        Bristoldred Stables                                          7/2

Residency – Empire State Racing

Empire State Racing makes its second Equinics appearance.  This group set things on fire in 2012 when, in their first try, they took home the silver medal in the overall competition and actually won more individual medals than any other residency.  Focusing on the Empire State, ESR supports local bred racing in New York and its members are frequently lounging in the chat room.

London Mistress is the big favorite in the field.  She’s the only grade one winner and she achieved that distinction two starts back when she took the six furlong Fujimoto Turf Sprint with a 110 speed.  If she runs back to that race it just may be that no one in the field can touch her.  But despite coming in on a four race win streak (all in stakes races) there is one very big question about London Mistress – can she shorten up to today’s distance.  In her career she has never been shorter than six furlongs which puts her at a distinct disadvantage in this spot where she faces several mares who have made their careers at this distance.  London Mistress’ tactical speed may be just what she needs to overcome her inexperience.  London Mistress is a scratchbred daughter of Pivotal x Rainbow Quest x Northern Dancer.

 

#8 Paint Job                                                        Gowans Stables                                                                14/1

Residency – Blazing Saddles

Blazing Saddles made their Equinics debut in 2008.  In 2010 they finished fifth in the overall medal count and took the gold in 2012.  Blazing Saddles offers a number of residency-restricted events throughout the year and always shows a strong presence on the big sim days.

Paint Job is a three time stakes winning turf sprinter but like others in this field she has never run shorter than six furlongs.  He highest speed of 106 was earned two starts back when finishing second in a six furlong listed.  Her best runs have come when she is either leading or within one length of the lead at the first call of a race but in her last two starts she was held back early and tried to make one big run at the end.  Each time she fell just short, finishing second by a length and a length and one quarter.  It will be interesting to see what tactics she uses in this spot.  Paint Job is a daughter of Unbridled’s Song out of the stakes winning Danehill Dancer x Storm Cat mare Dancer’s Tantrum.

 

#9 Spring Blossom                                           Psyduck215 Stables                                         13/1

Residency – Comedy Central

Comedy Central has been an Equinics participant since 2010.  The residency was formed in 2008 by CMD and Squirrel and bills itself as “the funnest and funniest” residency.  Their contests are unique to say the least and include “It Doesn’t Take a Brain to Train” and “Breed My Steed”.

Spring Blossom is a bit of an idiosyncratic filly, at least when you look at her pedigree.  The daughter of Monsun and the Gone West x The Minstrel hemare Spring Snowstorm should theoretically excel at turf distance races.  Yet this filly is seven for seven sprinting and perhaps more surprisingly six for six on the dirt.  She’s never won a stakes race or even tried one but she boasts one of the better last out speeds in this field a 107 earned winning a turf allowance at six and one half furlongs.  She’s even a winner at four and one half furlongs so shortening up shouldn’t be a problem for her.  At 13/1 she’s an interesting play in this spot.

 

#10 Viento Y Marea                                        Zarstc Stables                                                    15/1

Residency – Hispano Parlante

Hispano Parlante makes their second showing in the Equinics.  Their first resulted in a bronze medal finish in the overall contest in 2012.

Viento Y Marea made her stakes debut in November where she finished sixth in a grade two.  She dropped to a listed in her most recent start but faded to fifth after leading earl.  She has won seven of sixteen starts and excels at turf sprints.  The only time she’s been the distance was in her maiden race on dirt in which she finished third.  The Flying Spur filly is out of the stakes winning Seattle Slew x Nijinsky II mare Tom Boy Buda.  Viento Y Marea has banked over two hundred thousand dollars – she’s no slouch by an means – but things will have to come together perfectly for her to medal here.

 

#11 Shotgun Woman                                      Trapper07 Stables                                            30/1

Residency – City-Race Rhein Main Turf Club

City-Race Rhein Main Turf Club also makes their second Equinics start this year.  They celebrate every year’s best 2yo from the residency with special recognition.

Shotgun Woman has won half of her twelve starts with all of her wins coming in turf sprints.  She has tried stakes company twice and failed to hit the board but those races came at seven and seven and one half furlongs and while she has won allowance races at those distances the feeling here is that the cutback in distance may be advantageous to her.  A bigger hurdle is that she has never run a triple digit speed although she came close running a 99 back in October.  This filly is by Zamindar out of the Authorized x Kingmambo mare Authorized King.

 

#12 Ghost Chilli                                                 Tees Stables                                                       8/1

Residency – EAA Racing

EAA Racing made their Equinics debut in 2006.  In 2008 they took the overall bronze medal and in 2010 they came back to win silver.  They did not participate in 2012.

Ghost Chilli exits a perfect prep for this spot.  In mid-December she won a five and one half furlong listed stakes with a 105 speed.  It was her third stakes win in a row and third triple digit speed in a row.  She made the first ten starts of her career on the dirt and only her last two races have come on the grass.  Difficult to know how good she really is but I doubt trainer Tees would trade positions with anyone in this race.  Undefeated on the grass, a strong winner at the distance – this filly is a major threat.  Ghost Chilli is a daughter of Medicean out of the stakes winning Encosta De Lago x Storm Cat mare Encostacat.

 

#13 Evil Network                                              Lenny271 Stables                                             10/1

Residency – GR Simsters

GR Simsters bill themselves as the “Winningest Residency in Derbyfever.”  They made their Equinics debut in 2004 and have twice taken the overall gold medal first in 2006 and again in 2010.  They placed silver in 2008 and came in fourth place in 2012.

Evil Network made her momma proud in her last start when she became a graded winner while taking the Grade Three Range Rover Handicap at six and one half furlongs.  Evil Network is a daughter of Northern Meteor out of the Eclipse Champion Turf Mare Network News (Gone West x Northern Dancer).  Network News made her bones running in major turf sprints versus the males including winning the Grade One King Kong Sprint in 2011.  She also finished second in Summer Equinics Ascot Stakes at six furlongs versus the boys in 2012.  Evil Network is her first foal and with eight wins and three seconds from twelve starts is proving a gem of a filly.

 

#14 Blood Dragon                                            Supertaffy Stables                                           17/1

Residency – Midas

Midas made their Equinics debut in 2012.  They are the only residency that offers credits to members just for supporting the residency.

Blood Dragon is seeking her first stakes victory in this spot although she has hit the board in two listed stakes.  One came at a mile on turf and the other at seven and one half furlongs on the lawn.  All five of her victories have come in turf sprints so she’s in her element but like many in this field she has never run shorter than six furlongs.  She does have speed – her last two turf sprint runs resulted in 104 and 105 numbers.  The daughter of Bernardini out of the Danzig x Mr. Prospector mare Bad Blood is a three quarter sister to the grade two winning K’s Eskape who was a crackerjack sprinter who also could hold her speed in a route.

 

#15 Pawned For Kash                                     Kashbarn Stables                                             11/1

Residency – East-West Connection

East-West Connection has competed in the Equinics since 2002.  EWC offers prizes to members for posting on their message board.  They also run a number of contests including tracking trainer standings with points earned from running at certain tracks.

Pawned For Kash has won two of her last three starts, both listed stakes races.  One win came at five furlongs and the other at five and one half furlongs, both on the grass.  She has four additional turf sprint listed victories to her credit but interestingly her three graded tries have all come in routes.  Pawned For Kash is coming in off a bit of a layoff, she was last seen on the track on November30th, 2013.  This is the first major break in her nineteen start career so it will be interesting to see how she responds in her first race back.  Pawned For Kash is a daughter of Teofilo out of the Grade Three winning Red Ransom x Mill Reef mare Rubbing From Rat.  Rubbing From Rat won her grade three routing on dirt and her best foal Tactical Rat also won a graded dirt route but interestingly both were listed stakes winners at sprint distances.

 

#16 Catch A Star                                               Nextbonus Stables                                          44/1

Residency – Queensland Racecourse

Queensland Racecourse made their Equinics debut in 2002.  They bill themselves as the “Home of the Flying Horses”.  They offer a variety of contests for residents.

Catch A Star has won nine races from nineteen starts, eight of those in turf sprints.  She has only started twice in stakes races but she won the first of those, a five and one half furlong listed in December of 2013.  She returned in January to finish sixth in a five furlong listed.  That was her only loss in most recent four starts.  Like several others in this field she has yet to crack a triple digit speed although she came close when she won the listed, running a 98 speed in that start.   Catch A Star is a daughter of Dansili out of the Mineshaft x Storm Cat mare Waiting For A Star.

 

Good luck to all!