Shades Of Shimmer Looks To Blitz The Equinics Gift Givers

The Gift Givers Equinics Race

By Smokeglack

One of the nicer feelings in the SIM is to open your stables and see a shiny new horse sitting there.

It is even nicer if it was a gift. This race pays tribute to the ‘Gift Givers’. Thank you.

 

Welcome all to the greatest day in Sim land! Today’s race is packed with a star studded field and is sure to excite the masses. Today’s race will be action packed with the young 3 yr old sprinting on the dirt. Don’t get yourself a cold one when the gates open as the race will be over by the time you get back. Let’s take a look at the classy field of 16 lined up looking for sprinting glory.

 

1 )  SHADES OF SHIMMER–  Lenny–  Gr Simsters Residency  6-1

Lenny and the boys and girls of Gr Simsters bring a flashy young 3 yr old colt to the races today. He has never been off the board in any of his sprinting efforts. His big run was his prep for today in the Gr 3 Special Bid Stakes where he dismantled 9 others in an eye catching run. His 1 ½ length victory and speed number of 106 is what brings him to represent Gr Simsters today. The son of Kitten’s Joy is only looking to duplicate what his mommy did when she won the Gr 1 Humane Distaff in 2010. So it’s in this boy’s blood lines to become a black type winner and by the looks of his present form, it may not be to long. Lenny hopes that comes into fruition today. Gets rail, good jock and is extremely dangerous today. Deserved co-favorite in this one.

 

2) ZIP CODES–  Psyduck – Blazing Saddles   10-1

Psyduck and the gang from shooters from Blazing Saddles bring Zip Codes to the post today. The son of speedy City Zip, Zip Codes has been well battle tested already in his young career. Zip Codes has run in 3 Gr 1 races in his 6 lifetime starts. He is the champion runner in the prestigious Gr 1 Dell Futurity at 7f’s for 2 yr olds. In that race, Zip Codes ran lights out with a 97 speed number and a 1 ½ length victory. Psyduck decided to give the guy a shot in the BB Juvy, contested at 8 1/2f. Zip Codes didn’t seem to like all that running. This guy wants it short and fast. Today, he’s back where he belongs; in an all out gun blazing battle with the fastest in the division. Disregard his last 2 attempts at a bit of ground and focus on his sprint career. He’s definitely one of the most talented, if not the most talented in his division. He will look to resume his sharp sprinting career today. Will get a good gauge from the horse on his inside when it’s time to go. Big threat today for the Blazing Saddles team.

 

3) CANT GET OUT– Dundey– Minnesota Testbarn Residency   6-1 (co-fav)

The Minny Testbarn Rez sends out the 3 yr old son of Awesome Again Can’t Get Out to the gates today. An extremely versatile horse, as he has won 5 times on dirt and 2 times on turf. He also has been well battle tested. His big early win came in the Gr 3 Montana Futurity at 5 ½ f where he won by a driving ¾ of a length. In the big Gr 2 Stanford in NY, Cant Get Out served notice that he was for real. After leading late, he just missed the wire by a ½ length beating 12 other hopefuls. This horse has the ability to rate if need be, or get running early. In his stakes race in December, Cant Get Out broke the 100 speed number and won by ¼ length defeating 13 others. Many things to like here today for this wise guy. Has the ability to sprint with anyone in the division, he must watch the 2 horses inside of him today and figure out early what his running style needs to be today. Big threat and should be a great stretch run by the top 3 breaking from the gate.

 

4) Hilarity Ensues  –  Atthewire-  East- West Connection Residency  (15-1)

The East West crew bring the lightly races son of Medaglio D’oro to the post today. His 1^st 3 races of his career were in fine fashion. He broke his maiden very easily, won a hot allowance race and entered a stakes race off that. In that stakes race at 7 ½ f, Hilarity Ensues broke right on top and never looked back.  His 93 speed number in September told Atthewire that this boy was ready for some high end action.  He tried the 8f Gr 1 Sparkling Wine Stakes and put forth a very nice effort with a 5^th place finish. His next attempt was at 8 1/2 f and I think Hilarity Ensues told Atthewire after that race that he just wanted to sprint. In his last race, Hilarity ensues faced 10 others in an overnight stakes race. He broke on top of the 6f race, and just tired a little bit at the end, but managed to hold onto 3^rd. This horse is more talented than maybe first meets the eye. His main losses came non-sprinting and he’s had a nice prep to get him back to sprinting form. He is a fast one from the gate, but he musn’t get caught speeding with a few others in here. Biggest question is can he win if he doesn’t get things his own way early. Back sprinting today, and deserves much respect and may tried to lead them gate to wire.

 

5) ALWAYS WANTED – Hawkz-  Queensland Residency  (11-1)

Sir Hawkz and the boys and girls from Queensland bring Always Wanted to the post today. Always Wanted has run 7 starts and already has 5 victories to his credit. Hawkz has done a very nice job in his handling of this young colt. He has run through his progression of conditions in nice form.  He has won his maiden, allow 2l, 3l and 4x before being tested in stakes company. Always Wanted has repaid his patience with 5 wins and 2 places in so many starts. I don’t think we’ve seen the talent this horse may be able to display yet.  He has beaten big fields, and done so for the most part very comfortably. In his last race, the Virtous Band Stakes, Always Wanted won by a widening 1 ¾ lengths with a 99 speed number. If the well wasn’t tapped, we may be able to convert that number to a 104 today which may be enough to get the job done. Is as consistent as they come, and just has to improve a bit to be competitive with the ones that have been graded tested already. A severe unknown quality and we’ll find out more today about this under the radar wise-guy. Big chance if can do what I think he’s capable of.

 

6) KEY LIME BARB-  Jakematt-  DelPenn Residency   (11-1)

The Delpenn gang and Jakematt bring Key Lime Barb to the races today. The 3 yr old son of E Dubai totes a 4 win career in 7 starts. After reeling off 3 straight wins to start his career, Key Lime Barb went into the Gr 1 Hopeless Stakes. He ran a nice 5^th in the 7f event, only missing by 3 lengths. He was then entered in the Gr 2 Big Hill Stakes at 7f as well. In that race, Key Lime came out of the gates bouncing. He quickly went up by 2 lengths, then 3 lengths and when they turned for home, nobody could catch him. He earned a very impressive 96 speed number for the race and then was entered in the Gr 3 Los Angeles Prevue. Key Lime Barb faltered a little bit in that one where he finished 9^th, although only beaten by 2 ½ lengths. In his last race, like many others in here, Key Lime tried to go the 8 ½ furlongs and it didn’t go so well. So that brings us back to today. He’s back at his game, has very deadly speed and actually cuts back a furlong from his other big win. May have the ability to rate right off the pace better than some others in here where he may not suffer as much if he doesn’t get the lead. The toughest race of all of them and this guy will be in the mix fighting out early. Chance if can rate and move late.

 

7) CLUMSY DANCER-   Mrlucky – South African Racing Residency    (23-1)

Bill and the crew send out Clumsy Dancer to bring home the torch today. The 3 yr old son of the speedy sire Trippi, has won 2 races in 8 starts. A deep sprint closing type horse may walk into a little fortune today if he doesn’t fall to far back early. This pace in this race will be absolutely suicidal, and he may come cake walking home to pass many tired ones. Yes his numbers have to be increased as well, but today may be the day that he starts to mature a bit. Will definitely benefit from the pace and if can get going at the 3f marker a tad bit earlier, he has a fighting chance to get a spot. Tall task, but not out of the question.

 

8) BIETIGHEIM –  Joe333 –  City Race Rhein Main Turf Club   (30-1)

Joe and the gang send Bietigheim to the post today. The son of Zensational, Bietigheim has 2 wins in 7 starts. In December, he won an allowance nw1x race at 7f by a widening ¼ of a length. His 92 speed number was a career best and he looks to put forth that type effort if not better today. Although he doesn’t have the back class as many of these in here, his pedigree suggest he will like the flat out 6f sprint race today. He’s been racing mostly at 8f or more, and today he cuts back to a possible better suited distance. He like the one above will be the closing groups and can work together to start their late sprint rally to the front. Should be closing late, just hope that the more fleet footed ones aren’t to far ahead by then.  A Cinderella story in the making, but every Equinics we have one; why not this little fighter? Must put forth best effort and come closing hard.

 

9) LOHENGRIN – Tees-  EAAA Residency   (11-1)

Will and the gang bring Lohengrin to the post today. A 3 yr old colt from Exceed and Excel, Lohengrin has some flashy speed. After breaking his allowance nw2l condition, Lohengrin went right into the Gr 1 Hopeless Stakes. After setting the early pace, he tired just a bit to finish 3^rd, beaten only by 2 ½ lengths. A pretty darn good effort after 2 lifetime starts. In his next race, Tees went back to his conditions and entered in an allowance 2x race at 6 ½ furlongs. He toyed with 7 others and came home a 2 ½ length winner. He earned a 90 speed number for the effort. His last race was a stakes race in the end of December.  Facing 11 other entrants, Lohengrin bounced out of the gate quickly, held the lead late and just missed holding on by 1 length. He earned a 97 speed number for that race. Today Lohengrin has quite a few things to like about him. He has quality speed and even if he does tire a bit, he doesn’t throw the bit. He an honest trying horse. Today, he must be extremely cautious of not getting into the expected suicidal pace in fron of him. If he can lay back just a bit and show he can close instead of lead, he can steal the show. Dangerous if can rate and close.

 

10) COWRA BELL –  Tulloch –  Midas Residency  (10-1)

Long time simmer Tulloch and the Midas gang bring Cowra Bell to the races today. A lightly raced son of Unbridled’s Song, Cowra Bell looks to win his 1^st Gr 1 in his 7^th start. Cowra Bell has been graded tested already. In September last year, he attempted the Gr 3Darling Squash Futurity at 8f. In that race, he ran 4^th, but was only beaten by 2 lengths. He then went back to a 7f stakes race and beat the other 4 opponents by 1 ¼ lengths and earned himself a 94 speed number. In his last, Cowra Bell tried the 8 1/2f Gr 3 Delta Jackpot race, and Tulloch realized after that race, that maybe this guy wants to go short and fast. So today we find him back to what seems to be his most reliable and best races.  Cowra Bell is more dangerous than 1^st may meet the eye. He is 3 for 3 at races of 7f or under and has been class tested. He now has posted 3 straight races over a 94 speed number, albeit not as his best distance. If he does like the 6f against this company, you may be looking at a future sprint star. Today he will let his barn know where he’s at in his racing career, but it wouldn’t shock me to find him posing for pictures afterwoods. A lot of hypothetical’s here, but he may stamp his naysayers wrong. Capable of improve and back at right distance. Threat because of that fact alone.

 

11) MEMORY PALACE –   Handshobby – All Stars Racing Residency  (23-1)

Josh and the gang from ASR lead Memory Palace to the post today.  The 3 yr old son of Corinthian comes into today’s race with 6 starts on dirt, with 4 of them being victorious. After switching to dirt in his 2^nd race, Memory Palace reeled off 3 straight conditioned allowance victories. 2 races back, Josh decided to test the boy in stakes company. Going against 7 others in the 6f event, Memory Palace broke 2^nd to last and started his move at the top of the stretch where he was gaining ground and took the lead late. His victory speed number of 90, his career best effort at that point was a sign that he was maturing and he liked the sprint game. Handshobby then tried another stakes race, this time at the 7f marker. In that race, Memory Palace made a nice closing move to finish 3^rd an earned a speed number of 94. A few things to like today for this mild long shot. The first is he’s getting better and faster in every race which shows a sign of maturity. Secondly, his running style should serve him quite well today. He probably will be in the back 1/3^rd group at the halfway point of the race and then make his move. He should be passing some of the tiring horses at that point and if he can mature more today, it may be to a board placing.  Improvement and a well timed late move will be the keys for him today. Think the bettors have him a little bit high in the odds, but we’ll see where Memory Palace is after today’s blazing event.

12) I’LL HAVE A DOUBLE – Head2head-   Pastures Of Green Residency   (17-1)

The host team of Pastures and Head2head lead I’ll Have A Double down the walkway. The 3 yr old son of I’ll Have Another, I’ll Have A Double has won 5 races from 8 career starts.  He started his career in the Freshman Sire Series. He broke his maiden on his 1st try with a ¾ length victory in April. 3 races later he broke his nw2l condition, then followed that with a victory in an allowance nw2x. He then got his 1^st stakes attempt in the Just Because Stakes. In that race at 6f, I’ll Have A Double bounced out of the gate in 2^nd, took control early and waved bye bye to the field coming home a 2 length winner. He earned a career best 92 for his effort that day. I’ll have a Double was next seen in the On The Run Dirt Juvy Stakes race at 6 ½ f. In that race, I’ll Have Another almost mirrored his prior race as he took control by the 3f marker and extended his lead at the wire to widening ¼ length. His last race and prep for this was the Merry Christmas Stakes. Facing 8 challengers, I’ll Have A Double broke 3^rd and made a belated move to finish 2^nd by a hard charging length. He got his career best speed with a 93. Couple things to like about this guy today. He, more than most, likes the 6f mark very much. He’s not cutting back or extending the 6f at all. He showed he can rate a little bit if he needs to and still have the athletic ability to have a say in the end. His numbers are slightly below some of the others, but he likes this sprinting game and can feel very comfortable with the runners today. I give him a big upset chance today, if he can run a bit faster and mature all in one race.

 

13) SPEIGHT”S UNION-   Trotter –  Empire State Racing Residency   (17-1)

Trotter and the clan from Empire State bring Speight’s Union to the track today. In only 5 career starts, Speight’s Union has had 3 wins and 2 places. Speight’s Union broke his maiden quickly, won his allowance race nw1x next and then headed straight off to stakes company. In his 1^st stakes attempt at 7f, Speight’s Union finished 2^nd against only 3 other horses, but earned a nice 90 speed number in the race.  Trotter would cut him back 2 furlongs for his next stakes attempt. In that race, Speight’s Union would now face 7 others. Breaking mid pack, Speight’s Union would take the lead at the top of the stretch but just got caught late right at the wire. He earned a 91 speed number for that race and he was showing signs of maturity. In his last race, his prep for today, Speight’s Union would face 8 others at the 6f mark. Sitting 3^rd throughout, Speight’s would start his motor going fast at the 3f marker. He made a big charge at the leaders and won in convincing fashion by  1 ½ lengths. He earned a 96 speed number for that effort.  Much to like today for this guy. His speed numbers have progressed 3 straight times now and he’s shown ability in only 5 career starts. His last speed number is not that far off from many in here in the race and I definitely think he’s capable of even more improvement today. He has to answer the collective class call, but if he is maturing at the right time he can be a very dangerous horse today.

 

14) ELUSIVE WORLD –   Ledwith–  Hispano Parlante Residency  (12-1)

Led and the group from Hispano Parlante bring Elusive World to the gate today. The 3 yr old son of Elusive Quality comes into today’s race with a 5 win record in 8 career starts. He went through his young conditions quite quickly. After breaking his maiden, he went on to win a 2l, 3l, and then a stakes race. Nice way to start a career, but we’ve come to expect that from the master. Led then wanted to test the young colt and his 1^st test would be the Gr 2 Closest friend Stakes. He would finish a solid 3^rd, beating 11 others in the field. He would then run in the Gr 2 Future Stakes across the country in NY. For some reason, he didn’t put forth his best effort that day and retreated to 12^th. Led would then switch gears and throw him in a Gr 2 but on turf this time. The youngin’ held himself well and finished 3^rd in his first try on grass. His last race is the danger sign for many in here today. Led put him back at 6f in an overnight stakes and he ran a closing 96 speed number and went on to win by a length. His mommy is a Grade 1 winner as well, having won the Gr 1 Alpine Sprint on turf.  Sometimes with Ledwith, we start drawing conclusions and possibilities. Was the turf try by design to get him going on the dirt again? Or was he just testing the young guy because mom was a gr1 winner on turf. Either way the colt seemed to respond back and today he just needs to improve a tad more to be competitive here. Sure Led has the guy bouncing on his toes, and he should have a say at something late in the race.

 

15) READY FOR FORTY– Russrob–  Universal Racing Club Residency       (8-1)

Kent and the crew for URC bring Ready For Forty to the races today. The son of More Than Ready has had 8 career starts with 4 of them being victorious.  The ever improving colt seems to be the real deal and tomorrow we may see how good this colt can actually be. Ready For Forty ran in a stakes race 2 races ago. In that race, Ready For Forty faced 6 other rivals. After breaking dead last, Ready For Forty turned up his motor and started heading to the front. He made a strong move at the leaders but just ran out of room and finished a solid 3d. His speed number of 99 told Kent that he may have something here. Kent decided to try the difficult Gr 3 Special Bid Stakes next race out.  Facing 9 others, Ready For Forty broke last again, and then started his strong engines towards the front.  This time however, he was eating up big chunks of ground. At the wire, he just ran out of room and only lost by 1 ½ lengths. He earned a speed number of 103 for the effort.  Ready For Forty is here to dance. He brings a good record, good speed and a deadly closing kick to a party that is absolutely loaded with speed. The key for Ready For Forty is that he must not wait to long or drop back to far early where he may have to much to do late. He loves the distance and will be closing like a freight train. For Kent and URC, it may be to the wire. Dangerous today.

 

16) HEY BAY BAY–  Bigtate-  Northwest Racing Circuit Residency   (13-1)

Bigtate and Northwest Racing leads 3 yr old Hey Bay Bay to the post. (Definitely wins the name contest). The 3 yr old son of Neko Bay is one of the more seasoned horses in the race after having 12 career starts. He has won 4 of those races. 3 races back, Hey Bay Bay entered the On The Run Dirt Stakes. In that November race, Hey Bay Bay broke towards the rear and made a bold charge late. He finished 3^rd, missing by only ¼ length. He earned a 90 speed number which at that time was his career high. Bigtate then entered him into the Major Nelson Dirt Juvenile Stakes at 5f. Again, he would break towards the rear and start his engines up with 3f to go. He made another decisive move to the front, and again just missed by ¾ of a length. Bigtate would do the natural thing and try him at a 7 ½ furlong stakes race so maybe he would have more room for that late kick. Facing 9 others, Hey Bay Bay broke in his usual position, made a nice little move and steadied late for 3^rd. His speed number showed his maturity with a 101. Hey Bay Bay has a few things to like today. He is 2 for 2 at the 6f distance, so that may be his exact niche. His experience should serve him nicely today and he’s one of only a handful to run a 101 speed number. I expect him to be around the horse inside of him today, and both of them look to get started at the 3f marker. A legit threat today as he will be coming late and with authority.

 

Smoke’s Useless 4:

First off congrats to all the horses that will be representing your respective residincies; I hope you all do them proud. This race is brutal, I mean brutal to handicap. There’s 2-3 horses from the inside partion of the track that will be flat out winging it on the front end. Then there’s a couple deep closers on the outside of the track. I would not be surprised to see 3-4 lead changes in this 6f race (although one may go wire to wire; have to back myself up J. Anyway, good luck all.

1)      Shades Of Shimmer–  Gr Simsters–  Back sprinting now and huge last run. The one to beat.

2)      Ready For Forty–  URC–  Will be flying late and picking up many pieces, maybe all of them.

3)      Can’t Get Out– Minnytest- Flip flopped him 3x, but put here. No surprise if he wins the whole thing. Solid last dirt stakes race.

4)      Key Lime Barb- DelPenn– Back sprinting now and just needs a good jump to be competitive here today.

Best of luck to all and may the horse be with you!