Winter Wonderland – Champion About To Be Unearthed
1 – APARTZ ROCK
Interestingly this one has been racing only on the Poly surface of late and doing consistently well including a Stakes win. Has only had the one run on dirt and goes at it again here today although in much classier company. That one run on dirt wasn’t anything to write home about. Bit of a long shot here I would suggest.
2 – RADA BLUE
Has run once before in a G3 as well as a Stakes race. The first wasn’t really in it but the Stakes race performed well and closing – just ran out of room. Longer here and after steadily building up some form and experience at Allowance level is being given another shot here to go up a level. Good chance – can he step up?
3 – FILET EQUUS
Different sort of name this one! I don’t mind a filet of fish though. Has been running very well at Allowance level and is consistent too somewhat however this might be a bit hard here. Would have preferred to see her step up to Stakes level first however she may surprise. Will need better speeds though at Group level. Her best is a 92 to date and she is up against the boys.
4 – CYMOCHLES
A colt that only has 4 runs to date all on dirt. Last two runs were wins though and a top speed of 90 and well liking the distance each time he runs further. Has flown home last two runs to crush the field into mincemeat and could likely do it again here – bit more speed and the win could be his.
5 – TIO LUIS
Uncle Luis which is what Tio Luis is in English is another very well bred colt. They must all be well bred in this race. Outstanding run last time out which was over 8.5 furlongs at Stakes level and a speed of 102. Definitely in some form and the way he smashed the field in finishing suggests he had a lot more in the tank to go further. Should go alright here.
6 – PRIMETIME GHOSTMO
The 2nd filly in this race but is looking very very talented. Already run in Graded racing a few times now and performed well each time. This may be too short for her though – 9 furlongs last time out and she looked like she wanted more. Still finding her feet and this field will certainly tell the trainer where she is at in her career. Look for getting a place today.
7 – SNOW IN MOSCOW
Lots of snow in Moscow!! Extremely well bred and his last run was a G1 and finished well back but was starting to close. Looked like he was surprised by both the class of a G1 compared to what he was used to in allowance racing but also looked like he wanted a ton more distance. A lot of these runners at this age are still pushing out the envelope of how far they can run. Today will be a bit further for him and that will only help but looks like he could be a good route horse this one.
8 – STUPEFYING
Life itself is stupefying sometimes and this horse is no exception. Looks the goods for distance racing and his last run was a G1 where he was starting to close over 9.5 furlongs. This is shorter though and I think he will finish well back – not because of lack of talent – far from it! Just wants way way more distance to get the win. Wouldn’t mind having him in my stable though – will get a Group win soon – just a matter of time.
9 – AQRAAM
Had two runs on turf where he didn’t really set the world alight but still ran ok if you know what I mean. Was swapped to dirt last time out and boy did things change. Straight out win over 9 furlongs at allowance level with a speed of 94. Distance no problem and in all likelihood will improve on that speed figure today. Maybe. Definitely have to consider as a contender here.
10 – MARKED
Has only ever run at Allowance level but has run consistently and well. Also good speeds in the high 90’s. Some good breeding lines as well as his career to date suggests he is definitely still feeling out what he is capable of. The extra distance may just push him to his limit of what he can handle but still shouldn’t be a problem today. Be interesting to see how he goes at this level.
11 – A SPECIAL EVIL
All evil is special. Specially evil!! Evil is specially evil. Does that make sense? Plenty in this field that are just knocking on the door to greatness and this is yet another that has been building wisely with each race and getting better and better. Stepping up today he gets his chance to showcase at Group level. Can he produce the results? His career so far would suggest yes.
12 – BRAKING BAD
Not used to braking and when he does he is absolutely shocking at it. Which is not a problem for a racehorse as the last thing you want is him being slowed down by anything! Very nice colt, extremely well bred with all the big names that some of us can only dream about! He’s been a steady performer gradually easing out the distance and class each time with his best run yet being his last run in a G2 and third place finish but still closing well. And that was 9 furlongs. Should go well again here – most likely wanting more distance in a few races though.
13 – RUNAWAY SUN
Starting off life as a claimer has been slowly getting better with each race including a 2nd place finish at Stakes level a few runs back on dirt. Has been struggling with reaching the 10 furlong range and the trainer has put him back to 9 furlongs today to see if that suits better. Bit up and down in form but could well surprise here if he gets things right. Runaway Sun definitely wants to be running away from this field across the finish line.
14 – HABANERO POET
Only 3 runs on dirt but yet to finish worse than third place. Stakes run last time out over 8 furlongs for a third place finish but was starting to fade or so it appeared to me when watching the re-run of the race on Channel 9 of my digital 3D TV. May find the distance today too much. Then again may not. What do I know? Not a lot obviously. Good luck with this one – may suit shorter though.