P J Seven Seas(ire), Revelation II Match Win Streaks
The GATLING SEA Handicap
Stakes
A mile and three quarters
Firm Turf
$65,000
All horses, 4 years old and up
PP Horse ID Horse Owner Jockey Odds W / P / S
1 12888 VERMONT FREAK dsanders J Ingram 8/1
2 42046 SCOOBS CITY youlostha L Hechicera 5/1
3 77892 PJ SEVEN SEAS(IRE) osstable3 M Barnes 3/1
4 2161 I HAVE A DREAM yinandyang I Thomas 8/1
5 31336 MEDIEVAL CAT hoofers F Lakencher 9/2
6 85060 CALELLA babybarns D Singhi 7/1
7 85600 LIKE DAY AND NIGHT(IRE) smoken J Hornibrook 7/1
8 19443 REVELATION II oscar G Ringaskiddy 7/2
A field of eight turf marathoners face off this week in The Gatling Sea Cap fashioned at a mile and three quarters over the lush Connecticut grass course. Here’s a preview of the contestants from the hedge outward.
Gate one will hold Dsanders’ veteran homebred, Vermont Freak. The big six year old son of Aptitude is in the midst of an eight race losing streak and has never won a stake. On the plus side, he did finish third in his only start over this grueling distance and there are others in here who won’t like the trip. In addition, the Freak posted a solid 100 speed figure for jockey NBonus to open his 2006 campaign. Some shot if things break his way.
Scoobs City is next. The well bred (Carson City x Kris S. x Nearctic) four year old carried a very impressive four race win skein into Equinics. Among his wins was a very fast victory over thirteen grassy furlongs in the Brass Kingdom Stake at Laurel. But the wheels came off in Equinics’ Piggott and he hasn’t recovered yet. Following the Piggott debacle, Scoobs did run a distant third to The Gourmet in a stake over this track. Certain to be near the front early and can maintain that position with his very best effort. Jockey Lorenzo Hechicera gets the leg up from trainer Youlostha.
The only distaffer in the field, P J Seven Seas(ire), drew the three hole. The compactly built daughter of Rock of Gibraltar(ire) arrives in splendid form having won three successive races, the last two stakes, by WIDE margins. Osstable3’s homebred loves to go immediately to the front and open up big leads. The flashy five year old opened up by twelve lengths last time and coasted home by five and a half well in hand. She posted a nifty 100 in that event despite being eased a sixteenth out. Looks like the one to beat.
I Have A Dream owns solid credentials. Ten career wins, two stakes wins, excellent trainer in Yinandyang, red hot rider in Isaiah Thomas, and impeccable breeding (War Chant x Seeking The Gold x Clever Trick). So what’s the problem? The distance. He’s effective up to nine furlongs but has shown no inclination to run one step beyond. Distanced last outing at two miles. Nice horse. Another time. Another place.
Medieval Cat was claimed by Hoofers last time out for $25,000. The trainer has a long history of claiming horses and moving them up. And I’m guessing that the erstwhile stakes winner will do well for his new barn. But not this week. Of fifty-four career starts, only two have been a mile or longer. Neither was pretty. Two chances. Seven scratches and none.
Babybarns’ homebred Calella has an outside chance. The five year old gray can run all day having won stakes at both twelve and sixteen furlongs. He has a sharp trainer and will be ridden by the capable Dinghi Singhi. And the rangy son of Fantastic Light loves the turf. The big question is whether or not he can put it all together on Saturday. No wins since 2004. Next stop might be nw1y.
Starting from gate seven is the aptly named Like Day And Night(ire). The steel gray Daylami(ire) stallion races huge at times. And fails to show up at others. And as with many of his rivals, there are two sides to his story. The negative is that he’s raced mostly in allowances and high claimers. So this class will be a stern test. On the other hand, Smoken’s enigmatic charge has won the last three times he’s raced on firm turf. Cannot be dismissed lightly.
Rounding out our field is second betting choice Revelation II. The chestnut millionaire arrives sporting a two race win streak. Two back the son of Kingmambo crushed a decent allowance field in Alabama. Last time out he dusted a stakes field in Virginia. Journeyman Gordon Ringsakiddy rides for world class conditioner Oscar. This multiple Grade One winner is certainly the main threat to the mare.
Come out early as the first 5,000 paid admissions will receive a complimentary “Wait ’til next year” UCONN T-shirt.