The Grand Prix 2014
Germany (GER) Sunday, March 30, 2014 — 2:00:00 PM EST Firm Turf
The Grand Prix Grade III / Group 3 – Purse : $150,000
Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older 11 Furlongs | ~2200 Meters
Hi all and welcome to Germany for the running of the Group3 The Grand Prix. This is one of the major races in Germany and this year a quality field of 7 have lined up to contend. A huge crowd is expected to turn up for this years race as the weather is absolutely stunning. You can make a case for each horse, but only one can win so place your bets and cross your fingers.
PP#1 DOLGELLAU 4yo Light Grey colt by KITTEN’S JOY x CAERLEON x DIESIS
Owner: bukowski Jockey: H Knott Odds: $5
Starts: 7:5-2-0 Money Earned: $121,880 Last 5 Starts: 12111
Distance Starts: First Start Track Starts: First Start Best Speed: 110 @2100m
Four year old colt who is yet to miss the placing. First start at the track and distance, but has loads of ability. Started his racing career as a 3yo where he had an easy win in a 1600m maiden at Belgium. Stepping up in class here today, but did well last start at Norway at a 2100m stakes race where he came from well back to storm home for a strong win. Very lightly raced and can go close here.
PP#2 GIANT HABITAT 8yo Brown horse by GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x SEATTLE SLEW x FAPPIANO
Owner: amist Jockey: B Conover Odds: $5
Starts: 44:15-6-5 Money Earned: $602,139 Last 5 Starts: 122s0
Distance Starts: 29:13-4-2 Track Starts: 5:0-1-2 Best Speed: 111 @2200m
Eight year old horse who is second up here today. Has plenty of experience at the distance, but is yet to win at the distance from 5 starts. Has the class factor but you would have to say this will be a tough ask. Had a really bad start last time out where he finished 22 lengths last in a 2200m stakes race at Germany. He’s an each way bet if you can forgive his last start.
PP#3 STEP ASIDE PLEASE 5yo Brown horse by MALIBU MOON x DANEHILL x SIR IVOR
Owner: muchalucha Jockey: N Labreche Odds: $2.5
Starts: 19:7-7-0 Money Earned: $521,615 Last 5 Starts: 21729
Distance Starts: 1:0-1-0 Track Starts: 1:0-1-0 Best Speed: 112 @2400m
Five year old horse who has been doing most of his racing in the U.S. Has been placed at distance and track and is dropping back down in distance. Coming off 3 group 1 races this should be easier, but didn’t show much last start in a 2600m group1 race where he finished 9th out of 17. Looks like the class horse of the field and is the one to beat.
PP#4 STREET THUG 7yo Brown horse by STREET SENSE x DEPUTY MINISTER x SEATTLE SLEW
Owner: bliss Jockey: B Schardein Odds: $3
Starts: 25:10-7-1 Money Earned: $311,779 Last 5 Starts: 22311
Distance Starts: 2:1-1-0 Track Starts: First Start Best Speed: 110 @2000m
Seven year old horse who is the second favourite here today. Going for a hat trick of wins and loves the distance, but is stepping up in class. Had a good win at Tasmania last start out in a 2200m stakes race, where he stalked the leader and cruised home in the straight. In great form and a win here won’t surprise.
PP#5 FORCE CHANNELLING 4yo Brown colt by ENGLISH CHANNEL x BLUSHING GROOM x LYPHARD
Owner: devarto Jockey: V Drosos Odds: $9
Starts: 19:3-5-4 Money Earned: $205,644 Last 5 Starts: 55211
Distance Starts: First Start Track Starts: First Start Best Speed: 105 @2400m
Four year old colt who is the longshot of the race. Has raced a lot for a four year old, but is having first start at distance, track, and class. His last 2 wins were in restricted allowance races where he finished strong in both of them. The odds are stacked against him and hard to pick him.
PP#6 OUTBACK DELOREAN 4yo Bay colt by DYNAFORMER x SADLER’S WELLS x STREET CRY
Owner: outback3 Jockey: A Smith Odds: $6
Starts: 10:4-3-0 Money Earned: $167,350 Last 5 Starts: 12191
Distance Starts: 1:1-0-0 Track Starts: 1:1-0-0 Best Speed: 112 @2000m
Four year old colt who is lightly raced and looks well placed here. Has the one start at the class for a disappointing 9th at big odds, but group is probably easier. Had a great win at the track last start out where he sat of the leader and took of before the bend to hold onto the line. Is a tough kind of horse and won’t make this an easy race for a few of them.
PP#7 UNSURPRISING 4yo Brown colt by CURLIN x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x CAERLEON
Owner: desimster3 Jockey: J Van Dam Odds: $4.5
Starts: 17:3-6-1 Money Earned: $235,938 Last 5 Starts: 24120
Distance Starts: 3:1-2-0 Track Starts: 1:0-1-0 Best Speed: 112 @2000m
Four year old colt who is the third favourite here today. Both his starts at the class have been seconds, but is yet to miss a place at the distance from 3 starts. Was outclassed last start in a group 1 2000m race at South Africa where he was always well back to finish 10th. Has the ability and if he bounces back he’s got to be considered as one of the main chances.
My Tips:
PP#1 DOLGELLAU
PP#4 STREET THUG
PP#6 OUTBACK DELOREAN
Tips by Odds:
PP#3 STEP ASIDE PLEASE
PP#4 STREET THUG
PP#7 UNSURPRISING
Tips by most wins:
PP#2 GIANT HABITAT
PP#4 STREET THUG
PP#3 STEP ASIDE PLEASE
Tips by best speed:
PP#3 STEP ASIDE PLEASE
PP#7 UNSURPRISING
PP#6 OUTBACK DELOREAN
Overall Ratings:
PP#4 STREET THUG 6 points
PP#3 STEP ASIDE PLEASE 5 points
PP#7 UNSURPRISING 3 points
PP#1 DOLGELLAU 3 points
PP#2 GIANT HABITAT 3 points
PP#6 OUTBACK DELOREAN 2 points
Great article Danmarko
Love the layout, and the considered analysis of each runner shows plenty of though and effort
Thank you
Thanks for the article, danmarko. I didn’t notice it until after the race, but I am excited for Dolgellau’s first mention in the BTB, and his first Graded win (hopefully, first of many). He’s already the best 2000m turf horse I’ve trained.