Big Race Preview 2580

Nine of the twelve grade I races this week are on the turf and five of the eleven grade II races this week are on the turf.

First day back from summer vacation and we are welcomed by the juiciest of match ups as the two most popular horses in the sim world, Sunnybank Memorial and Allied Assault, go head to head in the Sword Swallower. If that is not good enough the rivalry between the top two three year old turf runners Horseshoe Bay and Jupiter’s Moons (IRE) continues in the Owner’s Stakes.

So you want more? How about Niner Connection versus Gerneral’s Chariot? Just wait till you see the milers Jolie’s Song, Orange Swirl, Leven Seventy One, and Dom Tendancies. What an incredible weekend of sim racing we have on tap for you!

Race: 2580.0412 Sword Swallower Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track: New York
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf

The match up of the big turf dogs is always a fun one to witness. Sunnybank Memorial has won two of the three meetings with Allied Assault. This race looks to set up a bit like the one race in which Allied Assault ran down Sunnybank Memorial. In that race there was not much pace and Sunnybank Memorial found himself closer to the place sitting second.

That could very well happen in this race. The pace looks to be set by Deputy Drop. Deputy is making his first career start on grass and will be the lone speed. If he held off the top two it might be considered one of the biggest upsets in sim history. The two outside horses Are You Surprised and Rainbow Moonshell are both very solid turf runners capable of running with the top two on their best days.

In the end it looks like Sunnybank Memorial will grab the lead at the top of the stretch and have the daunting task of holding off Allied Assault. The finish should be exciting. 

Race: 2580.2814 Owner’s Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Ontario
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf

Horseshoe Bay looks to make it five grade I wins in a row. His main rival has been Jupiter’s Moons (IRE). These two have faced off four times and Horseshoe Bay has won three of those races with Jupiter’s Moons (IRE) running second. The only time Jupiter’s Moons (IRE) finished ahead of Horseshoe Bay was at the Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile where Jupiter’s Moons (IRE) was second and Horseshoe Bay was a distant seventh.

There are twelve other runners in this race but none of them hold a candle to the top two. Jupiter’s Moons (IRE) will get the lead at the top of the stretch and last time out he made Horseshoe Bay work very hard to get by. Could this be the race Jupiter’s Moons (IRE) turns the tables or will Horseshoe Bay continue to dominate?

Race: Eddie Haskell Stakes – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track: New York
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt

Any other year and this is most likely the most anticipated race of the week. Fly for Buda, the Middle Jewel winner, heads this field. He looks to have a class advantage over everyone in this field as well as a speed figure advantage. It will be Fly for Buda’s race to lose.

Squal Me Halo was late to the Triple Crown trail getting into the New Yorker and finishing fourth. Last time out he fought very gamely to get a grade I victory in Kentucky. One Bold Rush has been blooming of late. Last time out he was a very game second in the grade II Buckeye Derby. Prince Murf makes his first since the New Yorker. He took a path less traveled to the Bluegrass Derby winning several graded stakes but could not keep up with the big boys in his last four races.

Sensationalize swept onto the scene with a striking second place finish in the Florida Derby. Since he has struggled against top dirt horses and might give the grass a shot. Kiss Inkognito has flown through his allowance conditions and seems well prepared for this step up in class. 

Race: 2580.0416 The Dahlia Cup – Grade I – $500,000
Track: New York
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and three quarters on the Turf

La Pata Daisy is on a four race win streak winning the Irish Oaks and the English Oaks. She has been dominating her division and she looks to continue that here. Speed figure wise she seems to have a slight advantage and the fact she has won all the big races leads you to believe she will be very tough to beat.

Mockingbird has been close to La Pata Daisy with a second and a couple of thirds to her. She could be a threat as she continues to improve but will need help because of her running style of falling so far off the early pace. Of the newcomers Nexis Rainbow looks the best. Yes she is moving from allowance company all the way to the top but she seems like a runner improving each time out and fits well into this race.

Race: 2580.5415 Phar Lap Cup – Grade I – $500,000
Track: New South Wales
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and three quarters on the Turf

Dante (GB) is the heavy favorite here at 7/5. This old guy has been one of the top extra long distance turf runners for a while now. The only knock is that his last few grade I tries he has failed to win. Always competitive he is the horse to watch.

Tonnochi Road is a filly that has been well regarded by the morning line odds maker. She is a strong front runner and when left alone she is very capable of winning a race like this wire to wire. She might have a little pressure. The more pressure for her the better for Dante (GB).

Race: 2580.5515 Brisbane Distaff – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Queensland
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf

A Gold City looks to continue her good run at this level. She is the heavy favorite and has won ten of twenty-two lifetime starts. Her front running style could make her a little vulnerable if someone decided to pressure her. Impulsion only has one lifetime turf start but it was a good won in a listed stakes. A repeat here puts her in the hunt. Her stalking style should put her in good position.

Rage More Piper is a bit of a long shot but she has the ability to run on the pace or off the pace with success. She has had good success in races like this.

Race: 2580.3415 Judgemont International – Grade I – $600,000
Track: Epsom
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and five sixteenths on the Turf

Preferred Power looks to get over the grade I hump. He is a dual grade III winner and just missed at this lever a couple of back. He has a clear speed figure advantage. His stalking running style means he will be one tough cookie in the stretch. He looks to earn his first grade I winner.

Rise to KLP has been a very solid runner. He is in good form and if the top one slips a bit Rise to KLP could pick up the pieces. Roidazoid (IRE) had been away from the races for a while. Last time out in an allowance she ran very well showing she still has some left in the tank. Northern Desert looks to add to the pace that looks pretty strong here. He has won three of his last five just missing in the other two.

The interesting long shot in this race is the bargain bred Pepe’s Pipes who has gone from $10,000 maiden claimer to grade III winner in the same year. The distance may be a bit long for him. This guy should be entered in to the B’ Arc coming up in September.

Race: 2580.3414 Yolkshire Oaks – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Epsom
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf

SJ’s Silver Ghost leads this smallish field of turf fillies and mares. She has been on top of her game lately and should add to her grade I wins. Grand Caffrey’s is the second choice but she has struggled all summer and I do not think that will change for her here.

West Pegasus is an interesting runner. She has been racing at a little short distance recently but this distance seems right in her wheel house. She could surprise in this spot. She’s My Friend is cutting back in distance and that could mean she runs a very improved speed figure.

Race: Never Ready Sprint – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Longchamp
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: Six furlongs on the Turf

This race features another budding rivalry between General’s Chariot and Niner Connection. Niner Connection won the 2000 Guineas with General’s Chariot finishing second. They have since raced against each other in the next two races but neither has won.

Looks like they could both be taking a back seat once again as In the Evening is the favorite this race. He has won seven races in a row and stakes races in both surfaces. He is in a very tough spot here but seems plenty of capable of winning this race.

Race: 2580.6214 Jack The Man Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track: France
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: One mile on the Turf

What a collection of turf milers this race attracted. Dom Tendancies is the slight favorite but is an all or nothing type runner. He can pop the huge speed figure and might be due since his last race was not one of his better. Orange Swirl is probably the best turf miler going. He has won four of his last five.