Tete Not Galileo(Ire) and Blazing Sevens Headline G3 Simon And Simon

Welcome to Italy for the 8th running of the G3 Simon And Simon Cap. This 6.5 furlong turf stakes for horses 4yo and older has been a mainstay in the turf sprint schedule since it was first run in California in 1999. The inaugural running was won by Sir Testimony. In 2001 the race was moved to its present site in Italy, and the purse was increased from $100,00 to the current purse of $125,000. The first running in Italy was won by Edison In A Lord. The last two winners have already retired, and the third hasn’t run in quite some time, so we will have a new winner this week. Only seven entrants are here, likely because of the presence of two other graded sprints this week, but it’s a classy field nonetheless, with four of the entrants ranked in the top 50 of the division. Let’s take a look at the runners.

In post one at 5/2 is the #8 ranked turf sprinter, Tete Not Galileo(Ire) (Galileo(Ire) x Seattle Slew), owned by racelord. As handsome as he is consistent, the 5yo son of millionaire Bustfully Not Raul had done everything asked of him, short of winning a graded event. His trainer hopes he can break through this time. He commented, “Tete Not Galileo is one of 5 horses that can win this race. He will probably be the favourite, but he still hasn’t won a grade race, though he has earned more than $600,000. I have some hopes as he liked coming back from the off-track before. On the other hand he is usually more competitive on 5-6 furlongs these days, he has failed to fire the last two races over 6f – the last of them being at IY.” I’m not sure I’d call a closing third in the Equinics “failing to fire.” Anytime you let Digging The Grave get a 4 length lead on the field, you’re gonna lose. The competition here should be a bit easier for TNG to catch up to.

In post two is Blazing Sevens (Seattle Slew x Gone West), co-favoured at 5/2 and owned by braylee. He is a dark brown 6yo who looks very much like Slew himself, and is ranked #27 in the turf sprint division. This guy has quite a history. As a 4yo, he was one of the very top dirt sprinters in the world, routinely running speed figures in the 110’s, topping out at 119 while winning a G1 event. Midway through last season, he returned to turf, which he started his career on, and was on the board in all 6 of his starts, winning four stakes. And how’s this for consistency…he has run less than 100 only 5 times in 32 starts. WOW.

In post three at 3/1 is dshock‘s young star Mystery And Magic (A.P. Indy x Danehill). The 4yo is ranked #50 in the turf sprint division, has run in the top two in 15 of 20 turf starts, and has never failed to miss the board in a sprint. He has won 7 stakes and is graded placed twice, including a second last time out in the G3 Mr. Anderson Special. His speeds may not compare to those run by Blazing Sevens on dirt, but his turf performance is equal to today’s task for sure. He is a closer like Tete Not Galileo(Ire), typically trailing the field by at least six before making his big move.

In post four at 7/2 is Night’s Desire (Night Shift x Unbridled) owned by troy5. This 5yo is ranked #48 in the turf sprint division and is 7 for 10 going short on the lawn. He came out on top last time out in the G3 Mr Anderson Special, holding off the closing effort of Mystery And Magic. He is undefeated in four starts this year, and typically runs on or near the pace. This field may be smaller than the last, but it’s not lacking in talent. Still, it’s hard to argue with his recent form.

In post five at 16/1 is Father Drill(GB) (Dashing Blade(GB) x Danehill) owned by dasha. He is a 7yo who has never won a stakes, but is stakesplaced several times over. He’s lost some consistency as he’s gotten older, but in his first season of racing when he was a 5yo, he ran over 100 in most of his races, including a 112 over today’s distance. A win last time out likely helped his confidence, but he’ll have to revert to running 100’s to compete at this level.

In post six we have Best Rock Yet(Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar(Ire) x Storm Cat) at 9/1. He is a 4yo owned by broohar2. After a fairly grueling juvenile campaign in which he was graded placed and ran in the Breeder’s Bowl, he only raced half of last year before going to rest at a farm in July. His races have been all over the board as far as surface and distance, but after a 104 in a turf sprint allowance last time out, it was decided to give him a shot here. He is 5 for 8 sprinting.

Rounding out our field at 10/1 is Nordkap (Seattle Slew x Carson City) owned by chickadee. This 6yo horse is stakesplaced on both surfaces, but hasn’t been able to find the winner’s circle in one as of yet. He ran fourth in one last time out, losing by one length, which is the closest lengthwise that he has come yet. He’s only broken 100 once in his career, though, and, like Father Drill(GB), is almost certainly going to have to get 100 or better to do well at this level of competition.

That is our field. It may be small, but there are some interesting things happening here which should make it very entertaining. Can Tete Not Galileo(Ire) finally break through and get his graded win? How about that Blazing Sevens and his amazing ability to consistently break 100? Then there’s the rematch between Night’s Desire and Mystery And Magic. Of course, there are three other horses in the race, too, and anything can happen once they’re on the track. Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.