Seeking Sal Favoured In Hallelujah Turf Cup

Welcome to Florida for the G2 Hallelujah Turf Cup. This race will be 9.5 furlongs on the firm turf course for a purse of $200,000, and has attracted some of the top classic turfers. This is the 7th running of this race. Abdul En La Future won the inaugural running in 2000. Last year’s race was won by Tern Of The Wheel, who is still active and won a stakes in New York just last week. This year’s race is shaping up to be just as exciting as past runnings, with ten runners, many of whom are already quite accomplished, so let’s take a look at the field.

On the rail at 5/2 is Causes Wood(Ire) (Giant’s Causeway(Ire) x Woodman) owned by ruby7. He is a 5yo and is ranked #8 in the turf classic division. He is coming off a second place finish in the G1 Sand Castle Fee Duty, and is one of the hottest horses in this division right now, having won a G1 and a G2 within his last five starts. V. Gardner(20%) will break him fast and go for the lead.

In post two at 11/1 is Heidelberg Heights (Dance Bid x Machiavellian) owned by wish. He is a 4yo, and is currently Dance Bid’s sole stakeswinner. He’s seems to do best on an off track, but won’t have that benefit today. However, in his last race at this track, he ran third in the G3 Pandhandle Derby and ran a very nice 106, so he does have the ability to run well here. O. Barrett(8%) gets the call.

In post three at 13/1 is Go For Bull (Holy Bull x Al Hattab) owned by dinomite. He is a 4yo and is exiting a second place finish in a California stakes last time out. He ran fifth in the G1 Penn Handicap in his last graded outing, and has been running well in listed competition since then. He’ll need to step it up a bit to win here, but he’ll have a good pace to chase today. P. Chamberlin(9%) is his jockey.

In post four at 26/1 is Red Loop (Red Ransom x Nashwan) owned by noia. He is a 4yo and is a multiple stakeswinner. He finished third in the G2 Cherry Limb Stakes last season. He’s been a bit off form since then, but he’s coming off a 14f race, so maybe the shortening in distance will give him a boost. Unfortunately, his regular jockey took a spill yesterday, and has been replaced by D. Seguias(0%).

In post five at 24/1 is Handeed Over (Hansel x Shadeed) owned by earthling. He is a 5yo and is a graded winner, having won the G3 Apparently Juvenile as a 2yo. He ran in this race last year, but didn’t fare so well, finishing seventh. He appears to have lost a step since then, although he did run a very good race in an allowance a few back with a 102. W. Case(13%) is certainly a good choice to bring out the best in him.

In post six at 11/1 is Winter Magic (Red Ransom x A.P. Indy) owned by magicflute. He is a 4yo and ran second in the G3 Panhandle Derby here in Florida. He’s a graded winner at a mile, and seems to be best between 8 and 9 furlongs, but he’s still young and relatively lightly raced. Whether the extra sixteenth will hinder him remains to be seen. P. McJulien(7%) is in the saddle.

In post seven at 2/1 is today’s favourite, Seeking Sal (Seeking The Gold x Kris S.), owned by keryn. He is a 4yo and is ranked #13 in the turf classic division. Just in his last four races, he has won two G3, one G1, and placed third in a G1 (he’s coming off a victory in the G1 Sand Castle Fee Duty). It’s hard to argue with this colt’s ability. He’s run 110+ in his last two. With an off the pace style, it’s easy to see why he’s favoured here. D. Ferguson(11%) is along for the ride.

In post eight at 5/1 is Honour My Name(Ire) (Galileo(Ire) x Bluebird) owned by manager. He is a 5yo and is coming off a third place finish in the G3 Boogity Bear Stakes. Despite hitting the board in several graded races, he has yet to win one. He’s got plenty of ability though, and hits the board more often than not. He’ll win one before his career is over. W. Baumann(11%) would like it to happen today.

In post nine at 6/1 is Top Jimmy (Peintre Celebre(Ire) x Vice Regent) owned by sdmf2. He is a 5yo and is ranked #11 in the turf classic division. He is coming off an impressive victory in the G1 Explosive Bet Stakes. He has rebounded magnificently from his injury back in Penn last year, and looks to be as good as ever. He’ll be flying from the back of the pack, and A. Darling(16%) is a great one to have on board.

Rounding out the field at 12/1 is Desert Star(Ire) (High Chaparral(Ire) x Storm Cat) owned by super2. He is a 4yo who didn’t begin his career until he turned three. He hasn’t won a stakes yet, but has run very well in turf miles. He hasn’t really shown an ability to run as well beyond that, but he is still maturing. S. Ausilio(4%) is in the saddle.

That is our field. We have some top class horses here, along with some contenders who could spring an upset if these others get too confident. It looks like a great matchup today. Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.