Otto O, Digging The Grave, Digital Overture eye $1-million Sydney Sprint prize
New South Wales- Talk about drama! The year’s 4th Grade 1 event for older horse turf sprinters reeks of ups-and-downs, gutsy gambling and courageous mystery.
In one corner, we have the Equinics(G1) champ, Digging The Grave, an excitingly explosive pacesetter who rolls the dice here on one week’s rest. In another corner, there’s Otto O, hero of the late-season Penn Dash(G1) and solid perfomer who’s overdue for an ’06 score. Toss in impressive late bloomer Digital Overture who’s coming off injury and you’ve got a mighty trio of favorites threatening to blanket finish at the wire.
And that’s not even considering the nine other starters for the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Sydney Sprint. Allowance winners, listed stakes victors and a couple sophomore glory-seekers add to the rabble set for 5.5 furlongs on the grass.
Instead of looking at the trio of faves closely, let’s set the storyline stage and go for a little (LOL!) recap of this division’s past several months:
November ’05:
- Sophomore phenom General’s Chariot successfully transformed from springtime miler prospect into a sprinting powerhouse during the summer of ’05. He beat both Digging The Grave (then a late-blooming 4YO colt climbing the graded ladder) and Otto O (predominantly a dirt sprint specialist who finally found his way over the grass) in November’s Because I Said So Stakes(G1), a traditional stepping stone to December’s “twin” million-dollar sprint finales. Also-ran in the Because I Said So(G1): “green” 3YO colt Danz Song Bird.
December ’05:
These “twin” Grade 1 events for grass sprinters are both held on the same weekend.
- Otto O handed General’s Chariot his first defeat around one-turn in the richly dramatic Penn Dash(G1) (part of DelPenn Champions Day). It was a fantastic win for Otto O’s trainer, Epic, who honestly struggled finding his horse’s best surface, class level, and distance. The race included a host of superb runners including Tete Not Galileo and Xtremely Gold.
- Digging The Grave opted for the 2nd half of the “twin”: the Sim-carded Japan Sprint(G1). It was a coming-out party for the speedster, gate-to-post in his first G1 victory. He won over very good listed stakes winner Once Haunted, but especially over impressive Movieland Turf Express(G3) winner Digital Overture in a battle of pacesetters. Offstage(GB) among also rans.
Despite his season-ending loss, General’s Chariot took the Champion Sprinter title, becoming the first turf specialist to win the championship.
So, it was a big late-season flurry and this drama carried over heavy into 2006…………….
January ’06:
- January saw Digging The Grave turning many heads with a gorgeous wire-to-wire romp in the player-sponsored Black Label Sprint(G3). Late-closer Otto O couldn’t catch him — the ‘Grave was well on his way to winning many Sim fans.
- A week later, Digital Overture took the Sim’s traditional earlybird turf grade: the Everclear Handicap(G2) at Spain. A splendid nose-to-nose duel that displayed Digital Overture’s gritty heart.
- General’s Chariot opted to sit out January racing.
Early February:
- All this set up for February’s Sim Equinics Walter Swinburn(G1), the 1st Grade 1 event of the year for the turfers. And ker-POW! What a showstopper it was with Digging The Grave much the best. No one was gonna beat Sdmf’s 5YO — ‘Grave had his lightning shoes on, soaking up the yielding surface. General’s Chariot could only hoof it home in 2nd, with Otto O 4th. Digital Overture unfortunately suffered unconfirmed injury and remained sidelined afterwards.
Are ya still with me? Ha! Because now these top guns and their trainers get a wee bit zany in their campaigns.
Late February:
- On 2 weeks rest after his awesome Equinics score, odds-on Digging The Grave outclasses a listed turf sprint field. Guess Sdmf wanted to litmus test a 2-week “sharp”?
Early March:
- Otto O switches back to the dirt and the closer runs well, finishing 5th in the Toboggan Handicap(G3). He was only beaten 2 lengths and had to make up oodles of ground. Great SP# too! Hmm…..
Late March:
- Mild longshot Kiki’s Solid Rock, an excellent miler last year, upsets both General’s Chariot and Otto O in the sponsored Generals Pals Sprint Show(G1). Otto O displays marked versatility, just missing the win on 2 weeks rest. Once Haunted delights his trainer with a fine 2nd in his return to the graded ranks.
- Digging The Grave sets pace, but gets passed late in the Sand Castle Sprint(G1). It was his 1st start over the dirt.
Mid April (Week 2825):
- General’s Chariot frisky-n-focused in his 3rd start of the season, winning the KY Horsemen’s Elixir Turf Sprint(G1). Once Haunted gamely plays bridesmaid again. Kiki’s Solid Rock recovers well from a dirt marathon debacle two weeks prior, pushing fellow speedster Digging The Grave early. The pacesetting duo finishes 3rd and 4th (beaten only a few lengths) respectively.
Ha! So, that leads us all to Week 2832 action here at New South Wales. Otto O has an extra week of rest while Digital Overture comes off of a long layoff. Digging The Grave runs right back to his 4th-place finish last week…. can he overcome his tough schedule?
Let’s take a look at the rest of the Sydney Sprint(G1) field:
6/1 – Danz Song Bird (ongaurdrac): Here’s a live one! If Digital Overture “needs a race,” Digging The Grave flops, and closer Otto O plain runs out of ground or sours over the 5.5f distance, then ‘Song Bird is your fella! A late-blooming 3YO last year, Danz Song Bird finished well (7th, beaten only 4 1/4 lengths) to General’s Chariot and the top guns in November’s Because I Said So. The Unbridled’s Song royal bred returned to the listed ranks, hitting the board a number of times. He flopped in the Mr Anderson(G3) over 7 panels on Equinics Day February though.
Gritty speedster has yet to try dirt or flat mile. Hmmm… lots of “upside” to this colt. Great SP#s, but needs to break on through and come of age. Definitely a piece of the purse at least. Mild “sleeper” with a decent jockey in the irons.
9/1 – Don’tpassthebux G (buxpasser): Decent sleeper here with this Carson City 4YO who recently tested the grass after specializing over the dirt for 20 starts. In great form winning two-in-a-row including a hot 103 SP# from open ALW company LTO. Very nice and love his stalker-style too with major pace here. Style might play well over 5.5f (as opposed to a bigtime late closer).
Lousy winless jockey doesn’t help, but if ‘Bux G is fit after 4 weeks rest…. possible. I like him as a fair longshot.
11/1 – Offstage(GB) (clmstable): Diesis(GB) 4YO colt finished second to Digital Overture in the Movieland Express(G3) over this distance last season. The closer/midpacker had a horrible trip in the Japan Sprint(G1) and took a couple starts to subsequently recover. Average performances for 3 starts since — maybe due to lack of pace to run at? Well, he’ll get mucho pace scrambling here to set up his running style. Good horse and flashes some serious talent every now and then. Maybe not at the level of the top faves, but just needs to catch a break. Outside chance.
12/1 – Belorado (bossross): Cat Thief 5YO makes his 44th trip to the post. Earning over $600k lifetime, Belorado’s sure won his share was a graded contender last season. His SP#s though have been off in ’06, dipping down to lower 90s and upper 80s. Won over short 4.5f ALW field as odds-on fave LTO. Closer should shadow Otto O in the back of the pack. Ranked 11th in the division. A bit of a reach in hopes of the faves falling over the ultra-short 5.5f distance. Doubtful.
14/1 – Scintillating Ruby (trauma92): Summer Squall 4YO pays his dues in turf sprint ALW company. Pace presser hasn’t made much of a dent though at the black type level. Faces thorough speed scramble. Maybe a minor share of purse realistically.
15/1 – Soulbuster (mapastable): Winning 2 of his last 3, this Johannesburg son has a difficult time finding that extra something that’ll put him into the black type winners column. Midpacker returns to races after 4 week breather. Quite a difficult spot. He’s not used to this caliber of horses. Reaching for minor share at best or maybe a show spot.
22/1 – Dane Of Kings (gd): Atticus 5YO horse won a pair of ALWs over this distance recently. Gritty stalker needs that extra something to break on through. Raced last week, well and distanced over 9f dirt… yuck. Will the effort turbocharge him? Needs help (faves to fall over 5.5f!). Good jockey. ‘Kings’ PPs pretty dry in black type ink and that doesn’t bode tremndously well for winners circle trip, but if he can catch a break….. very outside chance though.
51/1 – SJ’s Yieldtonone (popsntips): Another sophomore colt reaching for the older horses’ speeds. High Yield pacesetter wins some and loses some. The colt pow-wowed a short listed stakes field with a 93 SP# LTO. Classy speed in this field. Reaching as odds indicate.
99/1 – Bigbadvododancer (kid8): Another sophomore colt reaching for the universe. Pulpit son has yet to break 80 SP#. Sorry, but he’s got no chance here. 🙁
Snowchief’s Picks:
On paper, I think this race sets up perfectly for epic’s Storm Cat son, Otto O (3/1). The closer even hit the board a half-furlong less (5f) last season! The anticipated speed duel between Digging The Grave, pressed by Digital Overture and joined by newcomer Danz Song Bird sets up Otto O’s stretch run tremendously.
Then again, spelunker’s Digital Overture (5/1), by Rahy, has run big with lots of dueling heart off of long layoffs before. If Digging The Grave bows out in time and Danz Song Bird doesn’t put up much of a superior fight, then you can very well see Digital Overture in the clear, holding off Otto O.
As for sdmf’s Digging The Grave (3/1), by Silver Ghost — he can very well make me eat my words! LOL! However, I’m gonna play the odds and say that maybe 3 out of every 4 horses (who race back within one week) don’t fire big. Matter of fact, I think Sdmf greatly increased the odds here that ‘Grave will come back injured. The colt’s had a rough-n-challenging schedule for the past few months. There’s only so many times you can go to the well. I don’t know, but just disagree with this training method (especially considering this is the first year for a Breeders Bowl Turf Sprint race! Gotta save some horse for it :)).
If all of these favorites flop and Danz Song Bird suffers from a speed duel, then look at a stalker upset in Dontpassthebux G or closer Offstage(GB) to upstage late at the wire. 🙂
Win: Otto O
Place: Digital Overture
Show: Offstage(GB) or Danz Song Bird
Good luck to all! These top sprinters shall all gather again hopefully in Week 2763 (May 13th):
–> Race : Rising Sun Spring Cup – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track : Japan
Restrictions : All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance : Seven furlongs on the Turf
Track : Japan
Restrictions : All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance : Seven furlongs on the Turf