Big Race Preview
Thirteen big grade I races this week but do to time constraints I will only touch on eight of the big races. Lots of stars out this week should be a fun day of racing all around.
Race: 2846.0315
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt
This race is so wide open the favorite is 11/1 on the morning line. There are so many closers in this race you have to look at the speed horses. So Slew Me looks like the most likely winner of this bunch. His ability to lay close to the pace and finish races out strongly gives him a huge advantage here. His speed figures have steadily increased all Winter and Spring. The distance should suit him just fine and if the post position does not effect him he should do very well here.
Toxicsuperfreakout is the lone speed in this race. Barring someone changing running tactics in this race he should easily establish a clear and easy lead and that can be dangerous. I give him a pass in his last race where he was pressed all the way and faded way out of contention. Today I think he will have clear sailing and should hang around to earn a piece of the pie.
Half a World Away is another runner to watch. He has the speed to be toward the front half of this field. He seemed to hit a wall early in his three year old season but looked to have moved forward in his last race. Another move forward and the Breeder’s Bowl Juvy winner could add to his collection of big wins.
Race: 2846.0314
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt
Another wide open affair with three horses sharing favoritism at 10/1. This race sets up like the
Armed With Money has the best closing kick among the favorites. She comes from way down town in a big way and has a 100+ speed figure a few races back. She came up a bit short in her last two but maybe helps her even more. Frost Fang is the other speed horse in the race. She has the kind of speed that she can shake lose of the field. In her least she did not have the lead and faded expect her to out there on the lead Saturday with a good chance of getting a piece of the pie.
Race: 2846.5314
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf
This is a pretty wide open affair for the long distance fillies. There are a couple of fillies with long distance experience already and one has to think that gives them a slight edge on their competition. Rude Stella (AUS) looks to be the most likely winner. She has won eight of twelve starts including her last a very nice 93 speed figure going a furlong shorter than this race. She is a front runner that does not give up the lead. She will be tough to catch.
Wicked Wench is lightly raced with only four starts. Hard to see her winning this with such little experience but she is bred for this type of race. She is a stakes winner already never finishing worse than second. Sunshaft is the morning line favorite. She has won five of eight on the turf. She has a good distance pedigree and seems set up well coming into this race. Her speed figures are very good which is why she is the favorite and she should be near the pace.
Race: 2846.5313
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf
Cortez (IRE) has separated himself from his fellow three year old long distance turf runners a bit. He is the well respected favorite here coming off his smashing victory in the Sydney Derby earning a 101 speed figure. He is turning around on two weeks rest but that should not hurt him. He will be near the front of the race so of anyone is going to beat him they will have to pass him in the stretch.
Good To Be King ran a monster race at a mile and a quarter two races back. He finished third behind Cortez (IRE) last time out. He showed that flash that he is capable of the 100+ speed figure and that makes him a player. He is a deep closer so will need some pace for his best effort.
El Fredo (IRE) seems the best of the rest. He has gotten better with each added furlong. He was an easy grade II winner last time out in the Smurf Catcher and comes in well rested unlike the top two. He seems plenty capable of moving forward speed figure wise and will also be close to the pace with Cortez (IRE).
Race:2846.4915 The 1000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: One mile on the Turf
This race features the super impressive filly Malindi. Malindi is undefeated in seven turf starts. She has three graded stakes wins in her last four starts. She has a great running style stalking the pace which there should be plenty of in this race. The only knock on her could be her speed figures. There are a couple of runners in this race that have run as fast or faster but she looks like a very solid favorite.
Peyragudes may be the speed of the speed. This quick filly was not far from the favorite a few starts back and comes into this race off a graded stakes win of her own. If she shakes free early look out. Tenacious V has been at the top of her class since she started running. She was only a length back at the Breeder’s Bowl Juvy Filly Turf, won a grade I on Delpenn Champions Day, and just missed at the Equinics. Teancious V is a deep closer and should have plenty of pace to aim for in what should be a fantastic race.
Race: 2846.4914 The 2000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: One mile on the Turf
Spare T (IRE) is not the favorite here but he should be. With three wins at a mile in his last four races he seems primed for the win. Spare T (IRE) is a mid pack to stalker type runner that kicks home well. His only trip up in his last four races was on the off surface at the Equinics where he ran third. He has a top speed figure and seems capable of improving off of that making him a tough horse to beat.
The favorite is Creepshow (IRE). He exploded two races back at a mile and a quarter and ran at a mile and a half last time out. He has been running at the longer distances of late. He is one for one at this distance. He is a deep closer and that could work against him here with some solid speed horses present.
Ollie’s Gone is another deep closer. He closed from the clouds last time out to win a grade III race at this distance. He faces a much better field but he ran a very solid speed figure. With some improvement he could be right there in the end.
Race: 2846.5916 Keg of Guinness– Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf
The new kid on the block finds himself against some top competition. Aslan’s Mane (IRE) has won seven of ten career starts. He has won two in a row including his first graded win last time out. He has posted 107 speed figures in his last two starts and has a 109 speed figure at this distance a few starts back. In only ten starts this guy has room to improve. He better be on his game though because he is facing a field with many grade I veterans.
Jupiter’s Moon (IRE) the winner of the grade I Japan Classic over a stellar field. He threw a clunker last time out at the Sand Castle Fee Duty. His recent speed figures are not as good as Aslan’s Mane (IRE) so he will need to be on his game this weekend. He likes to be near the pace and should get a favorable trip. All indications point to quite a stretch run.
Race: 2846.0306 John Henry Classic – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf
Rain God versus Sunnybank Memorial, a tasty appetizer on the Derby Oaks undercard. Rain God has gotten the better of Sunnybank Memorial on several occasions. Rain God will be near the front here and if he is on the lead alone he may not get caught. Sunnybank Memorial will be coming from off the pace. He is more of a middle closer and always seems to be full of run.
Rapid Grey is a youngster experience wise compared to the top two but he has been very good with nine wins from sixteen starts. He has finished ahead of Rain God in his last two races so he can compete at the top level. It is hard to see the top three not finishing one two three.