Super Stables Set to dominate?
The race begins in earnest for the Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile Colts this weekend with 3 Graded races on tap for 2yo Colts, The Lad Stakes Grade I at 7 furlongs, Pea Patch Juvenile Grade III at 8 furlongs, and the Trixy’s Delight Special Grade III at 8 furlongs. The winners of these races will collect glory, along with the all important 32 classic pts. and likely seal the deal to make the BB.
This weekend presents our first chance at allowing this crop of 2yo’s the opportunity to finally stretch their legs in graded competition. While many 2yo’s have looked brilliant short sprinting, it’s time to see if some of these quality route pedigree’s begin to take over and dominate. At this time in the 2yo season, anything can and will happen, with new stars stepping up each outing.
This takes us to the Grade III Trixie’s Delight Special, to be run this weekend at the beautiful
Let’s take a look at the field by post position:
PP1
Wonderboy Eamon (IRE)
Owner:stalfrank
Breeding: Desert King x Pentelicus x Pine Bluff
Odds: 15/1
Jockey: T Barnett 11%
Wonderboy Eamon is out of the 6yo mare, Parthenon who’s foaled 2 winners. Both of her offspring have stakes status, with her 1st foal Wonderboy Dandy being stakes placed. While Parthenon wasn’t prolific on the racetrack only winning 1 from 29, she’s been very successful in the breeding shed, and has passed on her pedigree genes quite nicely.
Wonderboy Eamon started his career on the grass and promptly won 2 out of his 1st three races. In his 4th start Wonderboy Eamon tried the dirt for the 1st time and drew off beautifully at 5.5 furlongs scoring his highest SP# to date, 85#
Desert King, the sire of Wonderboy Eamon, was very successful on the racetrack winning the Grade I Irish Derby at 12 furlongs, as well as winning 2 other highly regarded Grade I’s. So the pedigree on the sire’s side definitely shouts distance, while on the mare’s side you have so good old American sprinting influence, with some classic influences further back.
Wonderboy Eamon should relish the distance being offered up this weekend, it’s just a matter of having the ability to step up in class. I look for a bright future on either surface for this fine 2yo colt.
PP2
Essence of Jdawg
Owner: jdawg05
Breeding: Essence of
Odds: 31/1
Jockey: C Romine 9%
Essence of Jdawg is a pure stratch bred from the 2nd crop of Essence of Dubai, who I would consider average as a sire. He does look to get some late-developers who will get better with age, and as the distance’s increase.
Essence of Jdawg will be making his his 7th start this weekend while still having his maiden status. To his credit he does have 2 3rd place finishes, and looks like he wants some more distance. He will find the going tough this weekend, and has picked a tough spot to break his maiden.
The chances of Essence of Jdawg will depend on his ability to relax early in the race, and sustain a run from the ¼ pole. The task is tough, but what the heck!
PP3
Lion of Tsavo
Owner: buffy6
Breeding: Lion Heart x Honor Grades x Mr. Prospector
Odds: 10/1
Jockey:
Lion of Tsavo is out of the 11 yr. old mare I. Honor, who has no previous owner. I. Honor won 2 out of 14 races with earning of nearly $40k. Her two foals to date are both stakes winners.
So far so good for Lion of Tsavo, he has 2 wins from 3 career starts. Lto, he took the Paris Naskra Challenge at 6.5 furlongs by 1 ¼ lengths. He scored an 85 SP# for that effort, and has the makings of a quality colt.
Lion Heart the sire of Lion of Tsavo was brilliant on the racetrack, winning the Grade I Hollywood Futurity and the Grade I Haskell with earning slightly over $1.3 million. Lion Heart also competed in the Kentucky Derby, taking 2nd to the brilliant Smarty Jones. Lion Heart is a first year sire, and his crop looks to be precocious at this point.
Anything about Lion of Tsavo is hard to fault at this point, and wouldn’t be surprised to see this dude be a factor next spring. Has the makings of a fine colt, and will just need to take the next step this weekend.
PP4
Villain’s Ghost
Owner: over
Breeding: A.P. Indy x Forty Niner x Nijinsky II
Odds: 5/1
Jockey J Nason 12%
Villain’s Ghost is sired by A.P. Indy out of the retired 5yo horse The Villain. The Villain did his best damage on the racetrack sprinting taking 3 wins, while he did have 1 win routing early in his career.
Villain’s Ghost is the ML favorite at 5/1 and that’s based off his pedigree with his brilliant Maiden score LTO. Villain’s Ghost drew off nicely in his maiden debut scoring a 77 SP# at 6.5 furlongs. He was flawless that day, and is going to need more of the same in his stakes debut. The owner is willing to take a chance with him, so keep an eye on him in the paddock.
A.P. Indy is the sire of Villain’s Ghost, and is as a fantastic sire in the SIM, as he is IRL. IRL A.P. Indy is maybe the most influential sire of classic distance horses we have today, however his offspring tend to be late-bloomers who compete as the 3yo season wears on, and into their 4-5 years.
Villain’s Ghost looks to have a bright future, whether it’s this weekend is debatable? I do look for good things down the line from this guy, and it wouldn’t shock me to see him have a place in the starter’s gate in the 2006 Bluegrass Derby.
PP5
Housedog
Owner:epic
Breeding: Housebuster x Exceller x Lucky Mel
Odds: 15/1
Jockey: A Darling 20%
Housedog is a pure scratch bred out of Housebuster, with Exceller/Lucky Mel making up the back-end. Housebuster was a champion sprinter winning 15 out of 22 races. He does throw his fair share of stakes winners in the SIM. Housebuster passed away this past May.
Housedog is one of the 3 epic entries in this race. Housedog broke his maiden in fine fashion fto scoring a 72 SP# at 4.5 furlongs. In his last two starts Housedog has finished 2nd both times, however his 2nd lto at 8 furlongs was a sharp run to Pro Dubai, a top 2yo Filly.
Epic is maybe one of the best young horse SIM players in the game today, his stock always come ready to run, and he knows what it take to get it done. Not sure if this is his best shot in the race, but the experience routing could be a factor with this one.
PP6
Haunted Hurricane (IRE)
Owner:freeky
Breeding: Montjeu x Seeking the Gold x Bold Forbes
Odds: 18/1
Jockey: D Ellard 14%
Haunted Hurricane is sired by the world class sire Montjeu, out of the retired 11 yr. old mare Granny Haunted. Granny Haunted has produced 4 offspring, getting one stakes winner. Granny Haunted won 4 times from 20 starts, all coming on the dirt/routing.
Haunted Hurricane got his start on the turf and failed miserably. Then the owner promptly switched him to the dirt with that dismal FTO effort. Haunted Hurricane has really blossomed since being switched to the main track sprinting. This will be his 1st effort routing, and has the pedigree to do some damage.
Montjeu, the sire of Haunted Hurricane, was a brilliant horse on the racetrack. Montjeu won 11 out of 16 starts, with his biggest wins coming as a 3yo in the Irish Deby and the “ARC”. Montjeu sons and daughters haven’t faired so well in the SIM, but they have fit nicely with sons of Mr. Prospctor. Have the makings of a fantastic sire in the SIM, with an expected upgrade next season.
Haunted Hurricane this weekend, looks to be on the pace, and should benefit from the stretch-out. Wouldn’t be shocked at all to see this guy around at the end of race holding off others. Class rise is the only concern, with only a maiden win to his name, but looks the part.
PP7
Love you Most
Owner:gipper7
Breeding: Ten Most Wanted x
Odds: 9/1
Jockey:
Love You Most is out of the sire Ten Most Wanted, out of the retired 5yr. old retired mare Fappiano’s Lover. Fappiano’s Lover collected 5 wins from 32 starts all on the main track sprinting. This is the first foal for Fappiano’s Lover.
Love You Most has looked brilliant on the race track to date. He broke his maiden in his 1st start at the short sprint distance of 5 furlongs. In his subsequent starts he’s hit the board each time, including his latest 3rd place finish in the Grade III Montana Futurity.
Ten Most Wanted is the sire of Love You Most. Ten Most Wanted won 5 from 13 starts, including his accomplished victory in the Grade I Traver’s Stakes. Ten Most Wanted, other accomplishments include a runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes at 12 furlongs and the Grade II Swaps.
Love You Most has flashed some brilliant speed from the gate in his early career. You have to wonder if the O/T will try to rate him this weekend or just let him fly out there on the lead once again, will playing “catch me if you can!” Will have to prove that he can carry his speed against some classy horses.
PP8
Third Time Lucky (NZ)
Owner: scary
Breeding: Octagonal x Storm Cat x Danehill
Odds: 6/1
Jockey: O Barrett 15%
Third Time Lucky(NZ) is sired by the “Big O” Octagonal, out of the retired SIM horse Scary Puss. Scary Puss, won 5 out of 43 starts collecting earnings of nearly $73k. Scary Puss did have 3 wins to his credit routing on the main track.
Third Time Lucky(NZ) hasn’t done anything wrong to date in his 1st two starts. He rolled to a ½ length victory in his maiden debut. He followed that first start up with a brilliant allowance score recording an 84 SP# at 6.5 furlongs. Has the makings of a very nice, and I mean very nice horse.
Octagonal affectionately known as the “Big O” is the sire of Third Time Lucky. Octagonal is the pride of
Third Time Lucky has looked impressive in each of his first two starts, and has all the makings of being a factor come Saturday. One again, another horse stepping up the class ladder, but I expect good things from him. Should stalk the pace nicely, and look to pounce at the top of the stretch, should be a factor.
PP9
Majtaraj (AUS)
Owner: oxymoron3
Breeding: Lonhro(AUS) x Nureyev x
Odds: 28/1
Jockey: L Lamb 10%
Majtaraj is sire by the legendary Australian sire, Lonhro. The dam of Majtaraj is Majestic Saint who has one other foal to date, that’s a stakes winner St Denure. Majestic Saint won no races from the customary 6 starts. For what she lacked on the race track, Majestic Saint has been brilliant in the breeding shed.
Majtaraj looked dismal in her 1st start on the turf, which you would have thought she would have like, recording a 9th place finish with a 44 SP#. The O/T did what all smart SIM players do, switch surfaces, and boy did this guy not disappoint recording an 82 SP#. That was a heck of run, and I look for a bright future from this guy on the dirt.
The legendary sire Lonhro has two crops to date in the SIM, and he’s been fair to midland so far. Lonhro is the type of horse that has drawn numerous debates on the SIM message board about his greatness. To me as an American, what more could you ask for? 26 wins from 34 starts sounds pretty damn good to meJ
Majtaraj, is going to need to step up big time this weekend, but it’s not out of the question. I mean, heck this horse improved 38 speed points in his 2nd start, so what’s to not like? Mano, how did you come up with this name, I had a heck of a time, spelling it correctly each time I used itJ
PP10
Fortynine Reasons
Owner: trotter5
Breeding: Brocco x Forty Niner x Relaunch
Odds: 12/1
Jockey: W Case 12%
Fortynine Reasons is sired by Brocco out of the G rated 10 yr. old mare, Closest Bobbie. Closet Bobbie has two foals to date. Closet Bobbie is owned by the cpu, and had one win from 3 starts, that being a route on the dirt.
Fortynine Reasons has started his career in wonderful fashion, picking up 2 wins from 3 starts, including a blowout win at 7.5 furlongs lto. In his latest effort he recorded a beautiful 81 SP# while not even being whipped by the jockey in the stretch.
Brocco the sire of Fortynine Reason had a fairly successful, but short career. As a 2yo, he captured the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile and ran 2nd in the Hollywood Futurity. As a 3yo, he captured the Santa Anita Derby. As for the SIM, Brocco has been hit or miss, although he hasn’t been used much as a sire, so the jury is still out on him. I wouldn’t hesitate to try a combo with him at some point if your looking for value.
The chances of Fortynine Reasons will hinge on his ability to take his game up a notch this weekend. He’s certainly bred to like the distance, and looks to be an improving sort from his efforts. Wouldn’t totally dismiss his chances if you’re willing to overlook his SP #’s. I would take a flyer on him if you think he’s got game, and I think he does.
PP11
Assistant
Owner: johnno1
Breeding: Phone Trick x Forty Niner x Caerleon
Odds: 9/1
Jockey: D
Assistant is sired by Phone Trick out of the “G” rated retired mare Firey Turf. Firey Turf has 4 foals to date, with one stakes winner, Assistant. She’s also foaled a nice stakes placed filly in Best of Niner. Firey Turf on the racetrack had moderate success in 7 starts. She won 2 races, with those being long routes
Assistant started her career in the Lilies for Fillies at 4.5 furlongs on the dirt, and scored in impressive fashion. She then followed up that maiden score with a nice closing 3rd in the
Phone Trick is the sire of the beautiful filly Assistant. Phone Trick was very successful on the racetrack, winning 9 races from 10 starts. He’s been a very good sire of speed horses, and precocious 2yr. olds. His best offspring to date are typically sprinters, but he can get the occasional miler.
Assistant is the only filly in the field this week, and that says something about her ability. She’s been very good to date, and has kept classy company. I would have liked to seen her run in the 7 furlong Grade I for 2yr. old fillies, but the famous Johnno has chosen this spot for her. I would imagine she’s going to find the males tough, but if not, she will be a factor. I really like her chances to be a good miler.
PP12
Rhibus
Owner:gradetwo
Breeding: Kingmambo x Pleasant Colony x Nijinsky II
Odds: 5/1
Jockey: V
Kingmambo is the sire of Rhibus out of the retired SIM horse, Pleasant Nijinsky. Pleasant Nijinsky was one of the great SIM horses of yesteryear. On the racetrack Pleasant Nijinsky won 8 of 65 races, which included 2 Grade I’s and a Grade II. His biggest victory was likely the 2001 Traveller’s, Grade I. He also won the 2002 Sand Castle Derby, Grade I in
Rhibus has been a beast so far on the racetrack. He won his maiden debut in grand style drawing off by a length and half. He followed that up with a rousing victory in the 7th Annual ARSE Domination nw1x. After those first two starts, it was time to try Rhibus in graded company, and he didn’t disappoint with a very nice win in the Abstract Juvenile Grade III.
Kingmambo, the sire of Rhibus is a great sire IRL, as well as the SIM. Kingmambo won 5 of 13 starts with earnings of over $700k. Kingmambo has been an incredible sire in the SIM, throwing just about any type of runner, dirt, turf, long, short, you name it. His real life offspring haven’t been too shabby either, with an above average amount of graded winners.
Rhibus is the one to beat this weekend; he’s mature beyond his years at this point. The field he beat in the Abstract Juvenile Grade II has already proven to be a quality field, with most of field coming back in their next starts and recording great SP #’s. I look for a very bright future from this guy, wouldn’t shock me to see him win the 2005 BB Juvenile or the 2006 Bluegrass Derby.
PP13
Asheron’s Call
Owner: capsized
Breeding: Maria’s Mon x King’s Bishop x Majestic Prince
Odds: 8/1
Jockey:
Asheron’s Call is a pure scratch bred out of Maria’s Mon, with King’s Bishop/Majestic Prince making up the back-end. Maria’s Mon won 4 out of 7 starts with earnings slightly over $500k. He sired the 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. Monarchos recored the 2nd fastest time in Kentucky Derby history.
Asheron’s Call started his career with a win in a 5 furlong MSW. He then competed in his next start in the
This is Epic’s 3rd entry in this race, and looks to have a chance if he can he can improve off his last start at a mile. Epic sent his “A-string” to the Grade III in
PP14
Indycisive
Owner:tisjuliet
Breeding: A.P. Indy x Forty Niner x Graustark
Odds: 9/1
Jockey: V Roberts 8%
A.P. Indy is the sire of Indycisive out of the retired mare Nine Race. Nine Rae won 15 out of 56 races with earning of over $1 million. Nine Rae won two Grade II races, with her biggest victories being the D-Day Distaff, Grade II, and the Grade II Mike’s Hometown Cap. She also finished 2nd in the Grade I 2000 Equinics for older f/m.
Indycisive won his 2nd start at 6 furlongs recording a nice 74 SP#. In his last two starts both in stakes company sprinting, Indycisive has finished 2nd both times to some nice horses.
The sire of Indycisive is A.P. Indy, and is as a fantastic sire in the SIM, as he is IRL. IRL A.P. Indy is maybe the most influential sire of classic distance horses we have today, however his offspring tend to be late-bloomers who compete as the 3yo season wears on, and into their 4-5 years.
Indycisive looks like the type of classy horse that just needs distance and maturity to really get going. I expect big things from this guy down the road, if not this weekend. In the hands of a very good SIM player, and can’t be discounted. Should be a player on the Triple Crown preps next year.
Good luck and Good Racing!