Big Race Preview 2867
There are some short fields this week but the talent level is very good this week.
Race: 2867.0414 Cosmopolitan Handicap – Grade I – $750,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: One mile on the Dirt
Journey Man is the favorite in one of the most prestigious one mile dirt races the sim has to offer. He represents a good deal of the favorites in this race. A very good sprinter who might be a little suspect at the mile distance. Joourney Man though won a grade III mile race two races ago. His come from the clouds closing style may put him at risk to a strong front runner but make no mistake about it he is a very solid favorite here.
Taking Risks represents the other type of runner in this race. He is a horse who has excelled in route races with little sprint experience. His last two races at a mile have been very good. He has an ideal running style for winning a race like this. He likes to stalk the speed and pounce on them in the stretch so the closers will have to catch Taking Risks.
Upper Management is an interesting horse here. He has five career wins. He won his debut in a sprint and since his four other wins have come in one mile races. He ran in two legs of the triple crown last year as a three year old and has been running very solid in one mile races this year. Multi millionaire Macho Niner cuts back in distance. He won the New Yorker last year and the Travelers before going on to finish third in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. He tries a mile after a few sub par performances. He has the class to make short work of this field.
Race: 2867.0115 Movieland Turf Cup – Grade I – $400,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf
An interesting field has assembled for this mile and a half grade I on turf. The top horses are not entered but there is no lack of talent. Japan Classic winner Jupiter’s Moons (IRE) looks poised to find the winner’s circle again. He is the second choice on the morning line here and has had a couple of sub par performances. He is now back to his preferred distance and that spells trouble for the rest of the field.
Preferred Power in his thirty-fifth start he will be making his first attempt at a mile and a half. He is a very good mile and a quarter horse and that should translate well for him. He runs into a very accomplished runner here but should give a good account of himself. There is a lot of speed in this race. Ballisodare may not set the pace from the outside post but has shown the ability to stalk. His last couple of races have been solid and he looks like he can step up to this level.
Race: 2867.0114 My Girl Handicap – Grade I – $400,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt
Only six fillies and mares show up for this grade I event. Have all the others already been sent to the breeding shed? There is some talent in these six ladies and you can make a case for all six to enter the winner’s circle. Swift Kick might have scared a few runners away. This amazing filly is still going strong. She has been consistently fast so far this year and has just missed a couple of times. She looks poised for her first win as a four year old.
Quiet Glory is coming of a wire to wire grade II win over this very course. She could very likely set the pace in this race and if the others do not put any pressure on her she could wire them again. Even if she decides to stalk she has shown an exceptional ability to do that as well. Northerly Nicole beat Swift Kick two races back and has been on a tear. Her late running style might cost her in this short field but I would not count her out.
Race: 2867.0316 I’m Back Again For Good – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Turf
Another short grade I field full of talent. Only six runners are entered here with co favorites Causes Wood (IRE) and Seeking Sal. Causes Wood (IRE) is off a nice grade II win. He has two grade II wins this year and a second in a grade I. He has speed and if left alone on the lead look out.
Seeking Sal was a little off last time out finishing behind Causes Wood (IRE). Prior to that he ran big in