Seeing Stars – The 4yo+ 12f turf Smackdown II Stakes
Sunset Boulevard is famous, but the best known portion of the boulevard is the mile and a half stretch of Sunset, located between Hollywood and Beverly Hills. That 12 furlongs of prime real estate is known as “The Sunset Strip.” Running between Crescent Heights Boulevard & Doheny Drive, The Sunset Strip is a place that stars and non-stars alike go to embrace a premier collection of rock clubs, restaurants, boutiques, and Hollywood nightspots that are on the cutting edge of the entertainment business.
In the evening, the Strip is a vibrant slash of gaudy neon, a virtual traffic jam of young bucks cruising for scenic beauties, and a stimulating mecca for people-watchers and celebrity wannabes. Like some fabled caravan route between holy cities, the Strip has taken on an eccentric character all its own. Mammoth hand-made billboards are one of its most notable trademarks. These colorful advertisements were designed to catch the eye of Hollywood producers and deal-makers as they drove to work in Hollywood from their homes in Beverly Hills. Now, many of these billboards serve primarily to puff up the egos of the stars they promote, which is why the industry refers to them as “vanity boards.”
If you want to see stars, scenic beauties, and a festive locale for prime attractions, forget about The Sunset Strip. I’ll offer up another mileand a half stretch of prime real estate to visit on Saturday. An epic battle between the GR Simsters, KY Horsemen, and Vermont residencies will take place over 12f on the Kentucky turf course in the 2nd annual event known as Smackdown. You won’t find a more stimulating mecca for horse-watchers and horse lovers than what you’ll be seeing at “The Kentucky Strip” on Saturday for Smackdown II.
The Smackdown event has taken on an eccentric character all it’s own, w/ residencies bringing their equine stars and cast of characters togetherfor some friendly midseason competition and smack talk. While the message boards of these 3 residencies could arguably be compared to the “vanity boards” of The Sunset Strip, you won’t find any such monstrositiesdisplayed on “The Kentucky Strip”. What you will see are 15 talented horses trying to catch the eye of the sim public, and can you believe it,doing so through their performance alone! How refreshing. These horsesare the stars, and the vehicle through which the owners, trainers and residencies behind them will be looking to claim bragging rights and puff up their egos. Who can miss that kind of excitement?
So if you will, let’s pile in for a leisurely drive down the Kentucky Strip, and take a brief look at the sights to see in the 4yo+ 12f Turf $500k Smackdown II Stakes:
PP 1: Colorado Force – 9/1
# 90018
Representing the Vermont residency, Colorado Force is a 4yo Royal Academy x Danzig x Silver Hawk horse trained by highfive (14%). This 3 time stakes winner brings in a 3(1-0-0) record at 12f, including a G2 win at the distance last year. Though his form hasn’t been the best of late, 6(1-0-1) on the year, this dark bay closer has certainly shown he’s more than capable over a mile and a half when he’s of the mind to do so. D Sherman (11%) is up.
PP 2: The Rainmaker – 58/1
# 95528
Representing the Vermont residency, The Rainmaker is a 4yo FantasticLight x Theatrical x Rainbow Quest horse trained by runwild8 (17%). Onthe face of things, this horse has never run beyond 10f, and his 2lifetime wins came in a msw and a claim, so he’s probably up againstit in this 12f stakes field. The Rainmaker is bred to run 12f though, somaybe the extra 2f, and residency pride, will bring out the best in thisfrontrunning bay. Te Allen (5%) is up.
PP 3: Strong Science – 15/1
# 74367
Representing the Vermont residency, Strong Science is a 4yo Empire Maker x Galileo x Fappiano horse trained by futurestar (29%). This stakes placed bay closer brings in a 2(0-1-0) record at 12f, but all 5 of his lifetime wins have come between 11f and 13f, so the distance won’t be a problem. Class might be a question, as he’s 3(0-0-1) in stakes lifetime. If a hot pace sets it up for him, this would be a great time for that first stakes victory. P McCarthy (11%) is up.
PP 4: Arkansas Traveler – 10/1
# 42979
Representing the GR Simsters residency, Arkansas Traveler is a 5yo Pine Bluff x Damascus x Ribot horse trained by lenny10 (14%). This 2 time stakes winner is no stranger to 12f, bringing in a 12(4-2-1) record at the distance, w/ a G2 win at 12f last year. Those 4 wins at 12f are the most by any horse in this field. It’s not as easy for this wise ole bay to get geared up for race day as it used to be, but if he’s ready on Saturday, his closing from hell and gone style will be a factor. The crafty P Cadigan (14%) is up.
PP 5: Rainbow Moonshell – 7/1
# 6414
Representing the KY Horsemen residency, Rainbow Moonshell is a 5yo Rainbow Quest x Sadler’s Wells x Kris horse trained by cleverdoc (18%). This G1 winning millionaire is a 7 time stakes winner that brings a 7(2-2-1) record at 12f, including a stakes win at the distance last year. Distance will be no problem for this rangy bay, as he exits a stakes win at 2 miles last out. In his fine career he’s won from on the lead, just off the pace, and from well out if it, so it will be interesting to see where Y Kester (10%) settles him. Rainbow Moonshell is the co 2nd
choice, and will be heard from.
PP 6: Hungry Trick – 15/1
# 81875
Representing the KY Horsemen residency, Hungry Trick is an 11yo Bitter Rain x Nijinsky II x Habitat horse trained by dpl (10%). This 3 time stakes winner brings in a perfect 1 for 1 record at 12f, w/ that stakes win coming 4 starts back. You’d think this old timer would be slowing down, but the 98 SF he ran in that 12f stakes this year was his 2nd fastest SF lifetime. This bay closer is another intriguing late runner in this race that could have a say if the pace and trip set up for him. R Neely (13%) is up.
PP: 7 Surgeon Tubes – 6/1
# 26731
Representing the GR Simsters residency is the race favorite, Surgeon Tubes. Surgeon Tubes is a 5yo Rousillon x Be My Guest x Never So Bold horse trained by bigrama (19%). This non stakes winner’s only 2 starts at 12f, have come in his last 3 races. Both efforts were in Grade 2 company, and both efforts yielded 100+ SF top 3 finishes (2nd and a 3rd). Surgeon Tubes has a 10(0-4-3) record in stakes company. This will be a tough race to notch that first stakes victory, but you certainly can’t knock the form or consistency of this striking chestnut closer, or find a better place to try and win that first stakes. L Cardinal (12%) is up.
PP: 8 E Dema – 16/1
# 105388
Representing the Vermont residency, E Dema is a 4yo Aptitude x Red Ransom x Majestic Prince horse trained by dundey2 (15%). This non stakes winner has but 1 trip over the race distance which came in a stakes in his last start. The result was a disappointing effort, but the soft turf could very well have been to blame. This chestnut frontrunner brings early speed to the table, and has shown quite capable at 10 to 11f. If he can carve out a nice trip while forwardly placed, he could very well have a say in this, if the pace is moderate. J Yount (4%) is up.
PP: 9 Big Thunder – 7/1
# 74141
Representing the KY Horsemen residency, Big Thunder is a 5yo Thunder Gulch x Arazi x Gulch horse trained by fugazi (19%). This 5 time stakes winner is the races co 2nd choice. Big Thunder’s only start at 12f came in his last start, which resulted in a 12 length defeat, 5th place finish in an open stakes. This bay does have several classy efforts at 10f in graded company to speak of, but it’s hard to tell if that form carries over to a mile and a half. If he reverses the form of his last start, and stays the 12 furlongs, he could get the jump on the late runners in here w/ a mid pack and pounce type run. M Ketron (12%) is up.
PP 10: Dal House – 12/1
# 93625
Representing the GR Simsters residency, Dal House is a 5yo Chester House x Ajdal x Be My Guest horse trained by peeps2 (14%). This 2 time stakes winner has never raced at 12f, but comes into this race on a 2 race winning streak (both in stakes company), w/ the most recent win being a frontrunning victory at 11f. Dal House earned a 100 SF in that wire to wire score, and that effort makes this speedy chestnut pretty intriguing considering his nice current form and the absence of early pace in this field. B Sipe (9%) is up.
PP 11: The Gourmet – 11/1
# 13786
Representing the KY Horsemen residency, The Gourmet is a 5yo Miswaki x Royal Academy x Boldnesian horse trained by quicksand (21%). This 7 time stakes winner brings a perfect 1 for 1 record at 12f to the event. That effort was a 3 1/4 length stakes victory last year. This long striding chestnut will have absolutely no problem staying the distance, and hell, he may even need more ground. The Gourmet is yet another late runner in this field who could very well have a say w/ a good trip. P Carrier (12%) is up.
PP 12: Bane – 13/1
# 62666
Representing the GR Simsters residency, Bane is a 4yo High Chaparral x Danehill x Pleasant Colony horse trained by samurai (15%). This 5 time stakes winner brings a 5(2-2-0) record at 12f to the event, including 2 stakes wins at the distance. A mile and a half would seem to suit this regal chestnut, and he should be able to carve out a nice stalking trip settling just off the pace. If the dirt to turf angle suits him, he may well be the horse the talented late runners in this field are trying to catch in late stretch. S Blood (15%) is up.
PP 13: Hey Zeus – 8/1
# 87227
Representing the KY Horsemen residency, Hey Zeus is a 5yo Sadler’s Wells x Gone West x Theatrical horse trained by foxon (24%). This 6 time graded winner, and 2 time G1 winning millionaire is the most accomplished horse in the field, and the races co 4th choice. Hey Zeus brings an 8(1-2-1) record at 12f to the event, which includes a G2 win at 12f just 4 starts ago. This guy is another who likes to make his run from hell and gone. If this imposing bay’s late run is well timed by Kentucky’s leading rider D Givins (24%), his wicked turn of foot will be hard to deny.
PP 14: Jennah’s Gold – 27/1
# 26557
Representing the Vermont residency, Jennah’s Gold is a 6yo Seeking the Gold x Red Ransom x Theatrical horse trained by ladyssecre (13%). This 1 time stakes winner offers a 2(0-0-1) record at 12f. This striking dark bay’s best distance may be a tad under 12f, say 10 to 11f, but the 2 mile tuneup last time out might serve. This late runner is efficient enough at the race distance to be among the slew of other late closers in this field who could earn a share w/ a well timed, well placed ride. B Alt (5%) is up.
PP 15: Cuchulain’s Stand – 8/1
# 77438
Representing the GR Simsters residency, Cuchulain’s Stand is a 4yo High Chaparral x Peintre Celebre x Shirley Heights trained by jonsnow (21%). This 1 time stakes winner is the race’s co 4th choice, and brings a 3(0-0-0) record at 12f to the event. While he hasn’t made a dent at 12f yet, “Choo Choo” appears to be in the best form of his career, as he exits a 2 3/4 length stakes win at 11f last time out. That effort earned him a 105 SF, the race’s top last out SF, and was produced in (you guessed it) late running fashion. Cuchulain’s Stand is yet another intriguing closer who could very well put his stamp on this event. B Drewrey (11%) is up.
This stakes should be one of many exciting races in Smackdown II. I’m not going to disappoint anybody by selecting a winner, or a top 3, so as the president of the GR Simsters residency I’ll close by saying good luck to all involved, and may the best GR Simsters horse win! 🙂
Geoff W. (aka galileo)