A very silver crown for the winner at Smackdown?

Smackdown – Kentucky – 8f – Firm Turf – 3yo colts

1 ~ 1-214716 ~ Forest Jester ~ Mano ~ R. Connor ~ 39/1 ~ Vermont

After winning a maiden on his second and only start as a two year old, this Forestry colt has been showing up in small field, restricted allowances this year and he has seen the winners enclosure on two occasions (NW2L and NW2x). Even though he`s clearly suited by a mile on turf, Mano and Team Vermont`s candidate looks like he`ll struggle in this high quality field.

2 ~ 2611243 ~ Mr. Bandito ~ Oaklawn88 ~ S. Blood ~ 10/1 ~ KY Horsemen

This dual juvenile Stakes winner has continued the smart form he showed as a two year old on into this year. Beginning this season with a career best second in the G2 Roasting Weanies and then running very well for 4th at the Equinics this son of Mr. Greeley has been going well in Stakes races including 2 wins and 2 places. He steps up to a mile for the first time since he won his maiden at this distance and, judging by the style of his racing and the way he has been staying on in his races, the extra yardage could be just what he has been looking for and he is one for the shortlist.

3 ~ 22-03224 ~ Desse Hollandia ~ Rosemont ~ N. Jacoby ~ 10/1 ~ KY Horsemen

Son of the relatively unremarkable sire Desert King this colt, out of a mare by Sadler`s Wells, was a highly promising 2 year old winning 3 Stakes and placed in a Grade 2. Rosemont`s charge has had a light campaign so far this year having only raced 5 times but those runs include some smart pieces of form, a show in a G1, two placed efforts in Stakes class and then a 4th in the G1 St. James Tavern over a mile last time out (Zanzabar 2l back in 6th). The likely strong pace here should suit this horse and, even though he has struggled to get his head in front for 7 races, his form figures suggest he should be involved in the finish.

4 ~ 2321128 ~ King`s Evil ~ Simsters6 ~ S. Garber ~ 11/1 ~ GR Simsters

Chestnut colt, by King Of Kings, from a smart family being a half brother to the classy G2 winner Vindiana Jones and Stakes placed Rolling Rock. After beginning his career on dirt it was`nt until his 5th race that he was switched to turf and a clear improvement ensued. He won a MSW on his 2nd run on the lawn, immediately followed that with a restricted allowance win and then on his penultimate start a place, beaten a half length with a 100 lifetime best sp in a very quick time (NW2x). 3 weeks later and upped in class to G2 level last time out he faded after leading early to finish 12 1/2 lengths 8th and, even though unexposed on this surface and rapidly improving, he`ll have to put that run firmly behind him if he is to feature here.

5 ~ 1118121 ~ Want To Dance ~ Sjmeola6 ~ M. Ketron ~ 9/1 ~ Ky Horsemen

The second colt by Mr. Greeley has a hugely impressive win to run ratio having been victorious on 6 occasions from 8 races. Following victory on his only 2 year old run Sjmeola`s colt went on to rack up a hatrick of wins at the beginning of this year culminating in his first Stakes success over 7.5 furlongs on turf. Outclassed and in the midfield on his only try at Graded level (6L+ behind winner Zanzabar), a return to Stakes has brought 2 wins and a place from his last 3 races and he is becoming an established performer at that level. This will be the colt`s first try at a mile and, considering he`ll face a stiff challenge for the early pace, the question of stamina will be a major issue for this horse but if he does last the distance he`ll be a major player.

6 ~ 11-13020 ~ Yukon Hollandia ~ Waffleboy ~ V. Wright ~ 31/1 ~ Ky Horsemen

Steadily improving colt by Street Cry who wound up his juvenile campaign with victory in a Stakes race over a mile on turf. He began his 3 year old season on a high, winning a 4 runner Stakes and running 3rd over 9.5f at the Equinics but, in a G3 next time, he picked up an injury and was sidelined for 10 weeks. There was a suitable return to the track for Waffleboy`s inmate on his penultimate start but he was then well behind in a G1and, undoubtably a horse with ability, it`s hard to see him reaching full fitness in a race of this calibre.

7 ~ 7-322581 ~ Vermont Victory ~ Wtas02 ~ D. Sherman ~ 9/1 ~ Vermont

Talented and attractive light grey colt from an undistinguished family who was`nt beaten far when 4th in a G at 2. The son of Two Punch has had his heights set high this season and he has been performing admirably well, albeit without winning, in mostly Grade 3`s (2 places and a show). A return to winning ways when dropped down into a Stakes race last time out should have set this colt up nicely for this race, his style of running should suit and, provided he gets the trip (has performed better over shorter distances), he goes there with every chance.

8 ~ 4122123 ~ Stylistic ~ Kylocker4 ~ B. Alt ~ 9/1 ~ Ky Horsemen

A son of the useful racemare Adrenaline Rush this dark grey colt has been ultra consistent since his switch to turf and has never finished outside of the first four in 11 races. After running well in a pair of Stakes races at the start of the year Kylocker`s challenger was lowered into allowance class where he won twice and was placed on three occasions. Last time out, employing his usual hold up tactics, he came from well of the pace to run a fast finishing 3rd in the Sticks and Bones Stakes (just under 2 lengths behind winner Rattleshirt) and, although lacking the graded form of some of his competitors, this race should be run to his liking. Watch out for him staying on at the end.

9 ~ 5078161 ~ Rum n` Skittles ~ Bigtime ~ B. Drewery ~ 9/1 ~ Vermont

Out of the impressive broodmare Beer n` Skittles, half brother to the multiple Stakes and Grade 2 winner Ale n` Skittles and Stakes placed 2 year old Vodka n` Skittles this colt comes from a successful family. Running well on dirt for most of his career it was only 3 races ago that he was given a try on the grass when he won an allowance and posted a lifetime best sp. Possibly not staying 9 furlongs on his penultimate start he was then a very smooth winner of an allowance last time, posting a quick time in the process. Hard to assess in the context of this race because of his lack of runs on this surface, he may still be improving, will be another fighting for the early pace and would be dangerous to rule out.

10 ~ 3-342101 ~ Justa Pretty Face ~ Bad ~ B. Sipe ~ 17/1 ~ Vermont

Interesting entry from Bad`s stables who was 3rd in a Grade 3 over 9 furlongs as a juvenile. He was in the money with a place and a show in Stakes class at the beginning of this year and, after dropping into allowances, he was soon back in the winner`s circle. Last time out he benefited from a blustering early pace to come from behind and nail an allowance race in a speedy time at this course and distance. He`ll get the good tow he needs here in a field with lots of early but he may lack a bit of the quality of some of his rivals and he has plenty to find.

11 ~ 1-215176 ~ Zanzabar ~ Peeps8 ~ P. Cadigan ~ 8/1 ~ GR Simsters

The clear second favourite is this scratch breeding by Galileo, out of a mare by Blushing Groom, and given the overall balance of his form it is no surprise to see him as one of the market leaders. After being nursed through a light juvenile campaign, this colt began this season with a place in the hotly contested GR Simsters trials before running out an easy 4 length winner of the Our Road Stakes. Possibly outstayed over 9 furlongs in a Grade 3, he was then comfortably victorious in the G3 Dracula over this course and distance (Want To Dance and Vermont Victory both well behind). Peeps` inmate faced his acid test on his penultimate start when he travelled to Newmarket for the 2,000 Guineas where, after showing up for much of the way, he faded badly in the final furlong and came home 7th (7 lengths behind third placed Very Silver). Last time out, in the St. James Tavern Grade 1, he stayed on at the same pace to finish in the midfield and, after mixing it in the highest quality races, this probably represents a drop in class. Big chance.

12 ~ 4-711114 ~ Western Omlette ~ Moriahspopp ~ P. Carrier ~ 20/1 ~ Vermont

A son of the dual Stakes winning dam Call Thewin Moriah this product of Gone West has won 5 of his 9 races. A winner of his first 4 starts on turf his penultimate run, over a mile at Jamaica, was won in a very quick time and he looked like a horse with a very bright future. On his last race he was stepped up into Stakes class for the first time and he was upped in distance to 9.5 furlongs but he failed to stay and was a well beaten last of four. Prior to that disappointing effort he had the profile of an improving horse, he has shown he can race up with the pace and come from the back equally as well and he may well surprise a few here.

13 ~ 24-06131 ~ Very Silver ~ Acote ~ D. Givins ~ 6/1 ~ GR Simsters

Bought out of CPB`s stable for an undisclosed fee after only 1 run on dirt as a juvenile was this son of Silver Ghost and he has proved to be a very smart acquisition to Acote`s yard. Last season he loved the switch to grass and for his new owner he was placed in a pair of Grade 1`s (including the prestigious BB Juvenile Turf) and won the G1 G.S.R. Diamond. He has taken a while to find his stride this year and was comprehensively beaten in Japan and at the Equinics but, after winning the Kangaroo Bob Handicap Stakes, he appeared to be nearing that smart form he had shown at 2. Two runs ago and in the 2,000 Guineas he briefly led on the turn in for home and kept on well to finish just under 2 lengths 3rd. A Grade 2 winner last time in the Bean Sprout Turf, his season is now in full swing and this light grey is worthy of his place as favourite.

14 ~ 5324121 ~ Hitman ~ Charmer ~ M. Margolf ~ 9/1 ~ GR Simsters

Running consistently well, without winning, in maidens it was`nt until his 6th race that this son of Strike The Gold finally got off the mark. Emlpoying his customary front running tactics Charmer`s colt was a stylish winner of a restricted allowance last time but he is unlikely to get his own way out in front here and, compared to some of the classy competitors he faces in this race, his overall balance of form does`nt look good enough. 9/1 looks like an underlay and it`s hard to envisage him winning this.

15 ~ 4-312111 ~ Rattlehirt ~ Stormborn2 ~ L. Cardinal ~ 9/1 ~ GR Simsters

From the outside box comes this fast improving son of More Than Ready who is a half brother to the Grade 1 placed Steph Cat and Stakes winner Sky Kitty. After 2 average tries on dirt Stormborn switched his colt to the lawn and he took a maiden on his first try on that surface. He has done all his racing at Argentina and, after easily taking a pair of restricted allowances, he was raised into Stakes class last time out where he ran out the 1 1/2 length winner. His trainer has stated that this is one of the most exciting turf horses he has in his barn and, given those confident words by his handler, it will be interesting to see how he goes in this, his biggest test to date.

Prediction

1 – Very Silver

2 – Zanzabar

3 – Desse Hollandia

4 – Vermont Victory