SMACKDOWN II 2yo colts 7F Dirt
Run over the main dirt track at Vermont, the 7F Smackdown II Challenge for two year old colts is looking extremely competitive. We’ve got stakes horses in Tiz A Tornado, Desert Sniper and Edgewalker. As well, there are the lightly raced but unbeaten Mr. Mistoffelees, Count Every Star, General Dubai, Black Blazer, Lost Memories and Moonage Daydream. Of course, you can’t forget the inherent class shown by Mojave County, Summers Comin, Prospectingforgold, Limeade, Sandstroll and Kela Lost. Basically, this could be anyone’s race. Should be an amazing spectacle to see these guys battle it out. Let’s take a look at our field.
#1KY Horsemen Owned/trained by Hornedfrog – Tiz A Tornado is by one of the all time great Cal-bred horses Tiznow. On the track, he earned Horse of the year, was a multiple Eclipse award winner, and was the only horse ever to win two Breeder’s Cup Classics. So far, in his next challenge, he has also been an excellent stallion. His son Tiz A Tornado is already a stakes winner. His record so far is four races, two wins, and one third. The leggy chestnut broke his maiden at first asking going 5F. Next up, an open allowance, where he ran hard to come in third, earning a 78 SF for his efforts. Hornedfrog pointed the colt to the 5.5F Cold Redhead (IRE) Memorial Stakes, which he won going away by 1 ½ lengths. His last race was the 6F Alnaab Avenger Special Stakes. Tiz A Tornado broke poorly, stumbling at the start, and while he loomed briefly at the top of the stretch, he faded to finish fifth. Still, any colt that is already a stakes winner this early in the year cannot be discounted, especially if he has any of his father’s determination and runs his race.
#2 GR Simsters Owned/trained by Given – Mr. Mistoffelees is a gorgeous colt that knows he is special. By the incomparable Storm Cat, out of the very nice Machiavellian horse Magicman Too, “Mister” is currently unbeaten. True, he only has two starts, but there are many, many horses that can’t get past their first race without a defeat. In his first race, “Mister” broke cleanly and settled down for a stalking trip, then came home easily the best to win with a 68 SF in a 5.5F MSW. Next start out was a high level 6F allowance, which he won by 1 ½ lengths, posting a 76 SF. Should be one to watch.
#3 Vermont Owned/trained by Roys– Mojave County is by hot first year sire Saint Liam and out of the stakes winning, stakes producing Seeking the Gold daughter Peach Springs. Mojave County has three lifetime starts with earnings of over $42K. This lovely dark grey colt has been competing in the Freshmen Sire Series and doing very well, too. His first time out was in the Sire Series MSW, where he came in a fast closing second. The Sire Series Alw. race came next, and Mojave County broke his maiden easily, running a 77 SF and winning by 1 ¼ lengths. Roys then jumped the colt up in company, in the G2 High Roller’s Juvenile. Mojave County didn’t feel up to the challenge on that day, and came in a well beaten tenth. However, looking at his pedigree and the fact that he tried to close in that race, I think he should do very well here.
#4 GR Simsters Owned/trained by Desperado – Summers Comin is by the superb young stallion Empire Maker. This muscular brown colt has only started once, and placed second in that effort, but don’t let that fool you. He’s posted one of the highest SF’s in the field for all of that. Running in a 6F MSW, Summers Comin came roaring from the back of the pack to just miss first place by a ¼ of a length. He earned an 80 SF for the effort. Knowing the Empire Maker I own, I can only imagine this guy is gonna love more distance.
#5 KY Horsemen Owned/trained by Erasmus – Kris S. was an exceptional stallion from the very beginning, and his son Action This Day proved that by becoming yet another of his sire’s multiple Breeder’s Cup winners. Action this Day is now a stallion himself, and his son Desert Sniper, out of an Old Trieste mare, is currently doing his best to help him follow in his sire’s footsteps. Desert Sniper tasted victory in his second outing, winning a MSW by a ½ length after a heartbreaking head loss in his first effort. Next up, the 6F Catapult Stakes. Desert Sniper showed his true class that day, rating back in mid-pack, then making a late stretch run. He effortlessly caught the leaders to post a 1 ¼ length win and earned an 83 SF. Trainer Erasmus pointed the colt towards the 5.5F G3 Montana Futurity. However, the big colt seemed somewhat off his game that day, and came home a lackadaisical tenth. My feeling is that his long legs will appreciate more distance, and he should do well here.
#6 Vermont Owned/trained by Teamfoppa– Prospectingforgold is by Carson City son Quinton’s Gold, out of the nice stakes mare Hana Craft. Prospectingforgold has raced twice, with one win. His first start was a 5F MSW on the dirt, where he ran a good race but seemed a bit green in the stretch. He finished fourth, then came back in a 4.5F MSW, where he flew out of the gate and never looked back. The shining golden chestnut colt wired the field, earning a 76 SF and winning by a widening ½ length. Prospectingforgold looks like he will certainly improve and has big things ahead of him.
#7 KY Horsemen Owned/trained by Fabman – Count Every Star is a beautiful light grey son of Stormin Fever. He gets his exceptional color from his dam-sire, Unbridled’s Song. He gets his talent from within. In his first start, Count Every Star ran in a 5F MSW. He settled well for a stalking trip, then moved up in the stretch to canter home 1 ¼ lengths in front. His second race, a high level NW1x, was ran over 5.5F. He ran almost the exact same race, stalking early and then made his move in the stretch. Count Every Star won yet again, this time earning an exceptional 83 SF and winning by a ¼ of a length. Looks to be a very nice colt with immense natural ability.
#8 Vermont Owned/trained by Wtas02– Pollard’s Vision was well known for his determination and competitive spirit, refusing to allow even the loss of an eye to affect him. His son Lost Memories appears to be another of those that doesn’t let less then perfect conditions affect him. His first and only start was over the sloppy Vermont track in a 5.5F MSW. He struggled with the wet footing, but managed to not only get over the course, but actually pull away in the stretch to win by 1 ½ lengths. He earned a respectable 66 SF for his muddy debut. I’m curious to see if this duckling can fly when it dries up for him. Of course, the fact that he is a half to two stakes horses already makes me think it not only possible, but probable.
#9 KY Horsemen Owned/trained by Buzz – General Dubai is a truly striking red chestnut colt by the young stallion Essence of Dubai. His dam never raced, but she herself has blueblood if you look closely. Her sire, Mountain Cat, is by the esteemed Storm Cat. Her grandsire is the California sensation General Meeting, by top racehorse and sire Seattle Slew. Looking at these names, one isn’t too surprised to find General Dubai has won his only race. Entered in a 6F $36K MSW, General Dubai broke alertly and then settled into a nice position towards the front of the pack. He appeared to be done as the field turned for home, but he suddenly made a huge move in the stretch that brought him quickly to the leaders. He swept passed them and came under the wire ½ length in front, with a very nice SF of 72.
#10 GR Simsters Owned/trained by Mike978978 – Mike978978’s Kela x Lost Soldier colt Kela Lost has been a very consistent fellow. In his four starts, Kela Lost has come in second three times, and he’s come in first once. He has also consistently improved in each race. Kela Lost missed first by a nose in his first start, a 5F MSW. He again missed in his second race, but won by one length when stretched out to 5.5F. He posted a 75 SF for the win, then wheeled back in a NW1x allowance and again placed second, with a 77 SF. I’m thinking he’ll like some more ground to cover, but really, only time will tell.
#11 Vermont Owned/trained by Blueribbon– Limeade is a big boned, raw looking character reminiscent of his grandsires Capote and Mr. Prospector. He brings to mind as well the immortal Slew, with the same glowing eye and shining black/brown coat. Limeade has raced three times. He first started in the Freshmen Sire Series MSW, where he ran a lackluster 8th and a 58 SF. Blueribbon then tried him over the lawn, which he clearly despised. Next up, another try over the dirt, this time a 6F MSW. Limeade showed his class in this race, running close to the pace and then making a sweeping move in the stretch. He dueled throughout the stretch, but grittily prevailed by a nose. He earned a 79 SF for the race. Looks to be improving and should be interesting to watch.
#12 KY Horsemen Owned/trained by Chesapeake – Moonage Daydream is by the California stallion Event of the Year. He is strongly inbred to Danzig on his dam’s side (Pine Bluff x Green Desert), which could explain his small but burly stature. Moonage Daydream debuted in a 5F MSW. He broke fast to take the initial lead, and then continued on to wire the field. He finished 1 ½ lengths in front under a hand ride. His final time was :58 4/5, with a 76 SF. Very impressive for a young colt.
#13 GR Simsters Owned/trained by Lenny – Black Blazer is a handsome chestnut colt that takes after his grandsire, the Mr. Prospector son Woodman. By one of the perennial leading sires Pine Bluff, Black Blazer is already blazing. Saying he has one win from one start doesn’t actually begin to tell the story. Black Blazer came out of the gate in a high dollar 6F MSW, and rated nicely slightly towards the back. He kicked into high gear coming into the stretch, began picking off horses, and rolled away to win by a gritty ¼ of a length. He posted an excellent SF of 81. This fellow should enjoy the added distance.
#14 GR Simsters Owned/trained by Deadnthelane – Edgewalker is a homebred colt that combines the top bloodlines in the sim, that of A.P. Indy and Storm Cat through his sire, Pulpit, and Danzig and Mr. Prospector through his dam’s side (Agnes World x Seeking the Gold.) Owner Deadnthelane obviously thought highly of the colt, as his first start was the 6F GR Simsters Future Stars Stakes. In that race, Edgewalker raced well and came from the back to take third. In his second race, a 5F MSW, the brown colt broke fast, led throughout the race and won by an easy 1 ¼ lengths, posting a 71 SF. In his last race, Edgewalker ran in a high level NW1x allowance, and closed very well with a 78 SF to finish a close second.
#15 Vermont Owned/trained by Viperfive– Sandstroll is royally bred, and has classic distance written all over him, at least if you look at his bloodlines. By Stroll, out of a Nureyev x Mr. P mare, Sandstroll has the looks of a good career ahead of him. He won his first two starts with class, posting a 74 SF in his NW2L allowance race. Viperfive then tried him in the 5F G3 Television Stakes, where he raced up close early and tired in the stretch to come home fourth. His next effort was the G2 Vermont BB Juvenile, where he once again earned a 71 SF. He appears to be on his toes for this event, however, and has been working well. The added distance may help him regain his lost form, as well as the drop back down from graded company.