3yo Colts Featured in Smackdown Dirt Test!!!
This is one of 20 races in the Smackdown II Series for week 2923. The series is a competition between the resident trainers at GSR (the sponsors-Thanks Guys and Gals) Vermont (Go Big Green!!) and Kentucky (A great bunch also). The winning team will all get new cars supplied by Mike!! Thanks Boss!! (worth a try, don’t you think??)
Ok, let’s get down to business! Here is a look at the nice bunch of 3yo colts that will take to the track in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont for race 3713 tomorrow. This is 10 Furlongs on the Main Track for 3yo colts. The track should be fast and the flag is up:
1) LEANDRA’S BABY BOY Wfstables (GSR-13%) G. Bungard (9.3%) 15-1
Lightly raced Kingmambo colt last ran in the GSR Belmont 6 weeks ago. The 12F was a bit long for him as he led into the stretch and faded to 3rd, 11 lengths back. Don’t really know if he’ll be able to hold on at today’s distance of 10F but he’s gonna try to get out quick and go wire to wire. I would call his chances “doubtful” with this group.
2) PEACENIK Oaklawn66 (KY-15%) W. McClendon (25.1%) 5-1
We saw Peacenik in the Bluegrass Derby (5th-5 back) and The Middle Jewel (4th-6 back). After that he tried the grass (3rd by 6). Than 3 weeks ago he ran 4th (4 1/2 back) in the Dealslew Handicap at Delaware, posting a 96 SF for the 9 1/2 panels on the main track. He is the fav at 5-1 and gets the services of Vermont’s best jock, which is a plus. A big factor in this race but no lock -the horse that ran 2nd in that Delaware Stake (Enharmonic Diesis (GB)) is in this field also.
3) COUNTRY SONGS Riverdance (VT-16%) F. Neely (9.9%) 8-1
This is by far the best horse in the race and should win easily!! Allright, allright-this is my colt. In reality he has never run this distance but I thought since he closed at 8 1/2 and 9 furlongs I’d give him a shot here. His SF’s have been pretty solid in his last four. I really believe he could hit the board in this race with a good effort. Now I have to make CS believe that he can!
4) MINTSKY HOLLANDIA 1st2nd3rd (KY-16%) G. Blackmore (9.3%) 20-1
Colt by Tarlac arrives from Wyoming where he ran 4th (by 10 1/2) in the Diligent Code Challenge Stakes, posting a 92 SF for 11F on the dirt. Not bad but he’ll have to do better to be a factor in this race. He’s only won once in the last year and 0 for the last 6 months-not a good sign. I think that he’s a bit over his head today.
5) ACE KING SUITED Burn2shine (KY-10%) M. Brownlow (8.3%) 8-1
Son of Golden Missile last ran in Kentucky 5 weeks ago, finishing 7th, 12 lengths back in the Grade 1 Michael Strike Stakes, posting a 94 SF for the 9 furlongs. He was close to the leader most of the race but faded late. I’m not so sure that he will like today’s distance either. His route record shows only 1 of 6 wins. I’ll pass on him today.
6) BIRD STREET (IRE) Jason607 (KY-16%) L. Secret (10.5%) 22-1
Here’s an interesting colt. After 4 grass starts trainer switched him to the main track where he is now 2-2. His last shows a nice win closing at 8 1/2 furlongs posting a 95SF. Street Cry (Ire) offspring probably needs a bit more seasoning to beat this field but he looks to have a bright future. Could this be a possible longshot surprise???
7) WORST DAY EVER Lenny16 (GSR-20%) B. Langhorne (11.6%) 13-1
And yet another very interesting longshot. This Kingmambo colt’s last race was an easy 5 length victory in the GSR Belmont Stakes, in which he posted a L/T best 99 for the 12 panels. The combination of that race, plus a solid jockey/trainer combo makes this horse a live longshot, in my opinion. (How can I not like a horse named after my wedding day!)
8) ENHARMONIC DIESIS (GB) Daninja (GSR-10%) Te. Maguire (8.2%) 11-1
Diesis colt ships in from Delaware where he ran 2nd (1 3/4) in The Deal Slew Handicap, closing well to post a nice 99 SF for the 9 1/2 furlongs. Among the horses that he beat in that race was Peacenik-todays fav. Is this another longshot chance?? You’d better believe it folks. This is a very tough race!
9) TOUCHDOWN McNABB (IRE) Jackbauer (KY-15%) L.L. Ahrens (15.2%) 6-1
Being a lifetime Eagles fan (the cause of most of my gray hair) you’d think that I would like this Black Tie Affair (Ire) colt and you’s be right, only the name has nothing to do with it. This guy is hot-gunning for his 4th in a row-the last two being Stakes wins at 8 1/2 F, posting nice 102 and 100 SF’s. Only question here would be todays distance, which he has never tried. Don’t know if he can but I kind of think-well, perhaps.
10) IRISHEYESARECRYING Peeps9 (GSR-17%) S. Gravina 11.8% 13-1
Point Given colts last 3 races were in the GSR Triple Crown Series. He won the GSR Derby with a 97 SF, ran 2nd in the GSR Preakness at 97, than 3rd in the Belmont, clocking an 87. A very nice colt who has a great shot to hit the board but I just can’t see him winning here. If he does I will not be crying since I’m not Irish.
11) WANDERING STAR (IRE) Seekgold (VT-14%) C. Wolf (14.1%) 14-1
This son of King of Kings (Ire) flies in from Hong Kong after winning a NW4l Alw race at todays distance (10F), posting an 87 SF. Not a bad race and his 2nd win at 10F. Only problem I have with this horse is his lack of stakes experience. Don’t think he can win with this bunch yet. Maybe later.
12) ROSES FOR NEW YORK Lasthope(VT-25%) N. Stelle (10.2%) 25-1
3yo colt from one of Vermont’s best trainers, this Storm Creek offspring ran in the Buddy Dance Challenge in New York 2 weeks ago. He didn’t really like the 12 furlong distance and finished 4th and last by 10 1/2 lengths. He will probably do better at today’s distance but he seems in a bit deep with this field. We may here from him down the road.
13) SILVERSHAFT Lenny6 (GSR-19%) K. Mitz (4.0%) 12-1
Mineshaft colt is 5 of 9 lifetime, including a win last time out in North Florida in a NW3s Alw, recording a SF of 93, at today’s distance. I know this sounds like a broken record but this is another horse that I think is taking too big a step up to win here. If he can improve a bit he could have a shot at hitting the board. Bad rider doesn’t help his cause.
14) OKEMO PROSPECTOR Runwild8 (VT-17%) D. Fendlay (8.2%) 9-1
3yo Crafty Prospector colt is coming out of The Regal Deputy Cap at South Carolina. He finished 4th (5 3/4 back). His last two races show solid 100 and 101 SF’s but were both at 8F. The fact that he’s never gone longer than that makes him hard to figure at 10F. I would have to guess that it’s a tad too long for him. Is this a good or bad guess? Tune in tomorrow at high noon to see!!
15) TWO TWELVE 1stclass (VT-17%) D. Fendlay Jr. (16.7%) 10-1
Hard knocking Forestry colt has been running well as of late, winning 2 of his last three, both being Stakes races. He checked in with a 96 SF, two back at 9 furlongs. This horse likes to run at or near the front and could be a factor here with a stalking trip. Two Twelve has 4 stakes wins to his credit and can’t be ignored in this one if he can get the distance. Another horse with a shot to be a factor with the right trip. Good jock helps, too.
After looking over the entries in this race I really have no idea which horse is going to win. There seem to be endless possibilities and too many question marks. Therefore I would advise anyone who wants to bet this one to put numbers in 15 beer bottles (empty of course) and toss them in the ocean. The first one that appears on a beach in Southern California near Del Mar will be the winner. And that’s the name of that tune.
Best of luck to all in this race and the Smackdown Series!! May the horse be with you. Rich-Lilbitfarm