SMACKDOWN II 3YO 12F FILLY TURF

It’s been quite a year for the GRSimsters.  After sending DelPenn packing surprisingly easily last summer in the inaugural Smackdown, the Simsters followed up with a resounding Equinics win earlier this year.  Enter Smackdown II.  This year’s version features a few heavyweight residencies that are new to this competition, but have worlds of sim talent and history on their side.  Do the Kentucky Horsemen or Vermonters have what it takes to send the youngsters to bed without dessert, or will they just be waving a white flag when the dust settles?  Let’s take a look at a key race in the outcome of this amazing event:  3YO Filly 12F Turf.

VERMONT:

CASCADES, sired by With Approval out of a Storm Cat mare, is running out of the Noranadia stable.  9/1 seems a bit low for this gal, as her best races have been on the dirt.  The good news is that her speed figures have gotten better as she has stretched out.  The bad news is that her turf attempts have been less than stellar.  Outside shot here, but might be talented at this distance on the dirt.

BLAME, sired by Galileo out of a Grand Slam mare, is running out of the Bigblueone stable.  This gal seems to be rounding into form at just the right time.  After spending a lot of time at a mile or shorter, Blame was pointed long on the turf two back and it seems to have jarred her potential loose.  Her last was a dominating performance at 11F where she romped by more than five lengths.  Live play at a nice price.

BRADYCARDIA, sired by Mutamam out of a Marignan mare, is running for the OKDavid196 stable.  This girl is one of a few that has seen the distance, and that race was in Stakes Company.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the 12F stakes race in question was not a great effort.  If you can overlook that race, and it will take a lot of faith to do so, she has hit the board in a few shorter turf stakes.  Outsider.

DIXIELAND AGAIN, sired by Awesome Again out of a Dixieland Band mare, is representing the Novanadia stable.  Of the five Vermont entries, this girl has easily the best resume on turf.  She has won four stakes races, all at 8F, and has hit the board in 10 of 12 on the lawn.  Although I think she’s best suited a bit shorter, she might be a force in this race if she can get an uncontested lead.  Decent shot to earn Vermont some points.

ROYALLY GONE, sired by Royal Cat out of a Seeking The Gold mare, is trained by Socalman.  One of the longer shots for the Vermont folks; this gal has had a rough go of it lately.  She has been stretching out without much success, although two off track runs and another at 16F may give her backers a wee bit of hope.  Tough spot to make her stakes debut.

KENTUCKY:

BLACKPOOL LIGHTS, sired by Giant’s Causeway out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, is running for the Greenappl2 barn.  She’s your favorite at 9/2 and carries in the highest speed figure in the race at 102.  That’s the good news.  She has faded badly when running longer than a mile and hasn’t won a race in six months.  That’s the bad news.  Probably in a tough spot to win, but a definite contender to hit the board.

NORTHERN GREY, sired by Silver Ghost out of a Green Desert mare, is running for the Sexinalimo stable.  Even though this gal has struggled a bit over the last few months, I like this spot for a couple of reasons.  She’s graded placed on the turf and has run second in the only race she’s run over 9F.  That was a 9.5F open stakes.  The stable name is a beauty as well.  Prize option for Smackdown III?

KENTUCKIANA, sired by Gulch out of a Housebuster mare, is running for trainer Dimitri.  Another great, and nicely named Kentucky runner here.  She was a snappy claim late last year who, after stomping a few starter sprints earlier this year, has really shown some class running over 9F on the grass.  Her last was a really nice stakes win.  If the distance suits she could be dangerous.  Win contender.

KICK OUT THE JAMS, sired by Mighty out of a Mambo mare, is running for the Fugazi stable.  This girl likes to come from way back, finishing a sharp second in three consecutive turf stakes routes.  Not sure if she’s classy enough to win, but a points earning performance is well within reach – especially if there is any kind of speed duel on the front.

LAKE MINNIMAC – sired by Meadowlake out of an Alleged mare, represents the Kk1039 stable.  The best part of a residency challenge like Smackdown is the fact that it offers the chance to take a flyer.  Here’s your flyer.  This will be the first turf race for Lake Minnimac.  Her first 10 starts have yielded a stakes win on the dirt, so she has some class.  If she can handle the surface she can be a threat when it counts.  Toss her last – her jock was thrown just out of the gate.

GRSIMSTERS

OH SUSANNAH, sired by Gone West out of a Deputy Minister mare, is running for the Squirrel5 stable.  After hitting the board in a turf stakes two back, this gal romped last time out in an allowance at 10F.  If her last is an indication that she has matured and turned a corner, then she has a chance to represent the Simsters well.

EXCUSE, sired by Peintre Celebre out of a Green Desert mare, is handled by the often-milkshaking Stormborn stable.  This gal has hit the board in 7 of 8 turf routes, including a couple of runner-up finishes in stakes company.  Her SF’s are a bit low for this race, but if anyone can level the playing field through underhanded dealings, this trainer can.  Definite longshot. 

RED ROYAL, sired by Royal Academy out of a Kingmambo mare, runs for the Romeshome stable.  After winning her first three lifetime races, all non-stakes races, this fine filly has struggled a touch in her last four.  Her highest SF was earned in her lone dirt attempt, and I think she’s better suited to sprint on the main track in the future.  On the outside looking in.

WICKED WENCH, sired by Montjeu out of a Blushing Groom mare, steps into the ring wearing the colors of Tesio.  I don’t care what the odds makers say; this is the Wench’s race to lose.  She followed up a decisive Adelaide Oaks victory with a monster victory in the English Oaks last time out.  She’s ranked number 1 in the division and is really head and shoulders above this field.  Easy Winner.

HASTAII, sired by Empire Maker out of a Theatrical mare, is running for the newly formed Spqr stable.  What she gives up in the class department this girl makes up in pedigree.  She’s another who is playing the ‘flyer’ role, and if she takes to the dirt/turf prep at all, she could end up sneaking some points for the good guys.  Outsider.