Big Race Preview 2958
Race: 2958.0415 Travelers Stakes – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt
The top three year olds have gathered for the end of summer classic. Bluegrass Derby and New Yorker winner Virtuoso leads the way while being all but dismissed by the odds maker. He is a deep closer and that is a style that can put him in a difficult position. His speed figures are lower than others but he has shown up of two of the three biggest races in this division so do not count him out.
Ermington Pegasus showed a different style of running stalker pretty close to the pace last time out and exploded with a huge speed figure. He just got beat on the wire by Virtuoso in the Bluegrass Derby and if that was not a fluke last time out and he can stalk the pace here he has a great chance. New Found Cyclone won the Middle Jewel in the spring and has been solid all summer. He performs best when staying pretty close to the pace so the early stages really could indicate how he will do.
This race is begging to be stolen on the front end and Divine Inspiration looks like just the horse to do that. His pedigree does not scream a mile and a quarter but the way he won the Swamp Stakes last time out he seems plenty capable of getting the distance. He has a very big shot at winning this. Intergalactic has only been out of the top two spots once in nine career starts. He is a middle closer and if Divine Inspiration can’t hold his speed he could be the one that upsets the classic winners.
Race: 2958.0114 CA Classic – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt
The closers dominate this field with Solar Song leading the way. He has had a great year so far winning at the Equinics, the Sand Castle Classic and just missed winning in the Smackdown series. Solar Song comes from well off the pace as many of his rivals do. With the year he is having how can you not think he will end up on top.
Wonderboy Cougar (IRE) is getting a little long in the tooth but has shown few signs of slowing. He ran second to Solar Song in the Sand Castle Classic and just missed in the Movieland Shiny Cup last time out. He has not been as consistent lately but with out much speed in this race he seems a very serious threat. Slither has found a new level recently and beat Solar Song last time out in the Smackdown series. Since cutting back in distance things have clicked and his running style should put him contention late.
Twist of Lemon shocked them all winning the Movieland Shiny Cup last time out. While he was back in the field he was not far off the pace. To win here he will need to run just like he did last time out and that was a speed figure ten points higher than anything he had every run before. Macho Niner was one of the top three year olds last year with victories in the New Yorker and the Travelers. Several races back he looked as though he was done with three straight tenth place finishes. He dropped back in class and has found his form again with three solid races including a grade I win last time out. He stays near the pace and could be a factor in what shapes up to be a great field.
Race: 2958.0316 The Aslan Memorial Turf Classic 5th Running – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf
Two of the top older turf horses are set to renew their rivalry once again but look out, one of the younger horses could be a real threat. Rain God and Sunnybank Memorial have faced each other numerous times over the years. In fact Rain God is one of the few horses that have gotten the best of Sunnybank Memorial.
These two future hall of famers have faced each other ten times with Rain God finishing ahead of Sunnybank Memorial on seven occasions. When they were three Sunnybank won both meetings. When they were four Rain God beat Sunnybank all five times that they met. This year they have met three times already with Rain God getting the best of Sunnybank two of those three races.
These two have over sixteen million in purses between them and will likely face each other at the very least one more time this year. Rain God likes to be near the front while Sunnybank is a great closer. Rarely to they finish far apart from each other and I suspect this day will not be any different.
Looking to break up the love fest of Rain God and Sunnybank will be Puppet Regime the winner of this year’s Sand Castle Golden Turf. He finished ahead of both Rain God and Sunnybank a few races back in the John Henry Classic. His speed figures have been very solid and he is a sprite four years old. He is likely to keep close tabs on the pace and could be very tough.
Race:2958.1015 Prince’s Knight Stakes – Grade I – $300,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Dirt
A three year old filly is making headlines as one of the favorites going against the boys. Benny Being Benny has faster speed figures than most of her boy competitors and what may be the most dangerous thing about her is her speed. She flies out of the gates and does not slow down. Her one blemish on her near perfect six wins in seven races record was a try at a mile where she faded in the end. There is not a lot of speed to go with her so if this filly breaks well and is in front at the beginning I suspect she may not get caught.
Streak Free is not one of the favorites but he should be. He has won five of eight and has run very well near this distance. He comes from off the pace and will have a strong one to run at this week. Moneygrowsontrees has also run well at this distance. This colt has been consistent in graded company with and is the number two ranked three year old sprinter. He likes to close but might have his work cut out for him this week.
Race: 2958.0115 Del Webb Oaks – Grade I – $350,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Turf
Only eleven ladies entered for this grade I event with the 1000
Not a Honky Tonk (IRE) has run some very nice speed figures but each time she has come up short. She is a stalker and could be set up very well in this race. There will be a strong pace to run at and she will have the jump of the favorite who is a deep closer. Bad Scene is the best of the speed having won seven of nine lifetime turf starts. She has rarely been tested on the lead at this distance but today could be a day she sees quite a bit of pressure. If she weathers the pace they may not catch her today.
The long shot play here is Sun Turns to Moon. She has been steadily improving and should only get better with age and distance. She won the G2 Pioneer Blvd Cup last time out and has a stalking style that seems well suited for this race.