Virtuoso, New Found Cyclone, Ermington Pegusus in $1-million Travelers(G1) Triple Crown rematch
New York– It’s the eighth running of the Sim’s Midsummer Derby: the time-honored Grade 1 $1,000,000 Travelers Stakes. With the springtime sophomore classics still fresh in our minds, the Travelers is one of those rare races that stands out prominently in the Sim schedule. *Two letters less* and you have the Sim’s equivalent of the Saratoga classic (Ha!). Additionally, it is a “Golden Hour” race:
The Travelers “Golden Hour”
- Triple Crown winners begin to either make or break their “Sim legend” based on their Travelers performance. The individual Derby, Middle Jewel, and New Yorker winners either affirm their prior victories as being no flukes ….. or they begin a right-or-wrong slide from the Sim’s favor — a kind of community stigmatization if they finish up the track.
In other words, tough love since all sophomore classic winners are inevitably compared to past winners and past greats in the game. You can only go so far when comparing Derby-to-Derby. You have to dig deeper for clues revealed in their entire careers. And since we’re all looking for the next Sim superstar and we all adore our 3YO heroes, the Travelers is an expected “make or break” chapter to traditional sophomore dirt colt stories.
- We can go further and say that the Travelers’ 11 week-gap after the Triple Crown’s conclusion gives plenty of time for the 3YO stars to garner a “needs a race” prep or two. You can allow for example the Derby winner a loss or easy-n-lite win here or there if they took an extended post-New Yorker layoff. All of that is prelude to the big Travelers show anyway. 🙂
And there are plenty of prep races such as the Princess Cup, Swamps, It’s My Birthday, Moutainous & Buckeye Derbies, and of course the Haskell. Almost too many — rarely will the top colts gather head-to-head, with 4, 5, or 6 top contenders-deep in a post-New Yorker prep race. The best and major divisional headliners are just spread thin all over the Sim. The Travelers in theory brings them together.
- Finally all of this presents a golden opportunity for the hard-luck late-blooming colts (who didn’t have enough points to draw into the T.C.). With a win here, they can “catch up” to the earlybird springtime stars in the race for Breeders Bowl Classic points and Sim Eclipse Award Champion 3YO Colt honors. They can break on through to Sim celebrity!
What a fabulous show and marquee event (one of a handful!) for the game. The Travelers is a “Golden Hour” moment where the springtime heroes begin to make or break their careers and the division’s late-bloomers eye a golden “catch up” chance for Sim celebrity. Together they seize this opportune moment for one heckuva summertime send-off, trumpeting the entire Sim’s way towards Breeders Bowl madness and Sim Eclipse Award honors.
This Year’s Field
And this year’s “Golden Hour” renewal sure delivers — we got Bluegrass Derby & New Yorker hero Virtuoso (the 5th colt to win *two* Triple Crown races and the 1st to win both the Derby & New Yorker). Middle Jewel champ New Found Cyclone who upset Virtuoso’s T.C. hopes returns for another head-to-head rematch. Both Globogym and Divine Inspiration upset our awesome duo since the springtime classics. Fan favorite Peacenik and the hard knocking Intergalactic are back for another round. And Bluegrass Derby runner-up Ermington Pegusus fits that “now horse” bill after his sizzling 109 SP# last time out.
Let’s take a look at the field……..
All Hail The Mighty Rematch: Virtuoso vs. Cyclone
Our two 2006 Triple Crown heroes Virtuoso and New Found Cyclone return to the scene of their last meeting here in the Big Apple: on a sun-splashed early June day, Bluegrass Derby champ Virtuoso positively ran away with the New Yorker and its 12 “test of champions” furlongs. Middle Jewel hero New Found Cyclone finished well beaten up the track.
They’ve since gone different paths, but all the while in preparation for a splendidly dramatic Big Apple return. #1-ranked Virtuoso took a six-week breather before heading back to the starting gate in the Clerk Of Scale(G2). Super7’s Cryptoclearance son walked out of the grid, but picked up his stride late in the 9.5f contest. He closed with a fine stretch drive to finish 2nd by a length to Globogym. Can’t fault this colt’s T.C. return — it was a solid prep race where he made up tons of ground. Sure you’d like to win, but Virtuoso looks in tune for his very best stuff. Five weeks rest here with top New York jockey Nancy Lawton aboard. The bookies must be smoking something to leave this guy at a ridiculous 11/1. Yow, what a fabulous price!
A lot of questions on the other hand for New Found Cyclone (7/1). Trainer Ydrbargain confidentally raced the Newfoundland colt just two weeks back after the New Yorker drubbing (he just didn’t want any part of the 12f). And Cyclone sure reeled ’em in the Princess Cup(G1), posting a gorgeous 106 SP# victory for the 10f, 2/5 faster than Virtuoso’s Bluegrass Derby. If the 2 week rockback wasn’t vigorous enough, Cyclone then raced 4 weeks later in the Swamps(G1) (distant 4th to Divine Inspiration) and 3 weeks later in the Haskell(G1).
I’ve got mixed feelings on this. On one hand, I don’t like to penalize horses for racing — they’re showing their stuff as opposed to a horse that sits on the sidelines for a spell. On the other hand, you gotta space out your star’s races, giving them ample rest with wear & tear in mind as well as the big races down the road. And IMO, the Sim seems to be training their graded stakes stars in the latter direction.
But I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that I don’t agree with Ydrracing here. He raced Cyclone 3 weeks-tough on the T.C. trail and that’s fine….. but I feel this is one too many times to the well after that 2-week Princess Cup score. The Haskell was the slowest 10f grade so far in the 3YO division. While he did pick up a placing and finished closer to the winner, his performance just rubs me the wrong way. To me, that looks like a tired horse and he should’ve skipped Saturday. Hopefully Cyclone wil prove me wrong. 🙂
Virtuoso is spot on and should run his race. Whether or not he’s ready to run down a hot Ermington Pegusus or an interesting Divine Inspiration, I don’t know at this point. If I were the supers, I’d be happy with a placing and go forward from there.
Fly, Pegusus, Fly
Pigeon3 had to be totaly esctatic after Ermington Pegusus’ 109 SP# thrashing in the It’s My Birthday(G1). Definitive 9f tour-de-force top-to-bottom — this Sky Mesa colt held everyone well safe at the end by 2 1/2 lengths. Delicious and a great vindication for the Equinics(G1) hero. He was pretty darn good in the T.C., finishing a heartbreaking 2nd in the Derby and and strong 3rd in the Middle Jewel. Pegusus sat out the New Yorker in favor of a six-week breather. He finished out of the moeny but competitively in the Flat Lad Derby(G2) prior to his Birthday evolution.
Excellent on board for the prohibitive racetime favorite (6/1). He finally came in the clear last time out. Possible he might bounce after such a large number though. Should be able to sit back behind Divine Inspiration’s expected pace. Not a lot of speed here, so this race could come down to Pegusus and Inspiration (if he can get the distance) at the wire. He’s the “now” horse and one to beat.
A Surprising Inspiration
Can’t fault win stable for thinking Divine Inspiration (8/1) would be nothing but a sprinter. With a Pulpit x Phone Trick x Storm Cat pedigree, my goodness, what else would he be? Ha! After 10 average but good sprint starts (he was a stakes winner), win put Inspiration in the Trial By Night(G2) for his 1st test at a mile. Wow! 107 SP# score, battling it out grittily on the lead. And this colt postively laughed off the field that included New Found Cyclone in the 9f Swamps(G1) — talk about major daylight as he went wire-to-wire with a 105 SP#. His Swamps final time was 3/5 slower than Ermington Pegusus’ Its My Birthday…. but that’s all Inspiration needed.
How good is this colt? Major props to him after winning his last race, but he’s still a wildcard. Will he take to the 10f or will his female family catch up to him? A short router or not, this horse is one to watch. Not a good jockey aboard — and he’ll have some mild pace pressure from a couple longshots. Ermington Pegusus should be close too. We’ll see if he can spoil the show gate-to-post.
How Dare They Diss Pluto
Here’s my longshot pick. Intergalactic (10/1), relatively green (10th start Saturday), but proven at the graded level. Broke his maiden in January and proceeded directly to the stakes level, winning 3 of 4, including the Fedirico(G2) two weeks before the Derby. Of course, the Aptitude son didn’t have the points to draw into the big race. He did however squeak into the Middle Jewel and he ran awesome, finishing 2nd to Cyclone. Ran bridesmaid to Cyclone in the Princess Cup(G1), cresting the 100 SP# mark for the first time in his young career.
This colt has a lot of depth — after running the 9.5f and 10f, he cut back just as well to 9f in Divine Inspiration’s Swamps(G1), picking up a lot of ground from midpack to snare the place spot. Excellent jockey aboard, 5 weeks rest — I like this guy to scoot through and outrun Ermington Pegusus (who might throw a lesser effort after his monstrous run LTO) to the wire. Holding off Virtuoso’s late kick. Ranked 6th in the division already and he hasn’t even won a Grade 1! I think Saturday’s Intergalactic coming-out party and we’ll all be shoutin’, “Pluto is a PLANET, darnnit!” 🙂 🙂 🙂
Climbing Gym
VSmdinc2’s Pleasantly Perfect late-bloomer Globogym (12/1) made a splash earlier in the season, finishing 3rd to Peacenik in the Wooden Indian(G2). The tuff guy bagged the Chicago Derby(G2) two starts later over 9f. He’s a big off-pace closer with a running style similar to Virtuoso and he plain outran the Derby hero LTO in the Clerk Of Scales(G2). His huge stretch kick left no excuse for his better-known rival — Globogym deserves a second look after upsetting Virtuoso.
He didn’t fare best over the New Yorker 12f but the 9.5f effort LTO sure stamps him as a possibility for the mighty 10f. Yet to break the 100 SP# barrier, but he blongs with this group. I like this guy a lot too — lightly raced with ample rest. A lot of upside. Serious possibilities not only for the prize but also a major share of the purse. Deep field here so he’ll need his very best so far. Dark horse.
Peace Fans Rule
Lots of fans out there who follow oaklawn66’s Peace Rules son Peacenik (9/1). The Wooden Indian(G2) winner was one of the faves for the Derby and he didn’t run that bad, finishing 5th by about 5 lengths. He also closed decently for 4th in the Middle Jewel. Afterwards though, oaklawn struggled with a puzzling turf experiment (I don’t see any turf in his pedigree — he’s already proven graded capable over dirt). Also two-week wheelback to a listed dirt stakes. The Smackdown 3rd place effort over 10f shows that he’s still capable of top speeds.
Mysterious Haskell(G1) drubbing kind of throws Peacenik up in the air. He’s a good horse, but it’s just quite possible that he’s a miler to 9f type horse. Will win more races and it’s always a possibility that he’ll turn his season around here with an unexpected wakeup call. Mixed feeling with him here in this spot. I just like to see horses on upswings. I’d say that odds are against him and hopefully regroup after this race, finding his niche. We’ll see him again down the road.
Big Mac Attack
Test Big Mac(AUS) (11/1) earned a ticket to the Travelers show after his win LTO in the Colorado Sophomore Classic(G3). Good 1-2 SP# time over the 9f. Vejasjef’s Testa Rossa(AUS) son kind of upsy-daisy throughout this season. He’s been graded place over 8.5f and even tried sprinting…. and he’s also thrown some clunker races too.
Jef’s a tough trainer at the NWRC — I agree with spotting Big Mac here — gotta try him at 10f and only one chance at the Travelers. A lot to prove though — this will be the colt’s toughest field ever and he’s got to pass the distance test. Decent jockey aboard helps. Wouldn’t be surprised if he grabs a minor share. Even though he won the Grade 3 LTO, he’s still going to the wolves here. Outside chance from near pace.
World Of Hirt
Zoomr’s Dixieland Band son Al Hirt (9/1) won the Captain Hook(G2) back in June from midpack with a 103 SP#. Lots of stamina in this colt’s female family (Kris S. x Boldnesian). However, he kind of bid-n-hung over the Princess Cup’s 10f, finishing a distant 4th. Proved he was one to watch with a very swift 3rd (103 SP#) in Ermington Pegusus’ It’s My Birthday.
Talented colt blossoming into his finest form. Hmmm… very interesting. Maybe his Princess Cup was just a bounce-type race. Deserves this shot at 10f again. I like to see proven back-class over the distance and this guy certainly has the proven back-class. Dark horse with prospects for an upset. I like Intergalactic better though. Has a shot.
Put It In The End Zone
Touchdown McNabb(IRE) (9/1) goes for the goal posts for jackbauer stable. However, the Black Tie Affair(IRE) colt is 0-for-2 past 9f. He is the “senior” in the field, making his 22nd career start, by far the most in the field. Won a pair of 8.5f stakes this summer in fine time. Good earner and will win some more races, but has a lot to prove against these. Possible for minor share of the purse from behind the pace, but I’d say he’s in for a rough day. IMO, he should be at higher odds.
Rue The Woo (Or Dyna Won’tcha Blow Your Horn)
Oneworld’s Woodyna (12/1) stil eligible for a NW3L, but hey, the Haskell winner a few weeks ago was the same! Woodyna has been running in grades for 10 starts now though. Just missed the photo in the Hoover Handicap(G2) versus sophomores over 8.5f. Big 105 SP# there. Finished 6th to Al Hirt in the Captain Hook(G2) back in June. Fresh on 7 weeks rest. Woodman son didn’t want any part of 9.5f earlier in the season. IMO, he has distance limitations so is extreme outsider here.
Fate For Nate
Fourth LTO to Half A World Away in the Mountainous Derby(G2), Tricky Nate (13/1) made up a ton of ground. He had previously bagged a very swift ALW, a strong forward effort after beating half the field in the New Yorker. Kneeboot’s Tiznow son displays some staying power in his PPs, hitting the board over 9.5f and 11f stakes company. This little guy’s another dark horse — we’ll see if 10f is just the perfect distance for him. Worthy outsider with half a shot…. but odds probably more against him than for him.
Rope-A-Dope Hope
Lbgong’s Stong Hope son Gran Hope (13/1) might mix it up on the pace. He’s never been past 8.5f though. Finished 3rd to Divine Inspiration in the Trial By Night(G2) over the mile. Stamina with El Gran Senor as damsire. This would be a total shock though if this guy somehow shakes off Divine Inspiration on the lead with plenty left to scoot home over 10f. Tossing up a prayer. Not much of a chance.
Big Bad John (Or Hold Onto Your Butts)
Quiggy2’s John Butler (19/1) goes off as the longest shot on the board. The son of Hanging Road won a pair of short field 11f dirt stakes over the summer. Didn’t do much on the Triple Crown trail and finished 2nd-to-last in the Haskell(G1) three weeks ago. He’s an honest colt. This is the type of longshot that ruins your trifecta! Ha! But there are quite a few proven 10f horses here, so I’d be surprised if he hung on to a prize spot from midpack. Lousy jockey has his work cut out for him. Has to scale the class level barrier.
Snowchief’s Picks:
I like Intergalactic here to win over Ermington Pegusus and the two closers Virtuoso and Globogym. Al Hirt and Tricky Nate caught my eye as possible spoilers. Divine Inspiration and Woodyna probably have distance limitations (though if Divine Inspiration wins, wow!).
Just don’t like New Found Cyclone and Peacenik’s recent form. Test Big Mac(AUS) faces toughest challenge yet and may be in over his head. Ditto for Touchdown McNabb. Gran Hope really doesn’t belong. John Butler might surprise for some money … or he’ll throw another outclassed clinker.
Win: Intergalactic
Place: Virtuoso
Show: Ermington Pegusus or Globogym
Good luck to all and welcome BTB Team for the run to Breeders Bowl 2006!!!