Cream Of The Crop: New Found Cyclone tops Ermington Pegusus, Virtuoso in Travelers(G1)

New York–  The cream indisputedly rose to the top in last week’s Grade 1 $1,000,000 Travelers Stakes.  The pre-race hoopla argued on behalf of a deep and quality-filled group of sophomore colts — one that mixed both old and new faces — gathering together for the 8th running of the Sim’s Midsummer Derby. 

 

But, as always, the horses did the truest talking — with only two lengths seperating them at the wire, the *three* best Triple Crown horses New Found Cyclone, Ermington Pegusus and Virtuoso simply swept the board in definitive style.  The trio passed the Travelers’ “Golden Hour” test — in the make or break world of Sim History, this year’s springtime 3YOs are makin’ the grade, transforming into summertime stars…………

 

 

Climb Aboard The Cyclone Train 

 

Winner New Found Cyclone sure made this reporter a believer.  The Middle Jewel(G1) hero followed up his Triple Crown campaign with a masterful Princess Cup(G1) victory, but then cast some doubt with two straight losses.

 

In hindsight though, perhaps I overplayed them — New Found Cyclone ran a credible albeit even-steven 4th to Divine Inspiration in the Swamps(G1).  He then followed it up with a hard 3rd in the Haskell(G1), a weaker field which I thought he should have won on class.  ‘Cyclone did not crack the 100 SP# barrier in both efforts, and thus, on paper, he looked like a tired horse in need of a 6-week or more breather. 

 

But trainer Ydrracing knows his stuff.  New Found Cyclone settled into perfect position a few lengths behind pacesetter Divine Inspiration.   Lbgong’s longshot Gran Hope and Vegasjef’s recent graded winner Test Big Mac(AUS) applied decent pressure to win’s Divine Inspiration who shook away from those longshot challengers by the half-mile marker.  

 

‘Cyclone trailed this three-way duel until about the 7/8ths-pole.  Full of run, the chestnut son of Storm Cat stallion Newfoundland swung up to Divine Inspiration at the top of the stretch, dispatching the tiring pacesetter in hand.  ‘Cyclone proceeded to lag a bit, ears pricked, looking for more foes.  Jockey Benito Child didn’t let the colt lollygag for long, shaking the whip at him in preparation for the late-closers. 

 

And the closers came too — Bluegrass Derby runner-up Ermington Pegusus disapproved any “bounce” fears after his dangerously swift It’s My Birthday(G1) score.   The Sky Mesa colt absolutely flew down the lane like a terror, with the dark grey hide of Derby champion Virtuoso not far behind in tow.

 

The pair made a show of it, but New Found Cyclone had the position and plenty of fight left.   ‘Cyclone and jockey Child crossed the line in 2:01 flat for the 1 1/4 miles.  The photo showed pigeon3’s Ermington Pegusus short by 3/4 length with super7’s Virtuoso a length or so trailing.  

 

Both New Found Cyclone and ‘Pegusus scored a 108 SP# over Virtuoso with a 106.  The final time tied Macho Niner’s 2005 mark for the 3rd fastest Travelers ever and was just 2/5 of a second slower than I Seek U and Granhee’s tie for the stakes record (2:00 2/5).

 

No doubt about it — this was an awesome comeback by a top-flight colt.  And a great training job by Ydrracing (ydrbargains).  He got his ‘Cyclone in picture-perfect form for the big day.    

 

The win put New Found Cyclone all alone on top of the 3YO Dirt Classic colt rankings.  It’s still a close race though for 3YO honors with Virtuoso only 30-some points back and Ermington Pegusus behind by 70. 

 

‘Cyclone pushed his earnings up over the $2-million mark, recording his 8th career victory from 17 outings.