The Happy Labor Day G1

          Hello race fans and welcome to another exciting edition of  Hoof Beats , a comprehensive coverage of select races across the globe .  This week our roving reporter turns a sharp eye to the rolling countryside of Vermont and it’s famed 2 yo races .  This time of year is when the juvenile division really heats up and the : Happy Labor Day G1 has a full and talented field vying for $500,000 over 1 mile of fast dirt .

 

 

          On the rail representing Graywolf stable is Why Mary  11 / 1 ( Medalist x Built for Pleasure x Olympio )  . This brown colt comes into this race with 7 career starts $ 179,000 in earnings , his last 3 starts among graded company including a 2nd place finish in the Hoserhead Juvenile – G1 .  This is his first 2 turn trip today and jockey  K. Holmes ( 10.8 % ) will be in the irons guiding his leggy mount with the heart attack closing run . 

 

          In post 2 at 12 / 1 is Cool Bluff  ( Pine Bluff x Storm Cat x Valid Appeal ) out of the Toplight stable .  This fiery brown colt has had success over both surfaces this year and is making a switch to dirt from his last start in New York’s KY Horsemen Juvenile – G1 on 1 mile of grass . With 5 starts this season he has amassed $ 75,000 in earnings , 2 graded appearances in his last 3 starts . Jockey S. Kratch ( 10.5 % ) is aboard today and is quite confident the mile distance is no problem for his young mount .

 

          In post 3 with D. McNeil aboard is Insky Winsky Spida  10 / 1 ( Stravinsky x Red Ransom x Danehill ) from the Corzican stable .  In 3 starts this season this brown fury has won twice earning $ 23,000 including his last run over 1 mile in the mud going wire to wire impressively .  A big step up today and a big effort could catapult him into the limelight .

 

          At  9 / 1 breaking from the 4 hole is Forty Deuce ( Point Given x Forty Niner x Blushing Groom (FR)  ) . A big chestnut colt from the Lenny1 stable that makes his first graded appearance with the reliable S. Gravina ( 13.1 % ) aboard .  He’s won his last 2 races in sunny California and makes the trek out to the east coast to shake things up .  He’s been training strong this past week and Lenny1 is looking for a big effort .

 

          In post 5 is the morning line co-favorite Rattle my Chain (AUS)  5 / 1 ( Encosta de Lago x Danzig x Forty Niner ) representing Dereen5073 he’s earned $ 374,000 in 5 starts winning 4 including the Hoserhead Juvenile -G1 over 7 furlongs where he hit the 90 SP mark .  He’s making his first run at a mile today with the ever ready W. McClendon ( 25% ) in the irons and is looking to add another G1 win to his impressive record .

 

          In post 6 is Buda Rules from the Joanneb stable . At 13 / 1 this masculine brown colt ( Peace Rules x Seattle Slew x Nijinsky II ) makes his graded debut in scenic Vermont and is looking to add big money to his $ 24,000 in earnings .   G . Baum ( 5.0% ) gets the nod today and is confident this colt will pass the test .  He’s no stranger to a mile coming in 2nd last time out and trainer Joanneb has no doubt that he will make a big effort today .

 

          In post 7 representing Barn25dog is the second morning line favorite  A.P. Storm 5 / 1 ( A.P. Indy x Storm Cat x Pine Bluff ) A winner of $ 29,000 in 3 starts  , this handsome chestnut colt made a very late run last time out in the Hoserhead Juvenile – G1 finishing out of the money . The extra furlong should make a big difference today and might be the missing element to date . N. Stelle ( 9.0% ) in the irons today .

 

          At 17 / 1 with G . Blackmore( 7.9% ) aboard is Extrasensory ( Cloud Hopping x Spinning World x Bicker ) wearing number 8 .  This brown colt represents Rx7 stable ; winner of  $57,000 in 4 starts he’s making his debut in graded company . Two turns today , big jump in company , this fella needs a career run to make a statement .

 

          In post 9 is Defrocked  17 / 1 ( Saint Liam x Fappiano x Private Account ) In just 3 starts this dark grey has earned $ 22,000 with 1 win , 2 shows . Trainer Super30  ships his young charge back east in hopes he will resume his winning ways .   G . Bungard ( 8.4% ) gets his chance to make a difference aboard this handsome son of Saint Liam in what is his biggest start to date .  Many questions will be answered today , i think he will like the 2 turns .

 

          In post 10 representing Metfield stable is Miss me Yet  11 / 1 ( Golden Missile x Capote x Cure the Blues ) Earner of $ 91,000 in 3 starts this brown colt is certainly no stranger to graded company . His last start in the Hoserhead Juvenile  – G1 over 7 furlongs in BC raised a few eyebrows , but trainer Metfield feels his colt will like the 8 furlongs better and get some payback this week .

 

          At 20 / 1 wearing number 11 is Years go By (IRE)  ( Oratorio x Seeking the Gold x Northern Dancer ) from the lasthope1 stable , C . Wolff ( 13.3% ) aboard today . With 5 turf races under his belt this fiery chestnut colt has amassed $ 157,000 this season with 3 wins .  Making the switch to dirt makes sense and trainer lasthope1 is hoping for a titanic effort by this flashy juvenile shipping in from France .

 

          In post 12 at 9 / 1 is Ape the Great ( Event of the Tear x Northern Baby x Allen’s Alydar ) with B. Langhorne ( 10.7% ) in the irons , trainer Ape feels that his $ 71,000 earner is right in his element running 8 furlongs . Last start he gave away too much ground in the Ky Horsemen Juvenile -G1 in Kentucky just weeks ago . I would love to see this horse get back to his stalking style and put up some big numbers this week .

 

          In post 13 is  Mohave County  8 / 1 ( Saint Liam x Seeking the Gold x Secretariat )from the Roys stable . In 4 starts this Dark Grey colt has wracked up $ 67,00 in earnings including his 4th place finish in Smackdown II -Stk over this very same track . Trainer Roys gives D. Fendlay ( 7.7% ) the nod today in what will be his youngsters longest race . He’s been training well , loves the track and locals are all abuzz about his next start .

 

          Far outside at 10 / 1 wearing number 14 is Desert Sniper ( Action this Day x Old Trieste x Drone ) L. Secret ( 11.6% ) in the irons . Earning trainer Greenappl6 $ 350,000 to date in 5 runs : 3-1-0 including his come from behind win last time out over this same track in Smackdown II  – Stk .  This brown colt is a scrapper and is making headway into the unknown … 2 turns on dirt .

 

 

          I think we will see Insky Winsky Spider make a punishing pace early on , if they let him go he could conceivably wire this race . Look for Forty Duece to challenge early call 3 and Rattle my Chain (AUS) with Mojave County and Desert Sniper making their nail biting .. heart attack late runs to the wire .

 

 

 

                                                                      Kingman