The DUKE TRICK Bonanza Stakes

Well the 100k dangled out there by the racing secretary in Eastern Kentucky this weekend has woken up plenty of sleeping dogs.. And a few pretty good sprinters too. A full field of 14 passed the entry box and another 6 were sent elsewhere after they were excluded by the luck of the draw. The Eastern Kentucky track is usually a bit of a dust bowl this time of year but it looks like they hosed the place down pretty good, handed out a few new jackets to the gate crew and pony girls and the place looks almost brand new.

…Well not really but we can all close our eyes and remember when the grandstands still had that new car shine to it. They shined up the trophy at least… plus a few of those pony girls still clean up pretty good…

..what was I writing about again?! Oh yea.. The Duke Trick Bonanza Stakes.. Well it’s been awhile since I tried my hand at this race writing thing and when I’m done you’ll know why I stopped too.. But here goes…

1. Drawing the wood… no offence intended.. Is the flame trained 4 year old Seeking The Gold colt, CYRRIUS KING. Ranked 55^th in the sprint division , Speed, speed, speed.. Faster than my first girlfriend Mary Catherine in 6^th grade at St.Mary’s and that’s not easy to do. Draw a line though his last race as it was following a long freshening, Second time off the layoff makes him dangerous this week for sure, even with another speed horse right next to him in the gate. Look for some extra gas in the tank this week.

2. Drawing the two post was another speed demon, THIRSTY AFFAIR, kody’s the 3 year old Irish bred colt by Black Tie Affair is ranked a respectable 116^th in the sprint division which is better than decent for a three year old. Will be there to force the issue and should have more to offer in his second straight try against older runners. A tough task for sure but this is the time of year three year olds can grow out of their skins.

3. In post three is the stretch running 6 year old PUDDLE GULCH, the Conquistador Cielo colt is trained by one of my favorite movies..Letitride. Stomped home second last time out in the Grade2 Pinto handicap like he was being chased by the police, leaving some pretty fair runners in his wake. Three speed horses in field has this ones trainer putting a few extra bottles of champagne in the freezer just in case.

4. Leaving from stall four is the longshot three year old Empire Maker colt HUSKER DU.. I’ve always been curious , did owner trainer mike husker forget a few letter at the end of this colts name when he bred it, because the name has always looked unfinished..like it should have been Husker Duck..or Dunk or Husker Duet or something. Well the odds maker seems to think he’s up against it this week and who am I to argue.

5. The five post has the rare Brazilian bred JIMMY JAMES a 4 year old colt by Siphon trained by blitzers. He’s a stakes winner on turf and dirt and the added ½ a furlong makes it look like the race was written for him in mind as he goes for his second stakes win in a row. Off his last he looks like he could be ready for breakout race.

6. Number six is supreme stables KAMPFEN II K’S the regally bred 5 year old son of Storm Cat is fresh off being smacked down pretty good in the Smackdown II. But don’t feel too bad for him he’s a 2 time grade3 winner this season and has run some eye-popping speed numbers at 7 furlongs in the past. If his memory is good he’s gonna be tough to beat this weekend.

7. Lucky seven and he’s gonna need it, the great ruffino trained 5 year old iron horse DIABOLICAL PRINCE. The son of Machiavellian has a lifetime record of 8 wins from 25 starts. Knocked up late in the Grade1 Gary Carter two starts back but rebounded nicely LTO after a few months on the shelf. He’ a Grade2 winner at the distance and should be right there at the finish.

8. BFIFTYTWO is tirekicker’s six time stakes winning 4 year old son of Cryptoclearance is a two time graded winner this season and has 5 wins sprinting and 5 going a route of ground too. Alittle closer to the pace last time than he likes it so with the added pace in here this week look for a stronger finish this time. Wins the prize for this weeks best stable name.

9. Is slewbetcha’s lightly raced 4 year old son of the Hennessy-Ms.Prospector mating, HENNESSY TITANS. He’s a stakes winner of a 6 of his 12 lifetime starts and is the top selection on the Yoss tip sheet for the race but that’s not his problem. His problem is.. I’m the trainer..and the jockey this week, so baring some sort of real crazy twist of fate, just draw a line through his name like he was never here. And sorry for the BTB headline grabbing.. It was the only time I was ever gonna see a horse I trained have his name in the head lines and I just had to go for it.

10. Breaking from stall 10 is lenny2’s Seeking The Gold homebred 4 year old colt HALO DOWN. He comes into the race off of two sub-par efforts but strung together 3 straight wins at today’s distance earlier this summer including a stakes win in the Mr. Coral Special were he posted a lifetime best 108SP. His pace stalking style could suit him well this weekend.

11. Timjbehr stables SILVER CERTIFICATE the 6 year old son sired by the great Forty Niner might be the fastest colt in the race at the distance on his best. He posted a lifetime best 1:20-4/5 for a 117SP last summer in New Jersey and has fought thru the wear n tear to still winning stakes with regularity this season. If he shows up Saturday with his A game, which his last start seems to indicate, then he will be flying home late.

12. I’m not sure if this is some sort of computer glitch or program malfunction or Mike throwing Johnno a bone or what but number 12 is an Aussie Bred and it can run alittle. Or just maybe prayer does work. Anyway, someway, somehow Flying Spur’s 4 year old son BE THE ONE is a stakes winner and he’s on a three race winning streak, I guess it’s too early to say was on a winning streak. Reborn again on the dirt, but I have to say good luck in here buddy, cuz your gonna need it.

13. Is artic boy’s SEATTLE UNION, an improving 3 year old colt by Dixie Union who chased the insanely fast Roll Tide Roll home to no avail last time out in 1:15 flat for the 6.5 furlongs. I’m a strong believer that your last race is the biggest factor in how you kick home next time out, that being said this one has a chance to run a big number here this weekend.

14. Last but not least is the highest ranking sprint division horse in the field (21^st) masterab’s RETURN OF THE CAT. A 4 year old son of Seeking The Gold is 2 time graded stakes winner at this distance beating some of last years top derby hopefuls in the Swale Stakes G3 but that win took its toll but he has rebounded well this year winning four of his seven starts including the G2 Si’ Amigo Sprint Stakes. Finished second to Sissonhill last time out, who had to run the race of his life to win it. Likes to turn back to 7 furlongs and could improve again.

Ok I’m betting my horse Hennessy Titans, but if I was using real sim-money I’d have to lean towards PUDDLE GULCH at 7-1 who was second in the G2 Pinto LTO and DIABOLICAL PRINCE is real good at 7/8s when rested at 6-1 and SEATTLE UNION at 29-1 who chased a jet plane LTO all on top of and under RETURN OF THE CAT and throw in my colt too.

So sneak in the kids room grab the piggy bank take it out to the garage and hit it with your best hammer and bet a $10 Exacta 3,7,9,13 with 14 and 14 with 3,7,9,13 and bet the rest on the 3 to win.

Good luck to everyone.. Irish