Clash of Titans in Dubai
Hello race fans and welcome to another exciting addition of Hoof Beats , a comprehensive look at thoroughbred racing around the globe . This week we packed the suitcase and jetted to sunny Dubai , a shining modern city amid rolling sand dunes . The latter part of the racing season has it’s own flavor in the juvenile division , owners are all vying for the elusive spot in the 2yo BB race … stake points are on the line and time is running out . These last few week are vital … a make it or break it situation for some and others are just wanting to beef up stake points to insure their berth in THE race of the year . This weeks race in Dubai is the Camel Juvenile -G2 for all horses 2 yo . the purse is $ 200,000 and the course is one mile of fast dirt . Among the field are battle tested warriors , newcomers to the distance and wanna-be giant killers making their stakes debuts . Anything can happen so lets take a look at the field .
On the rail from the Tbgifted stable is the imposing grey colt Achaemenes ( Birdstone x Cozzene x Relaunch ) No punches pulled , this fiery colt made his debut in stakes company last month at The Their Master Bonanza -Stk in Indiana over 8.5 f of fast dirt . Posting a promising 83 SP and coming up a bit short at the wire he heads into this race looking for the first win . D. Lakencher gets the assignment today , the extra credit being a big win . At 11 / 1 this guy is a tastee choice and just might bring ya a big payday.
Post 2 is occupied by Spud Picker (AUS) 12 / 1 ( Flying Spur (AUS) x Afleet x Leo Castelli ) from the Bargiana stable with Z . Edwards in the saddle . This 3 yo chestnut is certainly no stranger to upper level competition having 3 starts on the year , last 2 among stakes or better company . Today he stretches out the legs and makes a run at a mile and if he’s anything like his sire … he will make that big late run for the wire . If your betting this guy have your pace maker recharged and get your mouthpiece polished up because those heart attack late runs could have you doing backflips and grinding your teeth flat if you don’t .
In post 3 is the big chestnut Indy’s Tempter 13 / 1 ( Devil his Due x A.P. Indy x Fappiano ) from the Tombstone stable . With 3 starts this year he has won 2 and finished 3rd last time out in The Annual Pot Special -Stk over 5.5 furlongs . Questions abound with this burly young fella but trainer Tombstone assures me that the mile suits him just fine and your a daisy if you can catch him at the wire . G . Ayso gets the nod
In post 4 at 13 / 1 with N. Huhn in the irons is Wild Streets ( Avenue of Flags x Unbridled’s Song x Machiavellian ) from the Metfield stable . This classy looking grey colt has been well tasted this season and loves the mile distance as evidenced by his last win in The Steve Bartman Special -Stk where he rumbled down the backstretch like a shot cannonball and mowed down the competition . 86 SP … certainly not to be overlooked and the odds don’t do him justice … im putting $100 across the board on him myself .
In post 5 wearing the colors of the Broohar3 stable is Born to be A Starr (NZ) 19 / 1 ( Starcraft (NZ) x Silver Deputy x Green Desert ) with G . Harmon aboard this trip . This grey filly adds a bit of flavor to an already tasty race , 5 starts this season winning her first 2 and her last being among stakes company in Mexico’s Her Ruckus Bonanza -Stk over the same distance as today . She runs against the colts for the second time in her career today in Dubai looking to break into a stakes win in tuff company .
In post 6 with H . Harzheim aboard is the regally bred C.V. Cat 9 / 2 ( Storm Cat x Seattle Slew x Nijinsky II ) from the Reclaimed controlled racing stable . Coming into this race he is a six figure earner winning 3 of his 5 starts and always on the board to date . His last 2 races were 3rd place finishes including his last effort over 7.5 furlongs in The Summer Count Memorial -Stk putting up an 85 SP effort . One mile could be just what the doctor ordered for a turn around .
In post 7 is Rock Hard Cat 19 / 1 ( Rock Hard Ten x Charismatic x Storm Cat ) from the Louisville stable . With the mighty SL Ledwith in the irons this chestnut colt could be overlooked at these odds . Three starts this season , winning his last 2 Handily including his last start over 8.5 furlongs in The Their Master Bonanza -Stk posting an 84 SP . Not many questions to be answered with this handsome chestnut colt . He can win in stakes company with respectable speed , he can run the distance and he is on fire … but can he win against this field .
At 10 / 1 is the cleverly named GetOnWithYourLife ( Came Home x Danzig x Storm Cat ) in post 8 from the Deputysam stable , T. Miller gets the assignment today . With 6 starts this year , this leggy brown colt has won and placed in his last 2 starts ; both over a one mile course and making his return to stakes company off his recent success . This guy likes the lead and if they let him go early he could come storming home unopposed .
In post 9 at 43 / 1 is the long shot charge of Waffleboy stables Phone the Deputy ( French Deputy x Crusader Sword x Affirmed ) with H. Eisen in charge . with 1 win in 4 this brawny chestnut colt makes his stakes debut off a second place finish last time out over 9 furlongs . He really needs to step it up today in this crowd and he may be up to the challenge … only the wire will tell the story .
In post 10 is Jungleboy stables Compelling Storm 9 / 1 ( Storm Cat x Fusaichi Pegasus x Seattle Slew ) with P. Chute aboard . Another 6 figure earner in the field today and classily bred to boot , this handsome brown colt has been in a bit of a funk lately but still winning 2 of his last 4 including The Simple Claimer Handicap -Stk over this same track in week 2867. He ran a mile last start but really needs a career effort today to make his presence felt in a star filled 2 yo dirt division .
At 9 / 1 is Otto Allegheny ( Smart Strike x Damascus x Round Table ) in post 11 from the Mardigras stable , M. Links in the irons . Just 2 starts for this muscular brown colt this season including an impressive late run last time out in New York over a sloppy 8 furlongs for a 2nd place finish and an impressive 83 SP . Today’s fast track could be the trick in bringing this colt to his potential among stakes company .
In post 12 at 4 / 1 and representing the Roscoe2 stable is the favorite Rharfo’s Mission ( Stephen Got Even x Broad Brush x Storm Cat ) T. Jay aboard . Four starts this season splitting winning and placing for varieties sake , he had an impressive late run last time out over 8 furlongs in The Steve Bartman Special -Stk for a 2nd place finish and an 86 SP . Speed is no problem , distance no problem .. can jockey T. Jay make an earlier move to bring him to the winners circle ? Trainer Roscoe2 is banking on it .
In post 13 is Chicago Cielo 23 / 1 ( Smart Strike x Waquoit x Conquistador Cielo ) representing the stables of Chibound2 , Q . Cassell gets the nod . Only 1 start and win for this leggy grey colt in The Kingdom Blushing Bonanza -Stk where he challenged at the top of the stretch and prevented a wire to wire victory . This second start has more talent and should be a good test .
In post 14 way outside is Florida Zapper at 7 / 1 ( Ghostzapper x A.P. Indy x Kingmambo ) from trainer 2Die4 . In 3 starts he’s won twice and placed once , last time out over 8 furlongs and posting a solid 82 SP in Allowance company . He makes a big step up today to prove he indeed belongs among his upper classed peers and challenge for the $ 200,000 prize at the end .
This time of year is so exciting , the juveniles are improving every week and it’;s always fun to see who will come out on top . Good luck to all the trainers involved .
Kingman