Casterly Rock(IRE), Sulphur(IRE), more in loaded Tri City Sprint(G1)
NoCal– An explosive field as always in the main track sprinter division’s traditional BB prep: the Grade 1 $500,000 Tri-City Sprint. Led by #1-ranked 2005 Breeders Bowl Sprint champ Casterly Rock(IRE), a full field of 14 ambitious speedsters aim for Breeders Bowl points, prize money, and coveted glory.
Six-and-a-half-furlongs is the test. The track’s fast and we’re in for a wild showdown — let’s take a look at the field in post postion order………..
1 BITING INSECTS mcjonny4 M Peters 8/1
5YO FuPeg son has only made 4 starts in 2006! Rolled in the Pinto(G2) LTO with a hot 108 SP# after a 6 week layoff. But that was 9 weeks ago. Earlier this season (late winter/springtime), totally picked up his game with a stakes win and an Astroturf(G2) thrashing. Sandwiched in a poor debacle when testing a mile in the Cosmopolitan(G1) back in Week 2867.
Then he got the Pinto score and has been idle for 9 weeks. Youch! I imagine his trainer doesn’t play the game as often as he used to. Or maybe Biting Insects got injured? 🙁 Still ranked #15 in the division. A big closer that can run off layoffs if ready…. but he’s got to be ready and sharp here. Yopugh spot for a return to the races, but this guy’s got reams of class. Pick your poison — I’ll wager he’s not ready for the winner’s circle.
2 SULPHUR(IRE) mainline N Mayberry 7/1
Giant’s Causeway(IRE) 4YO has won 3 of last 4 including a Grade 3. Rounding into his prime with a sizzling 111 SP# over this distance two back. Didn’t fare especially well versus upper graded competition earlier this season, but toss that out. This guy’s red hot and worthy of co-favorite status.
Makes a late bid from fare off the pace. Hmmm… wow. Gosh, this one’s dangerous-looking and well-spotted. Gotta see if he can earn the points for the BB. Ranked #19 in the division, so a win or placing here puts him nicely in the starting grid picture. On a mission, positively. Fair jockey aboard though. Has to prove he can run those numbers at this level. One to watch.
3 DIXIE GLOW kaif099 T May 9/1
Graded stakes-placed this season. 4YO by Dixie Union tossing up some gorgeous numbers over 7 panels. And h’s stayed pretty much at that distance. Spun his wheels versus Grade 2 company LTO over 7.5f. Closer has something to prove. He’s won a lot though for Greg with 7 wins from 26 outings.
Trying to break on through, that’s the bottom line for this colt. So-so jockey on the draw. Love his numbers though and worth a shot at the big show here. Ranked 65th in the division so needs this win badly if he hopes to garner a BB ticket. Should close from off pace — but not too far back. Has to bring his absolute best. Interesting.
4 SATRIANI nathndtroi W Chandler 17/1
A sophomore by Sadler’s Wells. Finished 2nd in the Booker T(G2) with a fat 109 SP#. A True late-bllomer — he went winless as a freshman beofre finally breaking his maiden earlier this season. No graded stakes experience prior to his Booker T effort. Did bag a pair of listed company stakes versus his age group in fine time over the summer.
Just blossoming. Could vie for the lead or sit back smack-dab behind the leaders. Testament to this field that a 17/1 shot has such superb credentials. Not without a chance even at such long odds. I like this one — keep an eye on him!!!
5 PEQUIN CAT quietly B Dickerson 12/1
Tabasco Cat 4YO won LTO over 7 panels versus listed company. Won the Billy And Jimmy(G1) earlier this season with a 111 SP#…. but didn’t do anything over the summer, finishing up the track for quite a spell. In all fairness, he was grossly mismatched in the Cosmopolitan(G1) over a mile (he’s 1-for-15 lifetime around two-turns).
Spaced out well with plenty of rest. He won his last race after a breather. Three weeks rest here with excellent 14% jockey in the irons. Closer needs to show up — has he finally rounded back into form? Dangerous if so. Not without a shot and odds belie him if back to his ol’ nasty self.
6 EURO FLEET zooomr2 T Bay 9/1
5YO horse by Afleet pays his dues at the listed level. Earned his ticket here with a smart 106 SP# listed score LTO. Competed in three graded events this season, earning minor cheques in a pair. Has been idle for 6 weeks and starts here fresh.
31st career start though, but he’s earned over $500k lifetime. Versatile behind pace or closing from far back. Hmmm… hard knockin’ little guy. I don’t think he’s good enough at this point to actually win here, but perhaps might pick up another punch-the-clock cheque. Still, you can’t discount him, especially with this race devoid of big speed. He might switch styles and run the race of his life. Possible. So-so jockey pilots.
7 CASTERLY ROCK(IRE) grrm J White 7/1
Yeah! Back in the winner’s circle for his 2nd 2006 graded victory LTO. Been racing versus the best near all season — a strong Grade 1 triumph to kick off the year subsequently resulted in a 4-race dry spell. Rocky did finish runner-up on Sand Castle Day though. He’s last year’s Breeders Bowl Sprint champion.
#1-ranked in the division, he’s rounding into fine form. But will the 4YO son of Giant’s Causeway(IRE) bounce after a rocketing 112 SP# effort? Possible, but at your own peril. This guy has Breeders Bowl on his mind — cna he successfuly defend his crown? Look for him behind the pacesetters as usual. Top jockey aboard — hopefully he brought his A-game for a thrilling show.
8 MY SHEBA T tsyndicate T McGriggs 12/1
Kinshasa 4YO colt is yet another one coming off a fine listed stakes win. This guy won with a 106 SP# from behind the pace. Won a Grade 3 in similar fashion ages ago. Competed at graded level a couple times over the late spring/early summer, but with mild efforts. Did miss the photo by 1/4-length in the Sooner-Husker(G2) two starts back.
Great form for this horse then as he makes his 33rd career call to the post. $654k in the bank and that merits his class. If he can challenge for the lead late, after the few pacesetters have weakened, then he might sneak in there for some purse money. Wow! What a quality this is! Experienced jockey aboard — has a chance but has to prove that he’s of this caliber.
9 STATUE OF PYE themainman G White 10/1
Statue of Liberty 4YO colt finished 3rd to Casterly Rock in the Middle Of Nowhere(G2). Won the Kentucky BB Sprint(G3) earlier this season over 5.5f. Big 110 SP# in that race. Vigourous schedule for this colt — it’s his 4th start in 6 weeks. Youch! Missed the photo in an ALW LTO as a prep for this race.
He’s recovered well with good numbers of late and keeps classy company. Joins a large group of closers Saturday though. Take your pick who’s gonna fire big. I normally don’t like overraced horses, but this guy seems to be blossoming with more running. Interesting. Outside chance, but he’s certainly possible.
10 ROLL TIDE ROLL lenny16 L McNeil 11/1
This guy’s got the biggest listed win of all LTO with a 112 SP#. 4YO colt by Carson City from Lenny stables…. that dratted Lenny!!! LOL!! 🙂 Floundered a tad earlier in the season’s grades and returned to build confidence in the ALW ranks. 8-for-27 lifetime.
Gotta respect that SP# LTO. Spot-on form bodes well in these kinds of races. Hasn’t won any kind of graded race yet, but could break on through. Not without a shot. Has to prove that he belongs though. Excellent jockey helps.
11 WONDERBOY DJ wonder2 V Naugle 8/1
Carson City son finished 4th in the Middle Of Nowhere(G2). Won a pair of Grade 3s this season and has been viable at the upper graded ranks as well. Ranked #8 in the division. 4YO worthy of mucho respect. 7-for-22 lifetime with over $700k in the bank.
I like his running style here in he can sit around midpack, kind of close to rival Casterly Rock(IRE). Capable of eye-catching SP#s. So-so jockey in the irons. Always a threat, always a competitor. Hasn’t raced a lot this season either so enters BB season fresh. Dangerous if on target. I think he’s gonna run well Saturday for the board if not the win.
12 GEOGRAPHICAL chorwon K Everett 12/1
2-time listed stakes winner this year by Cape Town. 4YO colt closed well in the Jim’s BB Sprint(G3), but tossed in a stinker when testing Grade 1 company two starts later. 8-for-28 lifetime with over $227k in the bank.
Hmmm….. has only missed 100+ SP#s once in his past 8 starts. That’s more than you can say for many of the other contenders. But again joins a huge group of more accomplished closers. This race’s scenario is kind of stacked up against him, void of true speed. Wow, what an awseome field. Green jockey but he can find the winner’s circle at 11%.
13 RAZZMATAZZ T tempstable C Kubiak 17/1
Gulch 4YO colt could be one of our pacesetters. Placed in the NWRC Series LTO. Had prior to that won an ALW. Didn’t do much versus graded and listed company this summer though. Seems like a reach. Nice recent form, but I’d guess that he doesn’t belong against the very best in the division. Outside chance at some minor money.
14 EMPIRE OF THE SUN joanneb C Winter 10/1
Ranked #5 in the division, this 5YO General Meeting son most likely will be our pacesetter. Classy guy with over $1.5-million lifetime. He was one of the big sprint stars last year.
In 2006 though, he’s only won an ALW. Competed honestly in the Equinics and KY Horsemen Spirits Series a couple of times. In all fairness, he did try a mile a couple times and was 2nd in the KY Horsemen Series Mile. That was only his 2nd career try around two turns and surprisingly he hasn’t tried the mile since. Didn’t like sloppy track two starts back. Tough horse who commands respect. Not a lot of speed here, so he could find this group to his liking. Top jockey aboard. 36th career start, but he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down just yet. What a bounce-back this would be if he could pull off a win here. Interesting.
Snowchief’s Picks:
I really can’t handicap this field — it’s so top-to-bottom solid. This divison’s so up and down too with many capable of surprising on any given Saturday.
That said, I’ll go with the fave ….. LOL @ Given!!! 😉
Win: Casterly Rock(IRE)
Place: Wonderboy DJ
Show: Empire Of The Sun or Geographical
Longshot: Statue Of Pye, Sulphur(IRE) or Pequin Cat (I can’t decide! Ha!)
Good luck to all.