SPIRALS GRADE II
SPIRALS
Grade II
Seven furlongs
Firm Turf
Welcome to todays featue in Sunny Nevada, the Grade II SPIRALS over 7f on the dirt course. On the morning line all but two have a realistic chance so lets take a look at the contenders.
HIGH N BLACK (HIGH YIELD x STUTZ BLACKHAWK x LION CAVERN)
A whole host of sprint runsin stakes with top three places ans over 100sp’s throughout his career but on one run in graded company since he was a two year old and he bombed in that. Clearly that has put off his trainer trying again and if he doesn’t think the horse could cope before it’s hard to see how he can cope at 6. On balance expet anice run but can’t see a top five.
FLYPHARD’S EVENT (EVENT OF THE YEAR x DANZIG x LYPHARD)
Has a few third place efforts inGraded races as an older horse and won two Grade I’s as a two year old. A lot of very good races over 7.5f this year with some real nice 100+sp’s and on that basis alone will be a threat here and should reach the top five but i’d love to se another try at 8-9f as his style of running suggests to me that he’d revel at that trip.
YOUR DESERT(IRE) (DESERT KING (IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS x SEATTLE SLEW)
Has a Grade II and Grade III win to his name as a three year old but has only run once this year and looked badly in need of the race. Has been running over 8f and with each run has looked more and more desparate for a step up in trip. One furlong less does not look the answer as he looks to want even further, say 10-12f. He’s had another long break and will likely need the run again, so while he clearly has class I can’t see him reaching the money today.
CYNICISM (RAHY x EL GRAN SENOR x BOLD RULER)
Has been running over sprints in stakes races and has looked ready for a step up in trip. The thing is that he’s bombed in his only two other tries over 8f so I assume thats why he’s sticking with the sprints, and he’s never run in a Graded race. An interesting runner but surely a step up in trip is needed and the step up in class should be too much. I expect him to improve on whatever he does today once he’s stepped up.
LOWLANDS LOUNGE (SAKHEE x POLISH NUMBERS x SALLUST(ENG))
Clearly will like this trip based on his last two runs, both wins but with an eight point sp drop from his 8f win to his 6.5f win. However he hasn’t run in a stakes race since his two year old days never mind a Graded race and is another who will only get better for the experience. So not today for me but should be a Graded classs runner in the near future.
PGA STORM (SCATTER THE GOLD x STORM CAT x SEARCH FOR GOLD)
Has a stakes victory this year at this trip and has put up some big numbers but is another who is having his first run in Graded company. Again he clearly has class and should be a graded runner but it’s asking a lot to win a Grade II first time up against some experienced rivals. I expect a top five place and perhaps a top three and look out for his next run at this level.
OTTO O (STORM CAT x SEATTLE SLEW x SEEKING THE GOLD)
Has place form to his name recently in a Grade I over 6.5f and looked to be closing there so this trip should be ideal. He also won a Grade I at this trip last year and although his form has an uneven look he looks primed for a big run at his favourite trip. Will be closing from the rear as he tends to get behind in his races but I expect a strong finish and a top three place.
BYE DANZIG (DANZIG x UNBRIDLED x BUCKPASSER)
Another whos nevewr run in a stakes never mind a graded race but bred in the purple and had an easy 6.5f win in an allowance latest. There is no doubt he’s still improving and should win his share at this level but again it’s a big ask first time up. I can see a top five but not a win.
NIGHT’S DESIRE (NIGHT SHIFT x UNBRIDLED x HALO)
Has won stakes and a Grade III at around this trip but in his recent races has looked to be crying out for a mile and may find some of these too quick today. Will be competative but I can’t see a top three place and would love to see him at a mile. Expect him to be near the front throughout before getting passed in thefinal furlong.
NORDKAP (SEATTLE SLEW x CARSON CITY x DRONE)
One of the most experienced runners in the field and looks to be back at his best trip today. He’s never won a stakes and never ran in graded company and therefore looks up against it today, especially as his recent runs havn’t produced the sp’s of some of the others.
CONCLUSION
OTTO O to get the win at what looks his ideall distasnce and he’ll be followed home by the two improvers PGA STORM and BYE DANZIG.