Leo’s Jewels Tightens Grip on Nationwide Trophy
Continuing with the Ireland Two-Year-Old Carnival, this week sees the staging of the Nationwide Stakes – GP1 over seven furlongs of turf. With a combined purse of half a million dollars in prise money this year’s race has drawn a capacity field all hoping to take the step-up to Group One level.
The race has been in existence since 2001 with all five previous winners going-on to achieve only moderate success as a three-year-old and older. Of all the winners none has gone on to add another Group One to their resumes and if fact only one, the 2004 winner Valamar, has added another graded race when winning the Rantofan Handicap – GP3 early in his three-year-old season. As one of the traditional lead-up races to the Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf – GP1, it comes as a surprise that the best result a winner of the Nationwide Stakes – GP1 has been able to achieve in the Breeders Bowl is a fourth by the 2003 winner Chief Stallion. While all have gone on to win a least one additional stakes races none have been able to amass a million dollars in prize money; however last years winner Northern Chant, is getting close through his five stakes wins during the current season.
Facing the starter for the 2006 edition and hoping to break, what some refer to as “the Nationwide Curse” are:
PP1 Really Inswain (IRE) (14/1) (3 1-1-0 $41,500) Swain – Raise a Native –
Won maiden on debut before running second in the Coventry Stakes – GP3 over six furlongs when made ground late. Followed with a disappointing seventh in the Ky Horsemen Juvenile – GP1 when beaten by 5½ lengths. Has been finishing races off nicely but will need to improve of last effort to figure in the finish.
PP2 Sisson’s Niner (9/1) (5 2-1-0 $50,645) Forty Niner – Strom Cat – Judge T C
Failed at first two on dirt before running much improved race when second in maiden when tried over turf for first time. Broke maiden status at four attempts before making it two on end with allowance win over eight furlongs. Facing a steep class rise but did run an impressive speed rating of 81 last start which does give him a glimmer of hope.
PP 3 Subside (12/1) (2 1-1-0 $52,730) Distorted Humour – Hennessy – Affirmed
Won on debut before finishing powerfully for second in the Randy West Challenge Stakes over six and a half furlongs. Coming into this with only two races under his belt and may not be seasoned enough against this class.
PP 4 Idengood Time (25/1) (4 1-2-0 $54,080) Talk is Money – Moulin – Damister
A moderate win on debut before running a much improved race to finish second in the Your Dancer Stakes when recorded a speed rating of 75. Failed when 10th of 16 in the owner restricted Queensland Slipper before finishing second in the Turfstar Stakes over seven and a half furlongs. Made a ton of ground in the straight last start but would prefer to see in something easier.
PP 5 Leo’s Jewels (IRE) (9/2) (3 3-0-0 $135,360) Galileo –
Has the record of three wins from three attempts, won maiden on debut before taking out two-year-old allowance over six and a half furlongs. Last start recorded an 88 speed rating when finished strongly in taking out the Bad Deal Stakes – GP3 over seven furlongs. Has been finishing off races very strongly and is proven over the distance, looks the one they all have to beat. Has come in as clear favourite and with A.Read aboard connections should have acceptance speech prepared.
PP 6 Agent X (11/1) (5 2-1-0 $76,840) Storm Cat – Mr. Prospector – Nijinsky II
Failed on debut over dirt before running a much improved race in first turf start when won maiden over five furlongs. Followed that with first stakes appearance where he won in the Tolerant Car Memorial Stakes before finishing second in the graded Norfellow Stakes – GP3 over five furlongs. Failed last start when finished five lengths six in the KY Horsemen Juvenile – GP1 over eight furlongs. Is regally bred youngster who will need to lift on past efforts to be a threat, may lack a little class of his rivals.
PP 7 Demon’s Direst (10/1) (3 2-0-0 $32,100) Aweseome Again – War Chant – Halo
Failed at debut on dirt before much improved effort at first turf start when winning maiden over seven furlongs. Proved that win was no fluke when finished strongly again when taking out open allowance on turf over seven and a half furlongs. Another who is facing a steep class rise in this and may lack the class to worry the main contenders.
PP 8 Rainband (10/1) (6 2-3-0 $91,735) Spinning World – Rainbow Quest – Dixieland Band Poor effort at debut before putting it all together at next two when recorded a second and a win in two-year-old maidens. Finished second at first stakes start when flew home for second in the Pro Sprit Handicap Stakes over six furlongs. Returned to winners stall at next start when recorded career best speed rating of 82 in the Way Mayying Stakes. Made up a lot of ground in the straight last start when powered home for second in the Little Raise Stakes. Has been finishing races nicely and the step-up to seven furlongs should suit.
PP 9 Follow the Flag (13/1) (4 2-1-0 $35,990) Pulpit – Mr. Prospector – The Minstrel
Won first two at allowance level before finishing second in the Ant Tangle Challenge Stakes over five and a half furlongs. Ran career best speed rating of 75 but was clearly outclassed when finished 13th of 14 in the Ky Horsemen Juvenile – GP1 over eight furlongs. Will not find this race any easier than his last start effort, would surprise to see him finish in the top three.
PP 10 Grand Kiss (14/1) (4 4-0-0 $96,000) Strong Hope – Sharpela – Beaudelaire
Undefeated after four starts, won at first stakes start two back when won the Bert Gulch Stakes over six and a half furlongs. Followed that with a win in the Texas Storm Stakes when beat a small field over seven furlongs. Has been finishing races strongly and is proven over the distance, can’t fault form and has not been extended in any of his races to date.
PP 11 Padihershef (IRE) (23/1) (4 1-1-1 $38,260) Noverre – Cozzene – Unbridled
Won maiden on debut before running third against a small field in the Tolerant Car Memorial Stakes over six furlongs. Followed with a poor 7th of 9 in the Norfellow Stakes – GP3 and than recorded a career best speed rating of 71 when run second in the Paleopredator Stakes over six and a half furlongs. Has been handy to the lead in his races and suspect that seven furlongs and this class will find him out.
PP 12 Lifeforce (IRE) (7/1) (3 1-2-0 $45,430) North Light – Lyphard – Roberto
Opened account with two-year-old maiden win before finishing second in open allowance. Followed with first stakes appearance in the Caves Irish Stakes when finished second after being handy throughout. Likes to race near the lead and will need to lift to figure in the finish here.
PP 13 Tiger’s Eye (7/1) (6 5-0-0 $154,960) Gulch – Storm Bird –
Comes into this race with five turf wins from six starts, won at first stakes attempt when winning the Bright Buster Memorial Stakes before going on to record an 82 speed rating in winning the Pink Groom Challenge Stakes. Failed over seven furlongs when finished 4th of 15 in the owner restricted Smackdown II Stakes when beaten by five lengths. Returned to the winners stall last race when impressively took-out the Senior Don Memorial Stakes when dropped back to six furlongs. Likes to lead in his races and racing pattern suggests that seven furlongs may be a fraction further than his best. Chances not helped by bad post position but ace jockey Z.Kentucky knows how to handle bad posts.
PP 14`More Than My Share (IRE) (8/1) (3 1-1-1 $162,120) Fair Mix – More Than Ready – Conquistador
Won maiden on debut when recorded speed rating of 75, followed that with a second in the owner restricted Smackdown II Stakes when just failed to catch the winner by ¾ length over seven furlongs. Was even throughout when finished third in the Bad Deal Stakes – GP3 behind today’s’ race rival Leo’s Jewels. Winner was too good last start and hard to see him turning the tables here, is only lightly raced and capable of further improvement.
1st – Leo’s Jewel 2nd – Grand Kiss 3rd – More Than My Share