Big Race Preview 2587

The boys have the big race of the day as Jacques seeks to solidify himself as the top middle distance turf runner. Manifest Destiny looks to do the same in the three year old division.

Turning Japanese is set up for a big win, and we have a delicious dirt sprint for the ladies that has attracted several top runners. That may be the race of the week.

We get a great match up of the Bluegrass Oaks winner versus the Black Middle Flower winner. On the turf Devil’s Slide looks quite unbeatable this week. Galloping Ghost looks to avenge her only defeat of the year. Lots of drama on tap check it out!

Race: 2587.0715 Windy City Turf Classic – Grade I – $2,000,000
Track: Illinois
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf

Sand Castle Fee Duty winner Jacques is the slight favorite in this full field. Since his Fee Duty win he has been competitive and in every race. He only has one try at this distance with a solid effort. This distance suits him fine his problem will be trying to close a lot of ground against this group of runners. In his favor is the fact the pace should be good and strong.

Dreaming of Lauren has been racing against Jacques most of the summer and finally turned the tables on him last time out with a strong run in the G1 Turf Invaders Stakes. Another deep closer but the pace looks strong for this race. Extortionist took quite a bit of time off and this will be his third start off that long layoff. His previous two races say he still has it and is a very interesting horse to watch.

The Delpen vs GR Simsters stakes produced several runners for this event. In fact the top three finishers are all here. Top Jimmy won that race with an impressive closing kick, Swingshift Sal was only half a length back just getting out closed and Arkansas Traveler closed from way back to get within a couple of lengths of the winners. All deserve a look.

Others deserving some mention are Neale Daniher who has been on fire of late, and At the Chateau (GB) cutting back in distance a bit. There are literally ten runners in here that appear to have a chance should be quite the race.   

Race: 2587.0714 Big Red Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Illinois
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf

Manifest destiny leads a strong field of three year old turf runners. He is a solid favorite winning eight of his twelve lifetime races. His best races have all come at a little farther than a mile and this distance of a mile and a quarter looks right up his alley. New Storm is the second favorite but unfortunately for him the turf is firm. Three of his four lifetime wins have come on off surfaces but he can still run well on the firm going. Rebellion has some nice speed figures but may start running into distance issues in this race.

Deux Bloon (IRE) is one of the favorites and he has a bunch of speed. Distance will be a question he will have to answer to compete well here.  Barb’s Comfort (IRE) is coming into this race off a sub par effort but this guy is made for this distance.

There are some very solid looking long shots lined up in this race. 14-1 Redsadky is a perfect four for four including a most impressive stakes win last time out. He steps up in class and the distance should only help him. 24-1 Incinerator has been racing at longer distances recently and this cut back in distance should suit him very well.

Race: 2587.0713 Cedora D Stakes – Grade I – $750,000
Track: Illinois
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and three sixteenths on the Turf

Turning Japanese leads a smallish field of eight runners. She may have scared a few runners off. She has been keeping great company this year competing and running well against the top boys and two back in against the girls she won the G1 Rich and Famous Handicap. Last time out she tried the dirt for the very first time with no luck. Now back to her preferred surface in against fillies and mares she looks extremely tough to beat. Really the only thing that needs to be determined is by how many lengths will she win?

Jaw Dropper is the second choice on the morning line. She too is coming in off a run on the dirt. Prior to that she was mid pack in the Rich and Famous Handicap. She is a very tough girl and will have her work cut out for her against the favorite. Redwood Screwball is a three year old taking on her elders. She looks like she has a real shot at hitting the board in this one.

Race: 2587.0415 Dancer Cap – Grade I – $350,000
Track: New York
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Dirt

A power packed sprint awaits your viewing in New York. The number one ranked female sprinter Staked Claim leads this field. She has won five out of her last six including three graded stakes. This is probably her best distance and her stalking style will make her one tough horse to beat. Party Thief shares favoritism but does not look quite as good as Staked Claim. Party Thief is in the top ten of her division. She comes off a graded win and just missed the race before that. She will have to run down Staked Claim to win here.

One of the most exciting horses running this year has been The Aus Boss (AUS). She won her first four races of the year three grade I races and surface has not mattered. She is probably better on turf but you cannot count her out. Her dirt speed figures are just as good as the favorites here and she is perfect sprinting. She could add to her already great year with a victory here.

Vanguard was the last horse to beat Staked Claim. This very fast lady is on top of her game winning three of her last four. She lost last time out by half a length and is plenty capable of winning this race. 

Race: 2587.0414 Birmingham Stakes – Grade I – $750,000
Track: New York
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt

Bluegrass Oaks winner Swift Kick is the slight favorite over Black Middle Flower Stakes winner Empire Reef. Both were beaten last time out in the Delpen vs GR Simsters stakes race. Swift Kick has been close in her three races since the Oaks and I would expect the same here. Empire Reef ran out of steam last time out and could receive more pace pressure here.

They look to have some solid competitors here in They Call Me Magic, and Donner. They Call Me Magic was second against the boys last time out in the G2 Shiny Gem Stakes. Donner is a graded winner at this distance and is a winner of her last three races. Empire Gold is tough to get a handle for. She has been back and forth in distance and surface. Her race two back in a dirt route was very solid but there are distance concerns with her.  

Race: 2587.1216 Go Deep Handicap – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Pennsylvania
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and three eighths on the Turf

This race features the most exciting three year old turf filly going. Devil’s Slide hails from the all mighty Afc barn. She crushed the boys last time out in the Delpen vs GR Simsters Smackdown. She has won four of five since switching to the turf her one defeat was in the G1 Cremations Stakes at a mile. That distance may be a little shorter than she likes and she did not miss by much. Devil’s Slide looks very capable of dominating this field.

Stage Coach Slew (IRE) is fresh off a very good second place in the G1 Sim Sports Irish Oaks. She made the jump from allowance to grade I company quickly and with success. She looks like the best of the rest here but no real threat to the favorite. 

Race: 2587.5315 Queen Victoria Cup – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Victoria
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: Two miles on the Dirt

Galloping Ghost could be one of the best two mile horses the sim has scene. This mare has routinely beaten the boys at this level. In fact it has been a while since she raced against other mares. Last time out she suffered her first defeat of the year. She had won her first six races this year, including three grade I races at two miles, before her last race. Lack of pace might have hurt her last time and with a couple of rabbits in here the pace will be honest.

Placebo (GB) upset the favorite last time in wire to wire fashion. He did receive a little pressure last time but it appears he will have plenty of company here. If he can with stand the heat it will be a miracle. Galapagos was very close to the favorite a few races back. He could benefit from a stronger pace and has shown he can run with Galloping Ghost.

 Quiet on the Set is a newcomer to these two mile grade I events. His running style puts him in an excellent position. He will be just off the pace and in front of the closers. If he is up to the task he could run a big one here.  

Race: 2587.5515 Black Gold Stakes – Grade I – $400,000
Track: Queensland
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf

This race has two heavy favorites. That battle could be interesting. The slight favorite is Goat Farmer. She is speed on speed and her speed has put her in great position in races. She has won stakes on turf and dirt and done well at the graded level. She will be very dangerous in this shorter field and not much else speed wise in here.

The other favorite is Krishna (IRE) is the number one long distance turf filly who has won four races in a row. Now she is cutting back in distance and should improve on her already good speed figures. She seems very capable of tracking down the speedy Goat Farmer and making some noise in this filly and mare turf division.

Of the others Ichi Rashi looks the best off her last race. Not sure she is capable of touching the top two but if one of them fails she could liven up the exotics.

Race: 2587.5915 Winter Lily Grade I – $500,000

Track: Ireland
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Turf

Mambo Birdie has won four of her last five since switching to the turf. She has won three graded stakes in that time but now cuts back in distance. She will face a few solid sprinters but is the clear favorite.

Storm Force also cuts back in distance and she could appreciate it very much. She just recently switched to turf and has done very well over a mile with a graded win and graded placing. Crypto Mesa has been kicking around in listed stakes company and doing very well. She steps up to the top taking some tough runners but she has won two in a row and likely will be the pace setter. Tequlia Shooter is a graded winner at this distance and has been in the money in her last two races both graded tries at this distance.

Race: 2587.5916 Bass Reach for Greatness Grade I – $500,000
Track: Ireland
Restrictions: All horses, 2 years old
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Turf

In these early two year old races you almost have to ignore the morning line. The runner to beat here is Testing (IRE) who is a perfect two for two in the turf and already a G3 winner. Pub Crawl (IRE) is a perfect three for three and has a stakes win under his belt already. Cycle of Renewal (IRE) has a speed figure good enough, as well as the breeding to be considered a threat here. Swift Drift is another well bred runner that with a little improvement could be right there.