Hard Work May Pay Off
Eight three years will be lining up for the running of the JOHN WITHOUT WORK(FR) Challenge at Ole’ North State Track on Saturday. This group of competitors have something in common- occasional display of talent, but few trips to the winner’s circle in the main events. In 2006, the field of eight has 53 starts among themselves with 11 post race opportunities, but only one stakes wins.
GONZALEZ SERGIO (IRE) 7/2 ruby9
Swain (IRE) x Kingmambo
This three year old comes in winless in six starts in 2006. He is stepping back to a shorter distance which may make it even tougher for this late runner. Morning lines odds labels him to be a stronger challenger, but may have to cover a lot of ground in the stretch to be in contention at the wire.
NO SHOW JONES 5/2 hot2trot
Smarty Jones x Point Given
Morning line favorite-He just failed to hold the lead at the wire in his last outing. I would expect him to be pressing for the lead in the early stages of this event. A starter of fourteen events in 2006, one may wonder if or when he starts to show some sign of tiring.
THE KING’S ROBE 12/1 dubaichamp
King Cugat x Polish Numbers
After starting his 2006 campaign off with a couple of winning trips, he has struggled to stay close in recent outings. Two tiring long distance trips has prompted ownership to ship him in for this sprint event. A trip in a restricted allowance event may have been a better choice.
KOORAWATHA 9/2 triscay
Fusaichi Pegasus x Unbridled
This nicely bred colt broke onto the scene with three stellar wins. A disappointing eighth place finish in the 2005 Breeders Bowl Juvenile could easily be filed away due to “tough competition”. However, this talented three year old has yet to return to the form that was so promising a year ago. He has been placed in longer trips during this year, and this front runner has struggled to carry the distance. A return to this distance may be the exact remedy to what ails him. I would expect him to jump out quickly and be the one chased down the backstretch
ELROD’S GOLD 5/1 russ
Seeking the Gold x De Jeau
This is an example of a sim runner that’s winning record and earnings has been sacrificed by the level of competition that the ownership has opted to enter him in. He is a nice runner that would possibly have tasted more success if he had been placed in restricted allowance
WELL WELL WELL G 8/1 medusa
Sadler’s Wells x Danehill
Very lightly raced colt (2 starts), but come in with two impressive runs. He broke his maiden in his last outing, and ownership has opted to jump up into stakes competition. He rallied from just off the pace to capture the win. The question is whether he is ready for this event or should he utilize the allowance level opportunities first? This field may be a good one to test his true abilities.
KIDKAT 7/1 monica
Lemon Drop Kid x Storm Cat
He has been tested several times at this distance and consistently finishes close to the leaders. With leading jockey astride, I would strongly consider him in any exotic bets.
ICEPRO T 6/1 shanx
Septieme Ciel x Mr. Prospector
Broke poorly out of the gate in his last outing and was never in contention. Ownership is hoping for a performance like that two races back, to bring him back to the winner’s circle. He has the lone stakes win (within this field) in 2006. If he breaks well and can position himself close to the pace, then he may be there at the wire.
On paper this field appears to be tightly bunched. Unless someone throws a stellar performance, I would expect it to be decided in the final strides.
Deajai-