Machpasser eyes 6-in-a-row at North Dakota
North Dakota– Doctahg1’s red hot Machpasser (7/2) rides a five race win streak into Saturday’s featured $40,000 Bald Hoe Bonanza. The impressive 4YO son of Machiavellian recently capped his allowance conditions with a sparkling black type score at Idaho. Machpasser enters the gate Saturday testing an “off” track for the very first time. Seven other challengers also await, hoping to spoil the show in this nine furlong grass contest.
Machpasser’s win streak began over the summer when he finally entered a better-than-a-mile route. The colt had previously seemed promising in grass sprints, but clearly enjoyed the extra ground, bagging his NW1x handily at Virginia. He proceeded to run back to his new form, winning allowances up to 10f. This all culminated 4 weeks ago with his initial black type start over 9.5f at Idaho. Machpasser toyed with the leaders and won by a strong two lengths with a 105 SP#. It was just his 13th career call to the post. Top jockey P ‘Pauli’ gangie gets the nod to pilot the rising star.
Machpasser faces several tested stakes competitors as well as a few ALW horses who hope to break on through the ranks……
On the rail, cjt1’s Cry Of The Fox (7/2) sure has been around a block or two. The 6YO Dayjur horse makes his benchmark 50th trip Saturday. He’s won over $600k and 15 races in a splendid career. The big guy recently recovered some of his old sassiness too, winning allowances with 102 and 105 SP#s respectively over the summer. Cry Of The Fox returns to his favorite distance after a pair of so-so efforts at different distances. He’s still got some spunk and should stalk the lead. Jockey M ‘Mikhail’ Long though must help him navigate an off track for the very first time in his long career.
Trainer dgrsong3 recently won the $25k claim shake for Pedro’s Xmas (7/2). A 5YO son of Elusive Quality, Pedro’s Xmas hadn’t done much this season over the dirt for his former stable. His new trainer though took a gamble, entering the horse ambitiously at the stakes level in ironically Machpasser’s Idaho stakes. Pedro’s Xmas ran rejuvenated, setting the pace and hanging on for the runner-up spot with a 103 SP#. He’s 0-for-6 lifetime on the grass, but also has 3 placings over the surface. Look for Pedro’s Xmas on the front end again. Aside from Machpasser, he’s the lone true speed in the group. This race might be a replay of the Idaho stakes or see Pedro turn the tables on his rival.
And sophomore Dancing Master(IRE) (6/1) finished 3rd in Machpasser’s Idaho race too. Yunkai’s Peintre Celebre(IRE) colt closed well to pick up the show spot in that 7-horse field, earning his second straight 100+SP#. He had previously won versus his age group at New York. That effort was over a yielding surface, making him 2-for-2 over the suds. A talented closer, Dancing Master draws top jockey J ‘Juan’ Hernandez. Great chance for the colt to turn the tables on his rivals.
Also at 6/1, Silver Skies steps up in class from the ALW level. Danni2’s 5YO son of Silver Ghost earns his feed mostly over miler distances. He threw a huge 107 SP# over 8f eons ago but struggled ever since. He did find some od flash two back, losing a heartbreaking photo with a 97 SP#. Silver Skies plays it versatile, coming from off pace or near the lead. He should probably play the latter if he hopes to cash in on a nice cheque Saturday. Outside chance for the win. He needs to break on through that 100 SP# barrier again. Decent jockey M ‘Mickey’ Demoney pilots the 6-for-21 lifetime challenger on 2 weeks rest.
The most experienced horse in the group Dancing Miner (7/1) breaks from post 3. Misti’s Forty Niner old boy makes his 56th call to the post in search of his 8th career score. The 6YO horse pays his dues, earning cheques in the listed level. He can also win when stepping down — he got the best of a photo finish three starts ago over 8.5f ALW at Illinois. No big 100 SP# though and Dancing Miner has to recover from a 10f drubbing. Look for him around midpack or thereabouts and in contention for a minor share at best.
In post 5, we have Solomon Islands (8/1) from runninlast stable. This A.P. Indy colt is better than his odds indicate. The 4YO has back class over 9f and shortens up here from 9.5f to 12f (where he hasn’t done much except win an ALW and place in average-time stakes). Versatile near the lead or off pace, Solomon Islands needs to bring his A-game on two weeks rest. Top jockey W ‘Dubya’ Von Wedel is an added plus to turn this colt’s season around. Better than average shot for the winner’s circle.
Finally, turfsurf’s Joyoflife (8/1) joins the old-timers crew, making his 41st trip to the starting gate. The Joyeaux Danseur horse has won or hit the board in 3 of his last 4, but they’ve been in restricted ALWs. His trainer even offered him in a $75k claiming event LTO, where he finished 2nd over an 9f off track. Stalker/midpacker pretty much in it for a minor share at best.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Win: Machpasser
Place: Dancing Master(IRE)
Show: Pedro’s Xmas or Solomon Islands
Good luck to all.