Rain God set to Shine in Kentucky
All eyes will be on Kentucky this week-end with the running of several high quality races, and none more so than the fifteenth race on the card, the Bluegrass Cup Turf – GP2. With a combined prize poll of $300,000, the Cup is to be run over 12 furlongs on turf. While the race has attracted nine entries the crowd will be only cheering for one horse, regardless if they backed him or backed against him, the superstar Rain God will be the one everyone has come to see.
The race dates back to 2000 and sees no better winner than the first; Stormy Prospector, who was one of the inaugural inductees into the “Hall of Fame” and went on to amassed $11 million in prise money and six Group One Races. The 2001 edition saw Stormy Prospector claim the race for the second year in a row, that year beating fellow “Hall of Fame” inductee Dusty Dance who was back in fifth. 2002 saw Kangaroo Bob cause a upset when he ran away with the race leaving race favorite and “Hall of Fame” inductee, Joe Cayene, floundering back in seventh. In 2003, Forty Wool won at good odds when he beat a moderate field including Multi-Millionaire Bow Green who finished ½ length second. Northern Desert saluted in 2004 against a very open field and 2005 editions was won by Treasure of Armana (IRE).
In it’s early years, the Bluegrass Cup Turf – GP2 was a popular stepping stone to the Breeders Bowl meeting, Stormy Prospector claimed the Bluegrass Cup Turf – GP2 and Breeders Bowl Classic – GP1 double in 2000 before running second in the 2001 Breeders Bowl Classic -GP1 after earlier winning the Bluegrass Cup Turf – GP2. The 2002 winner, Kangaroo Bob and 2003 winner, Forty Wool both failed in the Breeders Bowl Turf – GP1 after earlier winning the Bluegrass Cup Turf – GP2. The connections of the 2004 and 2005 races have elected to bypass the Breeders Bowl for other riches so it will be with interest we watch which direction the 2006 winner will take.
PP1 Ballisodare ninerdust B.Fultz (23%) 5/1
Comes into this with seven races this season for the record of two wins and three placings. Had first graded start four starts back where he finished second in the Slow Tree Special – GP3 over 12 furlongs on turf. Followed that with a disappointing fifth in the Movieland Turf Classic – GP1 before again failing at Group One level in the United Couriers Handicap – GP1. In the second mentioned, Ballisodare finished fifth 14¾ lengths off the winner Sunnybank Memorial and six lengths off Rain God in third. He followed that with a return to stakes level last start where he finished second in the Hot Canvas Stakes over 11 furlongs on turf. Is facing a though competitor here in Rain God and was clearly outclassed when they both met last time.
PP2 K’s Katatumbo matarile S.Blood (32%) 23/1
The first of three three-year-olds and will be having first ever stakes or graded race in this. Has been restricted to allowance races where he has recorded five wins from twelve starts. Two starts back came out and run a much improved race when winning allowance over 10 furlongs on turf. That was his first time over 10 furlongs and recorded career best speed rating of 100. Made it two on end when followed that with a moderate win in an allowance on dirt over 10 furlongs. Returns to turf here but is stepping-up to 12 furlongs for the first time and as this is he’s debut black type start, looks to be set a big challenge from his connections. Would prefer to have seen him in a stakes race prior to line up in this and suspect that he will be found short against this field.
PP3 Myvan samsonfarm L.Cardinal (31%) 8/1
Lightly raced five-year-old with only twenty-five career starts,this year has faced the starter six times for one win and two seconds. Last start won second career stakes race when taking out the Bare Sky Special Stakes over10.5 furlongs on turf; this has been his only turf start for the season and resulted in season high speed rating and first stakes victory on turf. Previous to this, Myvan had been struggling in stakes races on dirt this year with only one placing in four attempts. His connections are hoping that with last starts win that they may have found the secret to getting the best out of him. This race is a big jump in class on last start and may be found short at this level.
PP4 Tunaman togasans B.Sipe (30%) 18/1
The second of three three-year-olds prepare to take on the older horses in this year Bluegrass Cup Turf – GP2. Has been sparingly raced on turf with only four starts, has failed at three of these at allowance level and will need to improve on best turf speed rating of 72. Three starts back won the Que Taylor Cup at stakes level before impressively recording career best speed rating of 105 when he won the Brussels Sprout Stakes – GP1; both on dirt. Failed last start at this track when finished 12 lengths of the winner in the Fit Fight Special Stakes. Has been in good form on dirt prior to last starts defeat and comes into this with a question mark on his ability to handle turf. At this stage of his career has not shown enough to suggest that he can win this.
PP5 Gallant Wings (GB) gboro P.Cadigan (40%) 7/2
Comes into this having faced the starter eleven times this year for two stakes wins and two allowance wins. Has been slowly graduating thought he allowance ranks prior to stepping up to graded and stakes level earlier this year. Impressed two starts back when sat on the pace when winning the His Innings Special Stakes over 9.5 furlongs on turf. Looked the winner last start before being ran down to finish second in the Winchester Park Cup – GP3 over 11 furlongs on turf. Speed ratings have been slowly increasing as his distances increase and last start recorded career best rating of 108. Racing pattern suggests that the 12 furlongs should suit and with further improvement may be able to sneak a place.
PP6 Flushing Waters (IRE) pm L.Goodburn(22%) 34/1
Another of the three-year-olds and comes into this with only six career starts, has faced the starter four times this year for the record of three wins and a third. Three back won first stakes start when taking out the Cad Smash Stakes before making it four on end when winning at allowance level. Last start came out and ran impressively to finish third in the Boston Derby – GP2 at first graded start over 9 furlongs on turf. Is facing a huge test here and have some doubts if his mature enough to worry Rain God.
PP7 Aslan’s Mane (IRE) eddieboo P.Greggor (12%) 5/1
Lightly raced four year old with the impressive record of eight wins from fourteen starts. Comes in this having had eight starts this year for three wins with the best of these being the Boogity Bear Stakes – GP3 over 9 furlongs on turf. Has raced four times at Group One this year and is yet to fill a placing, was clearly outclassed last start when finished eleventh in the Windy City Turf Classic – GP1 over 10 furlongs on turf. Looks to be struggling at the elite level and may not be matured enough at this stage of his career. With more time and experience may develop into a top liner but can’t seeing him being a danger in this on recent efforts.
PP8 Rain God kevoman3 D.Givins (31%) 7/5
Not to much can be written about Rain God which has not already been written, he is an out and out champion and one of the very best Sim horses in training. Has claimed eight group one wins during his career and has collected more than $7.5 million in prise money to date. Continually competes at the very top level and is forced to content with fellow champions Sunnybank Memorial, Rapid Gray, Horseshoe Bay and Bistrol Rovers in most of his races. Has faced the starter nine times this season for two wins and six placings; including a win and five placing at Group One level. Three starts back started favorite when finished 3rd behind Sunnybank Memorial in the United Couriers Handicap – GP1 over 11 furlongs. Followed that with a win in the Royally Modest Cup – GP1 over 11 furlongs where he relegated co-favorite Sunybank Memorial to second. Last start Sunnybank Memorial revenged his last start defeat forcing Rain God to settle for second in the Aslan Memorial Turf Classic – GP1. Has been improving with each run this year and last start ran a season best speed rating of 110. Comes into this as a short priced favorite and with the absence of Sunnybank Memorial and Rapid Grey gets his chance to add to his already imposing record.
PP9 Gucci to Try loisback D.Sherman (31%) 15/1
Another lightly raced four year old with the record of four wins from his thirteen career starts. Has yet to win at stakes or graded level and comes into this with a failure at first graded start where he finished 13¾ lengths fourth in the Lots of Luck – GP1. Only wins have been at allowance level and looking at his previous races suspect this to be a couple furlongs above his ideal distance. Speeding ratings have been low for a race of the caliber and to see him figure in the finish would surprise.
Rain God is certainly the class horse of the field, he is a genuine champion who deserves to be the short priced favorite. There is nothing better in racing than watching a champion go round and today the locals will see one of the best in Rain God, not only will he run away with this race he’ll also take their hearts if he has not already done so. The remainder of the race looks to be open with several being capable of filling a place; Gallant Wings and Ballisodare looks to be the best of the rest and have supporters. Flushing Waters has the potential for improvement and with four win from only six starts may be ready to take the next step.
1st Rain God 2nd Gallant Wings 3rd Flushing Waters