Big favorite Cold Storage preps for Breeders Bowl
New York– She’s 4-for-5 over 10 furlongs this year and if anyone hopes to beat Cold Storage over this distance, it better be NOW! One of the most exciting turf fillies to come around in a while, Cold Storage presides as the heavy 7/2 favorite in the Grade 1 $750,000 Flower Pot Stakes. Springtime’s bold-n-beautiful 4YO filly has very much dominated her Older Mare Turf Classic division this season and preps for an anticipated Breeders Bowl entry here Saturday. However, the leading lady must overcome a whopping 8 week layoff. Will anyone take advantage of her time down on the farm?
Icy Hot And Sizzling
Four straight Grade 1 victories for the #1-ranked Turf Classic Older Mare, Cold Storage (7/2). Trainer springtime elected for a 2-month breather and thus Cold Storage has been idle since winning the Yolkshire Oaks(G1) at Epsom in early August. Boasting 5 G1s this year, the Victory Gallop 4YO is not only a leading candidate for Champion Turf Mare honors, but also Horse Of The Year.
There doesn’t seem to be any other true pacesetters in this group. It’s possible then that Cold Storage will snare the lead all to her lonesome. If so, then look out! This filly can easily put away the field by the 7/8ths pole. You just cannot say enough accolades about this filly — she’s tremendously consistent, pulling 100+SP#s and only missing the board once this season. No, the only one who will beat Cold Storage here is herself. Has the 8-week layoff hurt or helped her form? Horseshoe Bay came off such a break successfully this season, but we’ve seen other top horses deteriorate dramatically after such a strategy. It’s also possible that trainer springtime may take it easy on Cold Storage this time out, tweaking the effort settings in anticipation of the 11f BB Turf Distaff or sharpening Cold Storage for cutting back to the BB Mile.
Your guess is as good as mine! There is also a chance that Cold Storage’s trainer opts to sit out the BB Turf Distaff’s 11f and Mile too. Very interesting, but one thing’s for certain: pacesetter Cold Storage is the absolute one to beat. Perfect post 5.
Roof Rage
She’s 0-for-7 in 2006, but jlm’s Catonahottinroof (7/1) merits respect as the co-second choice. The 5YO Storm Cat daughter placed a couple times this season in graded events over 10f. She’s awfully consistent over the grass, hitting the board in 21 of 29 lifetime starts ove the surface.
Catonahottinroof just needs some luck. She’s comes in here after a even-esteven effort in the Mint Julep Distaff(G1-8fT) five weeks ago. Good breather then. Definite facotr for the board — her stalker-style factors in well to Cold Storage’s easy-peasy pacesetting. Unfortunately, I’m not entirely convinced that she’s best over 10f. She might be better equipped over 9f. Sometimes an extra sixteenth or furlong makes all the difference. Look for another honest effort from post 12. A so-so jockey pilots the 61st ranked Turf Classic mare and earner of over $400k.
Raise The Curtain, Strike The Lights
Two millionairesses break from posts 7 and 13, respectively. Spooky Ballet (7/1) won the Sheepherder Beach(G2-11fT) by a whopping 6 lengths earlier this summer. Trainer apmccoy saw the 5YO daughter of Silver Ghost earn a cheque LTO cutting back to nine panels in the Demona(G1-9fT).
A veteran of 38 trips to the post, Spooky Ballet is more than capable of pulling off another money spot here. With some luck too (and a strong pace duel), she’s capable of surprising the field. An honest mare who’s one away from marking her 20th career victory. That would be quite an accomplishment. She’s drawn an obscure jockey though. Still, a threat.
One of the top turf sophomores of 2005, Sly Go Lightly(IRE) (8/1) gives 10f another go. Oberon’s 4YO daughter of Sligo Bay(IRE) specializes in Monster Miles for the most part. She’s won at the listed level at that distance this season and placed too in a Grade 3.
Unfortunately, she’s been up-and-down form-wise and was well beaten in her sole 10f start (6 of 8, by 9 1/2 lengths). Kind of “throwing caution to the wind” entry. You’d like to see the horse a proven winner over the distance first before trying the Grade 1. Even one as classsy as Sly Go Lightly. Though she prefers to sit behind the lead, Sly Go Lightly might find herself close up to Cold Storage, pressing the favorite. She’s hit the board in 20 of 28 lifetime starts, a thorough record. Excellent jockey aboard. Much to prove.
Fly On By, Do-wop, Doo-wop!
Sadfly’s Dubai (9/1) is a perfect example of keeping your mares around, avoiding the 2YO babies bug. Rose stable has this 5YO E Dubai mare going as proud as can be in her 47th career call to the post. Two starts ago, Sadfly’s Dubai finished 2nd by a length to Cold Storage in the Yolkshire Oaks(G1-10fT). Sadlfy’s Dubai entered that race after winning the Flounder Turf Distaff(G1-10.5fT) in her 44th career start!
And don’t think that’s some kind of fluke either — the mare took listed stakes earlier in the season. You gotta keep the older horses running in order to eventually take some of these graded prizes! The stalker/pace presser is still totally at the top of her game. She’s just a whisker way from $1.5 million in earnings with 23 victories. Great jockey aboard, loves this distance. Granted she threw a tad of a clinker, failing to win at the listed level LTO. Still, the #4-ranked Turf Classic Older Mare can pick up her feet. I don’t know if she’s capable of turning the tables on Cold Storage, but a money position in this rich race ain’t half bad. Lovely iron lady.
On the other hand, gallorette’s Otto You Do It (9/1) has a legitimate shot at upsetting Cold Storage. The 5YO mare is “lightly” raced at only 27 career starts. The War Chant daughter won a pair of Grade 2s over this 10f distance this season, most recently the Bird Legs Cup(G2-10fT) under wraps by 2 1/2 lengths.
Great form currently for this mare, hitting the board in the 9f Demona(G1) LTO. That’s two straight 100+SP#s and she brings a versatile midpacker-to-stalker style. Ranked 10th in the division, Otto You Do It suffers a bit from inconsistency, but when on target, fires big. I like her a lot in this spot if Cold Storage falls. One to keep a wary eye on. Big possibility on 4 weeks rest.
All That Glitters……
A pair of sprint specialists make surprising entries here. Sdmf sends out Sky Beauty (9/1), fresh off of a 7.5f listed score. Lemon Drop Kid 4YO racked up several stakes and allowance scores around one-turn this season on or near the pace. Is this a rabbit Sdmf? LOL! 0-for-4 lifetime around two-turns. Yick. I guess vies for the lead or rallies from midpack. Needs to prove that she belongs. Puzzling entry.
Last year’s champion 2YO Turf Filly Super Gold (22/1) definitely throws caution to the wind. Surprising that the Supers throw her to the wolves over a distance she’s never even approached here. She’s earned some cheques, but didn’t fire in the Equinics and 1,000 Guineas over a mile. Took to sprinting as well in her past 3 outings, with mixed results.
Super Gold sure is bred for the bigtime (Seeking The Gold x Northern Dancer x Seattle Slew). Worth a shot to see if she has indeed matured into a stayer. I don’t agree with the spot though! She has no business in this Grade 1 despite her back class. Watch she surprises the heck out of everyone… LOL! I’ll eat crow if Super Gold does, but I can’t see much beyond her pressing Cold Storage’s pace in the early stages.
Precious Gems (and Irish Rocks!)
Jade Hunter veteran Gem Dandy (12/1) won the Adrian Adonis(G2-10fT) earlier this season. Looked like a soft field, but, hey, trainer turfsurf took advantage of it. Turfsurf then kept the 5YO mare in the listed ranks, going 1-for-4, with a couple of placings too.
No big flashy SP#s though, but she loves this distance. Honestly, appears a bit in over her head, but worth a shot. Strikingly similar to my entry Dead Solid Perfect (LOL!). Has to prove that she’s capable of running big numbers versus the very best. Ranked #29 in the division. Closes from the back of the pack. We’ll see if she brings her running shoes Saturday. Outside chance at best.
Lightly raced Indy Rock (13/1) makes 14th start Saturday. Lopic’s A.P. Indy daughter splits time between turf and dirt, 10f-12f. She snared her first graded victory two starts ago, winning the That Goat Just Fainted(G2-10fT). Indy Rock was so happy with the victory that she just couldn’t stand the dirt in her face LTO, beaten well up track.
Along with A Perfect Sunday, Indy Rock represents another interesting wildcard. She faces her toughest challenge to date here in the Flower Pot. Also must overcome drubbing LTO on 3 weeks rest. Is she ready for the bigtime? Closes from the back of the pack, so needs somebody to soften up Cold Storage. Interesting at a great price.
Noverre(IRE) daughter Irish Flame(IRE) (15/1) from turfwinner stable picked up a handy listed stakes win over 10f LTO. It was a short field, but the mare can bring home the bacon at the level. Earlier this season, she extended a win streak that carried over from ’05, winning black type purses from British Columbia to Kansas. Unplaced and well beaten though in sole graded attempt. Granted that was over 11f though, so perhaps she just didn’t like the extra yardage.
Making her 33rd career call to the post, look for Irish Flame(IRE) to settle behind the lead or perhaps go up and challenge Cold Storage sooner rather than later.
A Perfecta Of Perfectas
Unshaded99 kept Sadler’s Wells filly A Perfect Sunday (12/1) pretty much over the flat mile until two starts ago. The filly was a stakes winner, but a bit inconsistent heading to the post for the Dollplayer Price(G2-10fT). Only seven other mares in the race, so it looked like an opportune spot to pick up a cheque, even over 10f. The result probably surprised the heck out of unshaded99 — A Perfect Sunday won in favorable fashion with a solid 103 SP#.
Totally gallant effort in the 4YO’s 15th career start. She’d switch to off-pace running in her followup, finishing 2nd over 10.5f at the listed level. Hmm….. she’s got to prove that 10f is indeed her best distance. Very nice longshot though. Goes against the very best Saturday, so we’ll see what she’s made of. Wildcard, but a good one.
Finally, Dead Solid Perfect(IRE) (14/1) from my snowchief stable reaches somewhat. The High Chaparral(IRE) daughter finished 2nd in the rather weak Princess Di Cap(G2-9fT) LTO. The 4YO filly has won over this distance, but might be best around 9f-9.5f. She’s a big-time closer from downtown and drew a world of hurt in Cold Storage’s romping Rich And Famous(G1-10fT) over the summertime, finishing a rather distant 4th. I was happy with the cheque, but not the 86 SP# in that race… yick. 🙁 She didn’t have any pace again in her follow-up at the 10f listed level.
Great jockey aboard, but I’m realistic — would be ecstatic if DSP can snare a board placing. She might have a chance at the winner’s circle if a speed duel develops, but that’s a big outside shot.
Snowchief’s Picks:
I love this field! Sprinters Super Gold and Sky Beauty and miler Sly Go Lightly are quite talented and I think worthy of Grade 1 entries….. but not over this distance though. 🙂
A couple striking longshots in Indy Rock and A Perfect Sunday — both lightly raced and have plenty of question marks, but they’re worth a second loook for the board. Whether or not they’ll put it all together in this spot, I don’t know.
Irish Flame and Gem Dandy are honest mares, but I think a bit outclassed in this group. Dead Solid Perfect will win some races, but highly doubtful from probably dead last Saturday. I like Catonahottinroof better over 9f-9.5f — but she’s possible for minor money.
Spooky Ballet needs both pace and luck. Whether or not the tough racemare gets both, I don’t know. Probably not. Sadfly’s Dubai looms for another board finish, chasing rival Cold Storage. If the favorite doesn’t show up, then Sadfly has possibilities for all the marbles.
I think the best challenger to the fave is Otto You Do It. Very much adores 10f and proven at the graded level this season. Appears to be in great form too with two straight solid efforts.
However, Cold Storage on paper is head and shoulders above this field. Difficult to gauge how much the 8-week layoff deteriorated her form (or enhanced for that matter). If no one goes with her, she’s gonna be very tough regardless. There are a few here that might go after Cold Storage. But it’s not like she’ll cave in because of a duel though. 🙂
I’m gonna go with the fave and fabulous story — Cold Storage, 5 in a row!
Win: Cold Storage
Place: Otto You Do It
Show: Spooky Ballet or Sadfly’s Dubai
Longshots: Indy Rock or A Perfect Sunday
Good luck to all.