A Loaded field for the 8 th running of the Windy City Gold Cup G2
Hello race fans and welcome to another exciting addition to Hoof Beats . We are back home in Illinois this week to cover the final prep races leading up to the final clash of monsters in the Breeder Bowl series . Our first installment is the coverage of the 8th annual running of the Windy City Gold Cup -G 2 , 10 furlongs of dirt with $ 300,000 at the wire .
Many great horses have lined the gate to run in this prestigious race , many have gone on to grace the field of the Breeder Bowl Classic . One such horse has won the BB Classic coming off a big win here , the recently retired : Tuff Enough trained by Ladysiera1 in 2004 . One horse has actually won this illustrious race twice : Aragon Ransom trained by Genesis in 2001 / 2002 . We cannot forget last years winner and race record holder Year of the Vote trained by Catahoula who’s big late run sealed the victory and sent him to the BB Classic , only to falter in that race to Call of the Wild II whom ironically is the favorite today at 5 / 1 . This year’s winner will face one of the most difficult fields to date , with such class it’s a great possibility of yet another record time .
Drawing the wood is the day’s favorite at 5 / 1 Call of the Wild II ( War Chant x Nureyev x Valid Appeal ) trained by Gipper8 and ridden by hard luck journeyman W. Cabaniss . This horse needs no introduction as last years BB Classic Champion . With only 24 career starts he has racked up a record of 24 : 8-3-5 and a whopping $ 9.1 million in earnings . Ranked # 10 in the Classic division , he’s a shoe-in for a return to the BB Classic and may just win it for a second time if he can get back on track . Winning first asking on turf his juvenile season , he plodded along on the grass till early 3 yo season when he was switched to the dirt in the Vermont Derby -G2 and his hooves haven’t touched grass again . This season has seen light duty with 5 starts , his last win coming in week 2874 over the 9 furlongs of the New Hampshire Handicap -G1 by 2 lengths 1:47:4/5 109 SP . He’s had a bit of bad luck this season , a good showing today will put him back on track for another shot at BB glory .
In post 2 at 9 / 1 is the Louisville trained Macho Niner ( Macho Uno x Pulpit x Forty Niner ) ridden by star rookie R . Logan . The # 7 ranked classic horse for good reason , he has tore up tracks around the globe in his bid for preeminence. He won The New Yorker -G1 and the Travelers Stakes -G1 last year on the road to his first BB Classic appearance where he gained the lead through call 2 to lead the field to a hotly contested wire finish resulting in a 3rd place showing . This season has seen a very busy schedule with 14 starts 4-2-0 . His last win coming in week 2937 in The Farewell to CryptoZot Stakes -G1 over 10 furlongs 2:01:2/5 106 SP . A return to his stalking ways will put him in a very good position for a win today .
In post 3 at 12 / 1 is trainer Camotion‘s Sadler’s Thorns ( Sadler’s Wells x Rhythm x Coastal ) ridden by winning journeyman M. Reveiz . This horse is the # 35 ranked classic horse and has found most of his success at 9 furlongs . A veteran of many stakes events he makes a big jump up in class today to take on the titans of the classic division . Unraced at 2 he made great headway his freshman season . Sophomore season brought greater success and rewards ; this season saw him win in graded company over this same track in the Soupy Sails Classic -G2 week 2846 wiring that 9 furlong graded event in 1:48:flat 107 SP . Most recently he won in week 2958 over 9.5 furlongs in The Gator Ali Challenge -Stk wiring yet another field in 1:54:4/5 105 SP . Look for him challenging to set the pace today , i don’t know if he can hold off such a talented field to the wire .
In post 4 is Rainy Day Blues 8 / 1 ( Rainbow Quest x A.P. Indy x Far North ) trained by Ontarget2 and ridden by seasoned journeyman F. Alford . Ranked # 95 in the classic division , he’s been known primarily as a devastating 9 furlong runner . He has 4 wins on the year but has yet to break into the win column where graded company is concerned . His only start above 9.5 furlongs was on turf so it’s unknown if he can carry his speed the 10 furlong distance today . His last win came in week 2944 over 9 furlongs The Kong Hope Memorial -Stk where he came from the back to run down the field in class fashion . He needs to stay closer to the pace today if he’s gonna run these fellah’s down .
In post 5 at 16 / 1 representing illbred stables is Especially ( Sadler’s Wells x Torrential x Relaunch ) ridden by veteran D. Anderson . Ranked # 1 in the Long and # 25 in the classic dirt division , he is certainly not a stranger to the winners circle in graded company . He’s been on a bit of a hiatus since his last run week 2958 in the CA Classic -G1 ; his last win coming by the Grumpy Old Man Marathon -G2 week 2923 where he came from mid pack to chase down another win for his resume . He has won at this distance before with a stalking style . A return to that style today could make big trouble for the rest of the field .
In post 6 is the Corza5 trained Buddha’s Undies 16 / 1 ( Buddha x Unbridled’s Song x Mill Reef ) ridden by hard luck veteran K . Grunhard . This 4 yo colt achieved Stakes victory earlier this year at this distance , but has yet to break into the win column where graded company is concerned . His last win coming by a week 2776 thrashing by 3 lengths in The All From the Sum Stakes -Stk over 10 furlongs 2:01:3/5 105 SP . His last 3 starts at this distance have been disappointing but a good showing today will put him back on track .
In post 7 at 8 / 1 is the Ultimate trained Wisdom Tooth (IRE) ( Theatrical (IRE) x A.P. Indy x Nijinsky II ) ridden by veteran jockey B. Reimers . This 4 yo colt went unbeaten last season in 7 starts ! This sophomore season started off with a bang week 2748 in Michigan’s Toilet Scrubbers Anonymous Handicap -G2 over 9.5 furlongs winning handily in 1:54:3/5 106 SP . Since then it’s been a trio of 3 rd place efforts and a 2nd place finish and ranking him currently as # 38 in the classic division . It’s time to shrug off the past and dig down deep for this colt .
In post 8 wearing the silks of Dixiedotco is Sensationalize ( A.P. Indy x Sadler’s Wells x Buckpasser ) ridden by seasoned journeyman D. McCants . With nearly $ 1 million in earnings , this 4 yo colt is ranked # 14 in the classic and # 58 in the Long divisions dirt . Winning first asking , this colts record of 24:4-3-5 is earned primarily in graded company . Tested and retested .. he’s scratched and fought his way to where he stands today . He won G1 glory earlier this year at 9 furlongs week 2804 in the Oaktree Handicap -G1 showing off his heart attack , come from the back running style in 1:47:2/5 112 SP . He’s had 1 trip this season at 10 furlongs resulting in a 5 th place finish . He can’t afford to let this field get too far ahead today , prudence would see him run closer to the pace and make a big effort closing at the last turn .
In post 9 also at 7 / 1 is the Pher trained Silver Canuck ( Silver Deputy x Kingmambo x Northern Raja ) ridden by veteran jockey T. Baldwin . Ranked # 69 in the classic division , this multiple G1 winner has run in some of the Sim’s most prestigious races including 2 consecutive BB Classic appearances . He’s won 3 this year including his most recent win week 2881 in the Peach State Classic -G3 over 10 furlongs in 2:01:1/5 108 SP . His last 3 starts have been at the same distance in G1 company with mixed results , perhaps today will be the day he shakes out the cobwebs and returns to winning form .
In post 10 also at 7 / 1 is Toy Maker ( Harlan’s Holiday x Darshaan (ENG) x Hail to Reason ) from the Darshaan stable and ridden by 100+ winner this season veteran jockey P. Munoz . This 4 yo colt does it all ; ranked # 34 Sprint , # 6 Classic and # 21 Long he’s a deadly opponent at any distance . A multiple graded winner , he’s been in a bit of a funk lately . His last win coming by week 2839 in the Eviscerator Stakes -G2 over 9 furlongs 1:48:flat 106 SP wiring the field to win by 1/4 . His last start at 10 furlongs came week 2965 where he ran 2nd place respectively . He needs a big effort today to prove he is indeed worthy to grace the BB Classic field and run with the very best for a chance at Glory .
In post 11 is Thefred trained Bratticus 21 / 1 ( Fusaichi Pegasus x Sadler’s Wells x Broad Brush ) ridden by crafty old veteran Y. Dunbar . This 7 yo horse has seen a light career considering his wealthy breeding . In 10 starts this year he’s never once been out of the money . He’s won 2 of his last 3 and is coming into form nicely , although he can hardly be considered a threat to this field today .. you can’t help but root for him . One last hooray before hitting the breed shed i immagine .
In post 12 also at 7 / 1 is the Deantroops trained Open the Gate ( Jump Start x Distant View x Raja Baba ) ridden by hard luck veteran U. Turner . This # 22 classic ranked 4 yo colt has been on a real tear lately winning his last 3 . A record of 20 : 9-3-2 earned by an unraced 2 yo season , followed by a freshman season forged in Alw company . This year he has blossomed winning graded and listed stakes between 8 – 10 furlongs . He needs a week 2804 performance (107SP) in week 3000 to make his mark .
In post 13 at REAL long odds is the Sirbear trained The Prisoner 62 / 1 ( Ten Most Wanted x Risen Star x Majestic Prince ) ridden by winning journeyman N. Lewis . Lightly raced as a 2 yo , his first freshman start saw him hit the win column . Although he is Stakes placed , he has yet to put up a meaningful effort in graded company . His best efforts come from a stalking style , perhapps he will return to that form today and wow the betting public .
On the far outside in post 14 at 18 / 1 is the Jarid trained Apple Splash ( Forbidden Apple x Generous(IRE) x Bucksplasher ) ridden by veteran A . Ching . Ranked # 75 in the classic dirt division , this 4 yo colt has been on quite a streak winning 2 of his last 3 . His entire juvenile season and the beginning of his freshman season saw him plodding along on the grass . He won first asking on dirt and finished up his 3 yo year with a stakes win wiring a small field over a 10 furlong course in 2:02:1/5 . This season has seen 3 wins over this distance in stakes company , he has yet put up a win in graded company and in this field i think he’s gonna have to wait for that milestone . With so much speed in the race he’s gonna have to learn about the rate game .
Kingman