Top Ranked colts Paper Jesus & Red Rover take on tuff Knick Knack field
The perks of getting my doctorate at a private Catholic school are the days off… never in my life have I had Columbus Day off from school… but, hey, if they want to cancel school and give us an awesome 4-day weekend then I’m down for it! Speaking of down, I managed to catch the last red-eye flight out of JFK to the land down under… Upon my arrival at Queensland Racecourse I hit up the shed-rows to check out the promising 2 year old colts awaiting Saturday’s 7th running of the Knick Knack Juvenile… Their coats glistening like diamonds in the sun, each are primed for their final prep race prior to shipping back to the States for the Breeder’s Bowl in four weeks.
The Knick Knack Juvenile is set to be run over a mile and a sixteenth for a purse of $500,000 and Saturday is looking like it’s going to be a beautiful day! There are twelve colts primed to load into the gates, including the #2 and #3 ranked classic turf 2yo colts Red Rover and Paper Jesus. To add to the beginning of a nice-looking A-list are 7th ranked Piercing The Pack, 8th ranked Impossible Rainbow, and 14th ranked Saucer of Milk. All five of the stated colts are feeling pretty confident in regards to making the Breeder’s Bowl list. Two more colts, Believe In Faith & Because Of You are ranked in #30 & #28 and are hoping for top 3 finishes to make the cut. As for the remaining five colts they’re hoping for a nice chunk of that juicy juicy purse!
So enough of my jabbering… it’s clear that there are several candidates for the winner’s circle, so let’s take a peak-see!
PP 1
19/1 LANGAFLEET ID# 119409
T Phillips ( 528 – 38 – 65 – 61 – 7% )
hc74
2 Year Old Colt (AFLEET x LANGFUHR x IN REALITY)
Bred by hc74
Turf Classic Rank : 105 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 6 2 1 1 $86,110
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 1 Dirt 2 0 1 0 $19,450
Turf 4 2 0 1 $66,660
Routes 0 0 0 0 $0
Sprints 6 2 1 1 $86,110
Off 1 1 0 0 $9,660
NOTES: The colt has shown a nice turn of foot out of the gate. He tends to take up a stalking position. Last time out was very impressive after what appears to have been an injury… The only knock I have on this colt is that he has yet to run beyond 6F. Keep on eye on him along the backside, because if the leaders duke it out enough he will be primed to start his bid for the wire earlier than the late closers.
PP 2
11/1 RED ROVER ID# 116014
C Wyatt ( 679 – 189 – 117 – 88 – 28% )
jazzrun
2 Year Old Colt (COZZENE x GONE WEST x AFFIRMED)
Bred by jazzrun
Turf Classic Rank : 2 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 5 2 2 0 $393,740
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 1 Dirt 1 0 0 0 $0
Turf 4 2 2 0 $393,740
Routes 1 0 1 0 $250,000
Sprints 4 2 1 0 $143,740
Off 1 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: The top-ranked colt in this field is a pronounced closer. He just missed the wire last out in his 1st time around 2-turns. He’ll love the increase in distance as long as the pace up front stays honest. He will be closing late.
PP 3
13/1 PAPER JESUS ID# 89469
V Sullivan ( 95 – 3 – 9 – 5 – 3% )
troy5
2 Year Old Colt (QUINTON’S GOLD x UNBRIDLED x TOKATEE)
Bred by troy5
Turf Classic Rank : 3 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 5 2 2 0 $169,010
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 1 Dirt 0 0 0 0 $0
Turf 5 2 2 0 $169,010
Routes 1 0 1 0 $100,000
Sprints 4 2 1 0 $69,010
Off 1 0 1 0 $100,000
NOTES: Paper Jesus started out his career with unbridled talent. In his 3rd start he broke down entering the backstretch and was layed up for several months. His return to the track was slightly ambitious as the colt was only at RTG. He closed eagerly to just miss the wire, begging for more ground. Last out was against one of the top turf fillies in the G1 High Flyer. The track came up yielding, but the colt bravely fought on for 2nd. He can only move up from here. Watch for Paper Jesus to 4 to 5 lengths off of the lead, giving him a slight edge over the com-from-behind closers on Saturday.
PP 4
9/1 SAUCER OF MILK(IRE) ID# 84997
V Hull ( 243 – 30 – 26 – 22 – 12% )
pilotfish1
2 Year Old Colt (DOYEN (IRE) x SUNDAY SILENCE x ALYDAR)
Bred by pilotfish1
Turf Classic Rank : 14 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 5 2 3 0 $129,300
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 2 Dirt 0 0 0 0 $0
Turf 5 2 3 0 $129,300
Routes 2 2 0 0 $93,000
Sprints 3 0 3 0 $36,300
Off 0 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: This colt is improving every time he hits the track. He will probably be found a few lengths in front of Paper Jesus relaxing behind the stalkers ready to pounce at that perfect moment. Both times around 2-turns he flourished, winning by daylight. He has proven time and again that he’s not going to back out of a dogfight if that’s what it comes down to. This will be the 2nd meeting of Saucer of Milk and Paper Jesus… hopefully the latter will remain sound this time around. SoM is a huge threat for the top-prize.
PP 5
22/1 BECAUSE OF YOU(GB) ID# 37237
M Radke ( 125 – 14 – 15 – 11 – 11% )
tonno8
2 Year Old Colt (HAAFHD (GB) x LEELANAU x THUNDER GULCH)
Bred by tonno8
Turf Classic Rank : 30 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 4 2 1 1 $67,779
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 1 Dirt 1 0 0 1 $3,864
Turf 3 2 1 0 $63,915
Routes 2 2 0 0 $51,840
Sprints 2 0 1 1 $15,939
Off 0 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: Because of You is outclassing his pedigree that’s for sure. But that’s not to say that he doesn’t belong with this group. The colt is somewhat of a ‘dark horse.’ Two back he finally broke his maiden going 9F and winning with ears pricked. Last out was against stakes-level over 8F and again, he made it look easy (and made a lot of believers some nice money at the window). Ideally, he will be sitting pretty alongside Paper Jesus. I could go either way as to how he will finish, though.
PP 6
17/1 PIERCING THE PACK ID# 51779
T Cox ( 343 – 46 – 34 – 46 – 13% )
corza2
2 Year Old Colt (RED RANSOM x DANZIG x GILDED TIME)
Bred by corza2
Turf Classic Rank : 7 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 7 2 1 2 $70,790
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 1 Dirt 3 0 0 1 $3,280
Turf 4 2 1 1 $67,510
Routes 3 2 0 1 $57,260
Sprints 4 0 1 1 $13,530
Off 3 1 0 1 $47,600
NOTES: Piercing The Pack enjoys being on the front end pushing the pace. I don’t see him changing his style for this one, either. Last out he weakened down the stretch after taking the lead on the last turn finishing 3rd behind a closing Paper Jesus. I give him the benefit of the off track in that one.
PP 7
4/1 LOS SHAMA MAMBO ID# 127439
J Jones ( 145 – 10 – 14 – 11 – 7% )
ossy5
2 Year Old Colt (SHAMARDAL x KINGMAMBO x SADLER’S WELLS)
Bred by ossy5
Turf Classic Rank : N/A Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 1 1 0 0 $6,240
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 0 Dirt 0 0 0 0 $0
Turf 1 1 0 0 $6,240
Routes 0 0 0 0 $0
Sprints 1 1 0 0 $6,240
Off 0 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: This is your wildcard draw. Who knows what he is going to do. Pedigree is amazing. His sole start was an awesome win w/a jaw dropper 85sp. He will either regress from that great performance or take total control over this group with the added distance. He will be sitting on the outside of Paper Jesus, the 2 will probably make identical moves– it will be a battle for the wire. He is the early line favorite so somebody must know something to rank this maiden above the #2 & #3 ranked colts.
PP 8
17/1 IMPOSSIBLE RAINBOW ID# 87416
T Bouwens ( 91 – 7 – 9 – 7 – 8% )
blazer2
2 Year Old Colt (RAINBOW QUEST x NOT IMPOSSIBLE (IRE) x COZZENE)
Bred by blazer2
Turf Classic Rank : 8 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 4 2 1 0 $109,730
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 1 Dirt 0 0 0 0 $0
Turf 4 2 1 0 $109,730
Routes 1 1 0 0 $75,000
Sprints 3 1 1 0 $34,730
Off 1 1 0 0 $13,980
NOTES: Winner of a G3 last out, this guy will be your most likely front runner. His speed figures are not as quick as a lot of the others, but if he gets a clear lead the race will be all over…. Unfortunately the horse to his outside, Believe In Faith, will have a thing or two to say about who controls the lead.
PP 9
11/1 BELIEVE IN FAITH(AUS) ID# 122652
C Pearce ( 160 – 19 – 15 – 17 – 12% )
wtas02
2 Year Old Colt (REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) x LOST CODE x ALLEGED)
Bred by correction
Turf Classic Rank : 28 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 3 2 0 0 $64,080
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 1 Dirt 0 0 0 0 $0
Turf 3 2 0 0 $64,080
Routes 3 2 0 0 $64,080
Sprints 0 0 0 0 $0
Off 1 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: Another definite front runner Saturday. He doesn’t do well when challenged for the lead as he was last out in the High Flyer where he finished 6th behind Paper Jesus. He’s a danger if let lose on the lead.
PP 10
7/2 MAMBO WILDCAT ID# 116940
S DeBerg ( 275 – 22 – 25 – 39 – 8% )
jockeymax
2 Year Old Colt (FOREST WILDCAT x KINGMAMBO x DEPUTY MINISTER)
Bred by jockeymax
Turf Classic Rank : 123 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 5 3 1 0 $157,350
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 3 Dirt 4 2 1 0 $118,350
Turf 1 1 0 0 $39,000
Routes 0 0 0 0 $0
Sprints 5 3 1 0 $157,350
Off 0 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: This one scares me the most and will be top 3 finisher for sure. He has never gone further than 7F’s and his sire tends to produce sprinters… but last out was his first turf attempt and boy was it juicy! He produce an 88sp for 6F… if his dam’s stamina comes through for him then he’ll be your winner.
PP 11
8/1 DOWNPAYMENT BLUES(IRE) ID# 120558
C Simien ( 98 – 6 – 11 – 10 – 6% )
sdmf8
2 Year Old Colt (EL PRADO(IRE) x BLUSHING GROOM(FR) x FAPPIANO)
Bred by sdmf8
Turf Classic Rank : 168 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 4 1 0 3 $40,100
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 0 Dirt 0 0 0 0 $0
Turf 4 1 0 3 $40,100
Routes 0 0 0 0 $0
Sprints 4 1 0 3 $40,100
Off 0 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: Another colt with single digit odds that hasn’t done as much as the top 15 ranked horses in here… I think that this guy needs more time to develop before hitting it big with these… His speed figures are good and honest, but he doesn’t have that dramatic kick needed to close on this field. Then again I could be sticking my foot in my mouth as he’s yet to try 2-turns and is dying for more distance…
PP 12
11/1 STORM’S FIRE ID# 112109
R Shaddy ( 106 – 11 – 10 – 13 – 10% )
cdragon
2 Year Old Colt (FORTY NINER x STORM CAT x DIESIS(GB))
Bred by wistful3
Turf Classic Rank : 92 Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 5 1 2 1 $62,650
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 0 Dirt 3 1 1 0 $41,550
Turf 2 0 1 1 $21,100
Routes 1 0 0 1 $3,600
Sprints 4 1 2 0 $59,050
Off 0 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: The colt enjoyed the step up in distance last time out, but again, he didn’t have the turn off foot that may be required in this field… I see this guy as being an awesome older horse… but I’m not so sure about him just yet.
PP 13
7/1 SPEAKOFTHEDEVIL ID# 84341
V Wakeman ( 86 – 7 – 7 – 12 – 8% )
super7
2 Year Old Colt (KINGMAMBO x SEATTLE SLEW x SADLER’S WELLS)
Bred by vicki
Turf Classic Rank : N/A Races Wins Places Shows Earnings
Low Tag/Year: N/A Total 5 1 1 0 $34,910
Non M/C/O/S Wins: 0 Dirt 5 1 1 0 $34,910
Turf 0 0 0 0 $0
Routes 1 0 0 0 $0
Sprints 4 1 1 0 $34,910
Off 0 0 0 0 $0
NOTES: Here’s a mystery horse… he has yet to attempt his hand over the grass… his pedigree suggest he should get the distance… if he can then he’ll be closing from way deep with Red Rover.
Last minute tidbit… no colt has come out this prep race w/a top 3 finish in the Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile races in the 6 running…. Could this be curse or a matter of time between races or perhaps priorities/training styles of their trainers??? I’m not sure… but hopefully we’ll see a strong representation of the runners of the Knick Knack in the Breeder’s Bowl this year… hopefully!
I hate picking horses… I would say top 5 (can I do top 5?) are Los Shama Mambo, Mambo Wildcat, Saucer of Milk, Paper Jesus, and Red Rover…
Good Luck to all 12 of our runners… may the best horse win!