8 th Annual running of the Haw Haw Derby a clash of worlds
Hello race fans and welcome to another installment of Hoof Beats , back in Illinois again for the final preps leading up to Breeders Bowl Mania . The race in the cross hairs in today’s second installment is the 8 th annual running of the Haw Haw Derby -G III welcoming all 3 yo’s to take on their peers over the 9 furlong course for $ 150,000 . Covering these Races rich in Sim history are a treat for me , you see the evolution first hand in the quality of runners entering these races and can come to appreciate them more . More and more ranked 3 yo turf runners are coming here to fight it out on the lawn to place their names on the victory plaque and make Sim history . The $ 150,000 at the wire is inconsequential compared to breaking the race record of 1:47:3/5 set by 2003 winner Medusa’a Blood As (IRE) from the stables of trainer Ascoteer . This year we have a full field and co – favorites on the betting board in Test Big Mac (AUS) ranked 25 in the Classic Dirt Division and the formidable Skills in Magic ranked # 3 in the Classic Turf Division . The horses are loading up so lets take a look at them .
On the rail representing Naturesway stable is the Irish bred Anskar (IRE) 17 / 1 ( Sindar (IRE) x Cozzene x Affirmed ) and ridden by veteran V. Fraser . After a lackluster juvenile year , this colt has come on lately winning 3 of his last 4 in Allowance company . He makes his graded debut today among the toughest class of runners to date for him . His come from behind style will be ineffective in this field so his trainer must go back to the stalking style to make a race of it .
In post 2 at 14 / 1 is the Super10 trained Listen to the Lion (IRE) ( Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) x Irish River (FR) x The Minstrel ) with crafty veteran P. Munoz in the irons . The second foal of GW producing mare Allen’s Minstrells (FR) , he’s making big efforts of late to live up to his family legacy . His only graded win this year came week 2734 by way of the Panhandle Park Derby -G3 over 9 furlongs in Florida with a big late run to win by 2 1/4 1:49:4/5 94 SP . This style truly suits this freshman runner and a return to it today could be a career turning point .
In post 3 at 12 / 1 is another Irish bred runner ColdPieceofWork (IRE) ( Giant’s Causeway (IRE) x Seeking the Gold x Ribot ) from the stables of trainer Willyam13 and ridden by loser journeyman T. Smaron . With a promising debut as a juvenile , this colt won first race his freshman season on 8 furlongs of dirt wiring the field . He switched to turf week 2902 and continues to set the pace in all his starts . He’s won 1 of his 3 turf starts and is making his graded debut today . His last run at 9 furlongs resulted in a wire to wire win in 1:49:flat week 2937 . This classy field shouldn’t blink at the pace set and we will just have to see if this colt has a second gear come the top of the stretch .
In post 4 is Sharks Indigo 14 / 1 ( A.P. Indy x Kris S. x Mr. Prospector ) representing trainer Dcsharks with hard luck veteran N. Dubbs aboard . Starting off his juvenile season on dirt , it was clear he preferred the grass winning his second and third outings and putting up a 3rd place effort in Stakes company to finish up the year . He has won 4 of his last 6 starts convincingly and makes his second career graded start today . His last win at this distance came week 2853 in The Uncensored Handicap -Stk where he wired the field in 1:50:flat 93 SP . That kind of effort will not get it done in this field and an extra effort is due to make a trip to the winners circle by this colt .
In post 5 is Green Valley 10 / 1 ( Woodman x Mountain Cat x Northern Dancer ) representing the stables of trainer Lenny26 and ridden by the solid veteran jockey B. Reimers . The first foal of 11 time Stakes winning mare Together Mount , his journey through the Sim will always be compared to his Dams rugged steadfastness , soundness and determination to win . As she was a prolific router that bloomed late , it’s no supprise that he is starting to come on late freshman season winning 3 of his last 4 starts over 10 furlongs putting up triple digit efforts in his last 2 including his winning effort week 2972 in The Prosper Vision Special -Stk 2:02:flat by 2 1/2 lengths 102 SP . Running right off the pace in the pocket seems to suit him well and that kind of effort today could catapult this colt into stardom .
In post 6 at 10 / 1 is the Spqr trained Draco ( Sadler’s Wells x A.P. Indy x Unbridled ) and ridden by crafty veteran jockey Y. Dunbar . Unraced at 2 , he started his career on dirt winning 2 of his first 4 . Nonplussed , his trainer made the switch to turf and he’s shown yet more improvement winning 1 of his last 3 including a second place finish week 2923 in the Upper California Derby -G II with a 101 SP . This race , with this company is a milestone and testing field for this youngster . Hanging mid-pack and moving up after the 2nd call is his MO , that kind of strategy will be just what is needed to make a bid for the winners circle this weekend .
In post 7 is the morning line co – favorite Test Big Mac (AUS) 5 / 1 ( Testa Rossa (AUS) x Event of the Year x Gilded Time ) from the Vegasjef01 stable and ridden by veteran jockey T. Balwin . Ranked 25 Classic and 40 Long in the dirt division , he boldly makes his turf debut against tested turf company unabashedly . A stakes winner at 2 , he continued his winning ways this season rattling 3 off early and winning 2 of his last 3 including his last start on 9 furlongs of slick dirt week 2986 in the Northern Derby -G III 1:48:1/5 105 SP … his best SP to date . The real question on every bodies mind is : Will the turf spark an explosion and create a turf monster … or will he bounce and return to the dirt division ?
In post 8 at 10 / 1 is Campillo ( Storm Cat x Seeking the Gold x Nijinsky II ) from the stables of trainer Rafita and ridden by tested veteran D. Anderson . A stakes winner on the grass at 2 , he saw a brief dirt career before being switched back to turf this season . He has had some difficulties this season in graded company but the distance today is one which he has won at this year . Stalking is his bag and he should stick to it today , leave the pace alone and victory can be in your grasp .
In post 9 at 8 / 1 is the Yunkai trained Irish bred Dancing Master (IRE) ( Peintre Celebre (IRE) x Shirley Heights (GB) x Vice Regent ) ridden by winning veteran M. Reveiz . Being ranked # 69 in the classic turf division began with a very promising 2 yo campaign followed by hard work as a freshman . Four wins this season including 2 of his last 3 starts , he’s coming on late . His last win at this distance came by week 2979 on good turf in The Bald Ho Bonanza -Stk in 1:49:2/5 97 SP . He has busted out a triple digit effort over same distance yielding turf conditions this year for a career high 102 SP in 1:48:3/5 week 2923 .
In post 10 is the second co-favorite and # 3 ranked Classic dirt 3 yo Skills in Magic 5 / 1 ( Denon x Sadler’s Wells x Key to the Mint ) ridden by rookie sensation R . Logan and trained by Peeps9 . A winner first asking , this colt won 4 of his 8 juvenile starts including 3 stakes victories . He gained G1 glory earlier this year and has been on a roll with 4 wins , 2 of those in G1 company . His last start at this distance came week 2797 and resulted in a 2nd place finish 91 SP in another G1 race . His last win came by way of this very same track week 2951 in the Big Red Stakes -G1 over 10 furlongs coming from waaayyy back and winning by 2 lengths in 2:01:3/5 105 SP . He may wan’t to be a bit closer to the pace today with all the speed here or make an earlier move than normal to make another trip to the winners circle . In any case we will see this colt in the Breeders Bowl more likely than not .
In post 11 is Isle of Revenge 22 / 1 ( Strong Hope x Nureyev x Nodouble ) representing the stables of trainer Braylee with winning journeyman D. McCants in the irons . Winning first asking as a juvenile on dirt , the switch to turf brought on 3 wins in a row including stakes and graded victories in wire to wire trouncing’s . This season saw him get off to a really rough start in G1 company and hasn’t been the same since .. only lately seeming to break out of poor form . He’s ranked # 51 in the classic turf division and is looking to make a move in the standings . With so much spoeed in this race it will be very interesting to see if he can put his nose to the front again and regain his wiring ways .
In post 12 at 14 / 1 is the Wolverine trained Barb’s Rosebud ( A.P. Indy x Sadler’s Wells x Buckaroo ) ridden by classy journeyman F. Alford . Ranked # 65 in the Classic Turf division , this colt was unremarkable as a juvenile . He won first asking his freshman season and has been improving steadily . His last trip over this distance resulted in a 3rd place finish week 2867 in The Tilting That Bow Challenge -Stk with an 89 SP effort . His most recent win came in week 2888 in North Carolina’s 10 furlong The Colonel Ton Special -Stk in 2:03:1/5 96 Sp effort . Stalking .. Stalking … Stalking … a must do today .
In post 13 at 19 / 1 is the Irish bred Third Offer (IRE) ( Generous (IRE) x Roll on Roberto x Rich Cream ) representing trainer Bewitch and ridden by oldtimer S. Bigger . Ranked # 8 in Classic and # 18 in the Long Turf division this unassuming colt has been beating up his competiton across the pond and makes his American debut today . He had 3 wins as a juvenile including in Stakes company over 6 furlongs . He’s been on fire as a freshman winning 5 of 8 including a G1 victory week 2797 over 9 furlongs 1:50:flat in the All Your Base Are Belong to Us Cup -G1 .. forgive the translation LOL . His last start was a wire to wire victory over a 10 furlong course week 2972 in The Abberley Bonanza -Stk 2:02:4/5 and a 98 SP effort . This colt can stalk or lead , versatility is always a plus . Today i would stalk and make a move prior to the 3rd call to challenge late .
On the outside in post 14 is Pedro’s Rainbow (IRE) 7 / 1 ( Scenic (IRE) x Rainbow Quest x Pappa Riccio ) representing Pedro1975 with rookie G. Lauer aboard . Ranked # 57 in the Classic and 104 in the Long turf divisions , this colt is regarded as a legitimate threat . Splitting dirt and turf starts as a juvenile , he preferred the grass and came out gunning freshman season with 2 wins in a row . He’s won 3 of his last 4 and is making his graded company debut today . His last win over this distance came by a week 2951 romp in California winning by 2 in 1:48:3/5 102 SP . He likes to stalk and remaining there will put him with the big boys at the final turn .
Kingman