Breeders’ Bowl Mile Prep Features Battle of the Sexes

Wow!  What a race for my inaugural article (of which I predict to be many).  I was just recently introduced to the Sim by a fellow member-Given, whom I met via the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona (Go Cats!  At least come basketball season anyways.).  I am an avid horse racing fan and thoroughly enjoy expressing my interest in the sport with others.  But enough about me, we have an excellent race to cover!

As the days grow closer to that magical week of 3028, the excitement builds within the horse racing community.  The prep races dwindle as trainers give one last try to get their horse into one of the Breeder’s Bowl Races or look for the perfect tune-up to get their horse a win in three weeks.  Whatever the case may be, one thing can be certain:  It’s going to be a crazy three weeks!

It’s no secret what the trainers who have entered horses into the Breeders’ Bowl Mile Prep have on their mind.  The 16^th race nightcap from Ascot is one of two stakes races on the day, the other being THE ROO BEAVIS(IRE) Bonanza, the10^th race on the card, an $85,000, 7 1/2F turf race for 3yo+.  The BB Mile Prep features five horses with earnings greater than $1.5 million including the likes of New Storm (second ranked male in the older turf route classic division) and Thirteenth Date (second ranked female in the older turf route classic division).  A hot pace up front should immensely help these two deep closers as they try and push their way to the top of the division.

And now for the entrants!

1) Thirteenth Date, 4yo filly, 5-1, P Harzheim (24%), Gone West x Dynaformer x Storm Cat, trained by congie5

The 5-1 co-favorite comes off of a win in the Queen Ascot Stakes (GrI, 8 F Turf, 3yo + fillies) in which she rallied from 8^th place at the quarter pole to take the lead and hold off a game Devil’s Slide, who takes post position 8 in here today.  The three time Gr1 winner will face boys for the first time here, which may prove a difficult task against the likes of some of the best turf males including New Storm.  Like the tactic taken by trainer congie5 in pointing her towards the BB Mile instead of trying to stretch her out for the BB Turf Distaff.  With speed figures ranging from 103 to 112 this year, she may very well finish ahead of the boys, but as the co-favorite, she may be hard to play.

2) Sip of Saki, 4yo colt, 7-1, J Dyson (11%), Sakee x Forty Niner x Buckpasser, trained by bjbandit2

After winning his first four career races on dirt, Sip of Sakee disappointed in his next three races and was moved to the turf where, except for a brief three race stint earlier this year, he has remained ever since.  His last race was a disappointing seven length loss in the Posh Purse Stakes (GrII, 8.5F Turf, 3yo+).  He did still manage to salvage a speed figure of 103, however.  His last three races have earned him figs of 103 to 110, so the numbers are there, but you have to wonder if it’s worth playing a horse who’s never won a Grade 1 stakes at 7-1 against some of the best horses in the world.

3) Weed Rat, 4yo colt, 21-1, Ja White (10%), Novere(IRE) x Gulch x Go Step, trained by nancy

Since making the move to stakes company in week 2636, Weed Rat has shown that he is capable against good horses.  He proved he can win at big odds in week 2685 when he took down The ON THE OTHER HAND (GB) Stakes (Stk, 6F Turf, 3yo+) with a 104 speed figure that would be competitive in this field at odds of 17-1.  The problem is he hasn’t broken into triple digits on the speed figs since then.  The closing sprinter has an outside chance to make a run at the hot pace in front if he can handle the stretchout from 6F to 1 mile all right.  Keep in mind that this horse has won at 8F before when deciding whether or not nancy has the horse ready to get the distance.

4) Congo, 5yo horse, 7-1, R Williams (15%), Arazi x Mari’s Book x Known Fact, trained by coastal

Fresh off a bad beat second in the Canada Mile (GrI, 8F Turf, 3yo+), Congo looks to earn a placing that would help secure a bid for the BB Mile.  He’s improved speed figure-wise over his last four races, but will be pushed on the front end by Grimnosh and Your Desert.  If he runs back to his last race or improves (which is very possible), he should receive the needed result, but be weary of a bounce, especially since he will need to run fast to get the lead.  If coastal has him ready, he’s got a great shot.  Very competitive if the early speed holds up.

5) Fantastic Kris, 4yo colt, 10-1, D Rideout (9%), Fantastic Light x Flag Down x Kris S., trained by 3rdtry

Comes into this off a big speed figure of 112 in The CULVER CITY Challenge (Stk, 6.5F Turf, 3yo+), but will need to translate that number from an ungraded stakes race to a Gr1.  A turf course labeled good will help make things easier as he is 8 for 8 in the place on an off track.  May have a little trouble getting the distance against such classy horses.  Foresee good things to come from the 3rdtry trained colt, just not sure it will happen in his first graded stakes race.

6) Sportin Quixote (FR), 5yo horse, 24-1, A Kotoro (10%), Safron Walden (FR) x Dawn Quixote x Sportin’ Life, trained by ksue

Another one in here that will make his graded stakes debt in a GrI.  Running style bodes well for the race and a rerun of The WESTERN ACADEMY Special (Stk, 7.5F Turf, 3yo+) from week 2951 would probably make him competitive to come in the money.  Horse has been whipped into shape by ksue and turned into a good Stk/upper allowance runner, but he will most likely need to pull a rabbit out of his hat to earn a piece of the pie in here.

7) Danzig’s Buda, 4yo colt, 31-1, P Burch (4%), Danzig x Storm Cat x Sadler’s Wells, trained by Vicki

The breeding is there, that’s for sure.  The problem is this horse just hasn’t quite been able to turn the corner and take to form as a solid graded stakes runner.  Looks pretty overmatched and might get burned running close to the hot pace up front.  Look for Vicki to get this horse going, just not today.

8) Devil’s Slide, 4yo filly, 8-1, J Wesselman (14%), Kingmambo x Seattle Slew x Nijinsky II, trained by afc

This horse has run past what her breeding indicated, which is saying something!  The other filly in here nearly pulled out the win against this race’s co-favorite, Thirteenth Date, in the Queen Ascot Stakes (GrI, 8 F Turf, 3yo + fillies) with her 111 speed figure, which puts her in the thick of this race.  Way back in week 2496, afc found this filly’s niche when she responded at first asking on the turf.  She has been lights out ever since, earning over $2.5 million in her career.  Unlike Thirteenth Date, would have liked to see this horse pointed towards the BB Turf Distaff.  She didn’t run too badly in it last year.  Worry that she’s seen better days, but then again, she’s come in the top four in her last four races (all grade I/II’s), and is coming off a career effort.  Still, will be leaning elsewhere as she faces one of the toughest fields in her epic career.

9) Echoes, 5yo horse, M Antoni (9%), E Dubai x Deputy Minister x Damascus, trained by gallorette

Exits the Canada Mile (GrI, 8F Turf, 3yo+) in which he finished fourth behind, among others, Congo.  The earner of over $2 million is a deep closer and that should help him a lot today.  Trainer gallorette will be looking for the win that would most likely solidify a position in BB Mile.  Must admit that I would like to see this horse stretch out at some point as he has closed well in his last three races, but only to salvage fourth or fifth.  Remember, he earned a 111 speed figure in his first race on the turf at a distance longer than what will be contested in this race.  Must consider a threat with that killer late kick, but can’t quite see him getting up for the win.

10) New Storm, 4yo colt, 5-1, M Day (20%), Storm Cat x Nureyev x Damascus, trained by coolerk

Earner of over $2.5 million, New Storm comes into this race ranked number two in the older male turf classic route division, second only to five time Grade 1 winner Seeking Sal.  In his last race, The Simulated Sports Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (GrI, 9F Turf, 4yo+), New Storm came flying like a bat out of…a cave from 11 lengths back to catch pacesetter Awholenuworld and out duel a strong-finishing Seeking Sal by a head to rack up his second Gr1 win.  New Storm will look to improve on an already impeccable record of 28-12-9-4.  He has shown no signs of regression as of late and has not finished off the board since week 2587.  In addition to sporting some excellent form, New Storm should also appreciate the benefit of an off track, at which he has registered his three fastest speed figures.  The only chink in the armor of this unbelievably well-bred colt is that he will be turning back in distance from his typical 9-10F to one mile.  You have to respect the job that coolerk has done with this horse to get him to this point.  Look for the 5-1 co-favorite to turn in another excellent performance, especially while reaping the benefits of a turf course labeled good, to serve as a springboard for the BB Mile, in which the rematch of Seeking Sal and New Storm will be much anticipated.

11) Kyogle Tiger, 5yo horse, 17-1, C Milhouse (13%), Mt. Livermore x Storm Cat x Cryptoclearance, trained by Tulloch

Tries a GrI for just the second time (finished a disappointing ninth at odds of 5-1 in only other try).  Has run a 109 speed figure as recently as week 2804, so can’t say he’s got no chance, but he hasn’t one a race all year and this is tough spot to get his first.  Running style is perfect, recent form isn’t.

12) Barb’s Back Home, 4yo colt, 14-1, B Cokebottle, Sadler’s Wells x Kingmambo x Seattle Slew, trained by barbstable

Exits a win in the Maudlin Cup (GrI, 8F Turf, 3yo+).  Looks like trainer barbstable has gotten him to peak at the right time, and breeding indicates that those last two races were no fluke.  A win here would possibly earn a spot in the BB Mile.  Running style fits the bill.  Good turf course is a concern as he has finished off the board in all three races on an off track including an abysmal performance week 2818.  Still, great value at 14-1 and is the long shot play in here.

13) Grimnosh, 5yo horse, 18-1, H Danger (4%), Gold Legend x Strawbery Road(AUS) x The Minstrel, trained by knightmare

Tough spot for the 18-1 long shot.  Not only faces the likes of quality horses such as Thirteenth Date and New Storm, but will also be pushed on the front end by Congo and Your Desert. Speedster will turn back from 9F to a mile to help ensure a longer stay on the lead.  Not at all impossible to hold on and finish in the money.

14) Your Desert, 4yo colt, 9-1, T Moss (11%), Desert King (IRE) x Sadler’s Wells x Seattle Slew, trained by baldrick

Came off a 245 day layoff to hold strong for second and earn a nice 108 speed figure five weeks ago.  Very impressive that baldrick had him ready to go after such a long time.  No reason not to expect improvement second start off layoff.  Of course, there’s also a good shot of a bounce, especially with Congo and Grimnosh looking for the lead in addition to this pace setter.  Still improving to be done for this 4yo, look for him to turn in a great campaign next year en route to a BB race.  Would have a much better shot in here if he knew how to rate a little, but still can’t discount by any means.

Well that’s it for me.  Good luck to all in the race.  Until my next article, may your horses be fresh and your photos be winners!