IS XTREMELY GOLD UNBEATABLE IN MARATHON?

This Saturday sees what promises to be a super days racing at Kentucky for the massive Breeders Bowl Day and the big races are supported by some races which on any other day would be features in their own right. There is no better example than the Grade II BREEDERS BOWL UNCARD MARATHON a race over 2 miles on the dirt for all horses 3yo and up with a purse of $500,000.

This race will certainly whet the appetite for some of the big ones later on so let’s take a look at how they line up.

1 – HIGH FLYER – 2ofus – D Evans – 24/1 – This 4yo filly by Dixie Union won a stakes event over this trip 3 runs back before a Grade 3 placing and a tiring 12^th in a grade one over 14 furlongs. She is a seasoned performer at Stakes level ranked 10^th over dirt long’s and is looking to make the step up. Needs to be at her best here.

2 – PHARAO’S TORNADO(IRE) – stars1 – D Givens – 16/1 – Has a terrific strike rate and won a Grade one at this distance 5 runs back. This is his litmus test and he will need to bring his “A game” to be competitive but is certainly good enough on his day as his dirt/long ranking of number 5 would suggest . Take on trust.

3 – ESPECIALLY – illbred – T Loesch – 10/1 – The number one ranked dirt/long horse on the planet and a winner of over $2,000,000 in prizemoney. Has struggles at his last two over 10 furlongs but before that won back to back over 13 & 14 respectively. If this son of Sadlers Wells can run out the two miles he will take some beating. The only query is the trip.

4 – MIRACLE TO ME – soulbleed – P Harzheim – 7/1 – This 4yo son of Deputy Minister has been on fire if late with a hat trick of 2 mile wins coming into this, two of them at Stakes level and all by massive margins and appears to have really found his niche. That in mind he would have to be one of the form runners of this lot. If he can repeat these efforts he will be the one to beat here and represents value at each way odds. Big hope.

5 – CREDIT GIVEN(IRE) – brentuk – J Stivers – 11/1 – a lightly raced 4yo of just 16 starts and a winner of his last 2 who steps up to the big time here. He is a bit of an unknown quantity compared to some of the others but times and SP#’s suggest he will have to be firing on all cylinders to beat some of these guys. That said he looks to have a bright future in this company. Prefer to see.

6 – RUSSIAN THEATRE – sunairfarm – V Gardner – 12/1 – This 7yo veteran of 50 starts is ranked 4 in the dirt/long rankings and has been racing well of later over 13-14 furlongs which seems to be his pet distances. He is regally bred (Seattle Slew – Sadler’s Wells – Secretariat) and has lived up to that breeding. If this was 2 furlongs shorter I’d be a lot more confident but this is harder. He will be out in front and give them something to catch.

7 – LEMIEUX AGAIN – mrfu – K Ledwith – 6/1 – A 6yo horse who has been concentrating on much shorter races with mixed results. He has only had one attempt at this trip where he ran 5^th at Grade I level when finishing well. He is better than results suggest and may well be in the money here if he is at his best.

8 – CASTLE BRIDGE(IRE) – texashair – T Small – 17/1 – Another consistent horse. This 4yo son of Falbrav(IRE) does give the impression that he likes it a bit shorter though and may struggle to run out 2 miles against this class. Genuine roughie.

9 – WONDERBOY DOT NL – loisblack – N Lawton – 8/1 – Has been running in much shorter races without setting the world on fire and ran a fading 4^th recently over 14 furlongs. The early odds suggest he is a good chance here but personally I’d look to others. Will need to lift sharply to win this.

10 – XTREMELY GOLD – grracers – W McClendon – 5/1 – The big gun here. This 5yo mare has won an amazing 20 from 26 races. She has won her last 8 including 5 Grade 1’s and ten of her last eleven, which is an amazing record in any language. The only slight chink in her armour (if there is any) could be the solace that her last loss was over this distance. Almost impossible not to put her on top here.

11 – LICKETY SPLIT – ojcbets – G Arnold – 10/1 – Last 5 starts have been over 14 furlongs with a couple of Stakes wins included. A son of Woodman, this fellow is always there abouts and is more than an even chance of being in the place money. Definitely one for the multiples.

12 – RECKLESS – topicount3 – P Cadigan – 13/1 – Shares a name with a famous Australian Champion of the by-gone era and has made his own mark on worl wide sim racing. His last 3 wins have all been over this journey albeit in easier company but he does give the impression that he may just step up and be in the money when they reach the wire here. Another value place chance.

13 – DARWIN(GB) – wellington – B Schardein – 8/1 – A 4yo who has been more accustomed to running over a mile and a half of late and has never attempted the gruelling two miles before. This is one hell of an initiation to this distance but maybe the theory of natural selection will kick in (yes I know it’s a bad joke). This ghostly grey has his work cut out for him here.

14 – TUNAMAN – togasans – A Craig – 17/1 – The baby of the field this 3yo colt is a winner of just 4 races who has been racing over shorter trips. He has been finishing his races off well which suggests that he may revel in the 2 mile event. This is a massive task but don’t be surprised if he catches the eye late with a big finish.

Well that is a one fine field assembled and the big question is whether anyone can end the run of Xtremely Gold!!! I’m tipping that it will continue and have made my tips 10 – 4 – 6. This promises to be a beauty!

Good luck all and Good Punting.