The NWRC Cavalcade Cup Classic

The NWRC Breeders Bowl Classic.  Fourteen go to post.  Should be a good one.

1) Purrfect Prospect (13-1) stevemunoz:  Three year old son of Pleasantly Perfect has come into his own of late, winning four of his past five, all at distances of 10f or longer.  Worth noting that his one loss in this stretch was his effort against stakes horses.  A talented youngster, he’ll be one to watch next year, but the class rise should prove his undoing here.  Will have the stamina to get the distance, so he may get up for a minor share. 

2) I Am Scheming (4-1) kaif011:  Five year old has seen his share of action and gotten his share of wins.  A multiple graded stakes winner on the turf and runner up in last years Breeder’s Bowl Mile, Scheming has been racing on the dirt of late and has shown he handles it just fine.  He’s proven at 10f, he’s proven on the dirt, he’s proven at the class level and he comes in off a solid prep victory over allowance foes at this exact distance.  A deserving favorite.

3) Sensitive Lad (12-1) valleyfarm:  Front running three year old peeled off five consecutive triple digit speed figures before running inexplicably bad in his last.  Best to try not to inexplain it and just let it slide and know that he’s won at 9.5f, he’s fast enough to win, and he’s beaten many of these in the NWRC Championship Series.  Assuming he rebounds, and he looks like he should, 12-1 is a bargain.

4) Wings of War (38-1) thepict:  Five year old hasn’t finished in the tri since being claimed by trainer thepict.  Last win was at 5f.  Would be a surprise here.

5) Tread Pattern (7-1) gerbil:  Consistent allowance runner steps up to take on the NWRC best.  Seven to one seems a bit low for a horse that hasn’t even tried stakes company in ages, but he wins with some regularity and comes in off a solid finish going nine furlongs.  A shot with his best, but a minor placing is most likely.

6) Mr. Niner Again (5-1) bigmoose: I’ll be honest.  I don’t think 10f is Mr. Niner Again’s best distance.  He’s a nice horse, winner of a quarter million dollars and I’d happily take him in any of my barns.  He just ran a 110 four starts back.  But he’s never run over 90 in his four starts going a mile and a quarter or longer and his last two were dull compared to his flashes of brilliance in the summer.   Still, you never want to count out a horse that shows a 110 on his page…

7) Smarty Party (16-1) stakes:  Girl alert!  Four year old has plenty of marathon experience and has been competitive in stakes company all year long.  Speed figures are a bit light for these, but she has stamina and class and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her finish with a top five finish.

8) A.P. Precedent (14-1) squirrel3:  This guy has a lot going for him.  Proven at ten furlongs.  Won the NWRC Middle Jewel.  Only three years old, so still eligible to improve.  Deep closer should get enough pace up front to set up for him.  A lot to like here.

9) Redeemer (11-1) jdawg05:  Claimed two back, couldn’t handle the step up to graded grass company last time.  Been running consistently in the 90s so if he runs his best he could squeak out a check, but lots of questions.

10) For Teresa (7-1) layeguada:  Speedy front runner just ran a 102 and 103 in his last two starts going a mile and a half.  He’s got speed, stamina, and class.  Probably front runner might prove very, very tough to catch, especially if he’s able to clear without undue pressure.

11) Smiling Mule (26-1) jdawg05:  The other half of the jdawg entry, Mule is another recent addition to the jdawg stable.  Seems to do his best while on the lead and will have to work to get there against some classy opposition.

12) Babyfaced Assassin (14-1) hamster:  Team Rodent’s other runner (I think.  I get my rats confused), this guy actually has a shot at a really nice price.  Put together a nice string of 100+ speed figures over the summer, then got hurt, came back at 13f which he just didn’t handle and now ends up here in the classic.  Admittedly, a handicapper likes to see some recent form, but it doesn’t take a huge leap in logic to throw the last two out, which leaves you looking at:  A couple sharp 9.5f allowance wins and a close up finish in fast time at the classsic’s 10f distance.  Assassin has a good winning percentage, class, has proven to be fast enough at his best, and his closing style could be set up by a speed duel.  A lot to like at 14-1.

13) Quik King (94-1) thearkle:  I have to admit, I don’t see many 94-1 shots.  Well bred, but probably in over his head.

14) Provincial Wall (5-1) broadbrush:  Lightly raced four year old comes in highly regarded with good reason.  Five for fourteen lifetime, the stretch runner has won two in a row in impressive time and looks to add another win to an already impressive resume.  Could prove very troublesome for the front runners in the stretch.  Big question is the stretch out to 10f.

That’s the field.  It’s an impressive cast and any one of six or seven look to have a solid shot at taking down the prize.  Good luck to all entrants.