Breeders Bowl Turf IX: Clash Of The Titans

Editor’s Note:    Article Written by Tntfarms.

The 2006 Breeders Bowl Turf figures to go down in legend as one of the greatest races ever run in The Sim. The top three choices: Horseshoe Bay, Sunnybank Memorial, and Rain God are legends of The Sim turf. They are currently the top ranked older horses in their division, and together they have combined to win 61 races and over $24 million in prize money. Horseshoe Bay is the defending champion having captured last year’s running over Rain God with Sunnybank Memorial in fourth, while the stakes record is held by Sunnybank Memorial who eclipsed the turf field back in 2004. Solid credentials indeed, but this is not a three horse race, as eleven other worthy challengers will be in the starting gate on Saturday. Three of the best grass runners in the 3 year old division are here, with the Irish bred Cortez and Lex Luthor ranked one two in their division and the number five ranked Director who is lightly raced but could be a star in the making. These young guns should not be overlooked in a race that has seen a 3 year old take the top prize in each of the past 3 years.

Let’s take a look at this dynamite field from the rail out.

Owner: dawgpound

I better say something good about this colt or I may be out of a job.

He races for the Dawgpound stable and is trained by none other than Sharon “Snowchief” Shimko the head of the BTB and my boss. In that case I think this colt is the best horse in the field and he’ll win easily. There, maybe I’ll get a raise.

Now to the serious stuff. This four year old son of High Chaparral has been a very consistent turf runner throughout his short career. He closed out his 3 year old season with 7 consecutive victories on the lawn against allowance and minor Stakes company and this strong form prompted his connections to map out an ambitious 4 year old campaign in the Graded Stakes ranks. He began 2006 with six consecutive defeats, all against Graded Stakes competition. Although not winning he was more than holding his own with a pair of second place finishes and a trio of third places to his credit. During this period he was also able to finish ahead of some of the Heavyweights in the division. His trainer however, was concerned that her prized pupil was not winning. “After going without a win in like 9 months I knew I had to get him a win to sustain his form and keep his confidence up, so I decided to steer clear of the big boys”. The result? The colt responded by taking the Grade 2 Shimko Classic, thus snapping his six race losing skid. Next time out he was again judiciously placed by his trainer in the Grade 1 Long Walk Cup and he took that 14 furlong marathon by an impressive 7 lengths. Six weeks later he brings his two race win streak to the Breeders Bowl and there is no ducking the big guns this weekend. Snowchief is confident but modest in her expectations, “He’s run well off layoffs, so I’m not worried about the six weeks rest. I’d be happy just to get a piece of the purse. Fifth place or better will do”. Confederacy figures to be part of the early pace and although he won on the front-end last time out, the presence of a number of speed horses in this field may lead to a change in tactics. “He will probably sit behind the lead. How close to the lead though will be up to the jockey”.

Owner: champions4

After running first or second in six starts to begin the year, this grey colt was a dull fourth last time out in the Grade 1 Coalminer Cup, in what was his poorest performance in over a year. It was only the second time in 17 grass races that he failed to hit the board. Was that race an aberration or has he gone off form? Many racing experts believe that he was done in by the slow pace in the Coalminer and that he’ll be back to his best on Saturday. The pace this weekend figures to be honest and that should suit his come from behind running style. On form alone he poses the biggest danger to the top three choices and this year he has shown he can run with the best turf horses in The Sim. He was awesome when winning the Grade 1 John Henry Classic, with Puppet Regime, Rain God and Sunnybank Memorial left in his wake and was good enough two starts back to win the 10 furlong Windy City Turf. He shipped into Kentucky earlier this week and looked good as he walked the shedrow under tack. His trainer was unavailable for comment but his rider believes Rapid Grey will bounce back strongly with a big effort on Saturday. “I’ve seen the video of his last race in Australia and the winner just got loose on the lead. I don’t think anyone will steal this race as there is plenty of speed in here, which is good for my colt. I’m hoping I can save some ground around the turns and hopefully he’ll come running late”, jockey Small told the media at this week’s conference call.

Owner: sunnybank

Record (44 : 25 – 6 – 5) $9,631,889 Turf (40 : 24 – 6 – 5) $9,598,620

A veteran of the turf and one of the best in the history of The Sim, this son of A.P. Indy will be contesting this race for the third straight year. He was dazzling in 2004 where he not only took the first prize but also set the stakes record of 2:28-3/5. He also returned to run a decent fourth last year. Saturday will be the forty fifth start of his illustrious career and there are concerns that this five year old is past his best. He has won 4 of his 10 outings this year, all against Grade 1 company, but his last start was his worst performance since week 1901 of his 2 year old season. He was fifth beaten 11-3/4 lengths by Cortez (IRE) as the 2/1 favorite in the Grade 1 Clark Turf Stakes. “Obviously I was very disappointed with that effort last time out, but he has bounced back before and I’m hoping he can do it again on Saturday”, said his trainer Rich who races under the sunnbank banner. “He’s a little older now and some people are writing him off, but he has beaten both of the top two choices in here this year already, so I can’t see why he can’t do it again this weekend. He’s sharp as can be and we are keeping our fingers crossed”. For this race Sunnybank has been reunited with jockey D. Givins who was aboard for his Turf victory two years ago. Said Givins earlier this week, “I won two Grade Ones on him during his 3 year old season, including the Turf. However because of contractual obligations I was unable to ride him during his 4 year old campaign. This year was the first time I rode him in two years and we won another Grade 1 together and we were just beaten in NY Island Cap at 10 furlongs which is not his distance. He runs well for me and I think he’ll be tough to beat on Saturday”. Many have been wondering if this will be Sunnybank Memorial’s last start after he has had four long hard campaigns. His trainer isn’t quite sure just yet, “I realize the time is coming soon, it will be a very sad day when I have to retire this wonderful horse. He is easily the best horse I have had or probably ever will have He will let me know when that time comes.  I think he is not quite done yet, though”.

Owner: ninerdust

Record (23 : 9 – 5 – 0) $572,440 Turf (18 : 8 – 5 – 0) $555,940

After five sub par dirt starts to begin his career, this colt was switched to the grass early in his 3 year old season and he hasn’t looked back since. In two seasons on the lawn he has been very successful against minor stakes company and he made his first foray into the Graded Stakes ranks this year. After a tough head loss in the Grade 3 Slow Tree Special he was stepped up to Grade 1 company for his next two starts where he was beaten into fifth on both occasions. He finished 14 lengths behind Balerion in the Movieland Turf Cup and 10-1/4 lengths behind Sunnybank Memorial in the United Countries Handicap. However last time out he was able to win the Grade 2 Bluegrass Cup Turf on the front-end over even money favorite Rain God. Even after that win many pundits still believe he is a cut below the top bracket at this stage in his career and his trainer Mark is fully aware of the gigantic task his colt faces on Saturday. “He will be back next year, so this is going to be a learning experience for him on the biggest stage”.

His presence does however make an interesting pace scenario even more interesting as he likes to run on the lead and will have plenty of company out front if his connections decide to send him early. And from all indications that is what his trainer intends to do. “He should set the pace. If not, he’s done, as he only has one speed”. Whether he’ll get to the front remains to be seen. He is an improving colt and will have to run a career best to take home the top prize in this one.

Owner: chop

Record (39 : 16 – 8 – 4) $2,024,900 Turf (36 : 16 – 7 – 3) $2,016,920

The number 5 ranked horse in the division, but he may be at a disadvantage on Saturday given the 12 furlong distance. He did manage to score over 12 furlongs in the Grade 2 Ferdichenko Cup in his first start of the year, his best career performance at a mile and a half. He also has a Grade 3 win at the distance last season. However he prefers 16 furlongs and his 2 Grade 1 wins at that distance confirms his affinity for that trip. “He does prefers the two miles, but he has done well enough at 12 furlongs that I think he deserves to be in this race”, his trainer Ferguson who is representing the Chop Stable, told the media earlier today. “This is a tough field and he’ll have to bring his absolute A-game to win this, but we’re quietly confident”, she continued. “His stable mate Dante ran in this event the previous 3 years and was second in 2004. Hopefully Band of Budas can go one better”.

One thing in his favor is that the pace figures to be strong and if that is the case it does suit his off the pace style. Having said that, it will still be difficult for bettors to ignore his weak mile and a half form against top class company. And top class company is what he’ll be facing this weekend.

Owner: ratt49

Record (24 : 9 – 2 – 2) $975,742 Turf (13 : 5 – 2 – 0) $757,920

Lightly raced, but talented 5 year old who has won Grade 2 Stakes on both turf and dirt. He has been to the starting gate on only four occasions this year and was able to win the Grade 2 Dawn to Dusk Cup 15 weeks ago. His other 3 starts have all been off the board finishes, including his last out against minor stakes company in week 3014. This season he has been under the tutelage of stand-in trainer Roys and she knows that both she and her horse have their work cut out for them against this company. “His regular trainer is away on business and I’ve been trying to get to know Extortionist better. What he likes and dislikes. Hopefully I’ve got him figured out enough for him to produce a top effort this weekend. I know he’s sharp and if he’s good enough to hit the board I’ll be happy”, his trainer told the press earlier this week. Punters should not overlook this son of Red Ransom completely as he has shown in the past he can run some monster races speed figure wise. His best number at the distance puts him right up there with the top choices and if Roys has him fit enough then he has a legitimate outside shot. Bettors should also take note that he is being wheeled back in 2 weeks off his last effort, and the last time he ran on 2 weeks rest he ran a freaky 120 speed number on the dirt.

Owner: wrecks2

Record (20 : 10 – 3 – 2) $1,966,896 Turf (18 : 10 – 3 – 1) $1,963,000

This wonderfully bred colt from the Pompeya Thoroughbred Racing Conglomerate has really taken a big step forward this season. Debuting as a 3 year old last season, he won his first 6 starts on the grass, but was unable to take that form into the Graded ranks. He was off the board in his first two Graded Stakes attempts against Grade 2 and 3 company. Although his form has been spotty this year, he was able to finally break through and capture the Grade 1 Sandcastle Golden Turf Classic in Dubai against many of the horses he will see on Saturday. He was 14/1 that day and since then he has added the Grade 2 Longstickboom Stakes and has been solid if not spectacular. According to Ledwidth his trainer, he is a very unusual horse. “Puppet has become a very weird horse. He was sharp three weeks in a row, 2944, 2951 and 2958, and in that time span he was able to hit the board in two Grade 1 events. Since then he has not been quite as sharp in his training and that is why I opted not to run him in the Ark”. He did appear 3 weeks ago in Canada though, and he ran an uninspiring eighth beaten over nine lengths by the impressive filly Kiss of Betrayal. He was the 2/1 chalk in that race and his trainer is treating that effort as a complete throw out. “I was using that race as a prep for Saturday, but I thought he’d run better than he did. The jockey didn’t follow my instructions anyway”. So what has Ledwidth done about the jockey situation? “I’ve got one of my family jocks for Saturday in K. Ledwidth. He’s won 4 races on the colt in the past, so he knows him well. I expect a better effort this weekend”. This colt has a nice stalking style but will need to recapture his spring and summer form to threaten in here.

Owner: texasace

Jockey: F Gossett ( 701 – 159 – 120 – 116 – 23% )

Record (28 : 18 – 3 – 1) $6,394,695 Turf (28 : 18 – 3 – 1) $6,394,695

Distance (16 : 13 – 0 – 0)

Best 12 furlong speed figure: 113

The defending Breeders Bowl Turf Champion is back to defend his crown, and he enters this race after putting in the best performance of his life last time out in France. In the Grade 1 Ark De Triumph he blitzed the field by 3-1/4 lengths while covering the 12 furlongs in 2:28-4/5. He also earned a career best speed figure of 113 after lowering the stakes record by 1-3/5 seconds. “The Ark de Triumph was the main goal this year, it’s a race I always wanted to win in The Sim and it’s an honor that Horseshoe won”, his trainer explained to the media at this week’s conference call.

That was 4 weeks ago and the question is: “Can he run another big race off just 28 days rest and a transatlantic journey?”

“Why not?” his trainer asked. ” I gave Horseshoe a planned 10 weeks off in the early part of the summer to hopefully have a fresh horse for the fall and I feel that he is up for the challenge.”

He has been ultra consistent this year winning 6 of his 9 outings, all in Grade 1 company and he looked good as he galloped on the turf track earlier this week. He seems to have held his flesh well and if he duplicates his last race they may all be running for second money. Jockey Gossett who was aboard for last year’s victory gets the leg up again on Saturday and he is confident a repeat is on the cards. “The only two times I’ve sat on Horseshoe’s back, he’s won, and we’re going for the hat trick on Saturday. He has felt strong in his gallops and the race should set up well for him”.

Owner: slipknot22

Jockey: N Lawton ( 703 – 157 – 116 – 92 – 22% )

Record (17 : 9 – 1 – 3) $2,572,460 Turf (15 : 8 – 1 – 3) $2,548,160

Distance (6 : 4 – 0 – 1)

Best 12 furlong speed figure: 105

The top ranked 3 year old distance turf horse in the Sim is not shown much respect by the racing secretary, who has put this Irish bred colt at 17/1 on the morning line. His trainer is not paying much attention to the odds board however and is only interested in how his colt is doing coming into the biggest race of his life. “His 12 furlong speed figures have been a little light compared with some of the big guns in here and that may be one reason for his morning line odds”, his trainer Tequila said. And he is right. Cortez has dominated all comers in the 3 year old ranks but he has only 3 triple digit speed figures to his credit. The highest being 105, earned last time out in his first start against his elders in the Grade 1 Classic Turf Stakes. In that race he beat the legend Sunnybank Memorial and he will have that one to deal with again as well as all the other top older turf horses. He needs to take another step forward in order to lead his connections to the winner’s circle and his trainer is confident he can. “I’m confident he can take another step forward. He’s sharp as a tack for this race, and he has what I hope is the perfect style for this killer field”. When pressed by a reporter about what is the perfect running style for this race, a confident Tequila replied. “Stalk behind the front runners and hopefully we can get first run on the hard closers”.

Owner: galileo

Record (15 : 8 – 4 – 1) $1,936,166 Turf (12 : 8 – 3 – 0) $1,917,800

Distance (5 : 3 – 2 – 0)

Best 12 furlong speed figure: 110

The English Derby winner in the spring, this colt was a bang-up second to Horseshoe Bay in the Ark 4 weeks ago and although he is ranked second to Cortez among the 3 year old turf stayers, he is shorter on the morning line at odds of 11/1. His speed numbers are superior to his 3 year old counterparts, but many questions abound. Has he peaked too soon? Can he duplicate that monster Ark effort at the end of a long season? And there is the question of pace. He is one of 4 dedicated speed horses in the race. Can he rate or will he try and take the field wire to wire. His jockey H. Harzheim believes this 3 year old son of Empire Maker can be rated. “We worked him behind horses last week and he was good. Can he do it on Saturday? I don’t know. I tell you what, if no one wants the lead, I’ll go. He was able to rate behind Director in the Owner’s Stakes so hopefully we’ll get a similar trip”. And Harzheim is very confident of his chances this weekend. “He’s the best of the 3 year olds in the race. He’s beat Cortez 2 out of 3 times and he beat Director the only time they met. He also showed last time he can run with the older horses”. His jockey has reason to be confident as Lex Luthor’s form has been exemplary this season. In 10 starts he has only finished off the board on one occasion and that was his second start of the year in week 2762. He has won 7 of his 10 outings and was second in the other 2 starts. Add to that, the fact that he has never been out of the top two in 5 starts at 12 furlongs and he represents a danger to the top choices. His connections are hoping for one more big effort this weekend.

Owner: sirbarton

Record (34 : 14 – 3 – 5) $524,974 Turf (6 : 3 – 0 – 1) $247,968

Distance (4 : 3 – 0 – 0)

Best 12 furlong speed figure: 104

The Cinderella horse of the group, this guy was claimed by his current owner after his very first start in a $10,000 Maiden Claimer. Lo and behold three seasons later he is running in the Breeders Bowl Turf. The question every journalist wanted to ask his trainer Pat this week was, “What made you claim this modestly bred horse in the first place?”

“I don’t remember what it was that I liked in his pedigree, but I thought that it was a claim worth taking a shot at. My thinking at the time was that Yoko could maybe win some BP’s in

claimers for me. He ran a closing third in that claiming race, and I decided he’d like longer races, and that maybe he was better than just a mere claimer”. Well, better than a mere claimer indeed. He hasn’t seen the claiming ranks since that first start and he has won Stakes on both turf and dirt. However only 6 of his 34 races have been on the lawn and his trainer explained why. “It took me quite a while to realize that Yoko’s best game was going to be long-turf races”. Well as the saying goes: Better late than never. And in Yoko’s case, he’s been better than ever. His last four races have been on the grass at 12 furlongs and he has won three of those, including the Grade 2 Horseshoe Fall Stakes, the first Graded win of his career. Last time out however, in his first start in Grade 1 company he was seventh in the Canada Turf beaten 8-3/4 lengths. Many pundits don’t think this five year old has a shot against the elite turf runners but his trainer is undeterred. “This is my first Breeders Bowl starter after 7 years in the Sim and I’m going to enjoy it”. It will take a career best for Yoko Bone O to turn back this field, but win lose or draw it’s an achievement for a modestly bred former claimer to have come this far.

Owner: tomsfly

Jockey: D Evans ( 729 – 187 – 118 – 100 – 26% )

Record (28 : 11 – 5 – 2) $758,700 Turf (28 : 11 – 5 – 2) $758,700

Distance (1 : 0 – 1 – 0)

Best 12 furlong speed figure: 98

Here is a colt with an interesting form line. In 28 career starts this five year old has only run one 12 furlong race. That was during the spring of last year, where he ran second against minor Stakes company. It was also last season that he won his only Graded Stakes event, the Grade 3 Fusahoochie Turf Classic over 11 furlongs. In 10 starts this season he has a solitary victory and that came in a minor stakes in week 2818. So how does a horse with past performances like this, rank 15 in the division and make it to the Breeders Bowl. It’s simple. He has been second or third in five Graded events this year. His pedigree screams mile and with his inexperience over a mile and a half he could be at a disadvantage. He has run some solid races but it will take something extra special for him to upset this field. It’s interesting to note that his 2 best speed numbers have been at a mile and a mile and one sixteenth and he is the only horse in the field without a win or a triple digit speed figure at 12 furlongs. You have to think he is in very tough in this spot.

Owner: kevoman3

Jockey: P Harzheim ( 734 – 183 – 147 – 120 – 25% )

Record (37 : 18 – 11 – 4) $8,011,960 Turf (37 : 18 – 11 – 4) $8,011,960

Distance (20 : 7 – 9 – 2)

Best 12 furlong speed figure: 115

As consistent as they come, this guy has been on the board in 33 of his 37 lifetime starts and was a courageous second in last year’s race. He will look to go one better this time around and his trainer believes a change in tactics for this race may be the key to turning his 12 furlong form around. His last 10 races at the distance have resulted in 8 second place finishes a third and a fifth. Speaking with the media outside his barn earlier this week trainer kevoman3 was coy about the tactics he employed last time out in the Coalminer Cup and the tactics he may employ for Saturday’s race. “He has become somewhat of a bridesmaid at 12 furlongs recently and we believe it was due to him being so close to the pace. However that is the way he has always run from day one. Last time out we wanted the rider to take him off the pace to see if he could make one run from behind and to see if his form would improve given the change in tactics. Although he was beaten into second again, we were encouraged that he showed some versatility in his running style”. When pressed by reporters on what tactics he will employ this weekend, given that Rain God was beaten in the Coalminer by a loose on the lead Director, kevoman3 just smiled and replied, “We’ll see how the race sets up before we decide, we can press the pace or we can come from behind.”

Rain God is always there coming down to the line and whether he will be on top this weekend is left to be seen. Jockey P Harzheim takes the reigns this weekend and he is excited to be partnered with one of the all time greats. “It’s an honor to get this mount. I’ve ridden him once before when he ran at Ascot in the Royally Modest Cup and he won that day. I was very impressed with him then and I’ve been impressed with how he has been working. I’ve been watching the tapes of his recent mile and a half runs with his trainer and I think his tactical speed could be an asset this weekend”.

A win in this event would be the icing on the cake of a glorious career.

Owner: snappa4

Jockey: W McClendon ( 716 – 180 – 129 – 113 – 25% )

Record (7 : 4 – 3 – 0) $1,099,410 Turf (7 : 4 – 3 – 0) $1,099,410

Distance (3 : 2 – 1 – 0)

Best 12 furlong speed figure: 107

This is eerie. Here is another 3 year old colt by Empire Maker out of a Theatrical mare. Here is something else weird. He not only has an identical breeding to Lex Luthor, but also the same go to the lead and come catch me if you can running style. However unlike Lex Luthor he has not shown any inclination that he will rate behind other horses. In seven career starts he has not been headed early, and he has not finished out of the top two. This will only be his eighth career start and he is the longest shot on the board, however no one has been more confident than his trainer all week long. And he should be, after all, this colt ran a sparkling race last time out beating the older horses including Rain God in the Grade 1 Coalminer Cup. It was an interestingly run race with Rain God dropping further off the pace than usual and a loose on the lead Director opening up a 13 length lead in the straight. At the wire he got home a length and a half in front of a fast closing Rain God. He covered the 12 furlongs in a good 2:29-4/5 and earned a career best 107 speed rating. His trainer Goddard who heads the Snappa Racing Syndicate concedes a similar pace scenario like the one last time out is not likely this weekend. “I realise he won’t have that sort of run in this race with the likes of Lex Luthor and Rain God right on his hammer. Even with that extra pressure I’m confident he has a great winning chance in a race that has been very good to 3 year olds over the past 3 years.” Being lightly raced he has the most upside of any horse in this field and no one is quite sure what this colt is capable of just yet. He has faced both his 3 year old counterparts in the Owner’s Stakes, where he ran second behind Lex Luthor and beat Cortez into third. Longshot players are licking their chops at these odds and so is his trainer. “This is a very even field with any of the horses having the credentials to win. All I can say is I’m quietly confident and wouldn’t swap my boy for any other”.

That’s the fourteen of them, and I will not make a total fool of myself by trying to pick a winner in here. I wish everyone and safe trip and best of luck.