Bargain Bowl: Cougar Bite Classic – Two favorites and the rest…
* grammar tolerance is advised
The year is almost over again and 11th Bargain Bowl, amazing event for cheaply bred horses is here again. The event consists of 15 stakes races for horses, bred under 120 pts (plus two allowances). It is a great celebration of innovative breeding. And it is also great satisfaction for every trainer with own original breeding strategy, to see it working in confrontation with five, ten or twenty times more expensive horses. It needs some luck, but you always need it in sim. Ok, in life as well :).
It is also conclusion of whole season of 65 bargain stakes races. Extraordinary number of chances for glory and I have to thank for it to Morgan (Knightmare) like every year. The sim would be only half the fun without Bargain bred racing series (bbrs in article).
Feeling you can let Tapit, Bernardini, Galileo, Giant’s Causeway or Awesome Again to sleep for a while? Breed or claim couple of cheaper horses and come with them to show us ;). You can find every information on series’ webpage or the forum.
In the times of old sim. There were three main races with increased purse, Bargain Classic, equivalent of Breeders Bowl Classic, Cemetary Winter Distaff, equivalent of Breeders Bowl Distaff and finally Cougar Bite Classic, ten furlongs turf race for middle turf runners, which was partial bargain alternative to Breeders Cup Turf. During the time, Bargain Bowl John’s Call was added to satisfy 12F turf runners, but Cougar Bite Classic with a long tradition fortunately stayed in the calendar to be the top race of the year for middle turf division. Alhough there are smaller fields now than in its history (in general), it is great that tradition goes on. In the list of winners (table below), we see some important names from the race’s past. I remember them every year, so you can basically find these stories in older previews of Cougar Bite Classic. This year I did small research, which says that in the race history (2005-2014), 76 horses entered the race at least once. 13 of them were here multiple times. We always remember only the champions, but there are also other horses, which had run here repeatedly, never able to win. Two of them hadn’t even reached top 3 – Polo Player and River Rake. Nevertheless, they could and they were part of the tradition. If you are interested, I can give you these stats on demand :). They are of no practical importance though. It is just minor indicator, which illustrates interesting aspect of longevity in bargain racing as well as respect for the tradition. That makes whole series unique and special and you can hardly find it in regular sim racing.
List of winners (2005-2014)
| 2005 | 1st | PEPE’S PIPES | 2nd | CLEARANCE CLARENCE | 3rd | HAPLESS | result |
| 2006 | 1st | GALLIC CHARM | 2nd | ANKALINE | 3rd | CLEARANCE CLARENCE | result |
| 2007 | 1st | TEN LOST PYRAMIDS | 2nd | PEPE’S PIPES | 3rd | CLEARANCE CLARENCE | result |
| 2008 | 1st | TEN LOST PYRAMIDS | 2nd | BRIGERAND | 3rd | CLEARANCE CLARENCE | result |
| 2009 | 1st | RECON SHOP | 2nd | TEN LOST PYRAMIDS | 3rd | CELESTIAL KEY | result |
| 2010 | 1st | BRILLIANT NOTATION | 2nd | HOUSEFULLOFGHOSTS | 3rd | TEN LOST PYRAMIDS | result |
| 2011 | 1st | AL CENTAINE | 2nd | YELLOW GIALLO | 3rd | HOUSEFULLOFGHOSTS | result |
| 2012 | 1st | BRILLIANT NOTATION | 2nd | HOUSEFULLOFGHOSTS | 3rd | KEY ADDRESS | result |
| 2013 | 1st | ARCANO OPERA | 2nd | BRILLIANT NOTATION | 3rd | GHOST WITH A HEART | result |
| 2014 | 1st | GO FOR ALL OF IT | 2nd | NEWBAR CHOUX | 3rd | LATE FOR THE TRAIN | result |
In 2014, we could see great exhibition of Go For All of It, who finally gave to Lgbost stables present of win in this race. He was dominating the division and was well-deserved winner, defeating fine 3yo colts Newbar Choux and Late for the Train. It’s a year later and three horses of 2014 edition are back. Go For All of It is defending the title, Late of the Train is here as well as 4th from last year Blue Satin Pillow. It would be interesting confrontation with newcomers. Let’s check, who is ready for 2015 battle:
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Graph of distance and speed figures in last 10 races |
1 – WORLD OF DROWNINGS (MIKHAIL GLINKA x THEWAYYOUARE x ARTS AND LETTERS) – 5/1
Few years ago, I met one guy on the street. He wanted to speak with me about his religious beliefs. I wasn’t really keen to discuss with him, but at least I decided to listen to him when waiting on my tram. Besides other things, he told me that people in this world are like drowning in the sea, that they are lost. And then he tried to explained me his faith like the one, which represents a ship, pulling these people out of the water… This year, I somehow recalled this memory and named freshly bred bargain horse after it. 3yo foal of Galileo’s son Mikhail Glinka, winner of Dubai City of Gold, was a big surprise for me. In his first test, maiden hot race, he defeated his well-bred stablemate. It was good sign to me. Although, I could not expect him to win in his second race – Ten Lost Pyramids memorial. He had no problem with Go For All of It and won easily by 3 lengths. His third start was even more interesting in my eyes. In Bargain Arc, he proved to be strong over 12F and won by 3 1/4 lengths when beating his stablemate Sea Levels High. His first loss came last time in The Pearl Cup over 9F. There he finished third, relatively far behind Go For All of It as well as remarkable winning filly Time to Turn.Today, he returns back to 10F. As we know, there is quite big difference between 10F and 9F, which can still be well handled by good miler. So, one furlong more should help here today. Although, when watching his short career, it seems like 12F+ races will be the best option for him. Just, in this case, I decided not go against his stablemate like in the Arc and signed him to this race instead of BB John’s Call. I hope the decision was right :).
…btw. I told the guy, that people aren’t actually drowning. People are swimmers and it is only their choice if they use this ability. |
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Graph of distance and speed figures in last 10 races |
2 – ZABACA (KING OF DANES x GLIDE x KRISINSKY) – 9/1
Zabaca from Lgbost’s stables is similar case like his mate Blue Satin Pillow (see further). He returns to Cougar Bite Classic after two years. In 2013, he was interesting new claim in Lino’s bargain team. In a weaker competition of aging legends he finished 4th. It looked like a promising start in the barns of new owner. Unfortunately, his career was stable without real progress or some career highlights. He thus became horse, who collects points from local races. In last year, he won one local race over 9F, was 2nd twice and 3rd once. Stable performance is nice aspect of this horse, but the qualities are not that high and that doesn’t make him threat. He is in even group of runners, who can fight for lowest money today. |
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3 – GO FOR ALL OF IT (ALL AMERICAN x SARAVA x GO AND GO) – Even
5yo Go For All of It, defending champion, is back here in Cougar Bite Classic. Back for a big battle. Last year, I subtitled this race’s article “Chasing the monster”. The chase was unsuccessful, because this horse was just unbeatable that time. This year situation is slightly different. Mighty colt started the season in a big style with only one exception in G3 National Stakes. After it, he defeated participants of regular stakes race. He was also very strong in bbrs Hunt Turf Cup (9.5F) in may, where he reached magnificent 111 mark, after catching battle with Newbar Choux. But somehow, it looks like this win took lot of his powers and stole part of his shape. In regular stakes Solaguen Turf Challenge, he wasn’t a threat to a winner. Then he return to bbrs company and he was absolute favorite of Ten Lost Pyramids memorial race. Newbar Choux was missing after Hawkz left the series, so there were no obvious obstacles in defense of his last year’s win. Despite expectations, he lost the race due to newcomer World of Drownings. After obligatory win in hot race, he returned to bargain company in his last race (The Pearl Cup – 9F). He showed nice performance, passed the World of Drownings, but in last meters of race couldn’t overcome capable filly Time to Turn. Although he didn’t win, he showed he is still strong. For sure, he will fight for win today, but it will be tough, pretty tough… |
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Graph of distance and speed figures in last 10 races |
4 – LATE FOR THE TRAIN (BULLET TRAIN x ROYAL ANTHEM x MANNDAR) – 9/2
Another horse from my stables is regular participant of bbrs events. He was claimed last year from Mark (mtk), experienced bargain racing trainer, as well as winner of this year’s Bluegrass Derby. Despite some decent results, he is stays a bit behind expectations. Last year, he finished surprisingly 3rd in this race with decent speed and performance. He wasn’t able to improve since that unfortunately. He confirmed his good qualities in The Hunt Turf Cup (9.5F), finishing 4th in the race..but far far behind Go For All of It. In smaller field of Ten Lost Pyramids stakes, he did 3rd place job, but the performance showed wasn’t really overwhelming. In last bargain race, the Pearl Cup, he was hopelessly far behind the winning filly. Additional furlong could help him, but I don’t see his chances high. Just for the previous results, I think he deserves his place here…to preserve the integrity. |
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Graph of distance and speed figures in last 10 races |
5 – BLUE SATIN PILLOW (NIHON PILLOW NEIL x BRAVE WARRIOR x ROMAN DIPLOMAT) – 8/1
Besides Gor for All of It, lgbost returns to the game also some old names. Blue Satin Pillow was regularly part of the series in the last season with highlight spot in 2014 Pearl Cup, where he was 2nd close to the winner. Also his 4th place from last year’s edition of this very race is very valuable. That had been his last bbrs race till today. This season, Lg mainly run him in local stakes and allowances of African and South-East-Asian region. He took one win from those, as well as couple of 2nd places. It is difficult to compare these local races to today’s competition. The truth is, his speed marks decreased a bit since last year and so he doesn’t look really dangerous. He needs to remember better old times to show something mentionable today. |
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Graph of distance and speed figures in last 10 races |
6 – THE REAL MARTYR (SULAMANI x CARNEGIE x VAL ROYAL) – 17/1
Third participant of my stables, 3yo bay colt The Real Martyr started his career in june hot race (9.5F). It was quite easy win by 4 lengths. We of course know the quality of horses in hot races, but I decided for a steep step to the Bargain Derby anyway. It wasn’t unfortunately successful and Martyr ended 6th 12 3/4 lengths behind the winners. Considering lower quality of this year’s edition, the performance was very average. After the result, I sent him to shorter distances around 10F. Finally, he showed some improvement in claiming races. In last two performances, he was always second with relatively decent speeds above 90. So, there might be slight potential in him, but he is still in category NW2L and hasn’t been really successful in allowance and higher level. It means today will be very difficult for him and probably beyond his current powers… |
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Graph of distance and speed figures in last 10 races |
7 – IDEAL DUBOIS (IDEAL WORLD x COUNT DUBOIS x ELLIODOR) – 11/1
4yo Ideal Dubois, the only participant of great bargain trainer Dragnil, comes to bargain series for the first time. He progressed slowly, broke his maiden in last december. He was mainly pointed to local and claim races. This spring he showed some potential between 9 – 10F, which may be resulted in nomination to this race. In june and august, he also accomplished two wins in low claims. In september, his South African trainer tested him in higher level company of local stakes race over 10F, but Ideal Dubois finished hopelessly far behind the winner 17th out of 20 runners. He doesn’t have big chances today, but I understand his nomination to the race. Myself, I also like the feeling to have symbolical presence in every bbrs stakes race. That’s the magic of bargain racing and the community around. |
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Graph of distance and speed figures in last 10 races |
8 – GEORGIE PORGIE (GEORGE VANCOUVER x WAY OF LIGHT x BLUSHING RIVER) – 8/1
Kind of interesting participant is Georgie Porgie from Mtk’s stables. I see him as the one for surprise. He is only horse untested at today’s distance. That can be big disadvantage, but there can also be secret abilities hidden in shadow. From long past of bargain racing we know some cases, which were successful in this situation. 2009 winner Recon Shop was a big shock. He showed convincing performance and beat all the others. Also Concotelli from boss’ Knightmare stables won Bargain Arc in 2010, while previously managed purely in sprint races. These experiences doesn’t mean he is going to win today. Probably not. But he is definitely one to watch. He is three years old and in progress, this is one more reason why. He was part of bargain races since his 2yo career, but didn’t do anything remarkable. In may, he was 6th out of 9 in the Bourbon Trail, bargain stakes over 6F. Then, he competed several times in claiming races and found his strong discipline on turf mile. He qualified himself as a promising miler in last two races, where he achieved two 5th places. Considering the quality of bargain turf milers, these were pretty good efforts. So, only question is, what can he show in 10F race. All three sires in his bloodlines say turf mile is the best option possible, 10F is may be slightly more. But you never know, until you try. And it is good decision of Mark to try it here. It brings more excitement to the race. Soon, we are going to find out if there is a good replacement for Brilliant Notation in the stables of experienced trainer. |
If you ask me how to summarize this year’s line-up, I would say that there are two strong contenders and the rest, which is going to make an audience to them. Go for All of It is going to defend his title bravely, but he lost some of his powers since last year. World of Drownings should be dangerous opponent and if he gets a good day, he can easily win. I somehow believe Georgie Porgie could be third one in the podium. He is on fire, but the distance could be really the issue. The rest is almost balanced. I can write this order Late for the Train, Blue Satin Pillow, The Real Martyr, Zabaca, Ideal Dubois and you can put it to the drum and then pull out differently with same probability. The Saturday gives us clear answer.
Saturday will be interesting from 16 other reasons and I’m sad they can’t be all covered. There are two races, where certain horses try to reach hat-trick. Basilisk Isles is there in BB John’s Call and Hyrrokkin in BB Vimes Turf Distaff. Their chances are quite low, but hope always dies last. In BB Classic Shores Infected will try to copy last year’s winner Slippery Truth, who won Bargain Derby and Classic in a same year. But Open to Alumni is there, unfortunately injured last year, but today ready for revenge. Superstar Stratum Kahal is ready to win for a second time in a row in BB Silent Witness Sprint. Roderic’s Pins was the best turf miler last year and won BB Kaif Mile. This year he struggles a bit with stable-mate Stratopist. Look at this division, its main characters can kick face of your regular stakes and graded runners. Redfinger is the monster in dirt mile division, but could he lose with last year’s winner or a solid filly? Difficult to say, but watch BB Sir Bear Mile to know more…
There is many more dishes to offer and every has its great taste. I am excited like every year. Excitement, which can be hardly exceeded by Breeders’ Bowl meeting. It’s simply a very special day in sim. Watch it with me ;).
Thanks for reading!
Great work, Plano.
Nice touch with the graphs.
Some great bargain rivalries there in this race amazing consistency over those 2007-2013 campaigns just had the same bargain warriors going at it every yr..