THE 1ST MINNESOTA MILE
Minnesota– Monster Milers on the grass get their Festival due in the inaugural $250,000 Minnesota Mile. A field of nineteen boasts sophomore colts and fillies, and older horses and mares. Longshots, hot chalks, and fan favorites — what an eclectic group of Minnesotans!
But only one can be the winner of the inaugural Minnesota Mile. Fire up the crowd and let loose the bugler’s call. It’s time to release the Festival’s balloons — let’s go RACING, woogedy, woogedy, WOOGEDY!!!!!
1 15290 GALLO BLUE CHIP muffinlove T Klein 12/1 DENNIS
The old man! Gallo Blue Chip will bring down the house if he can somehow pull off victory here Saturday. Even regardless, Minnesota railbirds shall give ol’ Gallo a standing ovation when he steps out onto the racetrack. 71 starts for this 7 years young campaigner. He’s the fan favorite through and through in this field!
His past performances are like a walk through Sim history. ‘Chip was a Grade 1 winner way back in 2001 and ran 3rd to eventual Sim Eclipse Champion 2YO Colt Tower Storm in that year’s BB Juvenile. He was an Equinics II hero in ’02 and galloped in the Bluegrass Derby. He took part in Wing’s Of Naskra’s amazing 4-race win streak in 2003 (Wings Of Naskra ran one of the fastest races ever in Sim history — a 130 SP# — during that win streak). ‘Chip was around for Equinics III in ’04 and of course won a Minnesota vs Down Under Resident Challenge race in ’05!
Gallo Blue Chip only makes his 3rd start in 2006 Saturday. Indeed, he’s been down on the farm since mid-September for Supertoy7. Three cheers for Minnesota’s ol’ boy and Storm Cat son, Gallo Blue Chip!
2 109117 GREEN MILE RYRY ryry B Pickel 43/1 COTHILL
Give us some mean green, Green! Cothill has a Green Desert 3yo filly and she loves the turfy stuff, placing many times this season in ALW company. She’s got the karma too with this lean green mile. Not so spectacular speed figs though, but, hey, the karma in her name may be all that she needs!
FWIW — maybe give this filly another try around a grassy one-turn. Maybe she wasn’t sharp for her 2yo debut last year? Green Desert known for throwing sprinters (as well as routers of course) in the Sim. Should be around the pace.
3 105700 TEDDY’S DUBAI ets5 Sa Jackson 22/1 TEDDY
Ah Ha! Teddy brings an E Dubai sophomore colt who won recently over a Monster Mile. The colt carved his way out of the ALW ranks with the 100 SP# victory. Ran honestly when debuted versus older horses in a 8.5f stakes. Maybe he got injured after his last time out race.
So, 6 weeks rest and that’s a swell breather for this up-and-coming youngster. Tough assignment from around midpack for this little guy. Might pick up a piece of the purse. Not to be discounted.
4 26571 GIANT’S BANJO itsalock S Upertoy 8/1 RANDY
I wrote about Randy’s Dixieland Band 4yo many times in 2005. He was one of my favorites. 🙂 Unfortunately, he’s had his ups and downs this season. Don’t get me wrong, he ain’t chopped liver in 2006. The ‘Giant placed a couple times at the graded level (especially a sizzling 108 SP# in the Fried Rice Mile(G2) a few starts ago). This colt’s just totally inconsistent and hasn’t won in well over a year.
Giant’s Banjo should appreciate this group. Five weeks rest should help and see him fresh. Gotta get him a couple wins, Randy! Even if it means dropping him back to the ALW level. Or you can try the dirt-to-turf switcheroo, trying to wake him up. One dirt mile ALW won’t hurt. I know it’s a last resort type of thing. N2racing did that with Niner Connection — he got a couple ALW wins out of the colt and maybe a stakes race. But eventually Todd bred Niner since Niner wasn’t able to compete anymore at the graded level.
Anyway, keep your chin up, kiddo. Giant’s been a excellent horse I’m sure you’re already thinking about who you’ll breed him to. 🙂
5 110339 CASA DE ORO jrodneyg L Zandofsky 35/1 FRED
We’ve got a sophomore filly by Came Home as Fred’s entry. This midpacker displays a bit of talent over the green stuff. Yet to break the 100 SP# barrier. In a bit over her head against the big boys. Still, she might factor into the pace or stalker fray for a while. Extreme outside chance.
6 1433 BARB’S SUPERSOAKER babyfarms S Foster 12/1 BIGRICK
Bigrick sends out a Trempolino 4yo. The veteran campaigner pays his dues in ALW ranks, preferably grass sprints. Good numbers around one-turn. Can get the mile too — a bit of a sleeper for perhaps a minor share. Stalker/pace presser has an outside shot for a little dough.
7 8366 COMIC WISH crush83 C Boothroy 60/1 SILVERNY99
Silver brings a Comic Strip sophomore who’s 1-for-15 so far. The dark horse makes his carrer route debut. The closer can handle on-turn. 80-some SP#s though so far aren’t much to go on with this group though. Needs big time help. Maybe jockey Boothroy can get out and push. 😉 😉 🙂 🙂 🙂
8 70436 ASP(IRE) alba1 A Annika 56/1 THE PICT
Arhar, maties! Asps and lizards, oh my ! 80 SP#-type claimer for The Pict. This Rock Of Gibraltar(IRE) sophomore shall make his dark horse run from the back of the pack. Needs to grow wings on his heels if he hopes to capture the prize or at least a minor share.
9 93060 DANE EXPERIMENT(AUS) leiter L Pannier 34/1 CHUCKROCK
Alrighty! Chuckrock brings two sophomore dark horses. The first one here is by Danbird(AUS). The colt has won 2 of 6 starts so far and most recently won impressively over 11f. He did throw some 90 SP#s though in miler-9f routes.
Hmmm….. this stalker/pacesetter is the kind of sleeper that’ll creep up on a handicapper. A lot of upside to this youngster, but he’s still unproven. Can go either way with the class leap. Still, one to keep an eye on if you like to play the big prices.
10 18139 SLAND GRAM bigb G Osborn 11/1 TEDDY
Teddy’s 2nd half of his co-entry is a 4yo filly by Grand Slam. She’s a pretty grass specialist, proven very well at the ALW level with a trio of victories this season (including LTO!). She’s been stakes-placed too with a 96 SP# over a mile.
I think Teddy has a good chance here at the board or a minor share. Very honest starlet and this is her best distance. Give these boys a thrashin’ ‘Grammy! Ha! 🙂
11 102096 MAVERICK desperado2 P Green 9/1 ROB
Wow! Gone West son in for his 17th career start already to close out his sophomore season. Royal bred has won 4 of his last 8, including a gorgeous 104 SP# at the ALW miler level LTO.
Very promising colt who was stakes-placed earlier in the year. Love his numbers. Just needs to find that little extra something to bring him home a winner at stakes level. Great shot. Best around midpack. One to watch.
12 99345 ALWAYS IMPROVING rharfo7 O Stinson 22/1 RHARFO
Last year’s BB Juvy Turf hero Always Improving checks in with an excellent jockey aboard. The Trempolino sophomore is only 1-for-12 this season. Just never really went forward after his precocious freshman season.
The little guy did win a turf sprint stakes over the summer. He also finally broke through the 100 SP# barrier at long last in the time-honored Mospe Cup(G1), finishing 6th of 14. Unfortunately, the colt was nowheresville in two starts since (a class drop in his last too). Blah.
My heart breaks for Rharfo, but, hey, nobody can take away that exclusive BB victory (I’m jealous! :))! Perhaps this colt’s a bit tired right now. Lots of backclass and as good a spot as any for his final ’06 bow. But I don’t think he’ll be much of a factor even in this group.
13 96681 FUZZY RAINBOW dundey7 A Scott 9/1 DUNDEY
Multiple stakes-placed Rainbow Quest sophomore checks in amongst the faves. Dundey kept this colt in turf sprints for the most part earlier this season before springing the miler trap over the summer. ‘Fuzzy responded too, placing in a miler Grade 3 event and running a splendid 4th in the Coalmine Mile Cup(G2), one of the late season time-honored events for his division.
That’s three 100 SP#s so far for Fuzzy Rainbow. He’s since had 5 weeks down on the farm and that shold see him sharp as can be. Very live shot for Dundey. I think Jungleland’s better around one-turn — Dundey’s “B” horse might bring home the bacon instead.
14 92103 JUNGLELAND estreet B Craver 6/1 DUNDEY
Danzing 5yo horse pretty much a turf sprint specialist, but he’s paid his dues in the short route ranks. 37th career call to the post for Jungleland and the speedster’s riding high, winning 2 of his last 3 starts.
I don’t like how he tired somewhat in those two miler ALWS over the summer. He’s got a month’s rest though, so maybe he can boot this one on home. Must avoid a speed duel though. Could hang on for a minor share. Could also make idiots of us all, since he’s in such great form! But I like Dundey’s Fuzzy Rainbow better in this spot. 🙂
15 24147 WORLDS IN MOTION species48 J Ritorto 13/1 SPECIES48
Lemon Drop Kid sophomore missed the Panhandle Derby(G3) winner’s circle LTO by about two lengths. Improving youngster for Species48 — this colt seems to be getting better and better, proving himself capable up to 10f turf so far. And if you think he’s just a stayer, think again! This guy can belt out turf sprints like no tomorrow too.
His numbers put him with the faves. I like him a lot from midpack. Great shot. This one might be your winner or trifecta’s key selection. One to keep a wary eye on.
16 59276 SIR COX RIDGE metswin K Ritterspauch 46/1 CHUCKROCK
Huh! Another sleeper for Chuckrock. this 3yo colt is sired by Sir Cherokee (never heard of him). Victories in 2-of-7 races so far, but interesting efforts. The speedster ran a whopping 99 SP# after breaking his maiden.
Chuck then tried 11f turf and 9f dirt experiments and you can toss those two out. I like how this colt rallied from stalker position in his last race. It was a solid third and the 97 sP# is just plain enticing. He’s still green as heck and has to pass the stakes level test. But very interesting. Don’t let the odds fool ya. Sleeper.
17 11989 COLLINS STREET manapace J McDowell 40/1
Manapace again! Agghh! It’s on the tip of my tongue — just can’t remember which player owns this stable. 🙁 bargain baby here ran in Knightmare’s Series. Versatile over either surface and enjoys this distance best. Speedster in a big class step up.
Nice little 4yo to earn some BP. Will join the pace fray. Where he is beyond that, your guess is as good as mine. Still, he’s earned well beyond his breeding price. Great job!
18 15534 GLAD GIRLS staceylg K Friar 7/1 RICHGINS
Wow! Gallant ol’ gal by Forty Niner makes her 42nd career start on Festival day. Glad Girls won the My Tulip(G3) back in late springtime for Richgins. At age 5, she can still pick up her feet as she did a couple starts ago, taking a 8.5f turf stakes versus females. The closer was also Grade 3 placed LTO.
Does she still have the fleet of foot to run down the boys? Possible and rides great form on 5 weeks rest. Top jockey aboard must pilot her through heavy traffic. OK, Gallo Blue Chip is the #1 fan fave and Glad Girls is close up in the #2 spot. The grandstand will go wild with a Glad Girls victory! Go, go, Girls, GO!
19 20866 DANCEHALL DREAMER desperado2 K Bowen 6/1 ROB
Rob’s second entry is a 4yo colt by Stormin Fever. This colt’s won more than his fair share with 12 victories from 27 starts, including 5 of his last 6. Monster Miler specialist is a worthy co-fave. Great numbers — let ’em loose on the brazen lead and watch him go! great chance if jockey can pilot him from afar in the 19-hole.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Classy field! Honest speed — the winner will come from anywhere. I’ll go with Species48’s Worlds In Motion with his cutback to a Monster Mile. Giant’s Banjo might suddenly wake up. Maverick and Fuzzy Rainbow have positives. Dancehall Dreamer might hang on for a piece of it or at least a minor share.
Win: Worlds In Motion
Place: Fuzzy Rainbow or Maverick or Giant’s Banjo
Show: Dancehall Dreamer or Sland Gram
Happy Festival Day and good luck to all at Minnesota Downs! Woohooo! Go, Minnesota Downs, GO!!!!!