G3 Rantofan Handicap Race Preview

My, what an interesting race this will be. Many of the horses contesting the $125,000 G3 Rantofan Handicap in Oklahoma this week will be having their first starts as 3yo’s. The race is over a mile and one sixteenth on firm turf as is open too all 3yo’s. The race was first run and won in California in 1999 for a purse of $75,000 and was won by Unamazingness last year in which he came from 10 lengths back to win by 0.25 of a length running a SP of 88. This year, a field of 14 will face the starter in what promises to be a close contest with racing patterns to determine the winner.

PP#1 – TORINO(KY) – Eurosilver X Danehill X Storm Bird (wistful) 15/1
This colt has 2 wins and 2 placings from seven starts for $57,886. He had 6 starts on dirt as a 2yo only winning his maiden. His first start as a 3yo was also his first start on turf in which he cleaned up a NW2L allowance field by 2.25 lengths. Has never run ungraded stakes and is taking a huge step up to take on some proven graded performers. Racing pattern is mid-field and sprints quickly however with such a step up in class he will not have the turn of foot to push other graded and ungraded stakes winners in this race.

PP#2 – MONTERROSSI(IRE) – Dubawi X Storm Cat X Mr. Prospector (fernando) 8/1
This colt has never finished out of the money in 7 starts which includes 3 ungraded stakes wins and 2 ungraded stakes places for $194,250. His first run as a 3yo saw him nail the Kilbeggan Special Stakes field by 1.25 lengths in 3098 over 6 furlongs however he has shown as a 2yo that he can run the distance and win. This is the next logical step for Monterrossi and his mid-field sit and ran on race pattern may mean he is able to stick on when the pressure comes on in the stretch. Will finish in the first half of the field and is a chance to run ITM.

PP#3 – MINGOON(KY) – Mingun X A.P. Indy X Mr. Prospector (reman12000) 13/1
This 3yo colt has raced 8 times in which he has finished ITM 5 times including an ungraded stakes place and an NW1x allowance win last start as a 2yo over 6.5 furlongs to take his career earnings to $32,458. He looks to be more comfortable over shorter trips and his run from behind racing pattern could see him fall a long way behind early. Big test for a colt with an average record however his 6 week break and first run as a 3yo could unearth something unexpected. Should run no better than mid-field.

PP#4 – PERSIAN LYRIC(IRE) – Peintre Celebre X Gone West X Danzig (thematrix) 6/1
7 starts, 4 wins and 2 placings for this colt which includes 3 ungraded stakes wins and 2 ungraded stakes placings for $165,500. He had 6 starts on dirt and in his last outing as a 2yo was put on turf over 7.5 furlongs to win the City Pillow Challenge Stakes by 1.5 lengths running a SP of 89. Currently 121 in dirt long and 133 in turf sprint divisional rankings and has good form coming into this clash. He has run best when racing close to the pace and if he can take advantage of his inside draw and continue this racing pattern he is good value at 6/1. Good ITM chance.

PP#5 – MOOSEOPIA(KY) – Consolidator X Cozzene X Sadler’s Wells (jarid) 19/1
This colt has 5 starts for 2 wins and a place for $15,980 which includes a ungraded stakes placing. Has only won a NW2L allowance and does not appear to have the same zip as other fancied chances. He has only ever raced on dirt with this G3 race being both his first on turf and as a 3yo. Looks to be lucky to draw into this field with his record indicating he may be better off in a dirt allowance race. A positive is his Dam won 7 races as a 3yo+ on turf including ungraded wins and graded places. Usually races in the lead or just off and should be outclassed and run off his feet this weekend.

PP#6 – ROQUEFORT(IRE) – Sadler’s Wells X Came Home X Storm Cat (hipica) 7/2
This colt has 10 races, 5 wins and 3 placings including 2 ungraded stakes and a grade 3 stakes win and a 2nd placing at Del Penn Champions Day G1 all adds up to Roquefort being installed and endorsed as the favorite for this G3. He has amassed almost $300,000 in earnings and is 3rd in both turf classic and turf long divisional rankings with a career best SP of 97 over 9 furlongs. This glamour colt looks set to tear a large proportion of this field apart when starter lets them go. He won his G3 Panhandle Park Derby lead up race by 2.75 lengths in 3098 and looks as if he will give hipica back to back G3 wins. Racing pattern is in the last quarter of the field and picks up the leaders quickly when the pressure comes on and will do the same this week. Winner!|

PP#7 – CAROLINA QUICKSTEP(JPN) – Forty Niner X Sadler’s Wells X A.P. Indy (1i2) 11/1
Has won over $110,000 in 9 races for 4 wins and 2 places that include 3 ungraded stakes wins. This colt raced very well on turf to take those 3 ungraded wins, however in his last 2 starts as a 2yo he was put on dirt only to be flogged both times by a average of 14.5 lengths. This will be his first run as a 3yo after a 6 week break and thankfully it is back on turf. He will however have to find some zip to compete with Roquefort as his highest SP is a 87. His racing pattern is from around mid-field and looks as if he could run near the money.

PP#8 – LUCKY’S AZZ(IRE) – Azamour X King Of Kings X Spectacular Bid (bigrama) 20/1
Won his last race (NW2L allowance) in 3098 by 2.25 lengths running a SP of 87 on turf over 8 furlongs. Has had 6 races for 2 wins and 3 placings including a 2nd place in the Goats That Faint Juvenile G3 in 2888. Will challenge for the lead early with his front running style which will make him a sitting duck in the stretch however this is his first start as a 3yo and the distance will certainly not be a problem. Will have to improve a bit from allowance form of last run and if he is able to take the step from his 2yo season he run mid-field. Prefer others.

PP#9 – WHIRLING DATE (IRE) – Azamour X Benny The Dip X Danzig Connection (bmr002) 13/1
This colt has raced 7 times as a 2yo for 1 maiden win and 3 placings. His last 3 runs were at ungraded stakes level where he placed 4th twice and a 5th. He hasn’t run since 3063 and this looks a massive first up assignment for a colt that hasn’t raced in 9 weeks. Highest SP of 89 will need to improve to at least 95 and as he tends to sit close to the rear of the field he will most likely stay there this week. His Dam won both her races in 3yo season however he will not do the same racing in this company. Has not shown enough yet to push some of the top horses in this field.

PP#10 – R LOYAL MAN(KY) – Mr. Greeley X Lil’s Lad X Lear Fan – (kbsweet) 23/1
Not even having a glamour trainer will help this colt in his first stakes test. He has raced 8 times for 3 wins and a place which includes a last start NW2x win by 3 lengths on turf over 7 furlongs. kbsweet gave him 7 starts on dirt for 2 wins before he took off in 3105 in his first run on the turf to post a SP of 91. Only ever having raced in allowance company may prove R Loyal Man’s downfall as the step up in class is significant. He has won only $70,075 in career earnings however if winning form is good form we are in for a battle. Although he has never raced this trip before the extra furlong should only help and with his usual racing pattern of settling just off the pace he is a fantastic each way chance. If he can handle stakes racing he will give a great show, if not he will finish around mid-field.

PP#11 – JUST TEASING (KY) – Fusaichi Pegasus X Deputy Minister X Storm Cat (dozaa) 9/2
Yet another colt in this race but a red hot prospect for Roquefort to contend with. He has 9 races under his belt for a 66% winning percentage and 1 placing & over $170,000 in earnings. Wins include 3 ungraded stakes over 7.5 furlongs on turf and a last start 3 length win in 3105 over a owner restricted field whist casually posting a SP of 96 at 8.5 furlongs. Has the distance covered, breeding is exceptional and has the form through his winning streak of 5 on the trot. Will lead this race from the barrier and crush most contenders. 36th turf long runner in division and will only enhance this after finishing in the top 3. He will be there in the finish, will Roquefort catch him?

PP#12 – SIX MOON ORBIT(KY) – Fusiachi Pegasus X Sadler’s Wells X Seattle Slew (kyclocker1) 11/1
1 ungraded stakes run – 1 win. Six Moon Orbit was awesome in his first hit out as a 3yo in 3091 as he not only won the Rich Crown Special Stakes over 9 furlongs on turf, he nailed all challengers by 4.5 lengths. He has had 6 starts for 3 wins and a place and just over $63,276 earnings which most of came from his last start. He can handle the distance, but doesn’t seem to have the raw speed of others running over 90 SP in this race. Ranked 64th for turf long and is coming off a 2 race winning streak and a decent break. He races from near last in the field and should trail Roquefort then fade when they make their move when pressure mounts. Should run top 5.

PP# 13 – SAGASPECTOR(FR) – Sagamix X Mr. Prospector X Irish River – (network9) 21/1
Great value at 21/1. This colt has had 6 runs for 3 wins and 2 placings which includes his 3070 last start Graphic With Jumbo Stakes over 8.5 furlongs on turf in which he won by 1.25 lengths posting a 90 SP. He has loved the extra distance in his last 3 starts which has produced a maiden, an allowance and now an ungraded stakes win. He has however, not raced for 7 weeks and as with Whirling Date, it looks a tough first up assignment. He has shown he can match the speed and nail the distance but he may be a bit green. He will challenge Just Teasing for the lead early and could come undone if it develops into a slugging match. Ranked 54th in turf long and could run ITM to enhance this. Best value ever.

PP#14 – KING OF THE BUDAS(KY) – Kingmambo X Red Ransom X Messenger Of Song (joanneb) 19/1
joanneb has given this colt 5 starts for 2 wins and a placing including an ungraded stakes place. He has not yet broken $32,000 in earnings but has a 2 race winning streak in which he beat a NW2L allowance field by a hand in 3091 posting a SP of 90. Has no set racing pattern and looks as if he will be beaten for speed early whilst dropping back though the field. Would prefer to see him in a ungraded stakes field where he could be very dominant as he looks as if he will battle to push much further than mid-field.

So there we have it. Some dead set chances and some others that will look to their next run for success.

Predictions: 1st Roquefort, 2nd Just Teasing, 3rd R Loyal Man, 4th Six Moon Orbit, 5th Monterrossi