G1Train Yard Special Stakes

Here we are in Italy for the running of the $450,000 G1Train Yard Special Stakes over 9 furlongs in what many see as a rematch from the 3028 Breeder’s Bowl Juvy Filly race. Urban Quest took the honours on that occasion but it is not as clear cut anymore with many fillies from that race developing into great 3yo’s and set to seek revenge.
From that race contesting this race we have Dahliyev, Lightseeker, Vy The Quarterback, Buda For A Day, Brabasong, Smokey Theatre and Lenshaft. These are all great fillies and it has resulted in turf classic divisional ranked horses 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 11 all contesting this race in what will be a very tight finish. Here’s how they line up….

PP #1 – DAHLIYEV(KY) – CRYPTOCLEARANCE X EL PRADO(IRE) X MAJESTIC LIGHT (chelseydek) 10/1
5/4-1-0 for $664,240 – Turf Classic: 3
Although this filly has won four of five starts and was beaten by fewer than two lengths in the Breeder’s Bowl, she is yet to run over 90 SP. She has beaten all that have come before her apart from running into Urban Quest in 3028 winning the G1 Filly Grand Prix before the BB and bounced back hard after the lose in 3028 by winning the Orange Bingo Bonanza Stakes in 3070 by almost four lengths. She can run close to the speed or sit mid-field and the inside barrier may just see her running from just off the leader. Having not raced for eight weeks and therefore not as a 3yo, Dahliyev is a bit of unknown which could either see her develop into a very nice 3yo filly or turn up a bit green and needing a run. She is the SIMS sixth highest 3yo filly in prize money and is good value at 10/1.

PP #2 – LENSHAFT(KY) – PINE BLUFF X STORM CAT X ALYDAR (chops27) 18/1
7/2-1-1 for $202,046 – Turf Classic: 13
Winner of the G2 Wolfmother in 2979 over 8 furlongs, Lenshaft has since failed to perform with a 12th place in the Breeder’s Bowl before coming off a twelve week break to run 3rd in an NW2x allowance in 3112 in her first run this year. Hopefully chops didn’t have Lenshaft fully wound up last start as she will have to run out of her skin to win this week based on the last two runs. She is based on a horse that had fifteen starts for no wins or placings and has to date defied this with her G2 win. Lenshaft has no obvious racing pattern but won her G2 by sitting slightly better than mid-field.

PP #3 – WANG CHUNG(GB) – BEAT HOLLOW (GB) X JADE HUNTER X DYNAFORMER (super3) 12/1
8/3-0-2 for $132,504 – Turf Classic: 28
Although her turf classic ranking may not be as good as some other runners in this field, Wang Chung is coming into this race as the filly with the best form. Her G3 Panhandle Park Oaks win over 8.5 furlongs in 3098 in her first run this year showed that she is more than capable of winning this. She is another runner that takes a sit around mid-field and will give some of the other trainers in this race something to look for in the stretch. She is based on a horse that had two Graded wins in its 3yo season and looks as if she is a good shot this week.

PP #4 – THE KING’S HUNTER(IRE) – AZAMOUR (IRE) X KING OF KINGS (IRE) X JADE HUNTER (ticketman0) 8/1
9/3-2-0 for $138,875 – Turf Classic: 41
She has been very impressive in her two races this year after progressing through the ranks in her 2yo season which saw her place 2nd in the Pharhaz Ruckus Challenge Stakes in 3056 over 7 furlongs and 4th in the Mama Affirmative Stakes over 5.5 furlongs in 3077. She was looking for a lot longer in that last run and showed it as a 3yo over 8 furlongs in the Cecil Roo Stakes in 3098 to win by just over two lengths running a SP of 91. Her lead up run for this race was awesome, finishing behind only Brabasong in the G3 Triangular Star Stakes over 8.5 furlongs in 3112. Has run badly when drawing outside barrier but all looks positive as she will run from barrier 4 and will therefore sit just off leader and grind away.

PP #5 – LIONSLAYER(KY) – A.P. INDY X SADLER’S WELLS X CARSON CITY (waremblem2) 20/1
6/4-1-1 for $158,794 – Turf Classic: 39
The outsider of this race is lightly raced and has run top three every run. Her trainer waremblem2 has placed her nicely in races she can win but may have run into something a lot tougher this week. Although she has won four races, she has not posted a lightning quick SP and this may find her out. Her last two runs last year were in 2986 in the Ms. Grim Memorial Stakes over 7.5 furlongs placing 2nd and her last as a 2yo in the West Music Challenge Stakes going 8 furlongs which she won in 3028. After an eleven week break she posted her career highest SP to win the Swift Tenant Stakes going 8.5 furlongs and therefore comes into this on winning form. Yes she can perform in Stakes company but she is simply not quick enough to beat these classy fillies.

PP #6 – ROCK HILL REEF(KY) – ROCK HARD TEN X DANEHILL X MILL REEF (jockeymax3) 10/1
9/4-2-1 for $143,190 – Turf Classic: 22
Coming off a 2nd placing at her home in Australia in the Majestic Lightning Special Stakes over 9.5 furlongs in 3105 in her first run as a 3yo, Rock Hill Reef looks well placed here by jockeymax – trainer of the champion Mambo Wildcat. After placing 3rd in the Big Nijinsky Memorial Stakes in 3000, she took on and beat the colts in an allowance in 3028 and backed up in 3049 when looking the winner in the G2 Silver Spoon Juvenile before being run down to finish 2nd. Her last run as a 2yo was forgettable as was her first run at this track in 2916 on dirt. She has a tendency to bounce to the lead regardless of her barrier and is either run down by small margins or just holds on. This is her toughest test yet against better opposition and she could be in trouble in the stretch.

PP #7 – VY THE QUARTERBACK(KY) – KITTEN’S JOY X SEATTLE SLEW X NIJINSKY II (catahoula) 8/1
8/5-1-1 for $1,145,220 – Turf Classic: 5
This filly has raced in quality company with wins in the G1 Kyhorseman Debutante in 2937 and G3 Palma Outward Stakes in 3000 before running below par in the Breeder’s Bowl. She then went on to grow wings and run a SP of 96 to take out the owner restricted Del Penn Juvy Filly Stakes in 3070. Her first run as a 3yo in the Rookie Of The Year Stakes in 3112 over 9 furlongs saw her again collecting a winners cheque for catahoula whilst running a SP of 82. She rattled home from 10th in the BB to narrowly miss running in the money and will most likely fall back through the field and come home late this week. She is the SIMS second highest 3yo filly in prize money.

PP #8 – GATE FROM THE DEEP(KY) – TOUCH GOLD x A.P. INDY x NORTHERN DANCER (mainline) 12/1
10/5-1-2 for $140,308 – Turf Classic: 29
A late entry into this race that is a good chance at longer odds. She spent her first six races on dirt and showed her preference for turf when winning at her first attempt in an allowance going 8 furlongs in 3021. She then stepped up to the Full Book Memorial Stakes in 3056 going 8 furlongs and won by two lengths running a SP of 86. She last race as a 3yo in 3077 against the colts resulted in a 3rd placing in the Kakadu Bonanza Stakes at this track. Her trainer mainline then gave her a five week break with great results as she stormed home running a SP of 91 to win the Seriously Double Memorial Stakes by almost two lengths over 8 furlongs as a 3yo. Her jockey M Anitou has not won in nineteen rides this year but does have thirteen years of riding and will give her every chance as they come thundering home from the deep.

PP #9 – LIGHTSEEKER(IRE) – NORTH LIGHT (IRE) X AWESOME AGAIN X SEEKING THE GOLD (lenny3) 7/1
6/4-1-1 for $589,440 – Turf Classic: 6
After a gutsy 3rd placing in the Breeder’s Bowl in 3028, Lightseeker was then given a twelve week break which proved successful after a three length win with champion hoop D.Givens aboard last start in 3112 in an NW1t allowance. This iron filly has been well handled by her trainer and has rewarded him by winning the G3 Grand Critter Stakes, finishing 2nd to Brabasong in the G2 More Glare Stakes in 2965 and also winning an owner restricted stakes in 2923. She should either lead or sit just off the pace this week and with the services of F Marshall and running from barrier9 she should be in the finish and is looking to improve her position as the SIMS eighth highest 3yo filly for prize money.

PP #10 – SMOKEY THEATRE(IRE) – THEATRICAL(IRE) X FORESTRY X MR. PROSPECTOR (baracoon) 15/1
7/3-3-0 for $181,715 – Turf Classic: 11
Whilst 15/1 looks long odds for a filly that has a turf classic ranking of 11, it could well be around the mark as she has not run a SP over 85. Still, she is the G3 Mohawk Juvenile winner going 8 furlongs by almost two lengths in 3000 and the C’est La Vie Challenge Stakes winner going 9.5 furlongs in 3098 in her first run as a 3yo. Her only ran that she has run worse than 2nd was in the 3028 Breeder’s Bowl where she came from last position eleven lengths behind to place 7th behind Urban Quest by just over six lengths. She is usually an on pace runner that will be under the guidance of J Riggs who has won five races from forty-one rides this year.

PP #11 – BRABASONG(KY) – UNBRIDLED’S SONG X SADLER’S WELLS X MILL REEF (brabant) 7/1
11/8-1-1 for $489,330 – Turf Classic: 8
To only run out of the money once in eleven starts is a big effort. Brabasong is a winner of the G2 More Glare Stakes, G3 Honey Dew Stakes and in her most recent run in 3112 she wired the field to take the Triangular Star Stakes running a SP of 94 over 8 furlongs. Her only failure was in the Breeder’s Bowl when beaten nine lengths however she was denied her front running position and was never comfortable. She looks as if she will be able to race closer to the speed in the rematch of the BB this week and will be thereabouts in the finish. With 20 years of experience on board in D Coker there is a good chance she will break into the top ten 3yo filly prize money earners in the SIM from eleventh position.

PP #12 – BUDA FOR A DAY(KY) – DAYJUR X STORM CAT X SADLER’S WELLS (vicki) 10/1
9/5-0-0 for $441,050 – Turf Classic: 1
This 3yo daughter of Dayjur has hit back hard after being nailed in the G1 Epiphany Too over 9 furlongs by the great Mambo Wildcat in 3070 and her trainer vicki is looking to turn the tables on jockeymax in this race by beating Rock Hill Reef. Buda For A Day was beaten before that in the Breeder’s Bowl by Urban Quest to finish 5th when coming from 11th position almost ten lengths off the leader in 3028. She is a winner of the Nop Dropper Memorial Stakes over 7 furlongs and the G1 High Flyer Stakes in 2972 going 8 furlongs. In her first run this season off a five week break, she showed that she has taken the next step by winning the G3 Broadside Stakes and securing the top turf classic 3yo filly ranking. She came from almost ten lengths down to swoop home late and win by just under two lengths. She will again get back this week and attempt to rattle home past Urban Quest, Vy The Quarterback and Lightseeker and her 10/1 odds are great value.

PP #13 – INTO THE WEST(KY) – KITTEN’S JOY X FUSAICHI PEGASUS X OPENING VERSE (dragon576) 17/1
9/1-4-1 for $101,969 – Turf Classic: 38
One of two daughters in this race by Kitten’s Joy, Into The West comes into this race with a dubious form line. She has not won a race in almost seven months since breaking her maiden but has been competitive in an owner restricted stakes in 3028 finishing 4th and then took on the colts in the 3056 G3 Apparently Juvenile over 9 furlongs to place 2nd. In her last run as a 2yo she again placed 2nd in the Dirt River Challenge Stakes over 7 furlongs. Her first run as a 3yo saw her nailed by twelve lengths in the Majestic Lightning Special Stakes over 9.5 furlongs in 3105 and finished eleven lengths behind Rock Hill Reef in 2nd place. She runs near the speed and will have to improve on her last run to prevent being swamped on the turn.

PP #14 – URBAN QUEST(ENG) – RAINBOW QUEST X KRIS S. X VAGUELY NOBLE (battlers) 6/1 fav
8/5-2-1 for $780,990 – Turf Classic: 2
This filly comes into this race after an upset 3rd placing in 3098 over 9 furlongs in the The Salamambo Special Stakes. That run was either a light lead up to this race or a just a bad run as Urban Quest has shown she is better than that with a run of five consecutive wins to end last year. These included the G3 Phenom Stakes against the colts in 3070, G1 Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile Turf in 3028 and the Beaten Ransom Special Stakes against the colts in 2993. She generally sits slightly better than mid-field then looms up to the leader early and makes others chase her in the last 3 furlongs which suits her as she has the pedigree to make races into a staying test. Drawing out wide is not great but she is the SIMS forth highest 3yo filly in prize money and has proved she is very good.

Prediction: Brabasong 1st, Urban Quest 2nd, Lightseeker 3rd, Gate From The Deep 4th.