G3 Fort Lauderdale Cap

Welcome all to Florida for the ninth running of the G3 Fort Lauderdale Cap. A firm turf track has been presented to the eleven starters today in a race that is open to all horses, 3yo and up. The race is at 8.5f for a purse of $100,000 and should be a cracker as six horses are coming into this race on the back of a last start win. 4yo colt Beyer Beware last year set a race record at 1:412/5 after winning a G1 in his lead up race. Of the eleven horses, we have one 4yo colt, a 5yo mare and nine 5yo horses in what looks as if there are five to six genuine chances. So buckle up ladies and gentleman as we preview the race by post position.

PP # 1 – NEW STORM – STORM CAT X NUREYEV X DAMASCUS (coolerk) 5/1
This 5yo horse got a bounce in the lead up to the Breeders Bowl in 3007 and has not recovered. Having hit the board fourteen races in succession prior to this including wins in the G1 Roy Higgins and the G1 Simsports Hall Of Fame, New Storm has been well below par. Did appear to be back to better form when first up this year placing 4th in the G2 Sanders Stakes and will have to run well this week to maintain his turf classic rank of 7. This is shorter than last trip which I believe will not suit as much as longer route races, however with V Gardiner aboard looking for win number forty at 24.7%, they appear as a lethal combination. Deep closer who is a great chance.

PP #2 – STEREOTYPICAL CAT – TALE OF THE CAT X BROAD BRUSH X GREY DAWN II (theleague) 8/1
Great form coming in off a 9f listed win last time out for this 5yo graded dirt and listed turf winner. Has been around the mark in last five runs including two listed stakes wins and a second placing. Jockey V Roberts is one from fifteen this year and will provide less of an advantage than better jockeys on other horses. Usually stalks the leader and grinds away once in front and will be looking to do the same this week. Others do have better claims for this G3 but winning form is good form.

PP #3 – WHAT A BARGAIN – JUDGE T C X GROOVY X STORM CAT (jfisher) 34/1
Morning line odds are out and quote offered on this 7yo war horse is certainly no bargain. After a career that has seen him battle it out in predominatly claimers and low level allowances, What A Bargain faces what one may call a tough test. He doesn’t appear to quite be up to this grade but nevertheless, it must be tried before visiting the retirement village. He is a very handy claimer and has done a gallant job for the jfisher stables since claiming him for 2k.

PP #4 – DESERT STAR(IRE) – HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) X STORM CAT X SHARPEN UP(GB) (super2) 9/1
Modest career to date but rockets into contention for this after his best performance to date. After only one listed placing as a 3yo, 5yo chestnut Desert Star came out and won his first listed race by a half length claiming the Your Sap Stakes going 8.5f in 3126. Looks well placed here and is every chance with P McAfee aboard who’s thirteen years experience has seen him win one in nine this year. Deep closer who I believe has a good chance to step up and put some good races back to back.

PP #5 – THEATRICAL AFFAIR(IRE) – THEATRICAL(IRE) X BLACK TIE AFFAIR(IRE) X NIJINSKY II (dontnagme) 7/2
We could have found the winner here. Twice grade placed and spent most of his 4yo career running rampant in allowance company before placing 2nd in listed company in his last run. Two runs this year have seen him win twice going 8.5f in listed stakes indicating he is ready for this G3 battle. Would love to see him running over 10 or 12f just to take advantage of his stamina however with L Butcha aboard who has fourteen wins at 12% this season, he looks to be right in this. Predominantly sits in the first three and grinds away in the stretch. Will take beating.

PP #6 – ABU DHABI – RED RANSOM X DANEHILL X MISWAKI (jo) 23/1
Has hit the board in half his runs which were mostly run on dirt. He has had two starts this year, both on turf, both ending in two length victories at allowance level. Ran a nice 104 last time out going 8.5f but is taking a giant leap up in class that will see this 4yo colt come undone. Should get the distance easily however these are some serious horses he is up against and I cannot see him transforming from a restricted allowance horse into a graded winner overnight. Nice breeding and has been managed very well. He is a front runner that has wired the field in his last two, however this will be a cracking field that will run over the top.

PP #7 – PETE FOUNTAIN – DIXIELAND BAND X ROBERTO X DAMASCUS (zooomr) 7/1
Previewed Pete in the G1 Aslan last time out in which he was nailed over 12f against some of the best turf routers in the sim. This is a far better race for this 5yo horse. He has won one graded and five listed stakes all at 9f or less. Usually runs in the last quarter of the field and looks to be right in this race as one can forget his last run. Tipping Pete to be rattling home in the stretch and is good value at 7/1. R Maire who has eleven wins at 13.6% this year rides him which is a bonus so look for this fellow running on late and don’t leave him out of you box trifecta’s folks.

PP #8 – GUCCI TO TRY – SADLER’S WELLS X NASHWAN X CARSON CITY (loisblack) 16/1
After showing potential at 14f in listed company early on, this 5yo horse has been smashed and demolished in listed and graded company since. Last run of his 4yo career however showed a glimpse of a return to form when running a 106 to place 2nd. Coming off a ten week spell, Gucci To Try looks as if he could produce anything from a barnstorming upset to a twenty length last place, but I will predict he and jockey W Baumann who has six at 10% this year, get back to mid-field and run on in the stretch to place just outside the money.

PP #9 – HIGHEST RAIDER – ALNAAB X SEATTLE SLEW X SOVEREIGN DANCER (chipendale) 5/1
5yo horse that has strung five in a row together at allowance level and last time out beat an owner restricted stakes field by a length. Has had a break of twelve weeks and it would be fair to say he is fresh coming into this. Jockey W Graziano is two from fifteen in 2007 and looks to have his work cut out if he is to improve on that. No doubt he can run good SP’s, the step up is huge and this will be his undoing. As with Abu Dhabi, it is a mammoth task to jump from such a low grade of racing to win graded races. Having said that he did beat a G1 winner last time out but I think this is a different story as some of these opponents look to be in great form. I will take a chance and leave him out – I could well be punished though.

PP #10 – CAMBADOS(IRE) – CATCHER IN THE RYE (IRE) X CAPOTE X MR. PROSPECTOR (noia) 7/1
Hit the board three from three this year with a win in listed stakes last time out in 3133 beating some very handy horses to post his second stakes win. As I have said before, winning form is good form and this is an advantage in a reasonably open race. Jockey D Ferguson is three from thirty-four this year and is riding for a very successful stable at 19% winners from over 1100 races. Usually sits mid-field and will again do so this week but is taking on some strong opposition. Was 5th in this race last year and is a place chance this week.

PP #11 – GRAND ENTRY – STORM CAT X SEEKING THE GOLD X BLUSHING GROOM(FR) (chilimac) 6/1 ‘
No expenses spared when breeding this six time listed and G2 winning 5yo mare. Trainer chilimac has done a fantastic job with this beauty and can relocate her to my stables if they are looking to off-load her. Hit the board twelve of fourteen times as 4yo and was G1 placed. Attempted to finally snare a G1 victory when resuming last time out as a 5yo but was beaten five lengths for 5th. The only female in the race may just give the lads a lesson this week if she is able to recapture her previous 4yo form. Gun experienced jockey A Darling will partner her this week and she will attempt to provide him with his twenty-fifth win for the season. Great chance and is actually my pick.

So there we have it folks. A tight race to follow with many chances at differing odds.

My tips:

Grand Entry straight out at 6/1.

Box trifecta – Grand Entry, Pete Fountain, Theatrical Affair, New Storm. Could add Desert Star who will run well at odds.

Good fortune to all and may your noble steed be swift!!!