Felipe Alou Cap-G2
Felipe Alou Cap
Grade II
A mile and one sixteenth
Fast Dirt
$250,000
All horses, 3 years old
Welcome to
PP 1
26/1 PJ HERCULE P(IRE)
PJ Hercule P looks like he just needed some time to fill out his frame a bit. He seems to be developing nicely as he posted a 90 SP in his last start in an Alw-14800NW2L where he finished second. His story though looks like a few of the other long shots as he has yet to win a race against other winners at any level. With this being his stakes debut, I just cant see betting his way without him showing more.
PP 2
6/1 KING SIM STAR(KY)
Trainer Warchant has done an excellent job moving his colt along slowly but steadily. He comes into this race a winner of four consecutive races that was capped off last time out in The TABASCO WAVERING Special-Stk. He has shown improvement in just about every race and is adept at two turns. He tacks on an extra half furlong in this one but I don’t think that hurts his chances. A win or a good showing could set him up nice for a Derby Lock race in a few weeks. Look for him to stalk the early pace and wear down the leaders.
PP 3
9/1 JURASSIC BONE(KY)
Jurassic Bone has certainly reaped the rewards since moving from turf to dirt four races back. His record on the main track now stands at 4:
PP 4
21/1 BOTTLED OIL(JPN)
Even at 21/1 odds I think that Bottled Oil might have a decent run today. Not a win or even hit the board but I think he’ll beat more than his fare share. If you toss out his turf try two races back he’s 3 for 5 and was never really tested in his last start. This may be his first real race where he’ll face some serious competition. I would have liked to have seen a listed start for him first but I think this could still set up for future events.
PP 5
6/1 HAMMER OF THE GODS(KY)
Hammer Of The Gods looks to recover after a disappointing loss last time out in The DARE TO SAY GO Stakes-Stk. This Roman Ruler colt looked like a colt on the way up after posting three consecutive 90+ SP rated stake races which led to two wins. Although he was a favorite in that last race, he was simply out run at the start and a bad trip never put him in contention. It was a noble loss though as the winner, Lucky’s Capital, went on to win the I’m Trying-G2 just two weeks later. He’ll need to find a quick first step as his best races have come on or near the lead. I would think we’ll see a better run from him this time and he’s shown in the past that he can handle the class.
PP 6
12/1 DEPUTY’S BOLD(KY)
Deputy’s Bold is getting a little action at the window by virtue of the 97 SP he posted in his second place finish in an Alw-46200NW2x. It was his first try at two turns this season and the colt seemed to respond well. However, it’s still hard for me to get behind a horse who’s only win was a MSW eight races back. His only other stakes attempt was back in September where he finished 11th in a listed event. After seven unsuccessful tries in the allowance ranks, there doesn’t seem like there is much hope in a graded race. He’ll need to show he deserves to be here before he gets my $2.
PP 7
9/1 KING OF MUD(KY)
After being stuck in second gear for the longest time, King Of Mud finally showed what he is capable of in his last start in The STOSCH Special-Stk. His 96 SP was 10 point jump from his previous best and he really needed that run as his previous race to that didn’t show much promise. However, he’s not getting much buzz as many in the press corps are still asking if he can repeat that performance or was it just a freak race? I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he’ll be in the thick of it. He’ll likely charge to the early lead but will have to hold off a slew of hard closers in the stretch.
PP 8
13/1 BOSS HOG LAGO(AUS)
You win four stake races, finish off the board only twice in eleven lifetime starts and what does that get you??? 13/1 odds. Boss Hog Lago just doesn’t seem to be getting much respect in this one. Although the record speaks for itself, he still hasn’t sold everyone. His critics mainly state that he’s been properly placed but even that’s the case you have to give a hand to his trainer Bill2shoe for finding the right spots for his colt. He’ll certainly be challenged in this one and is coming off an eight week layoff. I do like the added .5 furlong though as his Achilles Heel has been that he drops way back and often fires extremely late. Keep an eye on him. He might surprise.
PP 9
9/1 IRONSIDE(KY)
Drawing identical odds, Ironside and King Of Mud almost looks like identical horses. Both were non-mentions until their last race where they suddenly woke up and tore off a career best race and are coming off stake wins in their last outing. They even have identical front running styles. However, King Of Mud might have a slight edge in breeding but that’s basically it. For this horse to be successful here he’ll need to take the lead unchallenged while hopefully leaving something in the tank for the home drive. Still, I have to question his stamina and even more so if an eventual 10 furlong
PP 10
16/1 EMPEROR SQUALL(KY)
Emperor Squall is one of those horses who you have absolutely no idea what he’s going to bring. His sire Empire Maker is known for late developing horses and that seems to show as he is getting better with each race. However, he takes on two turns for the first time today and only has one MSW win in his four race career. He finished a close second in his last try in The GLEN PROJECT Special-Stk but that was at 7 furlongs. He’s a 3×3 cross with Storm Bird and 4x4x4 with Northern Dancer so it’s hard to really say how he’ll fare at 8.5 furlongs. Then again, you could just toss all that out the window and say he’ll outrun everyone. Flip a coin here.
PP 11
29/1 GO YOU SHARKIES(AUS)
Grabbing the honors of longest odds on the board, Go You Sharkies needs some desperate help from the Sims gods. After taking nine races to finally win his maiden, he makes a dramatic jump in class to graded company. I will give this much at least: he has improved with each of his last three starts and is getting close in speed to some of the others. However, without any testing against winners of any level I just can’t see him in this at the end.
PP 12
10/1
Kashmir Hex came into his last race in The DARE TO SAY GO Stakes-Stk with a nine week layoff. He responded extremely well though and just missed winning by ¼ length to the above mentioned Lucky’s Capital. More important, he finished a clear six lengths ahead of Hammer Of The Gods and at a mouth-watering 10/1 odds he really looks like a good bet in his second start after the layoff. His running style also looks to set up nice here as he’ll likely sit mid-pack before making his move and after going up against an eventual graded winner his stock has certainly gone up in my book. I’ll make this my long shot of the day and you would be advised to find a way to box him on your trifecta ticket somewhere.
PP 13
7/1 SESTRIERE(KY)
Lucky #13 Sestriere moves up slightly in distance to tackle two turns once again. He is fresh off a win last time out in the 7.5 furlong The ARCTIC PROSPECTOR Cap-Stk but questions of stamina have been asked this week. His only two other tries at a mile or longer have not fared well for him. However, it’s that explosive 96 SP that he posted in that last race that has gathered some attention. The big questions are whether he can handle the distance or is he just a late developing colt who is just now coming into his best strides.
PP 14
5/1 ACHAEMENES(KY)
Our morning line favorite, Achaemenes, once again finds himself starting on the outside. He was riding a three race listed stake win streak going into his last race in the Risen Star Stakes-G3 but he lost a step coming out of the #13 gate and never recovered. Prior to that start however, he was looking extremely good after posting a 99 SP in The City Watch-Stk . The off track probably didn’t help things either and he finds perfect conditions in this race. He has a late charging style so don’t look for him until the final two furlongs but needs a win here to remain in the