Jumping Sal, Cyborg Sid lead Pablo Cruz(G3) sprint
Northern California– Jumping Sal, Cyborg Sid, and Logans Ransom ran first, second, and fourth respectively in last month’s sizzling Florida BB Sprint Championship(G2). The smoking trio subsequently left the Sunshine State, but it’s not like they’re trading sunny skies for grey wintertime blues. No, they return for a rematch here a continent away in gorgeously fair California for the Grade 3 $150,000 Pablo Cruz Handicap. Same seven furlong distance in the cards and a fast track to boot awaits. A dozen other horses also aim to spoil the faves’ party…………….
The Faves
4 94736 CYBORG SID 1i3 V Everett 7/2
Cape Town son gets the bookies’ approval here as the actual racetime favorite. The 5yo ran superbly with a 111 SP# in the Florida BB Sprint(G2), but had to settle for second behind a smokin’ Jumping Sal. Still, Cyborg Sid looked smart-n-suave — the big boy barreled from midpack, losing by 1 1/4 lengths. He specializes in seven panels and won a few stakes races last season, closing out the year with some minor cheques in the grades.
Always the possibility that the Florida horses may bounce after such a swift race LTO. You gotta say that Cyborg Sid is due however for a long-at-last breakout run. He makes his 26th lifetime start, winning 11 races thus far in his career. Perhaps he’ll enjoy the cushy 4-hole. Could be just the ticket for optimum racing position and hoping to avoid any traffic woes.
1 97599 JUMPING SAL thebandit C Winter 6/1
Red-hot and totally on fire, Jumping Sal made the Florida Sprint(G2) his 4th victory in a row. The Dayjur colt sat just a tad behind Logans Ransom’s vanguard pace, rallying in the clear down the lane with a 113 SP#. It was a major-player performance for the 4yo in just his 18th lifetime start. A proven sprint machine from the very beginning, Jumping Sal’s trainer however tested him over the turf and miler company last summer without success. He finally picked up the beat in mid-autumn, rolling over the ALW level when returned to his beloved one-turn crusade.
Just how good is this rising star? Oddsmakers need one more race to be convinced apparently, making Florida(G2) runnerup Cyborg Sid the fave Saturday. No worries though for Jumping Sal — he’s a smokin’ hot jumping bean and thensome and top jockey C Winters agrees, piloting the colt from the rail. Could always bounce though after such a over-the-top effort LTO. We shall see…. oh yes, we shall see.
12 2759 LOGANS RANSOM prufrockja V Naugle 6/1
Poor Logans Ransom! The Forty Niner speedster led the entire way in the Florida BB Sprint(G2), only to get passed late by Jumping Sal and Cyborg Sid. To add insult to injury, Logans Ransom missed the board too, finishing 4th some 2 1/2 lengths behind Jumping Sal. The 5yo’s trainer had to be impressed though with the 109 SP#. It was an excellent forward effort after Logans Ransom had hit the board last year in graded company. The horse afterwards won a stakes race and earned various prize money around 7.5 panels.
Think, “spoiling for a fight.” That’s what Logans Ransom is up to Saturday. He can hold his own in a pace duel which he’ll likely get again this time around. He’s run 5 races in a row now with high-side 100+ SP#s. Frankly, he belongs at this level and should be effective again. the only knock here is the 12-hole and there is alot of inside speed. He should get the lead but we’ll see if he has anything left in the tank over the final furlong.
In The Wings
14 99655 SATRIANI nathndtroi J White 8/1
Tough luck for Satriani here, drawing the 14-hole. Sadler’s Wells royal bred drew the 13-hole two back to disastrous results. The 4yo speedster recovered nicely three weeks ago in the Ashley Abner, finished 3rd from an inside post. Capable of big-time 100+ SP#s, Satriani won a couple stakes last season and paid his dues in the graded sprint circuit too.
Equally at home on the pace or right behind it, top jockey J White has his work cut out for him. Satriani must find racing position from the far outside, but, if on target, can get the job done. His speed figs make him a defnite factor any day of the week. Just needs some luck Saturday but anything can and will go.
2 23959 SHADES OF GOLD pg53 O Sturman 9/1
Seeking The Gold royal bred recently returned to main track one-turn and he’s been a fury. The 4yo colt has won 3-in-a-row including a hot 110 SP# score at listed level over 7.5f last month. Ha! Look at this horse’s lifetime PPs. Granted, Shades Of Gold is a royal bred and trainer pg53 would be that much more obliged to tough out the colt’s sophomore doldrums. But even with a more modestly bred middle-rung combo — you gotta be patient.
About the lifetime PPs: This colt’s 3rd and 4th career races should’ve told pg53 a lot. The colt goes 2-for-2 around 6f then tanks when asked to go 8.5f. The colt then returns to 7f and runs a 92 SP#. It was a 4th-place finish, but a 92 SP#! That should’ve signaled that this colt was indeed a sprinter. Even the 89 SP# loss afterwards — a fast time for a freshman colt.
I could see the turf experiments and maybe one more flat mile dirt experiment the following year — but to not return the colt to one-turn dirt till November, hmm….. Ha! Well, hate to single ya out for a case study, Pg53 (LOL!)! But this colt deserves it — splendid stalker and gotta love him in this spot after those speed figures. One to watch.
6 86836 CATSHKO zoshka K Tolliver 10/1
Cat Thief colt has a chance after scoring a 107 SP# runnerup performance LTO. The downtown closer won the NWRC Cavacade Cup sprint division last season in October. However, he couldn’t successfully step up to the open company stakes level afterwards. It took a couple of ALW efforts before he could return to 100 SP#s. Again, the numbers are the key to sprinters. Great rally to miss by a length three weeks ago. Worth a shot at entry here on his home NWRC turf. But I’d prefer to see him win at the listed level first.
Catshko is a possible longshot if a huge speed duel develops. I don’t see that happening too much though. Could grab a minor share.
10 12559 RAIDER PROPERTY penamacor2 M Peters 12/1
Veteran 6yo horse finished 8th and was never a factor in the Pablos Verces(G2) last month at California. Old Belong To Me boy can still pick up his feet at 45+ starts — he had won at the ALW level with a 104 SP# prior. The speedster earned some honest cheques at the listed level too last year racing 7f-8f.
Raider Property displays some rallying versatility if he so chooses. He gets an extra furlong to work with as well this time aorund — possible for a minor share. However, I don’t think he fits in well at this higher level. Would be a big surprise to see him earn a cheque. Not much of a chance at his age.
3 98332 COREY’S MISSION rharfbeam F McHale 12/1
Glitterman 4yo colt should mix it up in the pace hunt. Solid performer for Rharfo — Corey’s Mission was a stakes winner last year and totally dominated the ALW ranks whenever his trainer dropped him down a level. The colt had a tough time though building consistency in black type company. Finished 3rd to Roaringnative in Oregon listed company LTO after stalking the lead. Guess he just got into a pace battle and fell apart somewhat. Also, he had an outside post.
He should run better this time despite facing same pace duel scenario. Great speed figures indicate he’s ready for class leap. Would prefer to see him win at listed level. And on second look, he can stalk the pace if he wants to. Look for a more forward effort from this experienced colt. Should run his race from inside post.
The Longshots
9 103461 ERMINGTON CHARM pigeon1 T Bay 13/1
Youth and experience for Ermington Charm, runnerup in the Pablos Verces(G2) last month. The Silver Deputy 4yo colt got into a speed duel and held tough down the lane, scoring a brazen 108 SP# for the three-quarters. Quite a sensational effort for the youngster — he struggled in sophomore sprinter company last year, but put things together with a late-season ALW score and made it two-in-a-row with a January track-restricted victory.
Totally blossoming at the right time. He hasn’t won much yet in his career and is definitely due for a breakout score. Last effort was huge and he might subsequently bounce. Must tough out a speed duel but has the inside post edge over #12 Logans Ransom. Keep an eye on this one as a potential spoiler.
5 104068 ASHLEA HOUSE(IRE) tryarder T McGriggs 15/1
Rock of Gibraltar veteran remains competitive, picking up minor prize money every now and then at the listed level. The 5yo horse posts some honest speed figures too, rallying from the back of the pack. Makes up quite a bit of ground when he gets running room and speed up front. Unfortunately, it just looks like he gets outrun down the lane. Talented, but there comes a time when you jsut gotta get a win somehow and somewhere. If we get a speed duel, he might suddenly wake up at this level. But odds indicate that’s doubtful. He’s better than a “flip a coin” entry, but just needs help, luck, and to put it all together. Risky.
8 117097 ROARINGNATIVE crandy B Dickerson 16/1
Roar son makes his 16th career call to the post and graded debut. The 4yo colt is coming along nicely of late. He wasn’t much of a summertime sophomore colt, struggling to earn some cheques in ALWS and lsited level stakes. He was also well beaten in the NWRC Cavalcade Cup on BB day. However, Roaringnative receovered very well, posting 100+ SP#S in November and December allowances. His 4yo debut in February resulted in the complete package — Raoaringnative stormed from off the pace in an Oregon 6.5f stakes overniter, winning by a length with a 106 SP#.
Superb victory promises better things to come. I’d prefer to see him win another listed stakes again though before tackling the graded level here — was his last race a fluke? The key to successful sprinters is to string together those big speed figures. Be patient if he bounces here. Worth a shot but odds indicate that he’s just not quite ready yet for the big show. Plenty of upside down the road.
7 18512 BERMUDA PIRATE march2nd C Clair 24/1
Old timer at age 7 is pretty much mismatched. Rahy son doesn’t presentany 100 SP# recently and really done much of late except win an ALW. Tried graded level twice last season and was beaten badly both times. This is not his level and has no business here. Closer in the running for minor share if at all. Should be at the ALW level.
13 99492 HANSOM RANSOM(IRE) sarasans J Star 28/1
Swain son Hansom Ransom struggled home dead last over the lawn LTO. The puzzling placement appears to have been a wakeup call — Hansom Ransom was on a downward spiral late last season after finishing 13th in the Deep South(G1). Total shame too because the 5yo horse placed iat the graded level two prior and was going tough with some cheques at the black type level.
With only 4 victories fro 35 lifetime starts, Hansom Ransom just looks outclassed. This is a heckuva spot to try and find his old mojo. A return to the ALW ranks or listed stakes level would see him more compeititive. Just not much chance for the closer on three weeks rest. Pass.
11 51826 OIL TOWN U S A tyedye MC Mac 31/1
Savvy trainer Lordpye knows how to find the black type winners circle. Pye brings this Speghtstown 4yo colt in hopes of a huge upset. The colt won two in a row recently at the aLW level. Speed figures were OK but not graded caliber. Why not a stakes level start before the graded leap? Flip a coin. I’d say snake heads near every time on this one at 20 lifetime starts. Closer might be in for minor cheque at best if he enjoys class hurdle and faster speed figs. But, nah……
Snowchief’s Picks:
The favorites really outclass this field. They went mighty fast however LTO and could bounce. Speed horse Logans Ransom is probably in the weakest postiion from an outside post. If Cyborg Sid and Jumping Sal didn’t punch each other out last time around, then you’ll see either one in the winner’s circle.
Shades Of Gold, Ermington Charm, Roaringnative, and Corey’s Mission are all possible spoilers on upswings. Catshko could finally see his day of days but is more likely for a minor share. Ashlea House might see some of that money. Satriani has to climb a mountain from 14-hole.
I’ll go for newcomer Shades Of Gold over Jumping Sal and Cyborg Sid. Ermington Charm and Roaring Native could also see a board placing if the faves bounce.
Win: Shades Of Gold
Place: Jumping Sal
Show: Cyborg Sid
Good luck to all.