THE MUHAMMAD ALI TRIBUTE – Equinics 2016
Grade I / Group I 3 Year Olds 8 Furlongs | ~1600 Meters | One Mile
The pulse of the true Olympic Spirit may very well be found in Muhammad Ali Tribute where mid-season 3yo’s compete at the most difficult to negotiate eight furlong decision. A three year olds form can be inconsistent but add to the mix their bodies maturing rapidly as the early in the year precocious top performers are being caught by their slower to mature and now contenders to be reckoned with. Rarely does an early in the year top performer able to carry its form and win Graded races through November.
The unpredictability is increased as now in true Olympic spirit of representatives from all the different residencies send their best fit for the condition of the race and most are not part of the Graded Stakes condition and now compete at the highest level, Grade I, that most will never attempt again in their racing career. This also puts the horses that have contested in Graded stakes already in a different atmosphere and vulnerable against contenders that may, for one race, perform way above their common racing level. In other words this race is a wide open event. An “upset” would be a less of a surprise here than in any other race in the Olympics.
So, if you have one of the sixteen entries that are not under 10-1 odds; be glad and hopeful.
1.) ANNOYANCES 36-1
From Fastnfirm’s; Soft Stable. – Representing: Megalopolis Residency
Very lightly raced colt entering his sixth race. Excellent pedigree for eight furlongs and is coming into his own. This will be his third race off a short layoff and could make a day of it.
2.) PEP REINA 107-1
From the Chino Stables – Representing British and Nordic Racing Club
If you have a free fiver place it as a saver on this one. Finally found his favorite surface and has rattled off two straight wins. Who’s to tell him; No?
3.) MIKESFOGGYMEMORY 21-1
From Kanada Stables; Becker – Representing EH Team
“Mike” is taking a serious cut back in distance and has really appreciated the longer Classic distances. His two recent Graded stakes were not soon remembered as he shied away from the step up in Class. But by gone races are by gone. May have to say; Oh, yeah … I forgot about that.
distance
4.) REGGIE RUGER 16-1
From Pleasant Tap’s; Overburdened Stable – Representing NWRC.
This will be Reggie’s first race back from a two month break. He has been attempting nine furlongs in his last three outings, all in Graded stakes company of where he came home short but inspired. Reggie knows the quickest way around the track is on the lead and eight furlongs is the distance he has twice won at.
5.) DRAKON’S DUDE 11-1
From the Lenny 271; Fairhaven 10 Stable – Representing GR Simsters
This Dudes sire, Lonhro, has been turning out quite a few stakes and Graded stakes winners in the past few years. The Dude is sporting four consecutive races 100+ Speed Figures and is coming back in a short nineteen days since his last race. If our race would be contested on a wet Dirt track Drakon’s Dude would have a big boost for the win but has recently finished second in an eight furlong GR II event.
6.) BERNIE BE GOOD 24-1
From the N Park 28002; Maple 6337 Stable – Representing Comedy Central
Feeling the Bern and coming off two consecutive Allowance wins at the eight furlong and eight and a half furlong distance and hoping his stellar pedigree speaks Upset. Two above 100 Speed Figures and does not believe in rigged races; don’t count me out.
7.) ZIPCAR COT 12-1
From Cothill Stables – Minnesota Test Barn Residency
It’s hard not to like anything about this son of City Zip x A.P. Indy (DS). Cot’s last two races were huge in the Speed Figures he put up, 107/ 106 in a Stakes at eight furlongs. If he can handle the step up in class he could write his own win ticket. Connections have to be thinking about a win.
8.) POWER GRAB 9-1
From Skunkbarn’s; Skunk Bred 3 Stable – Representing Blazing Saddles
Another barn that has got to be thinking about a win this week with Power Grab. Earlier this Spring he was hot on the Bluegrass Derby trail winning a Grade Two at 8.5f’s back in February. After the derby connections gave him a little Farm time to fill out and it seems to have worked wonderfully as he finished second in the Liar, Grade II, five weeks ago earning a huge 110 Speed Figure. A very smart colt that is all business on the track.
9.) SIPI FALLS 15-1
From the Trotter 1; Trot Bred Stable – Empire State Racing (ESR)
Sipi falls is another that had a strong Spring hot on the Bluegrass Derby trail where he finished fourth place but sealed himself a contender by winning the Derby Lock Prep; California Derby. Sipi is a devastating closer in the stretch regular jockey C Meads will have to punch it early as Sipi may be looking for another furlong ti kick in. Rule nothing out in this race.
10.) COLONEL DENMARK 18-1
From Kimugle’s; Rasmusbumle Stable – EURO Residency
Son of Colonel John sire who is highly rated after only winning two lifetime races. Seems to be fitted at the better distance of around 8.0f and has shown very strong finishes in Graded company. Still this colt is a bit of a mystery as what he really would excel at has not been revealed as of yet.
11.) HALCON 16-1
From the Pato 7; Argentino 8 Stables – SIM Hispano Residency
Halcon was coming off a ten week layoff before his most recent Grade II event back in June, a 7.0f race but is best suited for more ground to be most effective. If he can improve off of The Good Cow, Grade III win back in February where he earned a 106 Speed Figure. That would put him right in the mix here. It only takes one great effort to surprise everyone and just tip your hat and smile in the Winners Circle.
12.) LIGHTNING STRIFE 9-1
From the Punters 34; Magpies01 Stable – Queensland Residency
Just shy of having earned $1M and was also on the Bluegrass Derby trail last Spring. His best race of the year came back in March in a Grade III on a wet Dirt track where he earned a Speed Figure of 110. That type of a figure so early in the year shows the precociousness of his pedigree. Connections have always had high hopes for this colt as this will be his fifth consecutive Grade I race with his best finishes are two Shows. This may be the one.
13.) BLOODBOILING 18-1
From Tees; Final 4 Tees 2 – ELITE Residency
Fatigued by the rigors of the Triple Crown Bluegrass Derby trail where Bloodboiling ran away with the Wooden Indian – Derby Lock Prep with an 8.25 Length stretch kick that left everyone gasping. This millionaire has not prepped or run in a race since The New Yorker which may be just what he needs to pull off this win.
14.) GIANT’S SONG 21-1
From NNovack; Needsomewood3 Stable – Racing HQ Residency
Finding his best footing five races ago and elevated to Graded company from an An1x win has not been fruitful enough to create much excitement here. But you only need one time, one race to walk away grinning.
15.) HIDDEN DOUBT 22-1
From Cab3 Stable – East-West Connection Residency
Another that will try to win by going to the front and never looking back and has to have things his own way. Has been racing solidly from April, 2015 and put in a very nice Grade III win at 8.5f back in May. One Race – One Time!
16.) SUPER SPEEDWAY 16-1
From Dixiedotco; Expansion 7 Stable – Vermont Residency
Got to love City Zip colts who always seem to be right in the middle of the pace if not leading. Now that Super Speedway is stretching out to longer races he may step things up to live up to his well meant pedigree. Like maybe this Saturday.
17.) HIDDEN IDENTITY 10-1
From Steve 555; Rollingr1 Stable – Universal Racing Club (URC)
Hidden Identity is the highest money earner in this field; $1,267,821, and does not look to quit any time soon. He has not had a Speed Figure below 100 since February, five consecutive races. Winning the Arkansas Juvenile – Derby Lock Prep, Grade I, this deep closer has connections concerned that he might need a longer distance to be most effective but you have to consider that this is the Olympics and might be able to eat this pace up as it will be strong.
18.) TAP TO BLUFF 11-1
From BBaffert; BBaffert 12 Stable – All-Stars Racing
Tap To Bluff also kept the road to the Bluegrass Derby strong but has always found himself a step behind in the top Grade I class as he shied away from the 9.0f races that he has won in lesser company. His on the pace style may have him in the right spot to take this race as the pace may be to his liking.
19.) OUTBACK BLOODHOUND 10-1
From VYZ Racing; Outback 5 Stable – MIDAS Residency
At 10-1 this should be the horse you will have to beat. Unless a one of the other front speed horses can keep pace with OB and wear him out a little we may have a wire-to-wire win from Outback Bloodhound. His only fault is that he continues to tire in the deep stretch, losing lengths.
20.) FIRST PETER 12-1
From Baggio Racing Stables – Delpenn Residency
Peter has the pedigree that should love two turns but so far his best distances seem to be sprints. Coming from this way outside post won’t help him as there is plenty of speed to his inside although his recent 110 Speed Figure would put him in this if he could garner the distance.
Like I was saying in the intro mid season 3yo’s are the most unpredictable sort due to their rapid development as their 3yo season continues. My key horse is Outback Bloodhound but I can see him hold out in a close race at the wire and I could also see him give it up at the wire to one of the many that will come from behind. As for what the Trifecta might be is too hard to call but is should pay well over $1000.
This is why I like 3yo’s.