Twenty to honour “The Dancer” in Brazil

The Equinic Northern Dancer is named after a Canadian icon.

The little dyamo was all heart whenever he ran and became the first ever Canadian Bred to win the Kentucky Derby. He followed that up with a win in the Preakness, only to finish third in his try for the Triple Crown. He returned home to Canada with a hero’s welcome and won Canada’s race, the Queen’s Plate in what would be his last start on the track.

“The Dancer” would go on to bigger things in the breeding shed. His stud fee started at $10,000 and rose to $500,000+ in the last years of his breeding (one share being sold at Auction for $1,000,000).

His progeny were in high demand throughout his breeding career, with horses being sold for millions of dollars. Ninjinsky II, Lyphard, The Minstrel, Nureyev, Sadler’s Wells and Danzig read as some of the who’s who of racing and turned “The Dancer” into a Sire of Sires.

He passed in November of 1990 as one of the greatest sires ever.

Here is the field for THE NORTHERN DANCER – 8F on TURF in Brazil

PP#1 – Shady King 8/1 ML
Trainer: chilimac
Residency: RACING HQ
Breeding: King Kamehameha x Storm Cat x Seeking the Gold

The Chilimac trained son of King Kamehameha took no prisoners in his last start when winning the G1 Jean Brat wire to wire with a 112 speed fig . I’m a huge fan of his sire in real life and wish this one was in my stable (can’t go wrong with that breeding – 4x5x5 to Northern Dancer). He continues to improve with each start at 3 and has a big shot should he repeat his last. There are some concerns in here with a ton of other early speed and the possibility of him bouncing off of his last start. Think he will have a major say in this. Will the King get the gold?

PP#2 – On To Tomorrow 15/1 ML
Trainer: quickcall
Residency: VERMONT
Breeding: Paco Boy (IRE) x Medicean (GB) x Nureyev

On to Tomorrow looks to make his name today. His pedigree only has inbreeding to guess who?….YES….Northern Dancer. Maybe it’s written in the stars for this son of Paco Boy (IRE). I have to hand it to quickcall. I’ve bred numerous Paco Boy (IRE) horses and all should have been named Pack Mule Boy. He was impressive last time out in the G3 The Regal Hill in New York. He ran a career best 111 speed fig and takes the step up to G1 company. He should be sitting in just behind the speed in the race and gets first run on the closers.

PP#3 – Galileo on Fire 218/1 ML
Trainer: crandy
Residency: NWRC
Breeding: Imperial Monarch (IRE) x Woodman x Adjal

Trainer Crandy is pulling no punches here. He knows he’s in deep but that doesn’t matter. He knows that Galileo on Fire will give it his all in this race with his eye on the future. The son of Imperial Monarch was bred by Ryan (Lenny) so you can expect there to be some quality. Fire’s mare was a Graded stakes winning sprint mare so there is hope. I feel he may be at his best sprinting as he did falter when stretching out to 8 furlongs in his last start. He only broke his maiden two starts ago so watch out for him later in his career.

PP#4 – Threebyfivesacharm 31/1 ML
Trainer: foalhouse
Residency: QUEENSLAND
Breeding: Zoustar (AUS) x Nureyev x Kris S.

I had to do a bit of research to see who exactly Zoustar (AUS) was as a real life horse and a sire. I love that part of the game, learning about new sires and who I could use myself in future breedings. Zoustar (AUS) was a precocious horse, winning top sprint races the Golden Rose (G1) and the Coolmore Stud (G1). Threebyfivesacharm name may be a nice nod to Northern Dancer as he’s inbred 3×5 to the man himself. He tipped his cap to his ability in his last start winning at this 8f distance with a rush from the back. He’s stepping up big time here from allowance to G1 stakes company but has improved in each start at three. Look for him to be rolling late to try and win a medal.

PP#5 – Gibraltar Crossing 21/1 ML
Trainer: ehteam2
Residency: THE EH TEAM
Breeding: Verrazano x Rock of Gibraltar x Lemon Drop Kid

This is my colt so what can I say? I’m still trying to figure him out and may actually try him back on the dirt depending on what he does here. He won our residency English 2000 Guineas with a 104 speed figure in his best career effort. He went wire to wire that day but I don’t see him doing that again with the likes of Shady King and Orpheus Cadet in here. I’ll let the Ontario based jockey decide what he is going to do in the race. He didn’t run bad in his last but was beaten handily by Pivotal Prince who’s next door. Hoping for the best but expecting a mid pack finish.

PP#6 – Pivotal Prince 9/1 ML
Trainer: apindy001
Residency: UNIVERSAL RACING CLUB
Breeding: Pivotal x Street Cry x Seattle Slew

“The Prince” is another in here with a stellar pedigree. His mother was a star of the turf winning multiple G1 races including the Irish 1000 Guineas. He had only one blemish on his resume as a two-year-old, winning a G3 turf sprint before fading to 10th in the G2 The International. He was given a two month break, coming back to win the G2 Fainting Goat Nightmare (okay…who named that race?!) going 8f. He finished 3rd in another G2 event before stepping up to G1 company to finish 6th in the 2000 Guineas. He returned to winning ways in his last by scoring in the G2 St. James Tavern with a 110 speed fig. He showed a new dimension in his last by taking off of the pace. A return to that style and effort could see him medal here.

PP#7 – Orpheus Cadet 5/1 ML
Trainer: hofcadet
Residency: EMPIRE STATE RACING
Breeding: Redoute’s Choice x Forty Niner x Seattle Slew

The morning line favourite comes into the race with a big resume. Out of the Hall of Fame mare Mama Forty, Orpheus hasn’t put a hoof wrong. Winner of the G1 Golden Shoe as a 2yo before going on to runner up finishes in both the Breeders Bowl and Futurity. Cadet knows what to do so gave him a rest before bringing him back for his three-year-old campaign. He’s been nothing short of fantastic since the turn of the year with four straight wins, including the G1 2000 Guineas with a 114 speed figure. He’s another in here who posesses a ton of early lick and should find himself on or near the lead. He should have company but may just be too good. Can Orpheus become an Equinics legend?

PP#8 – Strawberry Kush 8/1 ML
Trainer: mikeramsey
Residency: ALL-STARS RACING
Breeding: Dansili (GB) x Mr. Prospector x Unbridled’s Song

When first looking at Strawberry’s pedigree I was caught off that this son of Dansili (GB) hasn’t at least once tried the dirt. He’s no slouch on the lawn however! He’s undefeated at sprint distances on the turf including a very nice score in a listed stakes prior to this race with a 110 speed figure. Since turning three he seems to have developed a form cycle where every other start is his best, hoping to break that in here. He has won a G3 at this distance and put up a competitive 108 speed figure that day, winning the Irish 2000 Guineas Trial. He has faced G1 company in the past and with a top effort could be right in the medal mix.

PP#9 – Eucla Mars 16/1 ML
Trainer: iluka
Residency: MIDAS
Breeding: Zensational x Mineshaft x Marscay (AUS)
Eucla is a versatile colt having started his career on the dirt before switching to turf. He may still head back there one day as his pedigree is a little more on the dirt side. His turf efforts have been a mixed bag. He scored in back to back efforts on the lawn in very nice fashion before taking the step up in class to stakes company. He performed very well in his second last start, winning with ease at this 8f distance. His pedigree may have caught up with him in his last start as he faded badly in the G1 German Derby at 12f. If he can pull some of his past form back he has a shot in here.
PP#10 – Falls Over 27/1 ML
Trainer: 8away
Residency: BRITSH AND NORDIC RACING CLUB
Breeding: Sacred Falls (NZ) x Bel Espirit (AUS) x Forty Niner
By the dual Doncaster Mile (G1) winning sire Sacred Falls (NZ), Falls Over will look to channel some of his sire’s ability in here. Falls seems to want a bit longer than the 8f on offer here as all of his three turf route wins have been at 8.5f. He has continued to develop from start to start and finally hit the century mark for speed figures in his last start. He has tried stakes company numerous times but has yet to hit the winners circle. Trainer 8away hasn’t lost hope however and will have him on his A game. Is that good enough?..we shall see!
PP#11 – Shawihaack 16/1 ML
Trainer: granhaack
Residency: SIM HISPANO
Breeding: Dubawi (IRE) x Shamardal x Danzig
Shawihaack has only one blemish on his resume as he comes into this race with 7 wins under his belt. Trainer Granhaack has carefully prepared him from start to start, rewarding that patience with win after win. Early on in the year it appeared as though he could be one to watch for the classics after scoring in a listed stakes at 8f with a 101 speed figure. He resorted back to sprinting after that effort and remained in sprints. He’s faced small fields but I feel he’s a sneaky good horse that could do some damage.
PP#12 – Dark Forty Cuts 43/1 ML
Trainer: deeprock1d
Residency: MEGALOPOLIS
Breeding: Acclamation (GB) x Diesis x Forty Niner
I admit I have an admiration for Deeprock and his horses. Deeprock scored the silver medal with the now star Dark Mandu at over 170-1 so I wouldn’t put another upset past him. Dark Forty Cuts has been racing primarily in stakes company for his entire career. He scored a nice graded stakes win as a two-year-old but really hasn’t translated that form this year. Will need to bounce back after two sub par efforts. May need to return to the sprint ranks to show his true self.
PP#13 – Habeas Corpses 13/1 ML
Trainer: upandatom
Residency: EURO
Breeding: Sea the Moon (GER) x Awesome Again x Kingmambo
Trainer Upandatom has been working on fine tuning this son of Sea the Moon (GER) for a while. It’s a perfect example of a bit of patience and experimentation to find out what makes your horse tick. Since the start of the year Habeas has been running in stakes company. After tries at 12 and 10 and a half furlongs the light went on. Upandatom found that sweet spot for him at 8 furlongs on the turf. After wins in a listed and a G3 stakes, Habeas tried his luck vs. G1 company. He ran a fast closing 4th to Shady King that day, running a 107 speed fig. Look for him late as he should appreciate the ton of speed signed on.
PP#14 – Lear and Stare 19/1 ML
Trainer: payback
Residency: MINNESOTA TESTBARN
Breeding: Mr. Sidney x Lear Fan x Vigors
Lear and Stare was one of the horses that started in January of his two-year-old year. He had a very successful campaign with wins in the G2 Norfellow and G1 More Nay. He closed off his campaign with a respectable 5th in the Breeders Bowl. His three-year-old races haven’t had the past glory but have been competitive, with a third place finish in the G1 9f Vermont is for lovers and a 5th in the Japanese 2000 Guineas. I feel he’s a late running sprinter that gets longer distances on his class and talent. That class and talent may be enough for a medal or top five finish here.
PP#15 – Aliver 9/1 ML
Trainer: akaran
Residency: GR SIMSTERS
Breeding: Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Sadler’s Wells x Mill Reef
Powerhouse scratch bred from the barn of Given (Dan) with a 3x4x5 inbreed to Northern Dancer. The three-year-old by Fastnet Rock(AUS) has yet to finish out of the money in eleven career starts. Given worked the colt through his conditions as a two year old and started to tighten the screws as a three-year-old, when the serious money was in play. The colt has continued to improve with each start and was unlucky to fall a half length short of his first G1 win in the Irish 2000 Guineas. His last closing effort was just as powerful in the G1 Jean Brat when unable to catch the loose on the lead Shady King. Another with a big chance and looking to add another medal to the GR Simsters haul.
PP#16 – No Stars Ina Storm 20/1 ML
Trainer: tmjstable
Residency: DELPENN
Breeding: Sea the Stars (IRE) x Storm Bird x Cambremont
No Stars Ina Storm has shone bright so far in his short career. He got a very late start to the game with his first win coming on December 26th of last year. He’s been pretty much non stop since that point with the majority of his starts coming in stakes company. A listed stakes victory in March has lead him to three straight third place finishes coming into this race. The talent is there as he has finished 3rd against G1 company in the Irish 2000 Guineas with a speed figure of 102. Trainer tmjstable looks to have him primed for another big effort today if he can overcome his inexperience.
PP#17 – Rightwhereithurts 20/1 ML
Trainer: billn
Residency: EAST-WEST CONNECTION
Breeding: Deep Impact (JPN) x Frankel (GB) x Unbridled’s Song
Three-year-old son of Deep Impact has been knocking on the door in graded stakes since late in his two-year-old year. Trainer billn hasn’t given up however and will shorten back to the 8f distance after almost going wire to wire in the 9f G2 Jefferson Davis. He appears to be another one of the speed horses in here but can come from off the pace, as witnessed in the G1 Vermont is for Lovers. His dad is a monster sire in real life and will be looking to add that extra “Impact” come the weekend. Will try to hurt others medal hopes.
PP#18 – Run Asunder 19/1 ML
Trainer: mjk07
Residency: BLAZING SADDLES
Breeding: Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) x Encosta De Lago (AUS) x Street Cry
Run Asunder will look to rule them all this weekend. He knows how to win, with five victories from seven lifetime starts. Trainer mjk07 must still have high hopes for him after he showed brilliance to start his career with five straight wins. He tipped his hat early this year as to what he could do with back to back listed stakes wins at 8.5f, posting 103 and 102 speed figures respectively. G1 company was too stiff for him in April as he found himself finishing 12th. He’s been freshened since then and came back with a nice tuneup for this in an allowance race. I feel he may want longer than this distance but should be sitting mid pack with every chance to run them over.
PP#19 – Misty Terrain 21/1 ML
Trainer: psyduck131
Residency: COMEDY CENTRAL
Breeding: Stratum (AUS) x Theatrical x Riverman
If you’re looking for a horse with a story line this one may be it. Just think about it…..Comedy Central is no more after the Equinics so everyone might feel a little misty eyed. His name is Misty Terrain. Then look at trainer Psyduck131. The Pokemon Go craze is in full swing with everyone running here and there to catch Pokemon. One of the rare ones is Psyduck. Coincidence?….I don’t know. Misty himself has been brought along slowly by Psyduck to peak today and continues to get better. He is 0 for 2 at route distances but has been right there. His last out number of 104 would make him competitive in here but he does jump way up in class. If you see a horse at the back feeding Raspberries to other competitors and throwing pokeballs to catch the competition….you know who it is.
PP#20 – Strategic Thinker 19/1 ML
Trainer: jbcri18
Residency: ELITE
Breeding: Denman (AUS) x Danehill Dancer x Sadler’s Wells
When I saw the past performance line of Strategic Thinker I began to think that of trainer jbcri18. You see the horse really fits in here but the last race I see is a G1 win in the French 2000 guineas with a 105 speed fig. When was that? The first Saturday in May. Then I notice it was also the first time the horse had tried a route of ground in his career. More intrigue! So here we have a horse who hasn’t raced in three months and is trying a mile for only the second time in his career. I think trainer jbcri18 might just be a mad genius looking to steal a medal away!
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF THE COMPETITORS. MAY YOUR HORSES COME BACK SAFE AND SOUND AND MAY THE NON MEDAL WINNERS PROUDLY WEAR THEIR PARTICIPATION RIBBONS!