HEROES – Equinics
Grade I/Group I | Restricted to 4 Year Olds and Older | 13 Furlongs | ~2600 Meters
TURF
written by Wahoo222 & Roxynken
Here we have one of the best compilations of champions that Derby Fever has to offer. They are special because of their proven individual track accomplishments and a few have met each other before at the Graded and Grade I level. There is one hurdle for most of the nineteen competitors in the HEROES and that is the not so popular distance of thirteen furlongs.
I have thought long about how to present this race as there is a definite class drop off after the eight to ten horses that over and over again have proven themselves in the highest class at intermediate distances. These will be my top tier focus as it will be extremely difficult to beat them for the win. I am not inferring that the race is over already, this is a horse race and anything may happen.
1.) DZBANEK 17-1
From the Zealot Stables – Euro Residency
Off a pair of seconds in graded with 112 & 113 in each. Moves up a tad in distance off these outings but has gone longer, 16 furlongs in prior two starts so the distance may not be a large concern. Likes the front end and will need very best to stay up there.
2.) HARDLY ZEN LIKE 23-1
From the 77 stables – East-West Connection Residency
I find it hard to overlook any horse that has won twice at the thirteen furlong distance one of which was in Grade II company coming from eleven lengths back and winning by daylight. But last race at 16 furlongs he had nothing to offer finishing well back. Did the longer race take something out of him? Can he recover going back to 13 furlongs?
3.) CADDILAC SOLDIER 17/1
From Gradetwo stables – Delpenn residency
A markedly better outing in last in G2 race finishing second and gaining ground late at 12 furlongs. The 110 speed is best of career and moving up a furlong in distance should be a good thing. He’s gone 13 or more a few times finishing third once. This could be the opportunity to improve on that.
4.) Old Time Kash 11-1
From the Kashbarn Stables – Comedy Central Residency
Almost a fringe player but has pulled together some nice stakes wins at shorter distances with high Speed Figures. (116) If he can stretch that form out for the add 3.5 Furlongs that his pedigree suggests he might like could make things interesting coming to the wire.
5.) MAWAWI 27-1
From the Lidman0 stables – British and Nordic Racing Club
Moved up to listed stakes in last and showed ability with a second and 113 speed. Won prior three starts in allowance class. Takes large leap up to G1 class but last race shows signs of fitting in with the higher class. Odds are high but rewards may be in the wait.
6.) Pennies Well Spent 9-1
From the Rharfo2004; Swale Stable – All-Star Racing Residency
A pretty penny was spent for the sires in his pedigree, for sure. This colt is having a phenomenal season! Winner of his last six consecutive races earning over $1.7M. He just keeps getting better as the distances increase. Two of his last three races were Grade I events at eleven and twelve furlongs respectively and throw in a Grade II at 12 furlongs as well. Can he continue his win streak at another new distance?
7.) OUTBACK PALMYRA 21-1
From Outback7 stables – Midas Residency
Took six races to break maiden which happened this past February, which launched four race win streak with listed win at end of streak. Moved to Graded level in last finishing fourth after cutting large deficit in half. Trims back a furlong for this race but 111 speed in last looked like the real thing. Could he steal this with a small improvement?
8.) Drumragh 8-1
From the Beisbol; Bukowski Stables – Empire State Racing (ESR)
Another millionaire in earnings that has won at longer distances that the thirteen furlongs of the HEROES. However his best races came last year as a four year old. Connections have been very selective in scheduling his three races this year using shorter distanced Graded(?) stakes as preps(?) to get him good and wound up for big event. We’ll see if this conditioning works but it certainly makes him a solid prospect.
9.) MOSTACHO 21/1
From Argention4 stables – Sim Hispano Residency
Had a three race win streak last year which ended with a fourth in first try in listed. Put things back together with another 3 race win streak that includes listed win and G2 win with 112 best speed in this streak. Streak is still alive moving into this race and is asked to go longer, which looks like he can handle. But will streak be snapped by one of his foes?
10.) SOULMAMBO 49/1
From Aydeed Stables – Ehteam residency
An allowance runner who has won three of last four races at 12 furlongs and is asked to go a furlong longer as well as leaping up to the G1 level with speeds just scratching around 100. All of this adds up to unlikely contender and odds reflect that. Will need outstanding effort to steal this one.
11.) I FAKED INSANITY 44/1
From Deeprock35 stables – Megalopolis residency
A ten time winner picking up victories on both dirt and turf. Doesn’t hit 100 speed target often and has done it once this year and was only race at 13 furlongs and on the turf. Takes on grade level for first time which seems a bit insane, but it’s the Equinics and nothing insane if you get the chance to run in it.
12.) JEU CAN’T TAP THIS 23/1
From the Artieshaw stables – Minnesota Testbarn Residency
Older 6 year old hit 100 speeds with regularity in 2015 but not so this year. Struggles at year end with stake races moved this one to allowance level for all of this season. Hit speeds over 100 twice this year and the race looks like it will be tough for the earner of over $750k.
13.) TINHAT KID 15/1
From the Sabalou2 stable – Queensland residency
Notched pair of wins with 111 speed last year including G3 race at lesser distances. Enters off a win in allowance with season best speed of 108. Disastrous outing in listed at 13 furlongs back in April makes one ask if he’s ready for this distance?
14.) Best Day 9-1
From the Desperado; Bode Stable – Blazing Saddles Residency
This four year old colt is just coming into his own best season. His last three races have been all Graded events winning at the eleven furlong distance twice and finishing second in a twelve furlong Graded race. The running style that makes him a contender in the HEROES is his come from behind attitude that shows no sign indicating that he has topped off at his distance capabilities. He keeps coming looking for that Best Day.
15.) Frame By Frame 9-1
From the Dixiedotco; Expansion 5 Stable – Vermont Residency
What more can this colt accomplish? He is already one of the highest money earners in Derby Fever history: $6,356,735, has multiple Grade I victories, three consecutive Grade I’s at the twelve furlong distance on the Turf. But that was last year in 2015, in the five outings this year he has only managed a twelve furlong Allowance win and has not been successful in his last two races both Graded events, and has ducked out in the stretch at his favored twelve furlong distance. Unless his form dramatically improves here in Rio the extra furlong does not work to his benefit.
16.) Carabella 8-1
From the Lenny 271; Slowhand Stable – GR Simsters Residency
Yet another million dollar plus earner and probably the most recent to enter that threshold. Winner of his last five races and his last two were Grade I events at twelve and eleven furlongs respectively. Earning Speed Figures of: 116, 114, while winning these with a combined seven lengths pulling away from the fields. This is how you want to finish a race heading for that extra thirteenth furlong. Hard to ask for a better prospect.
17.) Deelish 9-1
From the Tees; Redcar Stable – Elite Residency
Has won three of his last five outings and the last two races he finished second in both and both were Grade I events at twelve furlongs. Deelish has raced at the two miles, sixteen furlongs. finishing second in an Allowance and could appreciate the thirteen furlong distance.down the stretch
18.) Vatnojokull 10-1
From the Newmarket; Autografs Stable – Universal Racing Club (URC)
Another whose connections have been very careful in scheduling the five races this year. Already he has earned: $2,592,085, lifetime and appears to be coming into his best form of the year having won a twelve furlong Grade II in his last out ensuring he’ll be in the hunt coming down the stretch.
19.) MEMBRANOPHONE 23-1
From Overflow stable – NWRC
Outsider who makes first stake appearance since 2014 and comes off a third at 10.5 furlongs which is longest distance of his career. Hard to see this one pulling out an upset as he extends by 2 1/2 furlongs and advances upward from claiming to graded.
Good luck to all the owners and residencies!