Equinics: Eckankar Seeks Amends in Gordie Howe Tribute
By the time this reporter was in fifth grade, Gordie Howe was already a huge star. When I opened the book of sports heroes in my elementary school library, I learned that Mr. Hockey had already won four Stanley Cups, three NHL scoring titles and appeared in eight All-Star games. I got to see him live and in person for the first time in March of 1957. His Detroit Red Wings were in first place but that Saturday afternoon they fell to my Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 4-3. I’m honored to cover the race commemorating Gordon “Gordie” Howe. Mr. Hockey, this one’s for you.
The Mr. Hockey is fashioned for three year old fillies and will be run at a distance of one mile over the firm Rio de Janeiro turf course. Nineteen fillies will answer the call to post. Let’s meet the classy ladies in post position order.
Breaking from the hedge will be the Racing H Q rep, Approach The Stars. Randwick bred his stakes winning, $250,000 earning Sea The Stars mare, Sea Da Street Cost, to up and coming sire Dawn Approach. The resultant foal is still a work in progress. Approach The Stars shows flashes of brilliance followed by disappointing efforts. She is graded placed and has flirted with 100 speed figures on a few occasions. But considering the depth and quality of this field, her medal chances are slim.
In the two hole we have The Sim Hispano star, Mesianica. Pato7’s speedster likes to be on or very near the lead. The big Pivotal filly won the G-3 Ice Cream Gold in New Zealand three back posting a nifty 106 speed number. Most recently she set all the pace in the G-1 Cremation before giving way grudgingly in deep stretch. Her regular rider, J Castillo, galloped her two miles on the grass Tuesday morning and was all smiles when he dismounted. Appears to be sitting on a big effort.
Empire State Racing sends Dark General out for The Mr. Hockey. The Rock always has his horses ready for big races and this should be no exception. The Not for Love filly is a bit light on experience compared to some of her contemporaries, but she appears to have peaked at the right time. Last time out Dark General was a solid second in the G-2 Sandy Ring. The 102 speed figure was her best yet. Price shot to consider.
If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. Well bred but poorly performed mares producing standout race horses. Here’s another great example. Ignite (Kingmambo x Storm Cat x Forty Niner) won only two of fourteen career starts and earned less than $50,000. Her top speed figure was 89. But her three year old filly by Toronado has won six of nine career starts including an upset victory against a stellar field in the G-1 Cremation (107 Speed Number) last time out. All-Stars Racing and trainer Pljracing are very excited about Torambo’s chances on Saturday. And rightly so.
Eucla Tara is the Midas entry. Veteran trainer Tulloch has his Sebring filly in peak form for The Mr. Hockey. The daughter of his top quality race mare Tara (G-1 winner, $2.5 million) has won her last two starts, both listed stakes. Although Eucla Tara’s overall record is not quite on par with the best in here, John is quite confident that she can outrun her 15-1 odds. In with a chance if things go her way.
Blazing Saddles sends out The Sullied in search of gold. Big Jet’s deep closer has a very real shot at a juicy 13-1. Two back the well bred Shamardal x Galileo x Seeking The Gold filly from stakes placed The Unsullied flew from last to get second in the G-1 French 1000 Guineas. That 107 speed figure compares very favorably with her main rivals. The Sullied stayed in Paris following her big effort in the Guineas. She prepped for Equinics with an easy victory in a conditioned allowance. My dark horse selection.
The “Eh” Team is a relatively new residency. They are hoping to make a big splash with their well regarded deep, deep closer, Pathrock LV. Honestly, while viewing her races, I almost felt as if I were watching episodes of The Twilight Zone. Deep closers drop from the clouds. This filly drops from another dimension. Thirteenth to first between the final call and the wire to win the G-1 Irish 1000 Guineas! Are you kidding me? And five starts back she closed from nineteenth place after two calls to win a listed stake. Bizalls’ Pathfork filly will definitely be flying past many in the lane. Can she pass enough to medal? We’ll find out Saturday.
Punter34 has been training horses since the beginning of time. His Queensland based Right Decircle is the third betting choice at 10-1. Right Decircle is by Redoute’s Choice out of the impeccably bred mare Stormy Magpie (Storm Cat x Sadler’s Wells x Mr. Prospector). Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can leave the gate as quickly as this filly. The surest proposition bet of the day is that Right Decircle will be the first one turning for home. She has proven that she can carry her speed a long way. A wire to wire victory is certainly within the realm of possibility.
Encosta De Tiger will represent British and Nordic Racing Club. The multiple stakes placed daughter of Encosta De Lago is the first foal from solid race mare Tiger Wolf (Tiger Ridge x Kingmambo). Not likely to medal in this killer field, but anything can happen in a horse race. Kimugle is a fine trainer and a super nice guy. He will definitely have this one ready for a top effort.
Rainy Day River will carry the Comedy Central banner into battle. The Comedians are disbanding following Equinics and their rag tag squad makes the Jamaican Bobsled team look like the 1927 Yankees. Rainy Day River, true to Comedy Central tradition, raced so badly last time out that a search party was needed to find her. A glimmer of hope surfaced when the 2016 1000 Guineas champion fired a :46.22 half mile bullet over the Rio de Janeiro turf course Monday morning. A return to her Guineas form might just possibly propel the Oasis Dream filly to a podium finish.
Having covered dozens of world class races over the years, I’ve learned that we should never ignore the “now” horse. That one horse who jumps up and says “look at me now!” The Mr. Hockey “now” horse is Checkmate1’s Eastern Czar. Last time out the Tapizar filly from Eastern Wind (Smart Strike x Damascus) ran a huge race against a sneaky good field of open allowance fillies. The DelPenn rep fell a half length shy of the speedy Western American but was getting to that one at the wire. Eastern Czar’s 107 speed rating shows that she is well suited to keep pace with the big girls. Beware!
The East-West Connection and trainer Atthewire’s delegate is See Through Wire. The striking light gray Kitten’s Joy x Danehill Dancer x Montjeu filly was lazily munching hay when I visited her in the barn Wednesday afternoon. She perked up when I offered her a handful of starlight mints. Earlier in the week I had watched her work and was so taken with her beauty that I wanted to meet her up close. See Through Wire has done little wrong in her brief ten race career. Other than an ill fated attempt at twelve furlongs, she has finished top three each race. She has won a pair of mile and an eighth G-3 events. The Longest Walk at Gulfstream last winter and the Wynn Point at Belmont in May. Finished third last time out in a ten furlong G-1 at Santa Anita. Clearly prefers nine panels but if she can handle the mile, might surprise in here.
EURO sends out well bred Tyre Esbjerg (Fastnet Rock x Nureyev x Miswaki) for this event. The Danish 1000 Guineas winner arrives in peak form. She posted her fastest speed figure to date (101) last time out while finishing second in The Swedish 1000 Guineas. Viking Daniel toiled in the shadow of his world class big brother, the legendary Sabbath, for years before emerging as a force to be reckoned with in his own right. Looking to add an Equinics medal to the family trophy case.
The Minnesota Testbarn Residency will be represented by my choice as best bred filly. Canyongate spared no expense using Oasis Dream x Kingmambo x Roberto to breed Intolerable. Thus far she has not disappointed. She sliced through her allowance conditions like a hot knife through butter. Three back Intolerable slaughtered her nw4x foes. Then came her key race. A rousing victory over Equinics rival Dark General in the G-2 Sandy Ring. Last time out, in her Mr. Hockey prep, Intolerable bullied three erstwhile claimers into submission in a Lone Star allowance mile. I would think Intolerable should be ready for a top effort. Certainly fits here on paper.
Summerset arrived here from another racing circuit a few years ago and he has made a huge impact in SIMDOM. His stats are unbelievably good and from what I have seen in chat, he is as nice and knowledgeable as he is talented. His Priah will carry the Elite Racing Club’s banner into battle. The rangy Pierro filly has found her comfort zone. A mile on the grass. That could be bad news for her Equinics foes. Priah raced with moderate success between 8.5 and 9.5 furlongs in her first five races. Two back Summerset shortened her up to a mile and she responded with a swooping worst to first tally over nw3L company. Then came the eye popper that propelled her to Brazil. Another turf mile. This one versus nw4L company. Priah dawdled in back as usual for most of the race. But when she turned on the jets and won going away with a speed number of 109, the road to Rio became an obvious consideration. Major threat if she can replicate that effort.
Lasthope’s The Red Victorian punched her ticket to Rio three back by virtue of a smashing victory in the G-1 Japanese 1000 Guineas. The Pastures rep has remained solid since then finishing third in the French 1000 Guineas and going over the million dollar mark in career earnings with an easy win in a listed prep. The City Zip three year old is from the great broodmare Ash Highway (Danzig x Storm Cat). Mom was a terrific race mare but has really excelled in the breeding shed. From nine foals age three or older, she has produced two G-1 winning millionaires, two G-2 winners, a G-3 winner and a pair of listed victors.
The G R Simsters seem to have a live horse for each event in every Equinics. No exception this year. Given has a monster entered in The Mr. Hockey. Eckankar posted a blazing 109 speed rating while taking down the G-1 French 1000 Guineas two back. That was her fourth win in four career grass tries. The drop dead gorgeous daughter of Malibu Moon and G-1 winning millionaire Reincarnation ( Pivotal x Sadler’s Wells) regressed a bit last time out with a fourth place finish in the G-1 Cremation. The beaten favorite may have suffered her first turf loss, but she passed several horses along the way and was running on well at the end. Drilled 5 panels on the main track in an effortless :58.84 Tuesday morning and couldn’t blow out a candle afterward. Seems ready to regain her winning ways.
Burck carries the hopes of Megalopolis. The Wetfast trained daughter of Kodiak Kowboy has been steadily improving since switched to the turf. She finished second last time out in a second level allowance and her speed figure of 99 was a career best. I see a bright future for the big bay, but this week will be more of a learning experience most likely.
Last but far from least is Quilly’s red hot Citymill Wells. This is a SERIOUS racehorse, ladies and gentlemen. You have to love the bloodlines (City Zip x Sadler’s Wells x Mill Reef) as much as her race record (8-6-1-0). Has a G-3 badge to her credit and had won five in a row before settling for second place in the G-1 Cremation. The Universal Racing Club’s entrant also has what I have noted in the past to be a very positive factor going for her. Citymill Wells’ speed figures have increased in each of her last seven starts, culminating in a 104 last time out. If that pattern continues, she will be right there at the wire.
I’ve been writing for the BTB off and on for the better part of fifteen years. I’ve been lucky enough to cover many of the all time greats including Horseshoe Bay, Allied Assault and Basketball Jones. But I don’t ever remember covering a race with so many true contenders before. It is almost anyone’s race. Enjoy the show!
Great stuff Bill! I like the large print. It’s good for us old guys.
Are you sure Gordie was older than you?
Great article Bill, thanks!!
Well written as always, glad I read it first before watched the race. Good info!
Thanks for the positive feedback. Sorry for the poor formatting. I actually did enter separate paragraphs into the publisher. But for some reason, no matter what I do, it scrunches everything together. Sometimes Squirrel bails me out but this weekend she was too busy gathering nuts.
Testing 1-2-3. Just testing to see if the separate paragraphs show up in comments.
By the time this reporter was in fifth grade, Gordie Howe was already a huge star. When I opened the book of sports heroes in my elementary school library, I learned that Mr. Hockey had already won four Stanley Cups, three NHL scoring titles and appeared in eight All-Star games. I got to see him live and in person for the first time in March of 1957. His Detroit Red Wings were in first place but that Saturday afternoon they fell to my Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 4-3. I’m honored to cover the race commemorating Gordon “Gordie” Howe. Mr. Hockey, this one’s for you.
The Mr. Hockey is fashioned for three year old fillies and will be run at a distance of one mile over the firm Rio de Janeiro turf course. Nineteen fillies will answer the call to post. Let’s meet the classy ladies in post position order.
Breaking from the hedge will be the Racing H Q rep, Approach The Stars. Randwick bred his stakes winning, $250,000 earning Sea The Stars mare, Sea Da Street Cost, to up and coming sire Dawn Approach. The resultant foal is still a work in progress. Approach The Stars shows flashes of brilliance followed by disappointing efforts. She is graded placed and has flirted with 100 speed figures on a few occasions. But considering the depth and quality of this field, her medal chances are slim.
In the two hole we have The Sim Hispano star, Mesianica. Pato7’s speedster likes to be on or very near the lead. The big Pivotal filly won the G-3 Ice Cream Gold in New Zealand three back posting a nifty 106 speed number. Most recently she set all the pace in the G-1 Cremation before giving way grudgingly in deep stretch. Her regular rider, J Castillo, galloped her two miles on the grass Tuesday morning and was all smiles when he dismounted. Appears to be sitting on a big effort.
Empire State Racing sends Dark General out for The Mr. Hockey. The Rock always has his horses ready for big races and this should be no exception. The Not for Love filly is a bit light on experience compared to some of her contemporaries, but she appears to have peaked at the right time. Last time out Dark General was a solid second in the G-2 Sandy Ring. The 102 speed figure was her best yet. Price shot to consider.
If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. Well bred but poorly performed mares producing standout race horses. Here’s another great example. Ignite (Kingmambo x Storm Cat x Forty Niner) won only two of fourteen career starts and earned less than $50,000. Her top speed figure was 89. But her three year old filly by Toronado has won six of nine career starts including an upset victory against a stellar field in the G-1 Cremation (107 Speed Number) last time out. All-Stars Racing and trainer Pljracing are very excited about Torambo’s chances on Saturday. And rightly so.
Eucla Tara is the Midas entry. Veteran trainer Tulloch has his Sebring filly in peak form for The Mr. Hockey. The daughter of his top quality race mare Tara (G-1 winner, $2.5 million) has won her last two starts, both listed stakes. Although Eucla Tara’s overall record is not quite on par with the best in here, John is quite confident that she can outrun her 15-1 odds. In with a chance if things go her way.
Blazing Saddles sends out The Sullied in search of gold. Big Jet’s deep closer has a very real shot at a juicy 13-1. Two back the well bred Shamardal x Galileo x Seeking The Gold filly from stakes placed The Unsullied flew from last to get second in the G-1 French 1000 Guineas. That 107 speed figure compares very favorably with her main rivals. The Sullied stayed in Paris following her big effort in the Guineas. She prepped for Equinics with an easy victory in a conditioned allowance. My dark horse selection.
The “Eh” Team is a relatively new residency. They are hoping to make a big splash with their well regarded deep, deep closer, Pathrock LV. Honestly, while viewing her races, I almost felt as if I were watching episodes of The Twilight Zone. Deep closers drop from the clouds. This filly drops from another dimension. Thirteenth to first between the final call and the wire to win the G-1 Irish 1000 Guineas! Are you kidding me? And five starts back she closed from nineteenth place after two calls to win a listed stake. Bizalls’ Pathfork filly will definitely be flying past many in the lane. Can she pass enough to medal? We’ll find out Saturday.
Punter34 has been training horses since the beginning of time. His Queensland based Right Decircle is the third betting choice at 10-1. Right Decircle is by Redoute’s Choice out of the impeccably bred mare Stormy Magpie (Storm Cat x Sadler’s Wells x Mr. Prospector). Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can leave the gate as quickly as this filly. The surest proposition bet of the day is that Right Decircle will be the first one turning for home. She has proven that she can carry her speed a long way. A wire to wire victory is certainly within the realm of possibility.
Encosta De Tiger will represent British and Nordic Racing Club. The multiple stakes placed daughter of Encosta De Lago is the first foal from solid race mare Tiger Wolf (Tiger Ridge x Kingmambo). Not likely to medal in this killer field, but anything can happen in a horse race. Kimugle is a fine trainer and a super nice guy. He will definitely have this one ready for a top effort.
Rainy Day River will carry the Comedy Central banner into battle. The Comedians are disbanding following Equinics and their rag tag squad makes the Jamaican Bobsled team look like the 1927 Yankees. Rainy Day River, true to Comedy Central tradition, raced so badly last time out that a search party was needed to find her. A glimmer of hope surfaced when the 2016 1000 Guineas champion fired a :46.22 half mile bullet over the Rio de Janeiro turf course Monday morning. A return to her Guineas form might just possibly propel the Oasis Dream filly to a podium finish.
Having covered dozens of world class races over the years, I’ve learned that we should never ignore the “now” horse. That one horse who jumps up and says “look at me now!” The Mr. Hockey “now” horse is Checkmate1’s Eastern Czar. Last time out the Tapizar filly from Eastern Wind (Smart Strike x Damascus) ran a huge race against a sneaky good field of open allowance fillies. The DelPenn rep fell a half length shy of the speedy Western American but was getting to that one at the wire. Eastern Czar’s 107 speed rating shows that she is well suited to keep pace with the big girls. Beware!
The East-West Connection and trainer Atthewire’s delegate is See Through Wire. The striking light gray Kitten’s Joy x Danehill Dancer x Montjeu filly was lazily munching hay when I visited her in the barn Wednesday afternoon. She perked up when I offered her a handful of starlight mints. Earlier in the week I had watched her work and was so taken with her beauty that I wanted to meet her up close. See Through Wire has done little wrong in her brief ten race career. Other than an ill fated attempt at twelve furlongs, she has finished top three each race. She has won a pair of mile and an eighth G-3 events. The Longest Walk at Gulfstream last winter and the Wynn Point at Belmont in May. Finished third last time out in a ten furlong G-1 at Santa Anita. Clearly prefers nine panels but if she can handle the mile, might surprise in here.
EURO sends out well bred Tyre Esbjerg (Fastnet Rock x Nureyev x Miswaki) for this event. The Danish 1000 Guineas winner arrives in peak form. She posted her fastest speed figure to date (101) last time out while finishing second in The Swedish 1000 Guineas. Viking Daniel toiled in the shadow of his world class big brother, the legendary Sabbath, for years before emerging as a force to be reckoned with in his own right. Looking to add an Equinics medal to the family trophy case.
The Minnesota Testbarn Residency will be represented by my choice as best bred filly. Canyongate spared no expense using Oasis Dream x Kingmambo x Roberto to breed Intolerable. Thus far she has not disappointed. She sliced through her allowance conditions like a hot knife through butter. Three back Intolerable slaughtered her nw4x foes. Then came her key race. A rousing victory over Equinics rival Dark General in the G-2 Sandy Ring. Last time out, in her Mr. Hockey prep, Intolerable bullied three erstwhile claimers into submission in a Lone Star allowance mile. I would think Intolerable should be ready for a top effort. Certainly fits here on paper.
Summerset arrived here from another racing circuit a few years ago and he has made a huge impact in SIMDOM. His stats are unbelievably good and from what I have seen in chat, he is as nice and knowledgeable as he is talented. His Priah will carry the Elite Racing Club’s banner into battle. The rangy Pierro filly has found her comfort zone. A mile on the grass. That could be bad news for her Equinics foes. Priah raced with moderate success between 8.5 and 9.5 furlongs in her first five races. Two back Summerset shortened her up to a mile and she responded with a swooping worst to first tally over nw3L company. Then came the eye popper that propelled her to Brazil. Another turf mile. This one versus nw4L company. Priah dawdled in back as usual for most of the race. But when she turned on the jets and won going away with a speed number of 109, the road to Rio became an obvious consideration. Major threat if she can replicate that effort.
Lasthope’s The Red Victorian punched her ticket to Rio three back by virtue of a smashing victory in the G-1 Japanese 1000 Guineas. The Pastures rep has remained solid since then finishing third in the French 1000 Guineas and going over the million dollar mark in career earnings with an easy win in a listed prep. The City Zip three year old is from the great broodmare Ash Highway (Danzig x Storm Cat). Mom was a terrific race mare but has really excelled in the breeding shed. From nine foals age three or older, she has produced two G-1 winning millionaires, two G-2 winners, a G-3 winner and a pair of listed victors.
The G R Simsters seem to have a live horse for each event in every Equinics. No exception this year. Given has a monster entered in The Mr. Hockey. Eckankar posted a blazing 109 speed rating while taking down the G-1 French 1000 Guineas two back. That was her fourth win in four career grass tries. The drop dead gorgeous daughter of Malibu Moon and G-1 winning millionaire Reincarnation ( Pivotal x Sadler’s Wells) regressed a bit last time out with a fourth place finish in the G-1 Cremation. The beaten favorite may have suffered her first turf loss, but she passed several horses along the way and was running on well at the end. Drilled 5 panels on the main track in an effortless :58.84 Tuesday morning and couldn’t blow out a candle afterward. Seems ready to regain her winning ways.
Burck carries the hopes of Megalopolis. The Wetfast trained daughter of Kodiak Kowboy has been steadily improving since switched to the turf. She finished second last time out in a second level allowance and her speed figure of 99 was a career best. I see a bright future for the big bay, but this week will be more of a learning experience most likely.
Last but far from least is Quilly’s red hot Citymill Wells. This is a SERIOUS racehorse, ladies and gentlemen. You have to love the bloodlines (City Zip x Sadler’s Wells x Mill Reef) as much as her race record (8-6-1-0). Has a G-3 badge to her credit and had won five in a row before settling for second place in the G-1 Cremation. The Universal Racing Club’s entrant also has what I have noted in the past to be a very positive factor going for her. Citymill Wells’ speed figures have increased in each of her last seven starts, culminating in a 104 last time out. If that pattern continues, she will be right there at the wire.
I’ve been writing for the BTB off and on for the better part of fifteen years. I’ve been lucky enough to cover many of the all time greats including Horseshoe Bay, Allied Assault and Basketball Jones. But I don’t ever remember covering a race with so many true contenders before. It is almost anyone’s race. Enjoy the show!