Equinics 2016: Derby Gathering Memorial

Our simulated horse racing family celebrates this Equinics with MEMORIALS. The 3yo Male 9.5f Turf race is named the Derby Gathering Memorial as tribute to the now-defunct annual Derby Gathering. For many years the game owner/creator Mike Wallace hosted a gathering in the Louisville area on Oaks night open to all players. In early years, the gatherings were rollicking affairs well-attended by players from multiple states, countries, and even a few non-locales outside North America. In recent years, the attendance had dropped, but was still a much-loved event for locals and those traveling in to the Derby. It offered an opportunity for players to get to know the game’s creator, players known in an online context, and players previously unknown. The gatherings involved great conversation about the game, about real life racing, and other sports, and always featured food and quantities of libations. With Mike’s recent exodus from Kentucky, the annual gathering is no more. Friendships both simulated and real were cemented at the gatherings, and the events will be missed.

But the race will go on!

Breaking from gate 1 is Whitemark Bay, owned by Dancesmartly (Vkstables). The Giant’s Causeway colt runs for the Ehteam Residency. He’s fresh off two straight wins at 12f including a maiden-breaking stake victory in the Eh Team The Darby and a 2L allowance. Both garnered 103 SPs. Whitemark Bay shortens up significantly here from his best but has a lot of upside down the road and most definitely could surprise. 20/1 odds.

From gate 2 will run Coin Slot, trained by Housearrest (Houseriot). The Redoute’s Choice colt has a perfect 100% ITM rate and is coming off a sweet 2.5 length win in the G1 World Weekly News 2000 in mid-June. Really like this horse here – great prep time, perfect race setup, and has a crafty trainer. Team Euro has to be feeling great about its chances. 12/1 odds.

Horse #3 is Struck The Front. The Smart Strike colt is owned by Widest (Fastnfirm) representing Megalopolis. Struck The Front has a 100% ITM rate, but 5 of his 6 starts have come on the main track. The lone turf try was last start on a yielding surface in the Bob The Cob Turf Route. Struck The Front finished a fast-closing second by a head with a 104SP.  This one a touch slower than his peers based on prior form, but we have yet to see what he can do on a firm turf track. The open questions leave room for much possibility. 17/1 odds.

Teofilogator wears saddlecloth #4 for trainer Stickpin10 (bmr001) and the Racing HQ residency. The Teofilo colt has spent the entirety of his 8-start career on turf with 4 wins to show for it. He arrives here with three straight allowance wins behind him between 8 and 8.5f. Great form coming in, though speed figures are below the best of this field, and has yet to run a full 9f or in stakes let alone graded company. Much to like, but also drawbacks. 27/1 odds.

EUCLA Final breaks from post 5 for owner Tulloch. The Pioneerof The Nile colt just ran a great race in the 8.5f Dancing in Seattle Turf Route to win by a head for a 110 SP. He has 5 wins from 8 starts, 4 of them on grass, and is showing steadily improving speed figures. Midas surely is quite happy with its representative and his 13/1 odds.

Post 6 is Breakout Offensive, a son of Malibu Moon running for owner Agk04 (MTK76). Well-rested off a great wire-to-wire victory in the G1 Queen’s Dish in mid-June, Breakout Offensive is drawing a lot of attention as a very live choice here. Blazing Saddles has a great entry in this colt. 15/1 odds.

JT’s Star runs from post 7 for trainer Jimntom2 (Jimntom1). Representing the All-Stars Racing residency, this Sea The Stars colt is the most experienced runner in the field with 15 starts under his girth. He’s notched 4 wins for over $300k earnings and is G1 placed at 10f (the Japanese 2000 Guineas). Seems to have difficulty getting over the wire in front in recent months, but a game horse that likes to be in the mix and could definitely play spoiler. 12/1 odds.

Knightsanddragons wears number 8 for owner Gunbow (Nextbonus). The Cacique colt represents Comedy Central but is no laughing matter – he has 6 wins from 12 starts for nearly a half million in earnings. He’s also coming off 4 straight wins including the G3 Goodyear and the G2 Jefferson Davis both at 9f. This just may be your horse to beat. 11/1 odds.

One gate over in 9 is FB Street saddled by Italst10 (Frankster). The Stratum colt is on a fantastic six-race win streak with the last the 9.5f Rebellion Turf Route. He’s a speedy front-runner with much-improving speed figures over the last couple races. Looks poised for a big race, could pull it off here. Promising entry from Empire State Racing (ESR). 19/1 odds.

Aguinaldo starts out of post 10 for trainer Semental (Ivanyamil). The Half Ours colt is winless in nearly a year however popped a healthy 110 SP two back at 9f in an allowance when running second by a head. Ran a tiring mile and a half last out in G2 company, but dropping back in distance here should be a significant advantage. DelPenn’s representative has a lot of potential, still looking to get back on track. 27/1 odds.

Breaking from post 11 is International Wire. Trained by Atw3 (Atthewire), the Dubai colt is winless since October but has been regularly cashing paychecks in graded events since February. Competitive speed figures with today’s field, though may prefer a tad longer distance. No question can handle the graded class. A solid entry from East-West Connection. 14/1/ odds.

Gate 12 holds Carrao Carrao. The son of Dansili runs for ownerVenezolano (Haack) and has amasses a nearly perfect ITM rate with only one 4th place in 9 starts to mar the record. Carrao Carrao stepped into stakes company last out in a big way to notch an impressive 2-length victory and an increase of 10 points of his previous lifetime high speed figure. If he can keep up that form, this colt will be dangerous here. Sim Hispano has a great looking entry here. 18/1 odds.

Left Decircle runs out of lucky post 13 for Punter75 (Gcphantom). The Camelot colt is the only millionaire in the field by virtue of two excellent G1 wins. Left Decircle took home the Vermont is 4 Lovers and Japanese 2000 Guineas trophies. He prepped for the Equinics in early July with the mile G1 Jean Brat finishing third – clearly the distance was too short. Left Decircle is in a great position here and should be considered highly dangerous by the field. Queensland is well represented. 10/1 odds.

From gate 14 runs In Mysterious Ways. The Deep Impact colt is trained by Lasthope1 (Dixiedotco). Winner of slightly under $1million, Ways most recently popped a sterling 112 speed figure at 12f in the G1 German Derby while setting for second. In the Derby De English prior, he was third with a 107. Really like to see him shorten back up a bit where he’s a proven winner. Front-running style with a strong dose of speed should serve well. Pastures of Green has a fabulous entry. 7/1 odds.

Running from stall 15 is Vor’s (Given) The Dreamweaver. The Redoute’s Choice colt carries the banner for the GR Simsters residency. The Dreamweaver of late has been displaying great typical speed figures with 3 of the last 4 at 109+. He enters off a victory in the Brooks Sir Turf Route at 9.5f with a 111SP. Runs on the lead or with it, so the slight versatility will help here. Hard to see this horse finishing out of the top-3 at worst. 5/1 odds.

Gate 16 holds Salt Of The Turf. The King Kamehameha colt runs for Durkastan5. Salt Of The Turf is a bit of a different horse in comparison to the field. He debuted in December with a maiden win on grass, handily won at second asking, was second in a 3L, won the G3 Force Stakes at 10f in April, then languished in the G2 Dante’s Inferno. The connections flipped him over to the main track in June in a 4L at 9f and he won handily for a lifetime high 103SP.  Salt Of The Turf clearly has the record to support a run here, but not sure he at present has demonstrated the speeds necessary to come out on top. Still, the surface switch angle has worked in the past successfully, and that dirt win might have proved a needed confidence booster. Universal Racing Club has an intriguing entry. 21/1 odds.

Jake Sully runs from post 17 for trainer 3away. The Fastnet Rock colt has displayed a healthy liking for the grass with a win and 3 additional top-3s from six starts. Also has 4 starts at 9-10f, including a win at 9f. Those are the high points. The questions include lack of stakes experience, winless since January, and a max speed figure of 101. May be sitting on a big race, but difficult to see a win coming out of this one. Would really like to see what this colt can do on the main track. Best luck to British and Nordic Racing Club. 27/1 odds.

Post 18 holds Major Dansili, a Dansili colt trained by Jbcri48 (Jbcri). 8 starts, 5 resulting in wins, including the G3 Crown Roys on Derby Day underscore this colt’s record. Has proven to be a force at the 8.5f range. Running 10 last out in the 10f G1 Queen’s Dish Major Dansili fell to seventh suggesting the added distance was not to his liking, but I suspect the 9f distance which he has not run at exactly will be right in his wheelhouse. Has posted 109 and 111 at 8.5 and there is a lot to love here. Excellent entry for Elite Racing Club. 13/1 odds.

Our final entrant from post 19 is Harbinger Train. Saddled by Kroth11 (Selurnivek), the Bullet Train colt is possibly the most race-type-experienced in the field. In the last 5 starts, he was second in a 75k maiden claim, won a maiden allowance, won a 60K 2L claim, won a 150k starter, and capped it with a hot race victory in June. The starter resulted in a healthy 102 SP, his lifetime high. The hot race was a daylight win over several of the trainer’s other horses. Harbinger Train should be well rested, and we know he can handle anything thrown at him with aplomb. What we don’t know is how well he can handle a significant class jump. This will be one to watch. Minnesota Testbarn Residency’s entry is one to watch just to see what happens. 54/1 odds.

Good luck to all!