HIGH NOON IN THE DESERT
HIGH NOON IN THE DESERT
Rivals, young and old, go for a 6M dollar jackpot
by afc
It doesn’t get any better than this. While the Sim world rejuvenates itself each spring with the three year olds on the Classic trails, the older horses have a goal of their own. It’s called Sand Castle Day, and it year in and year out is one of the biggest days in the Sim. With monstrous purses faluting about the tall, modernized world of Dubai, there’s a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air that builds with each race on the card. It culminates with the richest race in the world, the six million dollar Sand Castle Classic. Say what you want about the Middle East, but when they get down to it, the Sheikhs know how to throw a party at their house at the Nads of Al-Sheikha.
The jackpot winner today will practically bust his bank. Perspective? A dual classic winner will more than DOUBLE his bankroll with a win. One single race- 3.6 million reasons to go wild. That’s even enough to buy a few barrels of light crude while you’re over there.
One look at the field tells you all you need to know. The reigning Horse of the Year and BB Classic winner is here. The three year old Eclipse Award champion is here. The winner of the 2006 Bluegrass Derby and New Yorker is here. The winner of the 2006 Middle Jewel Stakes is here. The Travellers winner. The Jockey Guild Gold Cup winner. The BB Distaff winner and a THIRD (three? you’ve got to be kidding me) Eclipse Award winner is here, too, ready to strut her stuff against the boys for the first time. Toss in the defending champion of this very race, who is looking to surpass the 10 million dollar mark in earnings, and it nearly makes the top of your head blow off. Perhaps there’s a reason the desert rats put out six super large for the taking. It takes a lot of Grovers to get all this talent in one place. All the big guns are ready to aim and hopefully fire.
My head is filled with sand. I’m thinking of a trek to Kashmir when all is said and done. Like Zep once said, in a few hours, “all will be revealed.” In the meantime, while we wait anxiously, let’s reveal the field.
PP1 INTERGALACTIC (Aptitude-Unbridled) Bridesmaid of sort lately, the big, sturdy son of Aptitude keeps on tossing out solid race after solid race. Problem is, he just can’t seem to get over the hump. He’s got one win in his last eight tries, but he’s run some solid figures. Byut he just keeps running into monsters. Look at this- he runs a 106 last time out, and loses by over 11 lenghts? Sometimes life is just not fair. He’ll sit close to the early pace and look to get first jump on the front runners. Then, it’s hang on while the cavalry comes a charging. In with a legit shot, but he’s going to have to run like he’s never run before.
PP2 SOLAR SONG (Deputy Minister-Nureyev) Now five, the reigning Horse of the Year and BB Classic champion has had a very well managed career. Trainer squirrel has placed this guy nearly dead perfectly. She doesn’t run him as much as some other trainers would, but when he goes out there, he’s dead set ready to rumble. With 15 wins from 31 starts, this guy is a winning machine. He comes in off a so-so effort in an ungraded stakes, but the last time he put forth a mediocre effort, he exploded in his very next start to take all the marbles and secure his championship with a tour de force romp in the Breeder’s Bowl Classic. He likes to lag near the back of the field, but should relish the long stretch at the Nads. A win puts him over 13 million for career earnings. Get out the drool cup for squirrel. He’s been training sharply for this, and appears to be sitting on a huge effort. Looks to make it back to back in the Sand Castle Classic. That would be a first for the Sim. We know he likes the surface off last year’s sparkling 115 in this race, but there are some big fish to tackle today.
PP3 ACT OF GOD (Empire Maker-AP Indy) Hey, what’s a big race nowadays without lenny? Not a big race, that’s what. Talk about a guy on fire- lenny’s stables took down an ungodly eight stakes races just last week. That’s more than some trainers win in a year. Say what you want about the big guy from Vegas (by way of Buffalo), but he knows how to call his shots. With Act of God, he’s got a chance to continue his recent roll this week. The deep closing son of Empire Maker looked like toast in the middle of the summer last year. Mired in the throes of three consecutive double digit length trouncings, lenny took this guy to the fountain of youth, and from which he drank and revived his career. He has won two of his last four, and his fierce late charge nearly made it three of four when he gobbled up some nine lenghts in the stretch of the Saints Handicap LTO to miss by a rapidly diminishing half length. If he runs back to that, there are going to be a lot of jocks looking over their shoulders trying to identify the vapor trail coming at them.
PP4 MACHO NINER (Macho Uno-Pulpit) Father Time has been particularly cruel to this fellow. Once among the elite of the Sim, it looks like wear and tear have worked him over like Furio Giunta working over a poor sap who owes Tony Soprano a lot of money. Hasn’t been seen in graded ranks for several months, and the listed stakes horses are giving him all he wants. Caught his preferred sloppy surface LTO and won nicely, but that’s been about it. The triple digit speed figures are a thing of the past. As is winning big races. Tough to see them go downhill like this, but if it can happen to Ali, it can happen to anyone. Looks overmatched, but he’s done enough for trainer lousiville to earn one final gasp at the big time. Could be it for him if he gets trounced.
PP5 OTTO CAUSES (Giant’s Causeway-Kingmambo) Up, down, up, down, up, down, which way will this equine yo-yo go? Solid four year old just can’t seem to string two big efforts together. Capable of a 110 figure run, but he really seems to bounce off a big effort. And what happened in his last start? Ran huge to win the Grade 1 Glenn Handicap. He showed some versatility there, as he was able to be rated off a sizzling pace for the first time. Perhaps that’s the key to getting him to fire big in consecutive races. Previously, he’s been a confirmed, albeit very good, speedball, showing a knack for running himself into the ground all by his lonesome. Expending all that energy early for no reason cost him in some big races. How else can you explain blowing an eight plus length lead when you’re doing all the work yourself? Trainer verona purportedly kneecapped the jockey in that race, the G1 KY Horsemen Derby, after Otto Causes got run down late. Who could blame him? That reputation has followed verona now, and after taking jockey R. Maire out for a nice little dinner and “conversation” the night before the Glenn Handicap, Maire, reportedly so shaken (he called it “excited about being on verona’s horse) that he soiled himself in the paddock prior to that race, went out and managed to keep Otto Causes off the lead, and let him explode around the turn, where he waltzed off to an easy win. Of course, Maire came back with two dislocated thumbs after the race- we’re not sure if that was from a problem during the race or at “dinner” the night before, but does it matter? It worked. This past Thursday, Dubai jock T. Tippet was seen at a local eatery accompanied by verona and his goons, err, support staff. He said the fish was bad, and that’s what made him throw up at dinner. Oh, really? We’ll see. If Tippet manages to save some of Otto’s energy for when the real running begins, this guy is as live as it gets at 12-1. If Tippet can’t…….well, verona has been chauffered around town in a hearse this week. You figure out the rest.
PP6 VIRTUOSO (Cryptoclearance-El Prado) Sheesh, I don’t know what to say. This guy took the supers to the highest of highs with his inspiring win in the Bluegrass Derby last May. Then, he took us on a farting ant chase in the late summer and fall. Let me tell you, that’s not fun. He just honestly hasn’t developed like some of his peers. He grew up fast and all, but then he got passed. He still can fire big once in a while, but once in a while doesn’t inspire confidence. Personally, I think he’s ready to rumble here, and the deep, deep closer should adore the long Nads stretch. But he’s got to improve so much off his best fig to get near the winner’s circle, it looks like an impossible task. But don’t put anything past the supers. Perhaps not so insidiously, there was a Dr. Dipper Lip sighting in Dubai this week. He was accompanied by some shadowy character that some believe to be the surly bentnose. Even though the barns were securely locked down at the Nads this week, those two bozos can get past anyone- and I mean anyone- to deliver their unseemly “gifts” to rival horses. If it looks like the others are puking anitfreeze in the stretch, it probably is antifreeze. Anything can and will happen, but Virtuoso has a tall sand dune to scale this week- even with the good Doctor’s help.
PP7 NEW FOUND CYCLONE (Newfoundland-Northern Dancer) The Travellers and Middle Jewel hero takes another shot at his main rivals Ermington Pegasus and Virtuoso. He’s been able to, unlike Virtuoso, to move to the next level. Unfortunatley, unlie Ermington Pegasus, he hasn’t been able to move into the stratosphere. But how many can? Compactly built colt likes to sit mid pack and then launch his move, but he can be effective from farther off the pace. One of those rare birds who doesn’t seem to be bothered by any pace scenario. But he’s more of a grinder than an explosive turn of foot sort, and that often works against him. Expect him to be laying fourth or fifth early, ahead of Solar Song and Ermington Pegasus. He’ll be the one keeping the eye on Otto Causes and whatever fool goes with that one early. He should get one of the first shots at the leaders coming off the sweeping turn of the not so oval Nads oval, but the big question is whether he can stave off the monsters coming late. The long stretch probably won’t help matters, but he’s shown himself capable of firing in the 110 range, which can definitely win this race. In with a good shot.
PP8 SLITHER (Deputy Minister-Gone West) Late runnin’ money makin’ machine has consistently racked up earnings, but has had a hard time finding the winner’s circle of late. He looks to have lost a bit of his late charge, but he once had so much of it, he still possesses more than some others have ever been gifted with. His best efforts have come at ten panels, and that’s just what he’ll get today. He’ll have company late, as there are a host of horses who like to come from well off the pace in this field. Whether he can get his creaky six year old legs rolling fast enough to keep up with the younger charges remains to be seen. On his best day, perhaps- but this better damn well be his best day, or it won’t happen for him or trainer peeps6.
PP9 BUDDHA’S UNDIES (Buddha-Unbridled’s Song) Talk about closely related- this apparent Arkansas bred (or is it South Carolina bred?) is a fun runner to watch. Apparently, Daddy’s girl wound up wearing Grandpa’s undies after a long night of Jack Daniels in the tool shed, and this one was the product….but who can argue with success? Four straight 108+ figures tells you that yes, incest might in fact be best. Another of the late runners in the field, his late run fell just short of Otto Causes in the Grade 1 Glenn Handicap. When informed that the loss might have spared the life of one of the “little people” at the track (see above about Otto Causes), corza5 mumbled something about not really caring about that, and that he may have to kill his own jockey for waiting so long to pull the trigger. Ahh, well, love is a grand thing isn’t it? He’s right there in terms of figs- unless Ermington Pegasus pulls out the Superman cape again this week. How do you run a 109 and LOSE ground in the stretch? I have no idea. You can bet your bottom dollar (not in Dubai, but somewhere else) that corza5 has told jock Tom “Loser” Miller to keep his eyes glued to the big Pegasus horse…..now, whether he can move with him, or simply watch in powerless fashion is another tale to soon be told. But this guy si on top of his game right now. One misstep by the big guns, and we could have a “family reunion” in the winner’s circle. Hey, is it Muslims or Mormons that have mulitple wives? I forget…..
PP10 ERMINGTON PEGASUS (Sky Mesa-Fusaichi Pegasus) Well, at least “Loser” Miller will get one up close and personal look at the Big Hoss during the race- in the starting gate. This huge son of Sky Mesa has simply been on an unbelievable tear for several months now. And it’s not like he was lousy before he went from very good to great. Last four races? How about an AVERAGE figure of nearly 114? We’re not talking one race with a 114- we’re talking FOUR IN A ROW. He would have won all four if not for the superequine effort of Solar Song in the BB Classic, and if not for that, we’d be talking about him in reverential tones instead of just somewhat giddy tones right now. He topped all that with a 117 in the Cal Classic last time out, cracking the two minute barrier in the process. And he did it so easily, it was frightening. Superman likes to sit slightly behind the mid pack runners before launching his rally- and I do mean launch. Possessed of a terrifying turn of foot, he simply inhales horses like Butterbean inhales his food (did anyone see the Bean’s last fight? He’s now 400+ pounds). He has morphed into a freak of nature. It takes a singular effort- those of the “only one time in a career” variety- to beat this guy is he runs his USUAL race. Mulitple Grade 1 winner has, quite simply, taken it to another level- and there are very, very few who can match that level. With only 16 career starts thus far, sit back and enjoy this one, even if he throttles you- we could be looking at the emergence of the next Sim legend right here. He’s that good, and I’m not usually this effusive with praise for a rival, but hey, let’s be real here. He’s in another league right now. If he brings his A-game, the only way he gets beat is if someone runs out of their skin. 7-2 is a steal on this guy.
PP11 SENSATIOUS (Conquistador Cielo-Deputy Minister) Well, at least Ermington Pegasus is surrouned by a lot of talent. This lightly raced seven year old (yes, I said seven, and I checked twice) has been almost to the Superman summit- he has one of those 115 figures that can knock the favorite off his pedestal on any given Saturday. He’s a mulitple Grade 1 winner as well, and his signature win came at this very distance, with a dominating score in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Guild Cup last year. Unfortunately, that race seems to have taken some of his punch out of him. But trainer coffee is doing the right thing- he’s raced only twice since last October, including the BB Classic, and has given him ample rest to try and regain his form. His prep was a solid effort, but not a winning effort. But the goal has always been this race, so if that gets him to peak here, all will be forgiven and forgotten. He like to be closer to the pace than a lot of the others in here, so he’ll likely getthe garden spot trip. If the rest has revived his aging limbs, we could be in for a stirring stretch duel, with the old warrior digging in while the young guns fire away at him. An intriguing prospect for this race.
PP12 GENOCIDE JUNKIES (Louis Quatorze-Valid Appeal) Four year old has tailed off in his last three, and looks to regain the form that saw him finish in front of Ermington Pegasus in the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby last year. Had the misfortune of running a 110 in an owner restricted race, and somehow still lost (a testament to the power showcased on DelPenn Champions Day). Don’t know quite what’s happened in his last three, but they have been very subpar. He’ll have to make a huge turnaround to figure here. Wily trainer sdmf probably has a trick or two up his sleeve. Don’t be surprised to see some variation from his late running tactics to try and shake him up in here.
PP13 CALL OF THE WILD II (War Chant-Nureyev) The former Sand Castle Classic champion is back trying to become the first repeat winner of this prestigious race. Trainer gipper8 is attempting to pull off a Mad Genius feat- he won this race in 2005 and finished third last year to Solar Song. His races have been nicely spaced as he’s aged, as the barn is trying to maximize what the now six year old has left in the tank. He’s still got the juice, and is capable of a 110+ run. He’ll likely be closer to the pace today than he previously has, as there is simply not a lot of speed in this field. That should help him- the softer they go early, the better for him. Game, gutsy horse looking to crown an already glorious career.
PP14 ARMED WITH MONEY (Military-Shadeed) Trainer monksfield actually polled the masses about this grand filly recently. Should she continue to crush fillies and mares, or should she try the big boys? Well, one thing is for certain- she has dominated her female compatriots with aplomb. She comes in on a five race winning streak, highlighted by a grand performance in the BB Distaff. She’s simply been utterly dominant over her own sex. So why not give it a try? I can think of six million reasons why she should be here, and so apparently does monksfield, damn the pundits. She is perhaps the deepest of the deep closers in the field, and she’ll be trying to run down some real tough amigos late, but shoe might just be able to pull it off. She’s been running 109’s with little or no effort, and she’s proven that ten furlongs is clearly within her scope. She adds some real spice to this race, and she looks to be the first filly to pull off this feat. If there was ever one to do it, this is probably the one.
SUMMARY Just a fabulous field, but oddly, it’s fairly devoid of speed. It’s one that Otto Causes could steal if he doesn’t get too headstrong early. Look for some traffic trouble late for a lot of horses, as most want to run at the end of the race. Given that scenario, it’s tough to go against Ermington Pegasus. He has the turn of foot and push button acceleration to stay out of trouble. Solar Song rates a good chance, and the inbred freak Buddha’s Undies must be respected also. There are a few that have been off form, but if they regain some of the lost luster, they could easily figure.
The picks:
Ermington Pegasus
Otto Causes
Solar Song
Buddha’s Undies
Good luck to all!
A brief note- this is very late, and I apologize. IF it goes up, enjoy the double coverage of the race, as snowchief and squirrel were appropriately concerned that I would not get this up in time, and they covered my butt. I’m sorry for the confusion that caused, and there is no excuse. At any rate, enjoy Sand Castle Day!