The THEIR FORM Challenge
MICHIGAN – A fine group of six Freshman colts make up this weeks Michigan Feature in The THEIR FORM Challenge on Saturday. All are capable of getting the lions share of this week’s $65,000 purse over Michigan’s turf course. Contested at a distance of 3/4 of a mile, the early favorites on the board are Ian Thomas’ GIANT’S GOLD(IRE) at 8/5, and the beloved Super Stables BADDER THAN BAD(IRE), a close 2nd choice at 2/1.
PP1 TOMFLY’S CHAPPIE(IRE) (trained by tomsfly) – 5/1
(HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x A.P. INDY x UNBRIDLED)
-Owner brundlefly has high hopes for his youngster trained by his son tomsfly. After a less than sparkling first start on the main track, TOMFLY’S CHAPPIE(IRE) was switched post haste to the turf and looked a different animal. This week makes his 3rd lifetime start and will need a big effort. He is sure to be bet on heavily by cousin Marty McFly.
PP2 JAPANS LAST HOPE(JPN) (trained by lodog20) – 6/1
(EISHIN MASAMUNE (JPN) x SEATTLE SLEET x DEWAN)
-What pressure has been heaped on this young colt to be named JAPANS LAST HOPE(JPN). Actually, there may be hope. Graded placed LTO when the betting public totally overlooked him and he nearly lit up the board at 27/1. A cleaner trip and a repeat of his last race puts him right in the thick of it at the end.
PP3 GIANT’S GOLD(IRE) (trained by iant4) – 8/5
(GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x MR. PROSPECTOR x NUREYEV)
-One start does not a career make but nonetheless, this is your race favorite. Great genes, a hot jockey, and a nice first time effort coast to coast against 11 other rivals makes him the trackman’s choice to repeat here this week.
PP4 SALTO WEISSBACH (trained by warchyld) – 5/1
(NOT FOR LOVE x SILVER HAWK x SIR GAYLORD)
-The Rodney Dangerfield of this crew. Most money made. Fastest winning speed rating (78). Yet is a bit of an overlay at 5/1. Seems interesting the way trainer warchyld has handled his young prized possesion. When switched to the turf for the first time, it was in The FAST CAT Memorial -Stk. Maybe an odd move after 3 career beginning dirt races. Maybe a surface switch was in order and an allowance wasn’t available to him that week. Then he nearly won. Next time, he did win in The LARRY MAPLE Challenge -Stk. No respect! No respect!
PP5 BADDER THAN BAD(IRE) (trained by super18) – 2/1
(EL PRADO(IRE) x NIJINSKY II x RAISE A NATIVE)
-If it seems like the super stables are everywhere, I think that is because they are. Talent here, talent there. Must be boring. Not being ones to rest on their laurels, BADDER THAN BAD(IRE) makes his first trip on the green this week. Has raced admirably too but after his dismal showing in his last start at Smackdown, time for a change. If BADDER THAN BAD’S preferred surface turns out to be the green, this field will be in a world of hurt.
PP6 ROYAL MILLENNIUM (trained by ozzy) – 13/1
(MILLENNIUM WIND x ROYAL ABJAR x STUTZ BLACKHAWK)
-B.F. Abman rode this horse in his first lifetime start and was impressed with this youngster. So when Bokie’s Spartan Stables brought him back to the home base this week, Michigan’s leading jockey was all too happy to take the mount. “I think the owner is a loser, but I think HIS WIFE is doing the training. I liked the horse when I first rode him. He looks a little slower on paper than the rest of these but we will know how he stacks up after this week”, said B.F. A win and a heartbreaking loss, both in his two races, both stakes, are enough to warrant a few bucks on the longest shot on the board.
Good Luck to all this week!