Big Race Preview 3175

Two Bluegrass Derby preps and an outstanding G1 for long turf runners highlight this weeks races. The Sand Castle Derby is a proving ground for several runners with a chance. Top three year old Degoldenstorm headlines the Florida Derby. Rounding out the weeks races we have three big turf names with Sunnybank Memorial, Rain God and Rapid Grey. 

Race: 3175.5111 Sand Castle Derby — Derby Lock Prep – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Dubai
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt

This field has a lot of solid runners and one of them will take that step forward this week. Taxi Driver is the morning line favorite. His last three races have been very consistent as he has posted speed figures of 96, 95 and 96. In two of those he hit the board in graded company and the other was a win at the listed stakes level. He seems as ready as he will ever be to take that step forward and run 100+ speed figures. He is a stalker and should be right in the thick of things from the beginning.

Thick and Thin spit the bit last time out in the Fountain of Ute. His speed figure was solid despite finishing sixth and prior to that he won a pair of listed stakes with nice speed figures. If he is going to step forward this could be the time he does so with his stalking style he should be in close contention from the start. Be Auror Song has been running a lot like the favorite. His last three races have been very consistent speed figure wise. He won two of those three including a G3, and finished second in the other. He too should keep close tabs on the early pace.

Achaemenes has backed off his early season running of racing every two weeks. With a little more time between races he responded with a very nice second place finish last time out in a G2. Unlike most of his rivals he is a deep closer so if the pace breaks down he will be there to clean up. Creepy Mesa is one of the very few who has posted a 100+ speed figure. He did that two back in the G3 Giant Slayer before faltering a bit last time out in a G2. If he can rebound from that he should have a good showing from mid pack or near the back of the pack.

A long shot to watch for could be Blastshaft. He could very well be the pace setter in a race that does appear to have the makings of a hot pace. He has won five of six and won last time out leading every step of the way at the one mile distance at the listed level earning an impressive 101-speed figure. If he can handle the distance and the pace pressure, look out for this guy.

Race: 3175.0214 Florida Derby — Derby Lock Prep – Grade I – $750,000
Track: Florida
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt

Degoldenstorm is the leading three year old in the sim and looks to add another prestigious race to his resume. Unlike many Breeders Bowl Juvenile winners he has continued to hold his top spot as we inch closer to the Bluegrass. He is undefeated as a three year old turning in wins at the G3 Giant Slayer and the G2 Fountain of Ute. His speed figures are superior and his stalking style means it will take a hell of a performance to beat him this weekend.

Awesome Force is the second favorite and to this point is really the only other runner in this field with speed figures comparable to Degoldenstorm. He has posted back to back 100+ speed figures while winning the G3 Risen Star and finishing second in another G3. He is a deep closer that has been closing well most of his young career. He will be rolling in the stretch the question will be can he get close enough to threaten the winner.

Ravencraft Castle has back to back stakes wins to his credit his last race being the G3 Gary Asher Memorial. His running style seems to differ race to race. In his last race he was near the back seven lengths off the pace and won, and in the race prior to that he was second a half length off the pace and won. His versatility could come in handy in a race like this.

Mr Eko probably would not have been mentioned had he not faced older runners last time out. This three year old held his own against older runners in listed company where he earned a nice 104-speed figure while finishing third. If he can keep up that sort of speed figure he will be a factor.

If you are looking for a longer shot take a long look at Atowncalledbedrock. He has just four career starts and is the type of runner that can really benefit from these lock races. He has shown a bunch of speed setting or pressing the pace in all of his starts. He was second last time out in a listed stakes earning a 97 speed figure. If he is capable of moving forward at this stage he is a threat.

Race: 3175.6215 Little Guppy Classic – Grade I – $500,000
Track: France
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and three eighths on the Turf

Three big names highlight this field. Rapid Grey, Rain God and Sunnybank Memorial all converge on what should be a great battle. Rapid Grey is the favorite and he is also in a great groove. His last few runs at a mile and a quarter have been awesome, when he steps out to a mile and a half he is good but not awesome and he will race at the in between distance. He is a deep closer and should out duel his older rivals.

Rain God took some time off after the Breeder’s Bowl. He came back to the track a few weeks ago in a longer race the listed level and won by a quarter length. He needed that race plus the cut back in distance should mean an improved performance. When he is on his game he stalkes the pace and takes control in the stretch. He has finished ahead of Sunnybank Memorial far more times than Sunnybank has finished ahead of him.

Sunnybank Memorial is no longer the perennial favorite. He has hit the board in both of his starts this year but has not won since last September. His speed figures have been solid although slightly down. He seems plenty capable even now making his fiftieth career start. He has a middle closing style and if he is on his game he should be in the thick of things in the stretch.

Jumpin Java beat Sunnybank Memorial last time out but more importantly at this distance not too far back he posted a huge speed figure. He is a stalker type and going against his older more experienced rivals he could be a solid long shot play.