2016 Bargain Bowl: Nine Runners Looking to Outlast the Field in the Distance Challenge
The Bargain Bred Racing Series (BBRS) is a competition featuring the best, modestly-bred runners in the Sim. Holding event days a few times a year at different locations, the Bargain Bowl is the signature event on the calendar.
One of the races on the docket Saturday in Arizona is the Bargain Bowl Distance Challenge. Run at a distance of a mile-and-a-half, the Distance Challenge spotlights the best Long Division runners in the series.
Let’s take a look at the field:
1) KNIGHTLY MAGIC (7/2)
6yoBay Horse
30 – 15 – 7 – 4 (.867) – $605,555
Jockey: M Whitley
Owner: piano8
YONKERS JOE x A.P. MAGIC x KNIGHTLY MANNER
By lip in New Mexico
This six-year-old boasts a very impressive top three percentage, and he has hit the wire first in exactly half of lifetime starts. The son of YONKERS JOE possesses an oversized gas tank with most of his success occurring at two miles. Stepping down in distance has hindered him recently, but he has shown he can handle any long race over the course of his career. As second favorite, the odds makers are certainly respecting his impressive consistency.
2) DESERT APACHE (11/1)
4yo Brown Colt
19 – 3 – 2 – 8 (.684) – $111,249
Jockey: R Grant
Owner: lgboost
FORTAPACHE x DESERT PARTY x FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
By viceregent in Illinois
Owner lgboost has found some success moving this colt to the dirt after claiming him for $10k back in late March. His last win was in the Indiana Local Championship Stakes in June, and he has hit the board twice since then in local-bred allowance races. The extra distance might favor him following a disappointing 8th place finish last time out in the BBRS event, THE COPPER CUP, run late October at 10 furlongs.
3) HEREMEOUT (12/1)
3yoBay Colt
10 – 4 – 1 – 2 (.700) – $120,550
Jockey: S Sims
Owner: lgyetanother2
BALCONY x MORE STYLE x RANDY’S MOON
By quebefine in Puerto Rico
Beat out three of his current rivals to finish third in the BBRS, THE COPPER CUP. Breezed in a 13 furlong, local-bred starter allowance prior to his latest run to win by nine lengths, so don’t let the 62SP mislead you – he is capable at this class and length. He’s cashed in at the stakes level before, and seems due to win again any time soon.
4) HALL PASS II (6/1)
5yo Chestnut Horse
27 – 10 – 1 – 4 (.556) – $163,999
Jockey: R Mansur
Owner: mtkiscrabbyinmd
EISHIN DEPUTY x ALUMNI HALL x RED ATTACK
By mtkpa in Japan
He breezed his last time out en route to a double-digit length victory in a $5k claiming event run at 15 furlongs. While that may raise some questions, the second generation of HallPass has shown he can run the numbers that it takes to win at this level. He’s struggled in previous BBRS events, but looks to make an impression this time around.
5) ARTSCARF (8/1)
4yoBay Colt
16 – 6 – 3 – 2 (.688) – $100,424
Jockey: J Dizzle
Owner: bargainbowlben
NEVER BOUCHON x GENTLEMEN x SAGACE
By spiked in Japan
Making his BBRS debut, ARTSCARF will look to carry-on his success in the claiming ranks as well as a HOT Allowance win his last time out. He is consistent at long distances with SP’s in the mid-to-high 90’s, but there are questions if that might be enough to crack the top three in this race. Do not doubt the colt who has shown he can rise to career numbers to win in the past.
6) ROAN SPARKLES (7/1)
5yo Brown Mare
22 – 5 – 4 – 3 (.545) – $193,626
Jockey: M Wolski
Owner: txknight3
ROANOKE x MR. SPARKLES x GLORIOUS FLAG
By rrracing in Illinois
The only female entered in this edition of the Distance Challenge. She was overtaken by CLOCK TO STOP and eventually finished 3rd last time out in THE KO KO SHAN. The five-year-old daughter of ROANOKE has yet to capture victory in a BBRS stakes event, and she has a tall order going up against the boys in this one.
7) MAJESTY’S ALLURE (6/1)
5yoBay Horse
34 – 11 – 11 – 4 (.765) – $317,897
Jockey: S Barry
Owner: lglong20yw
INDIAN DANEHILL x WHITEMORE’S CONN x GOLD ALLURE
By buxnatio8 in France
This five-year-old has been trending upward bouncing to stakes competition right from the claiming ranks his last two times out – albeit for a price of $100k. He was on the move his last time out in the BBRS, THE COPPER CUP before eventually being overtaken by the cavalry to finish six lengths back in 4th. He has shown he can race at this level and distance in his career, and is worth a play if he can find his stride.
8) CLOCK TO STOP (2/1)
4yoBay Colt
19 – 8 – 4 – 0 (.667) – $491,212
Jockey: K Kirby
Owner: piano12
FIRST DUDE x DAAHER x STATE DINNER
By pianoaxius in Florida
The winner of last year’s edition rides into Arizona on the heels of a three race winning streak, and has been on the board every race this year. He has taken well to long distances as four of his eight wins have come running over a mile and a half. His latest win came just under that mark in the THE KO KO SHAN, a BBRS event earlier in November run at 11 furlongs. The four-year-old son of sire FIRST DUDE and grandson to former Kentucky Derby contender, STEPHEN GOT EVEN, is looking for another BBRS score to finish out the season. As the favorite listed at 2/1, he certainly appears poised to do just that.
9) RESPECTHEWIRE MAN (21/1)
3yoBay Colt
12 – 6 – 1 – 3 (.833) – $118,870
Jockey: N Trumbull
Owner: lgyetanother1
HEART OF OAK x MOST WELCOME x BOLD IVOR
By oldmoonfarms46 in Sweden
Making his BBRS debut, RESPECTHEWIRE MAN is also looking to capture his first stakes win. Owner igyetanother1 has appeared to have found something with the colt at a mile-and-a-half, running him at that distance in his last six races – a stretch that has seen him win four out of that six. We’ll see how the grandson of SECRETARIAT responds to the new scenery this being his first career trip across the pond.
CLOCK TO STOP is the clear favorite and for good reason as his record indicates – he should have no problem cruising to victory on Saturday.
MAJESTY’S ALLURE will provide the pace, and he will hang on enough to factor.
The BBRS success of KNIGHTLY MAGIC cannot be overlooked here to be in the mix at the end of this run.
Looking to bounce back after THE COPPER CUP, DESERT APACHE at 11/1 is the BTB LONGSHOT SPECIAL.
Some early clouds have given way to beautiful sunshine; perfect track conditions for the 2016 edition of the Bargain Bowl.
The Bargain Bred Racing Series…
Derbyfever.com PP’s…
http://derbyfever.com/multihorse_inline.asp?raceid=1764999
Kightmare’s video preview of the Bargain Bowl…
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGCZ4GT_gCIg2lcT4CVNVfA