The Suns Shines For The 2007 Confederate
The Suns Shines For The 2007 Confederate
2006 Rainy Race Led By 112 Sp, Will Sunshine Slow Them Down In 2007?
Confederate Stakes Grade II
One Mile & One Eighth
$250,000
Firm Turf
All Horses
3yo Plus
Good afternoon and welcome to the Malaysian National Horse Park for the 2007 running of the Confederate Stakes Grade II Stakes. This is a far cry from the other races I cover which are normally farther north in such countries as Sweden, France, and Norway. Here it is so hot and muggy it seems as if the very air I breathe is palpable. I can not imagine what it must be like to run a marathon n this sort of weather, but these horses seem not to mind, at least once they are in the starting gate. Well, the clubhouse and an ice cold lemonade are calling me so lets get to today’s race big race!
Here are the stats from the 2006 running:
Finished in: 2:47 2/5
Top SP figure: 112
Low SP Figure: 85
2006 Winner: New Storm owned by Coolerk
(Storm Cat x Nureyev x Damascus)
Post ——– Horse——————- ID ——— Jockey ——— Odds
PP 1 – Sadler Seeker ———# 127729 -–— M Bang (7/2)
PP 2 – Swainny ————— # 127993 –—- B Davis (7/1)
PP 3 – Josheba —————- # 107026 –—- H O’Connell (5/2)
PP 4 – Machpasser ———– # 95135 –—– B Doughty (8/1)
PP 5 – Mannart Tornado — # 52547 -–—– R Wilhite (5/2)
PP 6 – Crimson Warrior — # 101716 -–— F Foster (4/1)
PP 7 – Gallic Charm ——– # 5139 –——- M Dunaway (13/1)
PP 8 – Higher Ground —– # 26399 —––- B Shelby (58/1)
Sadler Seeker is a dominant force in Finland, Australia, and Japan. This brown colt does consistently hold high-speed figures and even managed a 110 in Finland last month. If today’s race will probably see figures that high or better if the track will allow it. He is certainly one to beat today, but his last out was earlier this month and he may not be quite back to his peak condition on so short a rest. This one could be a wild card. Either it will be in the top three or he’ll be in the middle of the pack plugging along. We’ll see. Sadler Seeker is owned and trained by Tenpin6 from Sauk Valley Farms.
Swainny is an Irish bred red colt owned and trained by Fatflab from Jef’s Thoroughbred Club. He is smart in the stall and on the track with a powerful stalking ability. He has an impressive career, but has historically not done too well in the graded races over all. His figures are drifting in the high doubles and low triples. If he wants to take this one home then he’ll have to pull a rabbit out of a hat, which would be stunting to witness.
Josheba is the rocket man of the group and pulled off the speed figure that could have won last year’s race, 112. This brown colt showed talent on the dirt, but was not a winner. Once introduced to the grass his speed and earnings started a steady climb up. If he can manage a 112 again this Alysheba colt may be uncatchable.
Machpasser saw a winning streak of five races coming into 2006, but his 2007 year has not started so smashingly. He is a winner, but not a speedster. All his speeds have stayed in the double digits for most of his career. The pace may be a bit faster than he’s willing to give at this point in his career, but I think this colt still has a lot to give. Machpasser is owned and trained by Doctahg1 from the Dentition Stables.
Mannart Tornado is the other dominant force in today’s race. If this race goes as it has in the past we may end up seeing a match race between this one and Josheba. His speeds are not as impressive as Josheba’s but he certainly has the ability to get them there. He is quick, smart under the saddle and should end up near the front of the pack with a steady gain throughout the race. Mannart Tornado is owned and trained by Ashworth of the Balata Stables
Crimson Warrior is a Red Ransom son that has been around the block. He is quick and likes to come up from the back. His career so far has been very inconsistent. One month he’ll win with a landslide victory and the next he’ll cross at a dismal 11th. He has not won yet this year but he has had a good run in the money. Maybe today he can top his ‘07 chart with a spring win. Crimson Warrior is owned and trained by Dowelly from Hunter Valley Stables in Australia.
Gallic Charm is hoping to charm his way on to the money board and certainly know how. He’s a cute little bay that has been running some longer distances than some of his competitors. He has had a good rest since his G1 flop in April. His odds are not so good, but horses have won races at 13/1. He may not be built for this race, but I’m not counting him out yet. Gallic Charm is owned and trained by Alba1 from the Pict Stables.
Higher Ground is the long shot and underdog of today’s race. Other than allowances and a claiming race as far back as Thanksgiving, he has been in one graded race, which ended in tears for this colt. At two miles this son of Danzig was lucky just to cross the finish line. Out witted and cleanly out raced he managed a blazing 56 speed figure. On top od that this colt would rather eat the grass than race on it. His three career turf races were less than desirable. Unless Higher Ground can get a boost from some sort of higher power, he may very well see a repeat of the South Australia Cup G1. Higher Ground is owned and trained by Corzak with Corza Stables.
All in all this will be a good race, but is sure to be dominated by the impressive Mannart Tornado and the overpowering Josheba with some chase given by Crimson Warrior and possible Sadler Seeker. My final pick is Josheba to win with a Tornado on his tail and Crimson Warrior and Sadler Seeker fighting for the board.
… but then again what do I know? I know it is unmercifully hot, my iced lemonade is watering down, and these bugs are kill me! Now off to the betting booths! Good luck to all the horses, riders, and trainers! May the best horse win!
This is D.Sparrow signing out!