G3 Jim’s BB Sprint
This year’s edition of the Alabama’s G3 Jim’s BB Sprint has drawn an interesting field of older sprinters all vying for the $250,000 prize money on offer. While Deligence and Rexton are clearly the two better-performed runners but both will need to be at their best to hold off the challengers from the up and coming older sprinters.
PP1 DISCO BALL (beefcake2) Rank 93 7/1 M.Turk (30%)
Winner of nine of 24 career starts and finely broke through for first Stakes win two stakes back when recording career best Speed Rating of 111. Followed that with a good 2nd at Grade 3 level and gets his chance here from good barrier position.
PP2 REXTON (arthurs) Rank 11 7/1 C.Riddle (35%)
Three times Stakes winner over the sprint journey who is currently racing in the best form of his career. Three starts back won at Stakes level when lead the entire journey, tried to lead again when caught by Ab Fab to finish 2nd in the G1 Elixir Sprint. Last start recorded season best Speed Rating of 108 to finish 2nd again to Ab Fab in the G1 Gary Carter Handicap. Will find this a lot easier than last couple and deserves to have a Graded win against his name.
PP3 EXPLOSIVE FURY (br3stable) Rank 403 15/1 G.Blinn (19%)
Has been taken along quietly by his connections with his entire racing being restricted to allowance level. Having his first black-type start here after 32 career starts and comes into after last start winning at allowance level with career best Speed Rating of 108. If facing acid test here and if can reproduce last effort could cause an upset.
PP4 HADSOM RANSOM (sarasans) Rank 112 29/1 D.Andersen (24%)
Last win was over twelve months ago and comes into this with disappointing recent form. Two starts back finished last in a field of 14 at allowance level before last start’s improved effort when 5th in the G3 MD Breeders Bowl. Recorded a season best Speed Rating of 100 last start but will need to further improve to have any hope against this field.
PP5 FAME AND FORTUNE (lenny11) Rank 100 6/1 A.Timpson (26%)
Another who has been taken along quietly and three starts back registered first Stakes win when recording career best Speed rating of 113. Followed that with a fair 5th in the G1 Elixir Sprint and 6th in the G2 Bluegrass Sprint last start. Comes into this with good form for a race of this type, but Rexton had his measure two starts back and hard to see him turning the tables here.
PP6 WINDHAM (benway) Rank 1303 54/1 Si. Thornton (19%)
Is the long shot of the field and after only nine career starts will find this too tough at this stage of his career. Three starts back won at allowance level when recording career best Speed Rating of 103 and since has failed at Stakes level last two starts when was clearly outclassed. Is facing class rise here and form does not suggest that he will worry this field.
PP7 STRATIFICATION (peter12) Rank 317 14/1 B.Toliver (14/1)
Lightly raced with only 12 career starts and last start registered first win at Stakes level when recording career best Speed Rating of 106. Has been doing most of his racing over route distance and attempting this distance and grade for the first time.
PP8 MY CHEESY SMILE (rharfbeam) Rank 165 12/1 V.Underhill (19%)
Four wins from 17 career starts have all been at allowance level, two starts back ran a good race for 2nd at Stakes level when equalled career best Speed Rating of 103. Showed that was no fluke last start when recorded 105 Speed Rating when finishing 2nd again at Grade 3 level at first attempt. Last two runs have been good and a win here would not surprise.
PP9 DELIGENCE (Julie) Rank 4 5/1 E.Sharp (59%)
Dual Grade Two winner who comes into this as the race favourite, earlier this season won the G2 Wicker Sofa Stakes over this distance and surface. Ran two disappointing races at Grade 1 level before a improved effort last start when finished 2nd at Grade 1 with 113 Speed Rating. Dam, Forty Indy has produced four winners from as many runners including two stakes winners and graded winner.
PP10 MILL ROYALE (shadowclaw) Rank 51 10/1 S.Thornton (27%)
Two times Stakes winner with the impressive record of seven wins from 21 career starts. Two starts back run 2nd at Grade 3 level followed by a disappointing 11th of 14 in the G2 Bluegrass Sprint last start. Found the competition too good last start and is better suited this class and distance.
PP11 CIVIL DEFENSE (snowchief) Rank 213 10/1 B.Barger (19%)
Three times Stakes winner who has habit of mixing form, four starts back won at stakes level when recording a 107 Speed Rating. Failed at next two before last start improved effort to finish 2nd in owner restricted Stakes. Has been struggling in this company recently and will find some of these too good.
PP12 JIMMY JAMES (blitzers) Rank 34 7/1 R.Pollard (49%)
Four starts back recorded career best SP of 109 when won at Grade 3 level, followed with two disappointing runs before last start 3rd in the G2 Bluegrass Sprint. Dam is a seven times sprint winner and if can reproduce last effort is a chance against this field.
PP13 GROOMED TO POMP T (pick6) Rank 71 18/1 Y.Turner (23%)
Only mare in the field and almost went two years without a win before last start’s win at Grade 3 level against her own sex. Has been struggling against her own lately and will find the boys too tough.
PP14 TRAVEL THE WORLD (worldview) Rank 61 9/1 C.Whittle (32%)
Started the season with career best Speed Rating of 111 at Stakes level before going off the boil. After failing at allowance level run a much-improved race to record 110 Speed Rating to win at Stakes level last start. Has shown he has the ability but can be inconsistent and is unproven at the grade.
1ST REXTON 2ND DELIGENCE 3RD DISCO BALL