Loaded field arrives for the 7 th annual Little Ones Juvenile G II
Hello race fans and welcome to the 7 th installment of the Little Ones Juvenile – G II over 6 furlongs of Longchamp’s firm turf . The race record of 1:11:00 is in jeopardy this year as a fine group of youngsters has come defiantly to make a run at Sim history . These races oftentimes define the heart and character of these young horses . I am pleased as punch to have the opportunity to cover this race and present the runners to the viewing audience . Some of these youngsters are undefeated ; some have won in Stakes company and some have run farther that the 6 panels set for todays race . They all have one thing in common though … they ALL are setting out to gain that first Graded win .
On the rail at 7 / 1 is the Paceman2 trained colt Danisha (ENG) ( Dansili (GB) x Theatrical (IRE) x Kris S. ) with competent journeyman jockey B. Gall in the irons . This colt is the long awaited first foal of multiple graded winning mare Krishna (IRE) whom in her own racing career racked up 13 graded victories ( 7 G I ) , 22 Stakes wins with over $ 5.4 million in earnings lifetime . At first asking it was quite evident that this colt was something special when he smashed a full field over 6 panels by 2 lengths in 1:12:00 73 Spf . This second start he makes his graded debut in yet another full field , a worthy test of his genetics passed down from his most excellent Dam .
In post 2 is Afleet Dream (ENG) 13 / 1 ( Sahkee x Afleet x Leo Castelli ) representing the stables of trainer Themaster and ridden by the masterful journeyman jockey B. Wu . This youngster comes into today’s race bearing a perfect record of 3 : 3-0-0 including his last victory in Argentina’s The Bright Buster Memorial – Stk May 5 th over 6 furlongs in 1:12:00 73 Spf . He is getting better with every start and likes to come from the back to take on the pace setters in the stretch run with a strong kick to emphasize his dominance . In this race i’d like to see him a bit further ahead when they come for home , the up in class may not favor his late closing style today .
In post 3 is the Dkyoung2 trained youngster at 9 / 1 is Breakdown Defend (AUS) ( Redoute’s Choice (AUS) x Dehere x Seeking the Gold ) , the humble veteran M. Nurmi gets the nod . This colt is the 4 th live foal from multiple Stakes winning mare Our Lady Rena whom was an extremely dangerous turf sprinter in her own right . His March 17 th first start in France resulted in an easy win going 6 panels in 1:12:4/5 65 Spf . Today he is thrown into the Graded arena to see if he can compete with the best 2 yo’s available over Longchamp’s lawn .
In post 4 is the betting favorite Blacksburg (KY) 6 / 1 ( War Chant x Nureyev x Valid Appeal ) from the stables of trainer Super15 , slick veteran R . Miavia gets the assignment . This brown colt broke his maiden April 27 th over Denmarks turf track going 5.5 furlongs in 1:05:00 74 Spf . His stalking style will suit him well today and put him in an excellent position for the run to the wire .
In post 5 is Japanese bred Spirited Choice (JPN) 14 / 1 ( David Junior x Mt. Livermore x Crafty Prospector ) ridden by veteran P. Nine and representing trainer Brightvalr . The latest addition from Graded winning mare More Earn , this colt may just be the horse to vindicate his Dams genetic legacy in the Sim . He won quite handily in an April 14 th MSW over this very course going 5 furlongs in 0:59:1/5 by 3 1/4 lengths 70 Spf . His style SEEMS to dictate either a stalking style or mid pack rambler whom likes to challenge right before the dash for home .
In post 6 at 9 / 1 is the Tully trained colt Scovazon (ENG) ( Rainbow Quest x Sadler’s Wells x Two Punch ) with the very talented J. Ventura aboard . A winner in 3 of his 4 career races , this active youngster has been taking on all comers and sending them home in shame of late . His latest victory May 12 th was in Kentucky’s The Dowelly Special – Stk where he lead the field of 10 over 6 panels in 1:12:2/5 68 Spf . The Graded debut is a test of class , today is no exception for this colt . Look for him to set the pace early and make the others try to run him down in the stretch .
In post 7 is the Spectrum2 trained Viking Warship (IRE) 26 / 1 ( Ratki (GB) x ILe De Bourbon x Allen’s Prospect ) , veteran D. Gullet gets the nod today . A winner first asking March 31 st over this very same track , this colt has been training up for this very day ever since . He seems to like it right off the pace and will have plebty of company there coming home to the wire .
In post 8 is The Rare Vegamite (KY) 7 / 1 ( Elusive Quality x Encosta de Lago (AUS) x Summer Squall ) , representing trainer Cjt3 and ridden by veteran L. Ranger . A winner first asking , this first foal of Stakes winning mare Happy Vegemite (AUS) is making his Graded debut among some tuff customers . His maiden win came by an easy 2 1/2 length victory over 5.5 furlongs April 28 th in Taiwan 1:05:4/5 64 Spf . His late run style might not serve him well in today’s field . A more forward positioning early might be the trick to run down the field today .
In post 9 at 10 / 1 is Brave Birdie (ENG) ( Green Desert x Cape Town x Storm Cat ) ridden by old veteran S. Jeter , from the stables of trainer Jsimpson . A winner first asking , this 3rd foal of Stakes winning mare Captain’s Cat is off to a hot start wiring a short MSW field over 6 furlongs on Victoria’s turf track May 12 th 1:12:2/5 67 Spf . Look for him to fight for the lead today and make the field catch hi at the wire .
In post 10 is today’s long shot runner at 48 / 1 and representing trainer Bigeasy is the burly colt Bigeasy Song (KY) ( Songandaprayer x Dollar Bill x Fusaichi Pegasus ) ridden by R. Perloff . This Dark Grey colt is winless in 3 starts and makes his Grass debut today against proven Turf winners . He has been defeated by a combined 22 lengths to date on dirt , not really sure he is a turf runner but stranger things have happened .
In post 11 is Hanna’s Horizon (IRE) 7 / 1 ( Refuse to Bend (IRE) x Coronado’s Quest x Storm Cat ) representing the stables of trainer Rharfo5 and ridden by slick journeyman B . Thedog . Undefeated in 2 starts , this colt has put up impressive efforts to date and only seems to be getting better . A front runner at heart , he should put up punishing fractions early and just might wilt the field into submission . His last win came by an April 14 th shell shocker over an off Dubai turf track going 6 furlongs in 1:11:4/5 75 Spf and fastest effort among the field today .
In post 12 at 12 / 1 and ridden by the crafty S. Graf is the Jlor3851 trained colt His Benz (ENG) ( Dubawi (ENG) x More than Ready x Conquistador Ceilo ) . Undefeated in 2 starts , this colt is on fire coming into today’s race . His latest victory came by an April 7 th romp over Kentucky’s 6 furlong Turf Baby’s Ball -Stk in 1:12:1/5 72 Spf by 1 1/4 lengths . He makes the next logical step in coming up to the Graded ranks bringing his front running style to bear on a field with a cornucopia of running styles .
In post 13 is the Foxon5 trained Angry Skies (ENG) ( Beat Hollow (GB) x Mill Reef x Nijinsky II ) at 9 / 1 with slick veteran jockey T. Thedog in the irons . Unbeaten in 2 starts , this colt will be joining some fellow late runners in the back today most likely and will look to make a statement at the wire . His last victory came by an impressive unrelenting stretch run in Tasmania’s May 5 th The Your Dancer Stakes -Stk over 6.5 furlongs in 1:18:3/5 72 Spf . Wind it back to 6 panels and jump up the class … another wise decision by this crafty trainer and may just pay off today .
On the far outside is Arcangelo (KY) 8 / 1 ( Artie Schiller x Chester House x Nureyev ) ridden by the tricky M. Mia and representing trainer Grholdings . A winner first asking in Stakes company February 17 th in New York’s Gr Simster’s Future Stars Restricted -Stk , this colt took a nose dive last outing in Alw company April 14 th over the same track . A move and a revised training regimen has this colt back on track and looking to resume a winning career .