Equinics 2018 – Volotile Nijinsky

Fourteen lovely fillies will be competing for bragging rights to call herself the Queen of the speed on green. We’ve got G1 winners, former Equinics winners and newcomers to the graded ranks all in line. Over $1 million in purse money available. Let’s take a look at the contenders…..

 $1,250,000 Grade 1 Equinics Volotile Nijinsky (Post Time 3:50pm EST)

4yr Olds and up, F&M, 6 Furlongs – Turf

 

 MALIBU MONEY (6-1) – Blazing Saddles

This 5yr old gal, out of Malibu Moon, is a stone cold closer that has battled stakes or graded company in each of her last eight races. She was narrowly beaten in both of her G1 attempts last year, rallying to finish second and third respectively. Hasn’t missed the board in any sprint race to date. Cuts back a tad in preferred distance, so she must get going a little earlier than normal. Looms a huge threat in the lane, near the wire.

 TWICE THE FUN (12-1) – Megalopolis

Here’s a model of consistency, a perfect 17 for 17 in the money in her career. She’s been a real bargain for her owner as she is sired by bargain sire Here’s Zealous, but has banked nearly 500k in earnings. The only knack on her resume is that she has been facing lesser quality opponents. Eight of her last ten races have come against local breds in NY. This will be a true test of this 6yr olds ability.

 CANDY SMUGGLER (13-1) – Empire State Racing

The first of five 4yr olds in this group, and the most lightly raced. But don’t let that fool you, as she is only one of four G1 winners here today. Sired by Muhaarar. SP numbers took a big boost towards the second half of last year. Jockey will have a big decision on his hands as there’s not really sure fire blazing speed in the lineup, and she can go if asked. Narrow losses in last two races, each vs graded company, and don’t forget that she only lost by ¾ of a length in the 2016 Equinics as a 2yr old.

 EMPRESS WIRE (24-1) – East-West Connection

The only filly sired by the great Galileo to make the gate here. This 5yr old will be making her first attempt against graded company and it will be no easy task. Took her hand at open stakes company in each of her last two starts, and winning one of them at NSW over this same distance, in come from behind fashion. Has some tactical speed, so she is expected to be closer to the leaders. Will need the race of her life to contend here, but not out of the realm of possibilities as she is still improving with age.

 FORGET THE KING (14-1) – GR Simsters

Another of the young crew here. This 4yr old filly is sired by Ruler Of The World. She’s been facing stakes or graded company pretty much her entire career with much success. Flopped in the G1 off the short rest last out, which I think the trainer was just trying to get EOY honor points. Reeled off 5 consecutive wins before that, in which the race two back was against elders for the first time. The cut back in distance will be a big question mark. Likely to be mid-pack, in hopes to get the jump on the big closers.

 STAR OF THE YEAR (12-1) – NWRC

Star Witness sires this 5yr old mare that comes in here off two solid efforts over a good rated turf course in OH. She definitely would not have minded a little precipitation today. In her only two attempts vs graded, she finished well back in both, one of which was the Equinics in 2016 as a 3yr old. Solid runs in all but one race last year should tell you she has a shot in here. If she’s able to run her race, she should be next to the gal to her inside or just off the lead in hopes to have enough left to hold off the closers.

 TEMPESTUOUS STRIKE (6-1) – Minnesota Testbarn

Finally made her mind up in February of last year as to what surface she wanted to be on. And boy was it convincing, sporting a career best 115 SP in doing so. That was going a mile though, where most of her best efforts have come. The cutback will be challenging for her. In two starts back, she cut to 6.5 furlongs and just simply didn’t have enough green to make her big run. I’m sure she will make her huge late kick known to all, but the jockey will have to have her in a good position to do so.

 ROLLING OASIS (5-1) – All-Stars Racing

The second G1 winner in the field is sired by Oasis Dream, a notable turf sprinting sire. She’s been on the stakes/graded trail since September of 2016 and shows no signs of slowing down. Posted a 114 SP last out, going 7.5 over turf in NOR. Got started a step slow in the G1 Fujimoto Turf Sprint three back, but was making up ground in the stretch. This 9 time winner will be on or near the lead from the gate if she’s in form. Has the class to win here and will be a tough one to run down. 

 THE HORTA (10-1) – Universal Racing Club

Career best form last out in a NW5L at the PA track going 7.5 furlongs. This 4yr old daughter of Acclamation has done most of her best running between 7-8 furlongs. Woke up in a big way in May last year in the G2 Sandy Ring, and comes in off three wins and two seconds from her last six starts. Clearly didn’t like running against the boys two back in the URC Championship Mile. Back running against the gals and has the speed to carry a long way. Must stay away from a pace dual as some ladies to her outside will be challenging.

 YOUR TEARY EYES (12-1) – Midas

This daughter of Maclean’s Music has only two attempts over turf in her career, which has been a really good one. Beaten in both of those starts, but posting very good SP’s for a sire mainly known for producing dirt runners. She was your 3yr old Equinics winner going 6 furlongs over dirt in 2016. Stamina hasn’t quite been the same since switching owners in September, but has been facing top notch foes. Likely to be near the leaders from the gate and hope to find that little extra to get her up at the wire. She did beat one of todays ML favorites three back.

 I AM BIMBO (13-1) – Racing HQ

The “Bimbo”, sired by I Am Invincible, wasn’t able to sustain her bid last out going 6.5 furlongs in CA and faded badly to lose by 8.5 lengths. Prior to that, she shows strong runs in six of her last seven with one throw out over an off track in OR. This ones a speed type, that with a reasonable pace, can show that she can hang with the best at this distance. Will need her absolute best though, as her top SP is a 108, which she received three back going 6.5 over turf in AZ.

 READY SEA GO (17-1) – Pastures Of Green

Winner of thirteen of fifteen races lifetime, and never out of the money. This 4yr old daughter of Sea The Stars has been excellent her whole career but will be facing the likes of nothing she’s seen before. Has two starts vs stakes company and has won both, one of which was last out, at this distance in MA. Only knock on her is that she has been facing short fields, but you can’t fault her because she has gotten the job done in those fields with no let down. No doubt that she’ll be gunning for the lead. Will need career best effort.

 DARCI’S CHARM (5-1) – Elite

She’s a 5yr old daughter of Darci Brahma, and has been racing strong since late 2016 and vs tough competition. Has beaten of few of these already in the field with one significant loss to your co-favorite Rolling Oasis in the G1 Arklow three back. The wet track might have had something to do with that outcome, as she came back from that with back to back wins in stellar fashion. Solid SP’s tells you she’s up for the task. Given the solid footing, I’d say she is the deserving favorite, and will be sitting right behind the leaders waiting to pounce.

 LA CANDELARIA (19-1) – Sim Hispano

Been awesome since switching over to the turf course in her fourth start, winning seven of eight. A 4yr old sibling of Curlin, making career start number thirteen. Will be making her first try against graded company as well. She does have three starts in the open stakes ranks though, and won two of the three, with a narrow defeat in the other. Another with speed on the outside, jockey Seldon will pace her right so she has something left in the tank in the final stages because they will be coming late.