Equinics – Seeking Gold in the Seeking Sal

I had the privilege of breeding and training Seeking Sal during his illustrious career. He was a super talented miler, winner the Breeders’ Bowl Mile-G1, and earned a bronze in the Equinics. I had been given several stables by Sal Buda, who used either Sal or Buda in his horse’s names, and I tried to honor that, which is how Seeking Sal got his name. I am thrilled to be able to do the write-up for the race named in his honor.

A full field of talented sophomores are set to compete for the gold in Saturday’s one mile event over a turf course rated firm.

The lukewarm co-favorites, each at 5/1, are lenny2’s Weaver’s Warrior, representing GR Simsters, and fager’s Astaire’s Rival, representing All Stars Racing. Weaver’s Warrior won the Futurity-G1 at this distance last time out with a 101SF,. The Redoute’s Choice colt was also second in the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile-G1. He’s used to running at the highest level, and the powerful bay should be flying once again at the finish. Astaire’s Rival also enters this race fresh off of a victory, with the son of Kitten’s Joy having captured the Jellyton S-G3 last time out with a 104 SF (the highest in the field). Another deep closer, the compact roan is yet another classy runner out of the G2 winning mare Prabhu Deva.

G3 winner Floating Ice is next in the betting line at 7/1. The bsben8 homebred represents the Blazing Saddles residency, and looks for the hat trick here, having won the Notting Hill Special-G3 and the Adam George-G3 in his last two starts. The latter was the Kodiac colt’s first attempt at a mile, and the handsome bay pulled it off in style, posting a 102 SF for the effort. Typically presses the pace, which may give him the jump over some of his rivals.

The other G1 winner in the field is jms7777’s Natural Hat Trick, who carries the hopes of Universal Racing Club. Last time out, the brown son of Dabirsim finished third behind Weaver’s Warrior, but in his prior start, he had captured the High Flyer Stakes-G1, with a 95 SF. Has yet to break the 100 SF barrier, but has come close. Like several of the others in the field, prefers to make one move from the back. Also at 9/1 is Haack’s Arrogate, a oahaack homebred who is undefeated in four starts. The royally bred son of Giant’s Causeway out of El Gran Haack (who won the Breeders’ Bowl Mile-G1, and in turn was out of Otto Hack, a G1 winner who was second in the Breeders’ Bowl Mile-G1) prepped for this event in a hot race, but prior to that, won the listed West of the Sea Turf Juvenile with a 97 SF. Tends to run midpack, and could very well bring home a medal for Sim Hispano.

The other graded stakes winner in this event hails from the Empire State Racing residency. He is deeprock0’s Impact Major, who won the Nationwide S-G2 going seven furlongs as a juvneile. The strapping bay son of Magician finished a good third behind Natural Hat Trick in the High Flyer-G1, then turned in the lone poor performance of his career in the Futurity-G1. Will be yet another deep closer in a field full of them. Impact Major makes his seasonal debut in this race.

Three other horses are listed at 10/1 in the morning line. Jbcri9’s Hand of Kane carries the hopes of the Elite residency. The diminuitive Teofilio colt looked most impressive in his last start, winning a listed stakes at 1 1/16 miles with a 98 SF. He cuts back in distance, and like many others in this event, does his best running late. Lots to like about this colt, but I would like his chances more if this was a route rather than a mile. Midas’ representative in this event is Dath Nethryn, who is another colt cutting back in distane. The son of Oasis Dream is bred and trained by thedowns and fell just short in his last effort, finishing second in a 9 1/2 furlong listed stakes after leading most of the way with a 96 SF. This race represented a switch in running style, as prior to that race, the powerful bay had been content to rate off the pace. In a field full of closers, he could be an interesting value play, as his rider might be able to steal the race on the front end. Sloppy’sCharm Quark represents the Megalopolis residency. The lanky bay was last seen winning a listed stakes at 7 furlongs with a 94 SF. He has a win and a second at this distance, including an allowance score with a 95 SF to close out last season. The Charm Spirit colt finished behind Floating Ice in his only off the board performance last year; otherwise, he has been a model of consistency. Usually runs mid-pack in the early going.

Other stakes winners in this race include candyman’s Ghosts R A Sham and cygnusx’s Sign of the King. Ghosts R A Sham is the Minnesota Testbarn Residency standardbearer, while Sign of the King represents the East-West Connection. Ghosts R A Sham won a listed stakes sprinting, before going on to capture a restricted allowance at 1 1/16 miles with a 95 SF, and then rallied for second in an unrestricted allowance with a 94 SF. The Shamardal colt likes to make a move from the back of the back, so this ought to be quite the traffic jam on the far turn. Sign of the King will also be in that throng. The son of Symboli Kris S. closed from next to last to capture a residency stakes at this distance, then made a belated rally for fifth in a G3 stakes. Drops back to a mile after an off the board finish in the Panhandle Park Derby-G3.

Groove With Me has been knocking on the door for 6ward2. The NWRC representative rallied for second in The Future-G2 at seven furlongs, and has been making late moves for minor awards in several other graded stakes. Last time out, the deep closer switched gears and went to the lead in a small field and never looked back. In a field with a decided lack of speed, that could present an opportunity, but the Sebring colt would probably need a career best to pull it off. Celebrity Justice enters this race on behalf of Pastures of Green, and stretches out to a mile for the first time. The Excelebration colt has shown a new gear for mfwoodward since switching to the lawn, going two for two on that surface. His dam was a multiple G1 winner on the dirt, so the belated switch to turf makes perfect sense. Last time out, Celebrity Justice won a 7 1/2 furlong allowance with a 96 SF, so speed figure wise, fits right there with more proven runners. Could be an upset special at 15/1, but the main knock against him is that he is yet another stone cold closer. Atlantic Command rounds out the field for the Racing HQ residency. The least experience colt in the field, the seagypsy homebred posted a nice maiden score to conclude his juvenile season, but had a troubled trip last out. The son of War Command is one of the few starters in the field that likes to go to the front.

Good luck to all of the starters and their connections!