Equinics – A Dusty Dance to Gold and Roses

This Equinics event has a special bonus for the winner. Not only does the winning horse get Equinics gold, the horse also gets a guaranteed spot in the Derby starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Dusty Dance, who is honored by this event, could do it all. He was a G1 winner on both dirt and turf, earning more than $9 million along the way. Dusty’s most notable victory came in the Breeders’ Bowl Turf-G1, but the Hawkster stallion won 21 other races, including six other G1 wins. As a side note, I remember writing his Hall of Fame article years ago – I think those were a casualty of the SIM upgrade, but I may have to rummage around and see if I can find them somewhere.

Not many horses can achieve what Dusty Dance did, but these sophomores can take a first step in his hoofprints with a Grade 1 victory this weekend.

The lukewarm 5/1 favorite in this talented field is Stormy Mo, who is bred and trained by punter34, a Universal Racing Club resident. The eyecatching roan has won four of seven, including the Club Stakes-G2 with a 102 SF. By Uncle Mo, he is the second foal out of Stormy Lyric, who won the lool Oaks-G1 before finishing off the board in the Bluegrass Oaks-G1. The colt disappointed last time out when finishing fourth in the Giant Slayer Classic-G3, but I’m going to chalk that up more to the sloppy surface than anything out, as the colt sports a 5-4-1-0 record over a fast surface. Will be charging late, and the only real question is whether the ship to Denmark, then back to the states, took anything out of him.

Two colts are second choice in the betting at 7/1. Otto Over Easy won the Ransom-G2 at this distance (98 SF) last year and did so going away. The kaner12 homebred finished second in his seasonal debut, a listed stakes at 9 1/2 furlongs. The Mineshaft colt is a half-brother to the spectacular filly You See LA, who finished second in the Bluegrass Derby-G1 before winning the Middle Jewel S-G1 and millionaire Washington Husky, who won the California Derby-G1 before finishing off the board in the Bluegrass Derby-G1 that year. The GR Simsters residency has got to like their chances for a medal in this race. The imposing bay has tactical speed, and is bred for this distance. Frank Discussion may be bred for the turf, but the son of Frankel has been doing quite well on the main track. In his most recent start on the dirt, the candyman trainee won a listed stakes at 1 1/16 miles, posting a 99 SF. The Minnesota Testbarn Residency representative loves to come from the back of the pack, and looks to want even further.

Stickem’s Shouldersofgiants gives the impression that he will relish the extra distance, having closed to finish second behind Ion On My Mind (who I’ll discuss in a minute) in a pair of graded stakes to end his juvenile campaign. The East-West Connection standardbearer is regally bred, by Giant’s Causeway out of Oil On Top, who has already produced three G1 winners, including Oil Forever, who competed in the Bluegrass Oaks-G1. The dappled grey has been knocking on the door, will today be the day he finally breaks through and becomes G1 winner number four?

Somewhat surprisingly, the winner of the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile-G1, Ion On My Way, is dismissed by the bettors at 9/1. The lanky bay colt hasn’t raced since that effort, but looks to put together a hattrick in this race for drsafbreds. The Empire State Racing resident is used to having the son of Var dismissed by the betting public, as the colt won the Sparkling Wine-G1 at odds of 12/1, then the Breeders’ Bowl at 11/1. He will be running just behind the early pace, and really is one of the value plays of the race.

Also at 9/1 are outback6’s Outback Babel and redhill26’s Ready to Bank Cash. The second son of Uncle Mo in the field, Outbank Babel carries the Midas residency’s hopes, and is stretching it out after several good efforts at a mile, including a second in a listed stakes with a 101 SF. Has tended to falter in the stretch, but his connections are optimistic that the leggy bay can relax a little with the longer distance, and lead to a better result. Ready to Bank Cash has been doing exactly that for his connections, as the son of More Than Ready is a perfect three for three. Stretched out to a mile last out, the Blazing Saddles hopeful won under a hand ride, posting a 98 SF. in the processs. The redhill26 homebred gets a class challenge here, but looks poised and ready to handle it.

Sacred Band is one to watch after the son of Street Sense made a move late in the Ransom S-G2 to finish third, 4 lengths behind Otto Over Easy. The big chocolate hued colt is still growing into himself, and may be peaking at the right time for gallantfox, a Megalopolis resident. Sacred Band struggled a little when cut back to a mile in his last start, but should appreciate the return to 9 furlongs. Also at 10/1 in the morning line is Idaina Hito, who carries the Equinics hopes of All-Stars Racing. Trained by arstar10, the near-white colt prepped for this race in rather unorthodox fashion, cantering home in a paid workout over the all-weather surface. Prior that, Idaina Hito had won two allowance races, includig one at a flat mile with a 96 SF. Runs best on or near the lead, and should relish the extra distance.

The third colt in this field to have run in the Ransom S-G2 is foxon7’s Zombie Scene. The Pastures of Green representative split the difference in that race, finishing a length behind Otto Over Easy and three lengths ahead of Sacred Band. The copper son of Mshawish has not raced since that effort, but prior to that had won a listed stakes at 1 1/16 miles. This guy has tactical speed and is proven at the distance, which makes him an appealing betting prospect in this race, especially at 12/1.

The lone filly in the race is marramucia’s Venezuela Bella. The royally bred daughter of Tapit (the second Tapit in this race) is out of G3 winner Honorable Haack, who was at her best sprinting. Unlike her dam, Venezuela Bella has improved with added distance, including a last to first effort in an N3L allowance at 1 1/16 miles (94 SF) in her most recent start. Representing Sim Hispano, the silvery hued filly is getting a stiff class test here, but has done little wrong to date.

It is a testament to the depth of the talent in this field when tygercubs2’s Pharoah Conquest is listed at odds of 16/1. The son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has won four of five, including the listed Awesome Again Stakes in his previous start. Elite Racing hopes for the upset with this talented colt. His speed figures may be a little lighter than some of the others, but the handsome bay hasn’t really been tested.

Itza Cool just broke his maiden last out at this distance, but had been a hard luck second in his first two attemps. The guru15 homebred has improved with distance and has every right to continue to improve. The son of Midnight Lute carries with him the hopes of the Racing HQ residency. NWRC’s representative is crandyii’s Hard Oak. Hard Oak’s dam, Hard Secret, was a G2 winner who competed in the 2014 Equinics but failed to medal. The rugged bay broke his maiden in his route debut, but struggled in his latest. His connections have freshened him up for Saturday’s event.

Good luck to all of the starters and their connections!