Ants Invade Athens!
Pharrat was a somewhat modestly bred sprinter in the early days of the sim. So it is only fitting that Ants, a reformed $13,500 claimer and the son of Seneca Jones, would choose the PharRat Challenge as his introduction into stakes ranks. “He’s a professional, that’s for sure” quipped proud trainer bobwinans. “Even though he’s shown flashes of something special, we’ve tried to be patient with him through this point. Some people along the backstretch have even accused us of babying him. I’ve no doubt been tempted to try him against stronger company, but I can’t be happier with the trip he has made through his restrictions. I’m really looking forward to this.” During his recent 4 race winning streak, Ants has defeated a former graded stakes winner along with three other stakes winners. That being said, this race will be a step up in class for Ants.
Race ID:3287.8710 The PHARRAT Challenge Stakes Six furlongs Fast Dirt $80,000 All horses, 3 years old | ||||||
PP | Horse ID | Horse | Owner | Jockey | Odds | |
1 | 112304 | ERMINGTON HEAT(AUS) | pigeon14 | T Redding | 5/1 | |
2 | 114519 | LANNISTER GOLD(KY) | grrm | N Cling | 5/1 | |
3 | 117039 | URZA’S MITER(JPN) | borrow2 | V Drosos | 3/1 | |
4 | 129621 | ANTS(TX) | bobwinans | L Albert | 9/2 | |
5 | 17886 | REFULGENT(KY) | hydrogen | M Mills | 9/2 | |
6 | 87107 | SESTRIERE(KY) | sansebas | DJ Drosos | 2/1 | |
Ermington Heat is a lesser known stablemate to the potential horse of the year. That being said, he has run a 103 recently after darting out to a 5+ length lead and being nipped late. A repeat of the performance could put him on the board.
Lannister Gold shares a similar stalking style to Ants and similar recent speed figures. They are likely to be hooked up most of the way around the track.
Urza’s Miter is a stakes winner in his own right, and made a huge leap while beating an extremely tough field last out in the Mr. Geronimo Cap. He will no doubt be pushing Ermington Heat early, but appears to enjoy staying the heals of his opponent more and allowing them to run out steam while passing them late.
..and then there’s Ants. This modestly bred son of Seneca Jones to a hard knocking Metfield mare that won over $150,000 certainly deserves this opportunity. Given his recent margins of victory, his speed numbers may be deceiving.. we just won’t know until after this race. His patented late surge should work to his advantage here, as most of the field figures to be in front of him
Refulgent is another stakes winner, and is backing up to 6 furlongs for this. His speed numbers won’t jump off the page at you, but his 4-2-0 record in 7 dirt sprints will. Another that figures to be a factor early.
Sestriere is a beautifully bred son of Awesome Again, and deserves the early favoritism granted him by the oddsmakers. He runs best directly on the lead, but appears able to sit behind the pacesetter if things get too hot. A real threat if he continues to run to his past performances.
It appears things will be bananas on the front end. If Ants ever wanted things to go his way pacewise, he couldn’t have picked a better spot. That being said, some appear a bit faster, though I believe he hits the board. I may be a homer, but I’m all business when it comes to my sim money! My bet would be :
Exacta Box :
Sestriere – Ants – Urza’s Miter
Tri Wheel :
Sestriere
Ants – Urza’s Miter
Ants – Urza’s Miter – Reflugent
Good luck!