Highly decorated DARIEL takes on thirteen tough foes in Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic
-SAND CASTLE GOLDEN TURF CLASSIC-
A highly competitive field of 14 square off in Dubai in the $3,000,000 Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic. One can make a case for just about any of these horses landing in the winning circle. This field boasts 13 grade 1 winners, a filly who is proven against the boys, and a horse who has already won his connections $10 Million plus. Let’s take a look, shall we?
1) PASS THE DRO – 11/1 – silversun26
PASS THE DRO is back for more after finishing a competitive 4th in this race a year ago. After a disappointing finish to a solid 2017 campaign, the connections decided to geld this two-time G1 champion in advance of the 2018 campaign. Took the lead late to win in a restricted allowance tune-up on February 10 – his only other race this season. Hasn’t seen his best form since finishing 2nd in the Ark De ComicDog back in October. Perhaps the recent operation and time off will prove to be the recipe for returned success.
2) DARIEL – 6/1 – drogonrider7
Not a whole lot more left to prove for this SIM superstar. With earnings at $10 million and counting, DARIEL tries to snag his sixth G1 victory in a race in which he finished 3rd a year ago. Took the 2017 Breeder’s Bowl Turf gate to wire before faltering in his 2017 finale. Won easily in his allowance tune-up a month ago. If he’s on the lead early, that’s usually a good sign for his supporters. Hard to bet against here.
3) PROJECT SPACE – 15/1 – muninn240
After struggling in a few tries against older competition as a 3YO, PROJECT SPACE looks to repeat or improve on his recent form. This Sea The Stars colt began his 4 year old campaign by coming from way off the pace to finish 2nd in the New Zealand Derby earlier this month. The two straight 114 speeds at this distance heading into this race are noteworthy. Should be gaining on the leaders late and could very well catch them all.
4) REY DEL LLANO – 7/1 – castillo
This colt is always competitive – having finished outside the money just twice in 21 starts and has never finished worse than fifth. Finished strong to snag 2nd behind DARIEL in the Breeder’s Bowl Turf back in November. Looks to have maintained strong form since then. REY DEL LLANO likely will be coming from off the pace – looking to win his 2nd G1 race. Definitely a player in this race.
5) THE NEVER LANDS – 34/1 – whoami1
Either Feast or Famine, it seems, with this 4YO colt by Dutch Art. Another late runner – he won the Irish Derby back in June and has been competing at the Grade 1 level ever since. Since his Irish Derby win, he has posted four duds and two 2nd place finishes – including his most recent start in the San Francisco Capitan Handicap in early February in which he went off at 30/1. In that one he was beaten only by RUNING ON EVIL, a fellow competitor in this race. Hard to like (and hard to hate) his chances here.
6) NO CHANCE CADET – 5/1 – cadetdegen
Well supported by the betting public and goes off as favorite with A Jolly aboard. Looking to score his 4th Grade 1 victory. Took home bronze in the Equinics at this distance last time out. His last win came last October in the G1 Canada Turf – also at this distance. A model of consistency and should be prominent in this race. Will need his best to win against this field.
7) TETE CIRYAHER – 33/1 – racelord3
Looking to improve in second time out after a 4 month layoff for TETE CIRYAHER. Scored in three straight graded stakes during his 3 year old season. Doesn’t have the speed figures to boast that many of his challengers do, but he lightly race and is a candidate for improvement early in his 4 year old campaign.
8) YOU WERE ON FIRE – 13/1 – willyam13
This 6 year old has fallen out of favor the handicappers coming off of 3 straight races in which he posed no threat. Will be seeking his 4th Grade 1 win in this tough test. After a very successful 2016 campaign, YOU WERE ON FIRE won just one race in 2017 – the G1 Coffeefields Cup – at this distance. His connections will be hoping that he can catch fire once more….
9) O WHAT A NIGHT – 15/1 – socalman
Some may say this 4 year old is not getting the respect he deserves from handicappers entering this contest. Last time out, he took gold in the Equinics. He was one better than the favorite NO CHANCE CADET in that race and beaten only by hall-of-famer SPICED TURTLE. Has shown good speed and we probably haven’t seen the best this horse has to offer quite yet. Possibly the best value bet in this field.
10) STABBING SCIENCE – 7/1 – lenny19
This 5 year old gelding seemed to find his stride once his connections switched to turf. Another competitor looking to regain top form after winning three straight graded stakes last year. STABBING SCIENCE certainly has shown he is capable of competing strongly in this race. Will need his best to take home the victory here.
11) SADLER’S MAN KING – 7/1 – mvillebabe
The only competitor without a Grade 1 victory on his resume. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong. Won the Grade 2 Kyoto Handicap in his only start this year and finished just behind O WHAT A NIGHT in the start before that in the KING KONG VASE while finishing 3rd. Competitive speed numbers and no signs of slowing down keep this one in the conversation.
12) SHADY CAMEL – 10/1 – plunk
Had disappointing finishes his last two starts, including coming 11th in the Equinics last time out. However, the bulk of his 2017 season was very impressive and on par with much of this field. Needs to regain that form to be competitive here.
13) KOKO’S KITTEN – 9/1 – givenfinal
She’s the only filly in this field has been nearly perfect the last 6 months. The only blemish being a silver medal in the Equinics against the ladies. She beat the boys in the G1 Los Angeles Turf Cup in December. She certainly has the goods to do it again in Dubai.
14) RUNNING ON EVIL – 13/1 – simsters8
Absolutely stunning performance last time out, taking home his first G1 title in the San Francisco Capitan Handicap by 6 lengths. Has never missed the board in 9 tries and appears to be hitting his peak in time for this race. Would be foolish to leave this Frankel gelding off of your ticket. If he replicates is performance last time out, he is the winner.
WRITER’S PICKS
RUNNING ON EVIL
O WHAT A NIGHT
DARIEL
If all else fails, throw darts.
Thanks for a great article!