The Sabalou Celebration
The Sabalou Celebration – Stakes over turf, 8f for year olds.
Down the card
#1 Another Direction (9/1) – Cronberg2. Bay colt by Swain out of Kris S mare, 8 runs, 2 wins.
Late developing colt who only ran the once as a 2 year old and this was a winning run over 6f on the dirt, made a pleasing appearance as a 3 year old when winning first time up, was stepped up to Stakes company after that and has struggled to get near the front again. He has picked up two 3rd place finishes in Stakes company and has twice been tried over 8f, but he looks as if this is the limit for him and he is happier over shorter. Has never run on the grass and so far his Stakes record isn’t the greatest, will need to be woken up by the surface switch to figure.
#2 Barb’s Sticky (5/1) – Eurobarn. Bay colt by Exploit out of a
A colt who started out his career on the dirt, broke his maiden at the second time of asking over 5½f, had a couple of runs in Stakes company but was well beaten in both, managed a 3rd place finish in an allowance after that. For his 3 year old debut he was stepped up to 8f and switched to the grass both of which woke him up as on his second run he picked up his next career victory, he picked up two more Stakes races along the way but arguably ran his best race on his latest run when 3rd over 8½f posting an SP of 101. A different horse since his switch to the turf, he may find this trip a touch on the sharp side as he likes to come with a late burst at the end of his races.
#3 Penitentiary (7/1) – Notaxmax. Chestnut colt by Generous out of a Rahy mare, 14 runs, 4 wins.
Third foal from a mare who consistently throws out ‘above average’ runners, started out his career on the dirt with a win and place from his 2 starts, switched to the turf for his last three starts as a two year old and despite not winning again, he was 2nd in two Stakes races and 3rd in a Grade III all further than a mile. He made a winning debut as a three year old in a Stakes over 9f, bounced on his nest start before picking up his 2nd Stakes win, form has been a little in and out for the rest of the season. Looks due a good run this time out, runs best when up with the pace, should be well suited by this trip.
#4 Eternal Itch (25/1) – Itch3. Bay colt by War Chant out of a Grade III winning A.P Indy mare, 10 runs, 3 wins.
An adaptable colt who runs well on either surface, broke his maiden on the dirt and followed that up by winning an allowance on the turf, very consistent after that and was never out of the first three including two Stakes runs but struggled to find that 3rd win. His trainer finally dropped him into a $50k claimer where he was claimed by Itch, whether this turns out to be money well spent remains to be seen! A beautifully bred colt who should pay back his claiming price, has looked a little one paced in his races and I can see him getting out gunned again unless the change of stables works the oracle and this is highly possible.
#5 Lazy Happy (7/1) – Toplight. Bay colt by Galileo out of a Blushing Groom mare, 5 runs, 3 wins.
A lightly raced colt who has done little wrong so far, made a winning debut over 8f and followed that up with an allowance win over 9f. Stepped up to 12f in a Stakes race for his next start, finished 2nd but the time was slow, dropped back to 9 1/2 f for his next start and recorded his best SP with a 99. For his latest start he was dropped back to 9f and picked up his first Stakes victory. Lightly raced colt who’s trainer is still experimenting to find his best trip, this 8f may prove to be a touch on the short side for this colt but he likes to run at a strong pace so this race should be run to suit.
#6 Kitten’s Flame (18/1) – Darthmaul. Grey colt by Kitten’s Joy out of a Danehill mare, 8 runs, 4 wins.
A colt who has done all his running on the turf, broke his maiden at the second time of asking over 7f, ran below par on next start before bouncing back to win an allowance again ran poorly before winning again. He was then thrown into Stakes class over 12f, the track came up wet that day but he ground out a victory from the front in a slow time, back on better ground on his latest start over 11f, he was well held and finished in the rear. Looks like he will be much better suited by dropping back to 8f, a very much in and out performer and hard to judge which colt will turn up, has talent but will need to lead to show his best.
#7
Another who started out his career on the dirt, ran on it 4 times and broke his maiden on the third attempt on his final 2 year old start, ran on the dirt once more as a 3 year old before being switched to the turf. Was just run out of it in his first turf try over 8f before racking up three wins in a row in distances up to a mile, after that he was stepped up to Stakes company, he picked up two 2nd’s before finally winning his two latest Stakes races both over 7½f with his latest victory giving him a 103 SP. A colt who is still on the up, appears to be staying better as he strengthens with age and looks like this time the 8f should suit him, races from the back and will have the race run to suit, a major contender.
#8 Forever Quest (5/1) – Kino. Chestnut colt by
A colt who made his debut over 5f on the dirt, no great shakes at that and was switched to the turf, picked up 4 wins from his 5 turf starts as a 2 year old, made his first Stakes appearance on his seasonal debut over 8 1/2 f but finished well out of the money. Took three more runs before he found the winner’s circle again in an allowance race on a soft track over 8 1/2 f, followed that up with his sole Stakes victory, again on the off track stepped up to 9 1/2 f. For his latest start he ran third over 10f recording a career best 100SP. Runs from off the pace and stays further than today’s distance. likes to get his head in front late on and I’m not sure this drop back in trip will suit his running style.
#9 Shimishimishake (10/1) – Exclusive. Dark grey colt by Sahm out of a Rubiano mare, 14 runs, 2 wins.
A colt who started out on the dirt, disapointing on both those starts and was then switched to the turf, never managed to break his maiden as two year old but was always thereabouts. Broke his maiden on his first start as a 3 year old over 8f and followed that up with an allowance victory, his five latest races have all been in Stakes races and despite not winning again he has run some solid races only once finishing out of the top three. Has some solid form, runs his best races from the front but he faces opposition for that position today, has a bit to find on form with some of the other runners but will be trying his best.
#10 Send Me A Signal (6/1)– Ike. Bay colt by Sumitas out of Danehill mare, 13 runs, 5 wins.
A colt who made a winning debut as a two year old over 7f on the turf, unable to find the winner’s circle again as a two year old and had to be dropped into claimers as a three year old to pick up the winning thread again, however since he has learned to get his head back in front he has been a revelation as he rattled off 4 wins in a row culminating in a Stakes win over 9f with a 101 SP. Has since placed or shown in all three Stakes races after and comes into this race in good form. Has been running further than today’s trip but he looks as if this drop back will be to his benefit as he has a front running style which often sees him being cut down near the wire, will take some catching if he gets onto the front end.
#11 Delite Of Swain – Ildottore2. Bay colt by Swain out of a Strange Love mare, 12 runs, 3 wins.
Made a winning debut as a 2 year old but struggled after that with his best placing being a 2nd in an allowance although he was noted as running on well at the end of his races, made a winning debut as a 3 year old over 8f and was stepped up to Stakes company for his next run was running on at the finish and won his first Stakes race on his next run over 8½f. Struggled to re-capture that form in his latest races although he was running on well to finish 3rd beaten a length over 7½f with a career best SP of 95. Has something to find on his best form with some of these and although he will be finishing the best he could still be short of room at the end.
An interesting little contest with several capable of winning, I can see a couple setting up the race for the closers and figure there will be several hard luck stories, Milwaukee Siesta would be a tentative selection in this close contest.
Good luck to all.