Lord Pye Challenge draws 9
Hello race fans and welcome to an exciting week of racing celebrating Sim History Week !! This week is devoted as a homage to the players and horses that have defined the sim community and set the bar for others to equal or surpass .
This coverage is devoted to the race honoring the player known as Lord Pye . Pye is an active player on the message board and one time Residency manager . Known for his unconventional antics and shirtless appearances , Pye once again stirs the pot with his latest mystery of ” Don’t Call it a Comeback !! “
Japan is the setting for The Lord Pye Challenge , a Stakes race over 1 mile of firm turf for all horses 3 and up worth a substantial $ 75,000 . A field of nine has graced the race and the betting public has proclaimed Woodyna as their favorite to cross the finish line first .
On the rail at 13 / 1 is TO DIE FOR (IRE) ( Theactrical x Seeking the Gold x Saratoga Six ) representing trainer Zewango2 and ridden by 2nd year jockey W G Home . A GI winner over 8 furlongs , this colt has seen ups and downs throughout his career . A lack of consistency has been his downfall but when it’s his day he is nigh unbeatable . A solid career – 27 : 6-4-2 and $ 575,000 in earnings has brought him here to challenge for Sim honors . His sole win this season comes by way of ALW company in June where he punished a field of 11 going 8 panels in 1:35:3/5 . A win today will get him out of his funk and back on track .
In post 2 at 7 / 2 is the second betting choice Come on You Blues ( A.P. Indy x Mr. Prospector x Buckpasser ) representing trainer Amandas and ridden by 18 year veteran B Van Houten . This 7 yo veteran is no stranger to big events with 5 Stakes wins and 2 Graded wins to cap off a remarkable career of 53 : 18 – 12 – 1 with nearly $1 Million in earnings to date with 25 of those starts resulting in 100 + SPf efforts . His sole win this year came by a classy effort in Kentucky’s Race 5 Rambling Stakes – G III over 8 furlongs where he dominated a full field from the break and punished them relentlessly to the wire in 1:34:2/5 for a 109 SPf effort . Since then it’s been bridesmaid results at best but the nay sayers can take a break as I believe he’s ready to give an impressive performance today .
In post 3 is the Wee trained 4 yo colt Backstage Buda 7 / 1 ( Saddler’s Wells x Danzig x Seattle Slew ) with the 2nd year sensation K Ledwith in the irons . The second foal of Stakes winning mare Buda the Gal , this colt comes into todays race with a record of 21 :4 – 5 – 4 with earning exceeding $ 126,000 . A competitor in some of the bigger races , this colt has yet to hit paydirt when the class is upped and tuffness is required . This season he has been kept in ALW company and has managed 2 wins out of 7 starts . His last effort in France July 21 st could be a hint of whats to come as he showed great heart running down the winner in a 105 SPf career effort which prompted his trip to Japan today . A win here could be the launching point for this colts career which to date has been a disappointment to a wonderful pedigree .
In post 4 is 6 yo A.P. Jack CB 5 / 1 ( A.P. Indy x Affirmed x Really Awesome ) from the stables of trainer Azuma25 and ridden by 9 year journeyman C Szott . The sole foal of multiple Stakes winner Book Lass ; this pony has reached Graded victory in a career spanning 5 years 42 : 10 – 5 – 0 $ 375,000 in earnings with 13 100 SPf + efforts , 3 Stakes wins and his lone Graded victory coming by way of May 19 ths Port Mashua Handicap – G III in Hong Kong . He samples the turf of the Far East again this week in hopes that the emerald grass of Asia is to his liking and bring home another Stakes win .
In post 5 is the Budweiser longshot at 16 / 1 respresenting trainer Nichesyd3 and ridden by 16 year Veteran jockey C Maxie is 4 yo Irish bred Star on Water (IRE) ( Refuse to Bend (IRE) x Gone West x Seattle Slew ) . This colt comes in today with a career of $ 102 , 000 in earnings 20 : 2 – 5 – 4 and a tag of 40K . His last win came over a year ago in an NW1x Alw and has been spinning his wheels this year until May 5 th when he showed a glimpse of brilliance in Hong Kong over 8 furlongs where he broke out a 105 SPf effort … a first for his career . A nice break and conditioning program brings him here today to see if he has what it takes to run with upper tier competitors .
In post 6 is German Bred Early Riser (GB) ( Beat Hollow (GB) x Event of the Year x Deputy Minister ) at 5 / 1 in the silks of trainer Badday and ridden by 11 year veteran N Tippins . A 5x Stakes winner with $ 354,000 in earnings boasting a record of 26 : 7 – 6 – 5 ; this son of Beat Hollow has really matured this year and is emerging as a consummate pro when running on the lawn . He has won once this season going a mile so distance certainly shouldn’t be an issue as he is coming off a spectacular effort July 21 st in Africa’s The Deep Delight Challenge – Stk where he put up a career best 106 SPf effort and a closing 2nd . Rain or shine , this colt gives his best effort and should be a force to be reckoned with when they turn for home .
In post 7 is the odds on favorite Woodyna ( Woodman x Dynaformer x Compliance ) at 3 / 1 ridden by 9 year journeyman star G Arnold and representing trainer Oneworld . A minor player in the dirt division , this colt has really blossomed this year when connections put him on the turf where he is undefeated this season including an impressive capturing of the Newcastle Stakes – GI June 9th in New South Wales . His latest victory was in July 14 ths running of the High Lady Cup – G III over 8 panels in 1:34:00 and a career best 111 Spf . The Sky’s the limit with this colt and I look forward to watching his career in the years to come . Look for him to run mid field early on and make that undeniable bid for the lead at the 3rd call … a truly remarkable competitor . In post 8 is longshot at 13 / 1 Grand’ N Blue (IRE) ( Grandera (IRE) x Maadrar x Nureyev ) representing trainer Cronberg2 and ridden by 10 year veteran C Fairchild . A brief career on dirt catapulted this colt onto the turf where he clearly belongs resulting in $ 102,000 in earnings by way of 27 : 4 – 6 – 3 in start statistics . Allowance company has been the meat-n-potatos for this runner until he broke into the 100 SPf category May 5 th in Hong Kong going 8 panels in 1:35:00 resulting in a lifetime best 104 SPf . With this effort it was back to training in preperation for the leap back into the Stakes arena where connections hope to break the class jinx that has plagued his camp to date . On the far outside wearing the all white silks of trainer Balata is PGA NIJINSKY 5 / 1 ( Pine Bluff x Nijinsky II x Dr. Fager ) ridden by 5 th year journeyman C Roser . This 5 yo horse comes into today’s race with a record of 31 : 10 – 4 – 4 with $ 239,000 in earnings and coming off a 3 race winning streak including his last July 14 th over Longchamps course going 8 panels in The Gala Boomer (IRE) Memorial – Stk where he went wire to wire in 1:34:3/5 107 Spf … a career best . Pessimists claim a fluke , connections say it’s maturity and just a taste of what he has to offer . I’m looking forward to the results to see whom is right .