General’s Chariot, Digging The Grave, I Make Stuff Up in Battle Of Saratoga(G2)
Upstate New York– Here come the greencoats! Turf Sprint Monster greencoats, that is. They’re set for a pitched three-quarters battle here at the mighty SPA in the Grade 2 $250,000 Battle Of Saratoga. The race is part of the DelPenn Residency’s Saratoga mirror meet — lots of residency-racing action this month with specially-carded graded events for the entire Sim too.
And the Battle is the grade we’ve all been waiting for. Champion minutemen General’s Chariot and I Make Stuff Up don their Sunday best and shouldered muskets for another go at 2007 graded glory. The prized duo (Sim Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter & Champion Turf Sprinter in ’05 and ’06 respectively) have not yet won at the topmost level this season and are hungry to turn the tide in their favor. They face their rival Digging The Grave who himself has captured the graded flag this year — the ‘Grave won his second-straight Golden Jamboree(G1) a couple months ago and continues to display tremendous heart and speed at age 6. Toss in wondermare World Of Trouble, and up-and-comer handicapers Raktavija, Known Sky, and Flushing Waters, and we got the thunder and lightning of a notorious epic.
Nine test the Battle Of Saratoga(G2). Let’s meet them……
General Orders, Chariot Karma
General’s Chariot (3/1; proudtruth) reports for duty after losing a heartbreaker to divisional leader Northern Pirate LTO. It was Smackdown Day and, by gosh, the General had the race won. He looked a winner rallying in deep Smackdown stretch, but the ‘Pirate came out of nowhere to just snatch victory. It was an awesome performance regardless by the General. He struggled early on this season and so I dropped him back to the listed stakes level for an easy win prior to the Smackdown.
Totally happy with his 109 SP# in the Smackdown race. He’s lost a bit o’ step though and has slid down the rankings to #11 in the division. He’ll also have his hooves full trying to chase down a loose DTG. But ya know, this race’s name fits the 5yo Gone West son to a “T” — gosh, I want him to win this one! Gooooo, General, on karma, Goooooo!!!!
Pretend Or Defend Your Honor
I Make Stuff Up (7/2; lenny3) had a breat going late in the Smackdown race. But, while Northern Pirate accelerated, I Make Stuff Up fell a bit flat, finishing an honest 4th about 2 lengths from ‘Pirate. And that’s pretty much been the story this year for the 4yo son of Mineshaft — ‘Stuff just can’t seem to seize the luckof a fast rally down the lane. He’s been 4th a couple times and his best grade finish was a 3rd in the Sydney Sprint(G1). He too has only one win this year at the listed stakes level.
However, count this guy out at your own peril. ‘Stuff has the goods on the speed figs with a 109 in the Rising Sun(G1) and a 104 in the Smackdown race. He’s still ranked # 3 in the division too. Hmmm…. maybe he just has trouble with traffic and needs a bit of help. I talked to Lenny and he was pretty puzzled bu ‘Stuff ’07 efforts too. Regardless, this colt’s way overdue for a graded victory. He’s gonna break through in one of these races and when he does, look out. He’s no way a pretender — time to defend his honor!
Grave To My Enemies
Sdmf floated the idea about retiring DTG on the DelPenn message board recently. Of course, I was happy to offer sire-match advice (LOL), but Sdmf didn’t take the bait! Shucks. =) ‘Coz Digging The Grave (9/2; zewango2) is still in action, ready to foil his foes from on the hot pace. He’s a cannonball 6yo by Silver Ghost, and, boy, can he fly. I was so impressed after he sizzled to a repeat score in the Golden Jamboree(G1), because he had just run a 112 SP# in a runnerup Rising Sun Cup(G1) performance. Yow! If ‘Grave keeps up the tempo, he’s got a good shot at the sprint title this year.
Of course, that is *if* his trainer doesn’t screw it up — Ha! DTG ran 2nd in a floppy 6yo-only grade LTO. He got into a nose-to-nose duel early on and weakened, picking up 2nd on class. Perhaps sneaky Sdmf took it easy on him in that race, preparing for the Battle. Uh huh, methinks so. Uggh! What a horse — the one to beat. F’ARSE de ARSE!
Raka-Taka, Boom, BOOM
Scribbledejibit! It just wouldn’t be a DelPenn race without a Super stable horse. Raktavija (6/1; super16) was pretty late last season in the turf sprint grades — he’s steered clear though of the big guns this year. Instead, the 4yo Awesome Again son in Grade 3s as well as the listed level. And, doggone it, ‘Raka just hasn’t racked up some desperately needed luck either. The colt won his ’07 debut well enough, but has only hit the board once in six starts since.
Blah! It’s not like the midpacker has been totally off — he presents some solid low 100s and upper 90 speed figs as credentials. He’s just in that “bid and hung” type of form where he just can’t find the best groove down the lane. The Supers place their horses to win — it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if they got this colt to a surprise winner’s circle trip in this spot. Possible if faves fall and ‘Raka shows up with his best fireworks. Go, Super, BEAT F’ARSE!
Prepare For A World Of Hurt
If a DelPenn resident stable wins this race, then they get a smacky 10 points added to their DelPenn @ SPA meet contest total. Sdmf won the token grade last week and he’s pulled out all stops with a “B” horse here in case DTG falls. That is, a “B” mare and a wondermare at that named World Of Trouble(IRE) (7/1; zwylde). The 5yo Giant’s Causeway(IRE) daughter has won or hit the board in 24 of 37 lifetime starts. She’s just on precipice of becoming a millionairess too, ranking # 4 in the older mare turf sprint division.
World Of Trouble races hard and often. She won a 5f Grade 3 two back in her 2nd start back to one-turn running (she had a hiatus there running in routes for a spell). Then ‘Trouble ran magnificently in the Smackdown Ladies Sprint(G1) — from last 3rd by a half-length — wow! This gal still can pick up her feet and bring home the bacon. If DTG gets all crazy with a fast pace up front, then Sdmf might have a winner here in ‘Trouble from the back of the pack. No traffic, clear sailing — a world of hurt for these foes!
Testing These Waters
Lightly raced Flushing Waters(IRE) (7/1; pm) checks in his only his 17th lifetime start. The 4yo High Chaparral(IRE) colt was Grade 1-placed over 10f turf three back. The colt’s pretty much stayed over the routes according to pedigree this season. Mixed success though saw him finally return to the sprint ranks LTO. It was a 6.5f turf ALW and Flushing Waters won impressively after dueling on the lead.
The 103 SP# victory was only the colt’s 2nd lifetime start around one-turn. I agree with the race-spotting here — it’s a shorter field and the faves have their pros and cons, suffering from inconsistency. This just might be a great spot to pull of a surprise victory with an unknown contender. Additionally, the colt has proven class at route graded level. Very interesting. Can go either way though since he’s barely out of his NW4x. I’d keep this colt in your exotics. If he doesn’t challenge DTG too much early, then it’s possible he could wear down the fave late and try to hold off the closers!
Under An Explosive Sky
Known Sky (8/1, karen) was an unlikely Grade 1 winner earlier this season. I believe the 4yo Sky Calssic son was a former claimer who went from rags-to-riches in the 4yo-only Look To The Heavens(G1), winning from behind the pace. The little guy folloed up the victory with a bang-up 5th place versus the best turf sprinters in the Sim in the KY Horsemen Elixir Sprint(G1).
Since then, Known Sky hasn’t been all that consistent in 5 starts. He does ride high though after finally turning it around at the listed stakes level. It was 6f California turf sprint and he gamely drew away to a 1 1/2 length 101 SP# score. If DTG has an off day and sets a mild pace, then Known Sky has an outside shot of rallying in time for all the marbles. We got to see if he’s a true contender though — does he have an over-the-top and knock ’em off your feet power punch rally in him? Other wise, he’s just in the hunt for minor money again. Show us what you got, Known Sky!
Eye On The Prize
Dubeye (9/1; daedalus) challenges Digging The Grave for the pace. The 5yo Dubai Destination son was a pretty good horse in his yesteryears, earning over $700k lifetime. However, he’s mostly been restricted to ALW races this season. He’s got a couple consistent 100 SP# scores going 7/8ths. Saturday is Dubeye’s 40th career call to the post.
Anything can and will happen in these shorter fields. Dubeye certainly deserves a second look with his wonderful backclass, solid consistency, and pedigree. Good form too — ya never know if he’ll elevate his game versus the faster horses. He could throw a big race for some dough. But it’s kind of flip the coin and cross your fingers. This could be his swan song in hopes for fabulous prize money that would make him that much close to millionaire status.
A Delectable Dish
Trainer Sopark17 won the $30k claimer shake for Baelish(IRE) (17/1; sopark17) earlier this season. The 4yo El Prado(IRE) colt proceeded to pick up some minor moeny in a short field listed turf sprint as well as some dough in Starter ALW events. He’s a stalker for the most part, throwing mid-range 90 speed figures. He brings a 4-for-20 lifetime record to the table.
On paper, Baelish has nowhere near the speed numbers or class level spproaching the other horses in this race. He might be in the run for a minor cheque payday though. With a little luck, this spot might be well worth the effort and you get him at a tasty price too.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Alrighty! Digging The Grave on the lead with Dubeye, Flushing Waters, and Known Sky right at his throat. Baelish and Rakatavija around midpack. General’s Chariot, I Make Stuff Up, and World Of Trouble trailing.
I believe everything here swings on which DTG shows up. Will the spot-on speedball ferocious DTG appear, and, if so, can he hold off World Of Trouble, I Make Stuff Up, and the General’s late charges? Or will DTG kind of dilly-dally out of the gate, enabling Dubeye and Flushing Waters to kind of wear him down after a slow opening quarter? If the latter, then we might see an upset with Flushing Waters or Rakatavija on top. If I Make Stuff Up sits up around midpack, then he might like that scenario too best of all, coming home at long last for a 2007 graded score.
But if Digging The Grave brings his best (which I think he will), then look General’s Chariot to chase him home and try to nudge him out at the wire. I Make Stuff Up grabs 3rd over World Of Trouble and a game Flushing Waters.
Win: Digging The Grave
Place: General’s Chariot
Show: I Make Stuff Up
Longshot: Flushing Waters
Good luck to all and thanks to Tony (afc) for sponsoring the Battle! Luv ya, Tony. =)
It’s the General’s Revolution!!!!