Gold Cup Set For The High Plains
(SP)Wyoming- This week Wyoming gets to host a race presented by two classy ladies, the $500K Sharon and Roys Gold Cup. It is not often a Grade 1 race comes our way and there is a lot of excitement for the event. Even the hostile overtures between WRC and WHOA have been put on the back burner in honor of the nightcap race. It also brings the largest field that has been assembled for any previous race in Wyoming. This just goes to show the prestige and honor associated with these two women. They are often overlooked for all the hard work and continuity they tirelessly oversee week in and week out. Well here in Wyoming that is not the case and analysts are expecting the largest crowd ever to assemble at a track in the state just to show they appreciate these two women. It is exactly the type of race to close out the summer season and kick off the fall campaign.
The Grade 1 event will bring eighteen young sophomores to seasoned veterans for a seven furlong sprint on the grass. It is expected to be a beautiful late summer evening with mild weather and a firm well tended ground that should produce some excellent speeds to compliment these exciting and talented racers. There is much anticipation to see if the young racers have the ability to take over the mantle of greatness from the prominent veterans. So let us meet the our challengers for the silver.
Rockabilly Rock(IRE) entered by marusha. This Irish four year old makes his debut race in the US after a career overseas. This two time stakes winner has been putting up some good numbers his last few races and was able to place in a graded event last time out. This front runner has shown a preference for the classic mile and may not perform to his best ability at the shorter race. Indeed, he has not won a sprint since the beginning of his freshman campaign.
Lowlands Loft entered by lieut60. This elder chestnut horse comes in off of an impressive three wins in a row with one being a graded win. The closer is a good example f never giving up on a strong running horse. He was in claimers and then went on the block where this trainer picked him up. The trainer put him in sprints, gave him his head and the rest has been history. He has been on the board his last nine races with six wins and broken the hundred speed several times. This horse should not be ignored or he could slip in for a win.
Firsttime entered by lookout. This sophomore comes in with few races but a lot of experience in racing black tie and graded events. The front runner comes off a two win streak the last being graded quality. The colt is well traveled and it may too much for him to come from Europe to the high plains of Wyoming. Even though he has done well at altitude in Colorado, this will be the first time he faces a full quality field that is slated for Saturday. He will need a steady hand and unfortunately he has struggling jockey Mark Henderson in the irons.
Otto Vasher entered by baracoon. This elder chestnut will be making his third attempt at getting that elusive win. The closer has been running well the last few times out and looks strong to challenge for a spot on the board. He has drawn an inside gate which could box him in a bit and slow him as he does slightly better coming from the outside. The streaky jockey Cathy Campbell will be in the irons which may help as she is on a roll the last few weekends.
End In Ski entered by fairhaven2. This four year old chestnut has been tearing up the turf lately. He seems to be trying to prove that four is the perfect age and is fearless on the track. He likes to be at the front but will set the pace if it he feels it is going to slow. He has proven that sprints are where he should be and is looking to add a grade 1 win will put an exclamation point to that claim.
Your Desrt(IRE) entered by baldrick. This elder Irish chestnut comes in as a inconsistent runner. He has the ability to compete with the best but does not seem to be able to put back to back good runs together. He comes in off a mediocre race so he could be at the top of his game this time out and that could be just what the pace setter needs, especially against this field. The field may be a bit short for his tastes.
Two Storms entered by maryfran. This elder chestnut colt comes in looking for his first grade 1 win. He has been running consistently and well all season, but just has not gotten some of the results he would desire. This closer likes a strong field and it seems to push him to greater effort and it would be a mistake not to be wary off this horse. He will take a win with one misstep by his competitors.
Sing Symfonic entered by dancards. Since moving to the grass this sophomore has been steadily improving. The pacesetter will be making his grade 1 debut and may be in the right place for his next improvement. It will be interesting if the change in racing structure between here and Europe will have an adverse effect to the young colt. Having Bill Millnichick in the irons is not going to be to his advantage in this attempt.
Night‘s Desire entered by troy5. This chestnut comes in as one of the older entrants. He is still looking for that elusive grade 1 win and is hoping this is the place where it can happen. The stalker still has the speed and desire to compete and will be a very tough veteran to beat. Having the hot fiery jockey John Dawg in the irons will only help him in his quest.
S R Awareness(IRE) entered by lordpye2. This elder Irish colt is one of two entrants by this trainer. The front runner is a consistent runner but may be out of his depth here. He is has been mainly a router and bringing him into a graded sprint may not be to his advantage. He did well on a very short sprint a couple back so he may just be waiting to prove himself at the sorter distance. Having Harry Davis in the irons will most definitely not be to his advantage.
Lightning Strike entered by poocher. This elder horse has put together a couple of strong wins lately. He will be returning stateside after and extended run in Europe and is looking to do so in glory. This may be a problem as his only graded race was abysmal and he seems to be a better stakes level horse. The closer has the stamina and the speed recently so could be a dark horse contender.
Agreed entered by sdmf5. This elder horse has been tearing up the shorter sprints recently and placed in a grade 1 race. The front runner can and will set the pace if he has too and which the other should not let him do. When he sets the pace it usually results in a win for him. Not many times has this not been true. He will have the wily veteran Vince Gannon in the irons and this could cement his win.
Starfall(IRE) entered by given3. This elder Irish colt has been struggling recently and is looking to turn things around here. The stalker does have five stakes wins under the saddle but will need the performance of his life to stay in this race. A question of stamina recently does, unfortunately, make this a easy horse to pass over looking for the winner. Maybe having the hot rookie Gene Carlyon in the irons could make a good combination.
A. P. Rizz Kid entered by lordpye2. The second entry by this trainer and it is a mare that has had a long drought from the winners circle. She has the ability to stay with the pack and pull in some money occasionally, but content herself with allowance racing or maybe make a trip to the breeding shed. It has been rumored that Saturday is her birthday, but it may be just a tactic to soften up the male runners and give her a chance. Of course jockey Orville Hard is not a good birthday rider it the rumors are true.
Northern Pirate entered by jockeymax. This elder colt comes in as a streaky type runner. He will blaze around the track one race and come back the next at only good to excellent. The closer is the type of runner that is hard to gauge. He has the ability and speed to win most races but sometimes he seems to leave his desire at the gate. Since it is a graded race you can most likely expect a valiant effort. Having the top jockey Jesse Sands in the irons will give him a much needed edge.
Athabasca River entered by jyc. This elder chestnut colt has been tearing up the stakes competition in recent weeks. The closer has increased his closing kick speed and showing he may be ready for the step up to graded racing. He is another the this trainer picked up off claimers and was patient with. Recent results have proven the wait was worth the wait. The steady hand of jockey Steve Boyd should help.
Seekin Destroy entered by super4. This elder chestnut colt was moved to the grass and improved dramatically. The closer comes in off two stakes wins and three out of four since April. His only attempt at graded company was a complete disaster. It will be interesting to see if the scars from that race have healed or if the ghosts spring up and bring him down.
Ravine Raider entered by timetoleav. What to expect from this sophomore is hard to say. He opened his freshman campaign with a win on the turf and has not seen it since. How will he perform is a question that is hard to answer. He has shown a solid if not spectacular effort on the dirt and may be ready to prance over the grass again.