‘Superman’ Ermington Pegusus, champ Solar Song back for another round in CA Classic(G1)
California– Yow, what a hot one! Folks, better avert your eyes when the horses break from the Grade 1 $1,000,000 CA Classic gate, because, boy, it’s gonna be an absolute cooker. Break out the beanie-weenies and marshmallows, ‘coz the California strip will be smokin’ red-hot BBQ-style once Ermington Pegusus, Solar Song and more get through with the explosive mile-and-a-quarter!
In case you’ve been hiding under a Sim rock:
Ermington Pegusus = the best horse in the game for the first half of ’07; winner of the ’07 Sand Castle Classic; 2nd in the ’06 Breeders Bowl Classic
Solar Song = ’06 Sim Horse of the Year & champion older male on dirt; winner of the ’06 Sand Castle & Breeders Bowl Classics
Otto History = Monster Miler mare who beat males on DelPenn Champions Day last December
Toss in the fresh up-and-comer Alina Dancer, who’s won marathon grades this season (as well as played bridesmaid to SuperPeg here at California of all places earlier this season), as well as seven other horses, and we got ourselves one sizzling horse race. Crank up the A/C — I don’t know if I’ll be able to get through this preview without passing out from the heat!
I Wanna Fly Like SuperPeg
Well hell’s bells! The Sim devil went down to Georgia and brought back the monstrous Ermington Pegusus (5/2) for all to fear in the game. No doubt about it — the Sky Mesa colt’s name might conjure up Greek mythology images and Captain America comics to the casual observer, but not to serious Sim fans! His fine chestnut coat might remind you of the superhero red, white, and blue, but no way, Jose! There’s a bit o’ the fiery crimson demon in pigeon3’s SuperPeg (Superman + Pegusus + ethereal demon from way down yonder).
He won at Michigan, he won here at California, he won at Dubai! The 4yo colt took the time-honored Maryland Special Handicap(G1) with ease, then trounced the history-laden Michael Strike(G1) at Kentucky for kicks (rival Solar Song in both races too). Gadzooky! All part of a six-graded-race win streak dating back to December of last year. Folks talked about SuperPeg possibly breaking Elsinore and Xtremely Gold’s graded win streak record. But it was not meant to be — SuperPeg came back down to earth when foiled by Lordpye’s longshot speedster Intenttodistribute in the Movieland Shiny Cup(G1) here at California a month ago.
No worries though. SuperPeg merely missed by a half-length (demons have to fall every now and then). Oh, and if you’re keeping count, it’s Solar Song = 1 to SuperPeg’s 3 in head-to-head matchups. Legendary Cal jockey F. Gossett rides SuperPeg for the very first time Saturday. You got the demon off a six-week breather and the Gossett rocket — what a match made in heaven.
A Solar Flare For Smokey The Bear
But ya know, don’t count Solar Song (3/1) out. Sure, the 5yo champion could only a muster one runner-up spot to Ermington Pegusus from three tries this year. The Deputy Minister son also had to drop down a notch, picking a listed level score a ways back too. But look closer at Solar Song’s unbelievable romp last time out in the owner-restricted Smackdown III — he ran the 1 1/4 miles in 1:59 3/5, that’s one-fifth of a second faster than SuperPeg’s lifetime best earlier this season.
Holy moly, guacomole! In his 36th career start, squirrel4’s Solar Song scored a 118 SP#, totally smokin’. He’s still got the goods. Can he recapture some momentum versus rival Ermington Pegusus? A win here would be awesome vindication for Tracy’s superstar. Even though Solar Song stables at GR Simsters residency, jockey M Billig from the NWRC jumped at the opportunity to extend lucky karma to Solar Song. The duo would be the talk of the Northwest Racing Circuit if they find themselves in the winner’s circle. Calling, Smokey The Bear! A solar flare descends upon the Cal track this week. Only SuperPeg can prevent Solar Song’s main track fire!
Otto’s Symphony In Search Of History
Ha Ha! Top handicap racemare Otto History (7/1) tackles the boys again. Sim fans remember this minstrel-like Deputy Minister daughter last year as a late-blooming powerhouse going into the Breeders Bowl. She racked up the grades, but stumbled a bit at the big show, finishing 4th in the BB Distaff. But you can’t keep this operatic vixen out of the races for long — trainer Capsized boldly went after the two top season-ending main track mile races: the Sterile Mile(G1) and Delaware Mile(G1). Both races of course were against males and Otto History didn’t bat an eyelash. Instead, she bushwhacked the boys to a runner-up effort in the Sterile Mile and plain roasted them to a ferocious 113 SP# victory in the rich Delaware. What a performer!
Mmhmm. We haven’t seen this caliber of Monster Miler Mare in a long time. However in ’07, Otto History’s been yinning and yanging all over the place, no doubt due to trainer Capsized’s Sim hiatus. The 5yo mare began the year with an ALW test over the grass and she then tried to take on the very best sprint males in the Sand Castle Golden Sprint(G1). It just didn’t add up and she was well beaten. The subsequently erratic training regimen saw her falter to 6th when returned to a graded mile versus females. Finally, she got her mojo back in the distaffer Go For the Gold(G1) late last month. The speedster plan bolted out of the gate and never looked, soaking up the sloppy nine furlongs with a 113 SP#.
Best known as a miler, Otto History was a graded winner over 10f last season. The way she just kept on galloping LTO too lends some credence to a bold entry against the best males here. If she wins, it’s gonna be a heckuva story. If she fades on the lead, she’ll fight another day. Go, go, History!
A Simba Samba, Alina Llama (Tonga Tonga!)
A show-stopping tango, please, from Alina Dancer (7/1)! Wow! Jakematt brings us an exciting newcomer with just a 6-for-16 lifetime record. But, boy, this Gone West 4yo colt sure has done a lot. The colt finished off his 3yo season with a fine owner-restricted victory on DelPenn Champions Day. It was a promising 110 SP# for 10f and signaled greater things to come.
Alina Dancer opened up ’07 with a little mish-mash versus Ermington Pegusus. The colt finished 5th in the Toiletscrubbers(G2) over 9.5f, and improved to 2nd in the California Handicap(G1) over 10f. Very interesting considering that the two races were Alina Dancer’s 11th and 12th lifetime starts! Gosh, most graded level horses are still exhausting their ALW conditions or listed ranks at that time. Granted, Alina Dancer would later finsih 6th to SuperPeg and Solar Song in the Maryland Special, but the colt did pick up two very impressive marathon races as well. He won the 12f division of the Rock’s Texas Cooking Series (always super-competitive) and bagged the 13f Grumpy Old Man Marathon(G2) LTO with a brazen 112 SP#.
I think this colt has great chances to pull off the upset after the confience-boosting victory LTO. Problem is, he does have the same running style as Solar Song and SuperPeg for that matter, so he has to outrace those to the wire and hope for a strong pace up front from a liekly solo Otto History. Could be yet another minor moeny effort, but, regardless, Alina Dancer is one to watch.
Arrow Over My Golden Sunset
Listed ranked performer Like An Arrow (9/1) posts some excellent numbers. The veteran 5yo by Green Desert hasn’t won in a spell, but pays his dues in short-to-classic route overniters. The midpacker/closer scored a 107 SP# LTO, just missing the winner’s circle. Maybe he just needs some big speed up front and hopes to get that from Otto History.
It could go either way with cjjonesz’s Like An Arrow. He’s leaping up in class and sometimes horses fire an unexpected big race when doing so. Chances are though, he’ll need the faves to fall flat. Hopefully he brings his lifetime best, but he’s shoooting for a minor share of the $1-million purse at best.
The Key To Forbidden City
Game guru Billgulch saw Forbidden Treasure (10/1) win the Grade 3 Star Athlete Handicap three back. It was the 5yo Empire Maker horse’s return trip to the main track — he mostly raced in grass short routes prior. The victory was a surprise over the 8.5f dirt. The closer rallied since in a couple of grades over an extra sixteenth. Forbidden Treasure could only beat half the field though in those two races.
I guess it’s a worth a shot — he’s got the numbers and seems to want more ground. If I venture a guess though, I’d say this is a bit of a reach. Definitely in the hunt for minor money.
King For A Day, Then King’s Gonna Stay
King Of The Wind (11/1) must’ve surprised trainer Topicount with a fine 3rd place effort in the Movieland Shiny Cup(G1). The veteran 5yo by Deputy Minister stalked the lead and got to within one length at the wire, almost outgaining runner-up SuperPeg. King of the Wind had previously been an ALW and listed performer this season. He very much specializes in 10f though and can get solid 100+ SP#s, so he was well within his range.
We’ll see if the stalker can move forward after the splendid effort. He chase Otto History on the lead and we could just see King of the Wind inherit the pace if the mare fades over the added yardage. Can go either way, but should run his race if the pace isn’t too monstrous where the closers come flying.
Oh Oh! It’s A Mambo Italiano
Brooke Lynn(G2) winner Mambo Bones (11/1) brings a 4-for-11 lifetime record to the table. Jrogue5’s ligthly raced Kingmambo 5yo proceeded to pick up 4th and 5th repectively in the Out of the City(G1) and Gotta Fix Sprinkers(G1). Both efforts were pretty good rallies — the Out of the City wound up to be a pretty fast race too with Mambo Bones recording a 109 SP#. He’s a bit green, but sure coming around.
This guy’s possible for an upset if he can suddenly put it all together and step up here. He’s got the speed figures and solid consistency for the most part (toss out Cosmopolitan debacle). Definite possiblities even for the board at a sweet price. Sleeper.
Way Down South In Dixie
Woo! Speedstick’s Shaft Dixie (13/1) sure has been coming around of late. The 5yo Mineshaft son worked his way ourt of the ALW ranks earlier this season and finished an honest 3rd to Mambo Bones in the nine furlong Brooke Lynn(G2). Things looked pretty sharp with Shaft Dixie, but he kind of hit the wall when asked to go 10f against the very best in the Movieland Shiny Cup(G1) last month. Shaft Dixie managed a decent 5th, but was near a dozen lengths behind the winner. It appears he flattened out or just bounced.
I’d expect Shaft Dixie to pick up some minor money again. I don’t see him suddenly surprising the faves for a victory. The faves are just running much higher speed figures and Shaft Dixie appears to be still trying to pinpoint his best distance.
Canuck’s One For The Books
Silver Canuck (13/1) makes his milestone 40th career call to the post Saturday. Pher stable saw the 6yo horse run 6th in the California Handicap(G1) after the setting the early pace. The Silver Deputy son hasn’t seen much racing action and, matter of fact, last year’s CA Classic(G1) appears on his recent PPs (Silver Canuck finished a very nice 4th in this race last year).
Silver Canuck did pick up a 10f ALW since, but weakened a tad down the lane in a 9.5f listed stakes overniter LTO. He’s a bit long in the tooth and really doesn’t fit in the faves’ and even other longshots’ speed figures. I don’t think he has much of a chance this year and should be at higher odds, but hopefully makes a good show of it.
Wanted! Magical Skills To Pay The Bills
Peeps’ Skills In Magic (22/1) tries the dirt for the very first time in his career. The 4yo son of Denon was nominated for the 3yo Turf Colt championship last season. He was a solid Grade 1 winner specializing in a turfy 10f. Unfortunately, the downtown closer has shown much this season and has only manage a 3rd in a Grade 2 from three graded outings.
Skills In Magic has to recover some old magic in order to get back into the ball game. Could he indeed be a dirt runner? Could he prove that he’s a dirt runner when thrown to the wolves in a million-dollar Grade 1? Got his work cut out for him. Classy individual, but on a wing and a prayer in this spot.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Otto History likely snares the pace easily over King Of The Wind and Silver Canuck. Like An Arrow, Shaft Dixie, and Ermington Pegusus somewhere around midpack. Solar Song, Mambo Bones, and Alina Dancer should be roundabouts. Skills In Magic and Forbidden Treasure should be downtown.
If you like longshots, consider Alina Dancer and Mambo Bones — both have extreme talent, with the former being one to watch. Like An Arrow could surprise for a minor share and so could Shaft Dixie.
Skills In Magic, Silver Canuck, Forbidden Treasure — I don’t like them in this spot. King Of The Wind should be in the hunt if he runs back to his last, but he’s gotta prove he can do so consistently at this level to me.
Otto History could steal this one if she shows up big time. SuperPeg got beat LTO by a solo pacesetter. I don’t think this time though — that extra furlong will see the big boys flying against the mare.
Solar Song would be a great recap story, but he’s a bit inconsistent. Chances are, he might bounce after that big number LTO. I’m gonna select SuperPeg in a classy effort over Alina Dancer and Otto History. Solar Song or Mambo Bones somewheres could spoil my tri.
Win: SuperPeg
Place: Alina Dancer
Show: Otto History
Good luck!