Handicapping the Grade I $6,000,000 Ark De ComicDog

Handicapping the Ark De ComicDog…Field of nineteen go One and a Half Miles over the Turf Course in the $6,000,000 Ark De ComicDog

PROJECT SPACE – last was good, really good, but he finished far back against SPICED TURTLE in this same race last year and hasn’t demonstrated that he has improved enough to turn the tables in this edition of the Ark…needs top effort

CHEEKY VISITOR – first time starter at 324-1 has no chance…I guess the name says it all…look elsewhere

XQ’S MOI – has to be some concern exiting the G1 G.P. Von Baden after crushing the field in the G2 Dutchland…your call

BUGLE BABE – shortened stride in his first start against older LTO in the G3 Freer Stakes, should benefit from that outing, but faces a tough challenge against these…must not falter

THE MARK OF LUST – 3yo takes on older for the first time in his career, was unable to run down a tiring BUGLE BABE for the place money in the G1 Owner’s Stakes, then getting outstepped by HURRICANE POINT in the G1 Saint Legend LTO…getting closer

ROCK MY CLOCK LV – the KOR-bred has been feasting on races at the Local level, finished far back in the Celtic Legend Turf Challenge four back, his most recent effort outside the Local Division…not with these

WIDOW’S MONSTER – the 3yo returns to the races after a much-needed break; finished far back in his two starts after winning the highly coveted G1 Derby de English…might need a race

DREAM OF STARS – turned in a huge effort in the G1 G.P. Von Baden, against a field containing seven G1, three G2, and one G3 winner; the IRE-bred has won three of his last four G1 appearances…dangerous

TETE CIRYAHER – the 4yo JPN-bred broke a zero for nine month slump with an upset victory in the G1 Saint Cloud Grand Prix two back; last, a third place finish from far back in the G1 Judgemont International, was good enough to suspect he is rounding into the form that earned him three consecutive Graded victories as a 3yo last season…don’t ignore

WENTY’S CHARM – the 4yo doesn’t back down from a fight, but enters the field winless in over a year…must show more

HURRICANE POINT – you have to be impressed by how this 3yo demolished the field in the G2 Greatwood Cup and G1 Saint Legend in his last two starts, his only stakes appearances; concerned he’s taking on older, don’t be; there are nine older horses from that G2 Greatwood Cup that say it’s not a problem…major player

FINKE DAIMLER – if you are looking for the horse that’s getting better with every start then look no further; the NZ-bred turned in back-to-back wins in the G2 M-Class, where he posted a 120-speed figure, and G1 Greatest Show On Turf respectively; was caught late by a surging CINNAMON LV in the G1 Judgemont International LTO; travels 12-panels for the first time in his career…never better

SPICED TURTLE – the defending champion of the Ark, winner of the 2018 Equinics and Japan Classic, EOY Award winner, Horse of the Year recipient, and Hall of Famer certainly needs no introduction; oh, and did I mention he’s never been beaten in a race over 10-Furlongs…one to beat

FINKE SEAYOU – the 4yo Frankel Colt enters the field off an impressive victory against a talented field in the G1 Sword Swallower Stakes LTO; freshened since that start, expect the ENG-bred to stalk the early leaders entering the stretch in what will be the biggest test of his career…in top form

FINAL REALM – there is no doubt this 3yo Filly is headed to an EOY Award in her division, and she could have taken the easy way out and ran against 3yo fillies in the G1 Vicky Stakes on November3; so kudos for taking on a huge task this Sunday; the concern is her last start when she took on older fillies and turned in the poorest effort of her career in the G1 Vermillion Stakes finishing 13-lengths behind the leader…red flags are up

CINNAMON LV – the FR-bred is the only horse in this field to enter the race off consecutive G1 victories; beating the likes of TETE CIRYAHER and FINKE DAIMLER in the G1 Judgemont International, and ALMOST TERMINAL and DREAM OF STARS in the G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald Stakes earning him high marks in this field and establish him as a serious contender…main threat

BEST BITE EVER – the 4yo IRE-bred has shown sparks of brilliance in his 17 race career but has capitalized only once at the graded level when he won the G1 New Zealand Darby in March; a recent bout of seconditis earns him bridesmaid status once again…happy with part

ALMOST TERMINAL – the 4yo gelding turned in an impressive performance winning the G1 Grand Brazilian but came up short against the likes of this field in his last two outings…chance to menace off best

REY DEL LLANO – although the ENG-bred has turned in a pair of third place finishes in the G1 John Scott Appreciation Stakes and G1 G.P. Von Baden in recent starts, he is still looking for his first victory in over nine months making him hard to endorse in such a talented field…would surprise

The Contenders

DREAM OF STARS – has been facing the best and is poised for the upset

TETE CIRYAHER – could be regaining his 3yo form to grab a minor share

HURRICANE POINT – could be this good, a must in your exotics

FINKE DAIMLER – improves with each start and may be ready for a new top

SPICED TURTLE – strictly the one to beat

CINNAMON LV – knows how to get the job done

The Picks

SPICED TURTLE – until proven otherwise

DREAM OF STARS – huge chance for upset

HURRICANE POINT – talk of the town