THEO’S TOP TEN WATCHLIST

I am starting a new feature to be published every tuesday afternoon in the BTB. It will be similar to Watchmaker’s column in the DRF. I will list the top 10 horses in each division and give a one line comment on each. The articles will be in a 6 week rotation concentrating on one age and sex class each week.

Enjoy.

The chart listing is this weeks ranking, followed by last ranking, horse name and points.

NOTE–that due to the way points are earned I have eliminated some horses from some categories if they have not run in that category in the year (ie—horse is in top 10 in dirt sprint but has only raced in routes.)

THIS WEEK THE OLDER MALES DIVISIONS WELL BE FEATURED.

OLDER MALES—DIRT SPRINT

1) (NA)—AB FAB (592)—seems to be coming back to form after Maryland breakdown

2) (NA)—CASTERLY ROCK(IRE) (360)—faultered as fav in Kingab Sprint Cup but 4 wins this year keep him 2nd in division

3) (NA)—POLISH REALITY (352)—was the big mover in division until breakdown in last—will he return the same?

4) (NA)—DELIGENCE (272)—no wins since January and 3 of last 5 double digit speed ratings—has he peaked?

5) (NA)—IN A SIMPLE RHYME (221)—on the move upward with big 1st Grade I win in Tri City Sprint.

6) (NA)—SMUGGLER’S CATCH (209)—$15k claim is knocking on the door for first Graded win.

7) (NA)—SAMOTH (202)—has not been the same since Dubai last winter

8) (NA)—FESTIVE FIFTY (180)—massive year but last two may suggest a return to the 8 furlong distance.

9) (NA)—DEATH ALLEY DRIVER (176)—Billy and Jimmy Stakes winner consistantly picks up cheques race after race.

10) (NA)—JUMPING SAL (168)—started year with a bang and 2 out of the last 3 suggest he may be close to next big win.

OLDER MALES—DIRT CLASSIC ROUTE

1) (NA)—ERMINGTON PEGASUS (896)—he had 6 in a row to be much the best in the division, what can you say when 2nd and 3rd place finish in Graded races are disappointments.

2) (NA)—QUINCANNON (320)—been finding it harder and harder to carry speed thru to the wire as he gets older.

3) (NA)—GRACEPOINTE PRAYER (316)—last 3 suggest he is the mover in this division right now.

4) (NA)—PRIVELEGED (304)—big win in Kentucky Challenge shows this one is on his game right now.

5) (NA)—FLY FOR BUDA (292)—feisty veteran still a player with the Graded wins this season.

6) (NA)—OTTO CAUSES(IRE) (266)—still needs to show Glenn Handicap win can be repeated.

7) (NA)—FORMULATED RISK(GB) (260)—no wins since March but $30K claim has paid off in dividends.

8) (NA)—ONE WILD CAT (244)—3 Grade II wins this year but hopefully he can recover from fiasco in sloppy sprint last time out.

9) (NA)—JOURNEYMAN (240)—this crafty verteran is always knocking on the door in 2nd and 3rd tier Graded stakes.

10) (NA)—ZYGOTE (232)—speed ratings suggest a big race coming up next.

OLDER MALES—DIRT LONG ROUTE

1) (NA)—CREDIT GIVEN (452)—has not finished out of top 3 all year.

2) (NA)—KOWBOY (188)—150k claim need to refind his form from late 06 and early 07.

3) (NA)—ENTER THE BEAST(GB) (141)—just how much did the KY horseman whiskey cup take out of this oldtimer.

4) (NA)—SINANJU (140)—nice double win in division to start the year but with turf and classic route runs in last 3 when will he be back in the division.

5) (NA)—KANAKA (136)—6 year old keeps racking up the wins.

6) (NA)—SOLAR SONG (132)—2/2 in long routes this season suggests perhaps he should race in this division more often.

7) (NA)—CRAFTY PART (128)—has not refound 2006 magic but still picks up enought checks to stay in top 10 in this division.

8) (NA)—TUNAMAN (120)—still needs to prove the Texas Grade II win was no fluke.

9) (NA)—NO NAG HERE(IRE) (118)—9 of 11 top 3’s this year as 7 year old keeps going and going.

10) (NA)—MIRACLE TO ME (116)—has tried the classic distance last 2 and will need to recover from last race breakdown.

OLDER MALES—TURF SPRINT

1) (NA)—DIGGING THE GRAVE (340)—loves to race at Newmarket.

2) (NA)—TEQUILA WITH LIME (316)—has feasted on the short sprints so far this season.

3) (NA)—I MAKE STUFF UP (304)—wins have been few and far between since last years breeders bowl win.

4) (NA)—NORTHERN PIRATE (276)—throws a big race in every now and then to keep him up in this division.

5) (NA)—OMERTA CODE (272)—pattern of late suggests last year’s Japan Sprint winner is sitting on a win.

6) (NA)—DRUNKEN LULLABIES(IRE) (240)—while winless this year his last suggests that next win may be very soon.

7) (NA)—BORRACHO(IRE) (224)—forgive his last coming off 10 week layoff.

8) (NA)—SEEKIN DESTROY (212)—8/11 on the turf and with 1st Grade I win under his belt makes you wonder how long before he challenges for this division lead.

9) (NA)—GENERAL’S CHARIOT (210)—wins in 2 of last 3 suggest 3 year old sensation is making a comeback at age 5.

10) (NA)—CRONUS(IRE) (208)—reliable performer throws in a clunker every now and then and hopefully that’s what happened in last.

OLDER HORSES—TURF CLASSIC ROUTE

1) (NA)—SEEKING SAL (832)—5 Graded wins this year have this one soon becoming the $6 million dollar man.

2) (NA)—RAPID GREY (752)—5 wins and 1 second in last 6 races all Grade I events suggest a good argument for division honors.

3) (NA)—OTTO OH NO (704)—hard luck in 2 of last 3 but always gives a big performance in classic distance.

4) (NA)—SIP OF SAKI (672)—5 of last 6 wins round out the big 4 in this older horse classic division.

5) (NA)—HAIL CESARIO (420)—7 top 3 finishes this year have this one leading the second tier in this category.

6) (NA)—STRONG BELWAS (336)—was on a big roll until breakdown in Michigan in July—When will he return?

7) (NA)—PUPPET REGIME (308)—3 Grade I wins in a row has this one at the top of his game right now.

8) (NA)—K’S OKKASION (288)—Ran into a tough one last time out but still 5 wins in last 7 is nothing to cry about.

9) (NA)—CREEPSHOW(IRE) (244)—has been a force since coming back from Kansas breakdown.

10) (NA)—ALE N’ SKITTLES (224)—3 wins this season has pushed lifetime earnings over the magical $1 Million mark.

OLDER HORSES—TURF LONG ROUTE

1) (NA)—HORSESHOE BAY (776)—$10 Million and counting for 2 time Breeders Bowl winner.

2) (NA)—LEX LUTHOR (592)—big 4 race win streak ended last time out.

3) (NA)—JUMPIN’ JAVA (448)—knocked off the favorite for second Grade I win this season.

4) (NA)—DIRECTOR (428)—throw out the two duds this year and he has been near perfect.

5) (NA)—CONFEDERACY(IRE) (417)—winless streak this year has had him run at the classic distance in 2 of last 3.

6) (NA)—BAND OF BUDAS (392)—Bourbon Cup Winner has had a case of seconditus this year.

7) (NA)—TOTAL CHAOS (328)—has not finished out of the money since his 3rd lifetime start.

8) (NA)—KOOL THING(IRE) (288)—another one who seems to have picked up the Dubai curse.

9) (NA)—FREEZE(NZ) (286)—picked up first Grade I in New York 2 starts back.

10) (NA)—OTTOMAN TURKS (279)—has yet to find his top stride since coming back from 3 months off.

NEXT WEEK THE OLDER FILLY AND MARES DIVISION WILL BE FEATURED

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING

THEO