Outwit, Outlast, Outrun
There are precious few attempts to run the brutal distance of two miles, especially in a graded race. Fortunately the SWC has provided a rare opportunity for a Grade I at this distance and some of the sim’s finest long-distance runners have answered the call.
TEAM NASA
The Americans (North and South) start off their roster with co-favorite Frozen Four, who will start from the nine hole. Dixiedotco’s Pleasantly Perfect filly bounced around a bit early in her career, but seems to have found her calling going long on the dirt. She consistently hits the board in long graded races, but the bad news is that she consistently doesn’t win them. She’s coming off an easy win on the lawn, which may give her just the boost she needs to run her best this weekend. Her versatile running style will help her adapt to any type of race, as will her very talented jockey. Her owner describes her as “well-rested and sharp,” giving her a good opportunity this weekend to break her streak of being a bridesmaid in graded races.
The next best hope for NASA is Kronus’ K’s Araku, a mare who lately has been unstoppable in overnight stakes. A past Grade 1 winner, she has been competing in softer company this year, but looks ready to try another graded field. Her last two races have been wins by 5-6 furlongs, so she’s absolutely ready to take on this class of competition. She’ll probably try to win from the front, and this will be a great chance to see if she still has what it takes to run with the best.
Migman11’s Blinding is a lightly-raced filly off to a fanstastic start. She’s won 8 of 14, including three stakes win in long races. This will be her first race in graded company, so it will be an excellent test for her. She’s been running solidly at this distance, and will have a very good jockey in the irons. Too soon to say how she’ll hold up against the best at this distance, but she’s earned the opportunity.
Machiavellian’s daughter Dynamic will be representing Bewitch for the American team. Undefeated going 13 panels or longer, her trainer has high hopes for her chances this weekend. This will be her first time going quite this far, but added distance hasn’t hurt her at all so far in her career. In her 35th start, she’s not had much luck so far in graded contests, but the added distance may benefit her. Watch for her to run explosively about halfway through the race. Her trainer reports that she’s only Ready to Go, but she’s well-rested and has been training for this race for some time.
TEAM FENZA
The Pacific Rim Team will pin their hopes on cofavorite Showtime Too, from the Platinum stable, who will break from the outside post. She’s been absolutely on fire recently, winning three in a row, including a dominant showing in the Grade III High and Low at 16 panels. Her connections say she’s only Ready to Go, but she’s had a nice rest off that graded race and truly looks like the one to beat here. Seems to be happier the further she goes, so this race should suit her beautifully. Has one of the weaker jocks in the race, but he’s still no slouch. Watch for the veteran Red Ransom mare to hang back early, then find her stride in the stretch.
Her stablemate Spin Cycle goes to post at 9/1. Breathehrd’s cagey seven-year-old mare best races tend to be shorter than this one, but she’s quite capable of running respectably at two miles. She’ll have a very good jockey to aid her. Probably not her best situation, but she should run respectably for her time.
Sam’s Orowell is the only three-year-old in the race, but she’ll be an interesting one to watch. In her last start she stretched out to 13 furlongs for the first time and she loved it. She’s a gal who was running well at 11-12 panels, but her most recent start is evidence that she’ll be even happier going longer. This will be her first time going more than 13 panels and her first time against her elders, but don’t write her off. She looks like one who could be coming into her own at just the right time.
Finally, FENZA presents us with Learing Indy, trained by Shagedel4. She’s going off at 14/1, which is probably fair. She hits the board regularly in long allowances, but has a tougher time when stepping up to stakes fields. She should be okay with the distance, but is probably outclassed by the best in this field
TEAM EUROPE
The Europeans are also bringing their finest girls to the game. Country of Origin, trained by Mortician is a solid contender in overnight stakes at long distances. The Woodman filly is a veteran of 35 starts and seems quite happy running 12-14 furlongs. This will be her first try at two miles. Unless she perks up quite a bit with the added distance, she’s probably outgunned by the best here, but she’s a totally solid horse who will represent her team well.
Sabbath’s Dias will also represent Europe and will go off at 9/1. The four-year-old daughter of Seeking the Gold runs competitively in long overnight stakes, but this will be only her second try in a graded field. It will also be her first two-mile race. She probably won’t be able to keep up with the superstars in the race, but she’s a talented runner who has earned her ticket here.
Dias’ stablemate Tete’s Gal will also be running for Europe this weekend. She finished a solid fourth recently in the Grade III two-mile High and Low, which gives some idea for how she might run here. Her best races have been around 12 furlongs, but that last start showed that she can hang on well enough for a few more. While this race is longer than her ideal, she’s tenacious and very rarely goes home without a paycheck. Don’t be surprised if she gets to take home a few breeding points.
Last but not least, the Europeans are sending Dreamscity’s Nexcenica, who has been running very well at this distance. Her odds of 15/1 are deceiving – she actually has a very nice run of two-mile races going. She ran second to Showtime in the Grade III High and Low, won an allowance at this distance by 7 lengths, and finished second at two miles in an overnight stakes. She has also won at this distance on the lawn. She’s the longest shot in the field, but I’d actually be pretty surprised if she didn’t hit the board. She’s a great addition to the European team and a great horse to consider for a bet.
Thanks to the trainers who sent me comments and good luck with the race!