Talented Juveniles Come To Illinois

With The Sim’s championship day five weeks away, fourteen colts line up for The Grade 2 Darling Squash Futurity at a mile, hoping to cement their place in the starting gate for the Breeders Bowl Juvenile on November 3rd. Here is a look at the field.

HIGH MESA (KY)         10/1

(SKY MESA x WOODMAN x MOUNTAIN CAT)

Y Dunbar ( 151 – 9 – 12 – 11 – 6% )

This speedy colt has never been off the board in 4 career starts, despite registering only one win. After breaking his maiden on the first try he has run in three successive Stakes races and has done well with a second and two thirds against tough company. Last time out he was involved in a dramatic three horse photo finish in The SAINT RAPID Challenge and was very unlucky not to hold on after being on the lead the whole way. This will be his first try at a mile, and the distance should be well within his range.

SERVILE SERVAL (KY)         21/1

(GOLDEN MISSILE x STORM CAT x KRIS S.)

F Latworld ( 71 – 8 – 8 – 3 – 11% )

The longest shot on the board, but not without a chance this weekend. He has won his last three starts after taking three attempts to break his maiden. His last start was seven weeks ago when he won The BRICK HIT Stakes at 8.5 furlongs and he was given time off by his connections with a fall campaign in mind. His speed figures have steadily improved and if he is tight enough after forty nine days on the sideline then he represents real value for punters.

PRISONER’S DILEMMA (AUS)       13/1

(REDOUTE’S CHOICE (AUS) x FORTY NINER x DANZIG)

M Reveiz ( 410 – 50 – 40 – 31 – 12% )

Unbeaten in three career starts this Australian bred colt will face his sternest test on Saturday. All three of his victories have been impressive and in his last start he easily won The EATOR WITH PINES Memorial Stakes at 8.5 furlongs in wire to wire fashion. Whether he will employ the same front running tactics with other speedy colts in this race, is left to be seen. Should be fresh after six weeks away.

JUST TALK (MD)         18/1

(DEPUTY STORM x BELIEVE THE QUEEN x AT THE THRESHOLD)

D Mustafaa ( 186 – 18 – 27 – 14 – 10% )

After breaking his maiden first time out this colt has developed a reputation of a bridesmaid. Three consecutive seconds followed by a third place finish last time out in The N. CLAN Cap Stakes at 8.5 furlongs. Always closing well at the finish without getting the job done, his connections are hoping he can clear that final hurdle on Saturday.

RIVERBENDER (KY)             9/1

(BORREGO x RIVERMAN x NEVER BEND)

D McCants ( 541 – 56 – 56 – 66 – 10% )

Four wins and a second in five starts, with each start faster than the one before, is how this colt’s past performances read. He was awesome six weeks ago in The PERFECT ANT Cap when he ran the best race of his short career. If he can duplicate that effort or even move forward he will be very tough to beat this weekend. Should be able to sit just off the speed in here.

GARDEN SOCIETY (ENG)                  10/1

(GREEN DESERT x WOODMAN x STORM BIRD)

D Anderson ( 135 – 8 – 14 – 10 – 6% )

In his only start against Graded Stakes company he did not run as well as his connections had expected in The Grade 2 Irish Futurity. In his two outings since that race, he has shown improvement, and his connections believe he will fare much better this time around. This will be his first try at a mile and the distance should not be a problem.

SHERIDAN (KY)              10/1

(SPEIGHTSTOWN x DIXIE UNION x TALE OF THE CAT)

P Williams ( 172 – 18 – 14 – 12 – 10% )

A lot of questions about this colt will be answered on Saturday. Is he a come from behind sprinter or will he appreciate more distance? His last start was his best speed figure, but his closing kick at that seven furlong distance was not as effective as when he went shorter. His pedigree suggests sprinter, but you never if they will get a distance until they try. His task will be a mile on Saturday.

STORM IS BREWIN (KY)                10/1

(BLUEGRASS CAT x KINGMAMBO x BOLD REASONING)

A Ching ( 290 – 26 – 24 – 31 – 9% )

Has done well sprinting in his five career outings, but his breeding suggests he should be more effective going a distance of ground. He gets his first chance on Saturday. This colt has been showing lots of speed and he should have company on the lead this weekend. The only time he hasn’t hit the board is when he didn’t make the early lead so he may try to take them gate to wire.

SAHARA DESERT (AUS)                 11/1

(ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) x STORM CAT x CLEVER TRICK)

K Ryn ( 190 – 30 – 18 – 24 – 16% )

Another consistent Australian bred who has not been out of the first three in five career outings. He won The ONE MINSTREL Memorial last time out at a mile, so we know he can handle the distance. Versatile enough to be on the lead or lay just off the pace, and this trait will come in handy not only for this race, but also in the future. He could be sitting on a big race off five weeks rest.

STORM EMPIRE (KY)           5/1

(EMPIRE MAKER x GONE WEST x STORM CAT)

R Logan ( 636 – 101 – 103 – 98 – 16% )

The tepid morning line favorite due to the fact that he is the only Graded Stakes winner in the field and the highest ranked colt in the race. He won the Grade 3 Abstract Juvenile at 6.5 furlongs and then ran a hard luck fifth in the Grade 1 Hoserhead Juvenile. He then rebounded to take The DEDICATED TREASURE Challenge at a mile four weeks ago. He is by no means a cinch to take this race, but if he brings his A-game he will be tough to deny.

ALY’S OASIS (ENG)                  7/1

(GREEN DESERT x MR. PROSPECTOR x ALYDAR)

C Noe ( 112 – 9 – 5 – 6 – 8% )

The second choice of the bookmakers, this exceptionally well bred colt has been to the gate three times, with two wins and a second to his name. He has been deliberately campaigned by his connections, with a six week gap between each start, and he has thrived so far, with each of his outings faster than the previous one. He goes a mile for the first time on Saturday, and if he takes another step forward he should be right there at the finish.

JOY’S KITTEN (KY)                 11/1

(KITTEN’S JOY x STORM BIRD x SECRETARIAT)

G Lauer ( 261 – 26 – 21 – 29 – 10% )

The so-called now-horse in the field. Two starts, two smashing wins, and his connections think highly enough of him to choose this tough spot to introduce him to Stakes company. He beat an allowance field rather impressively last time out going a mile, and his figure for that race puts him among the top choice in here. This will be his third start in six weeks, and some punters are worried that this race may be too much too soon for a young horse. Too much, too soon? Boy do I miss the 40’s and 50’s when horses ran every couple days. I was born in 81 but I still miss the good old 40’s and 50’s.

UNPROHIBITED (KY)            8/1

(A.P. INDY x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x CARSON CITY)

K Grunhard ( 106 – 9 – 4 – 6 – 8% )

The winner of that dramatic three horse photo finish in The SAINT RAPID Challenge when he beat High Mesa into third. He struggled in his first two starts, both at six furlongs. However as the distances have increased he has flourished, and with his pedigree he will no doubt appreciate the mile on Saturday. As the distances get longer he should get better.

INDY PROSPECTOR (FL)                13/1

(INDY KING x BROAD BRUSH x MR. PROSPECTOR)

T Popo ( 111 – 12 – 16 – 7 – 11% )

Two wins and two seconds in four starts, and last time out he became a Stakes winner for his rarely used sire. He tries a mile for the first time this weekend and he should have no problems with the added distance. Very consistent, but he will be severely tested against this group. Figures to get a stalking trip.