Locked And Loaded: World Cup Long Turf Sprint absolutely sizzles in talent
Texas– Exxxxxxplosive, BABY! Call me crazy because I have a horse in the six furlong turf sprint, but, gosh. *This race* is the true Grade 1 Sim World Cup shoot ’em out.
What a field for the Grade 1 $500,000 World Cup Long Turf Sprint! Of course we go seven fabulous furlongs in this contest and, boy, it’s gonna be worth every pretty penny. Eleven of the dirty dozen horses have a legitimate shot at the winner’s circle — it’s THAT close. Northern Pirate won the top-to-bottom star-studded Generals Pals Sprint Show II(G1) back in late February, but I must say that this race looks even better on paper!
And of course we have Northern Pirate in this one — he’s the Generals Pals and Smackdown winner. We have Seekin Destroy and Lightning Striking, the wicked one-two punch on Simhistory day in the Sharon & Roys Gold Cup(G1). And you can’t forget Mr Devious who turned so many heads when winning the celebrated Rising Sun Spring Cup(G1). Count in Lowlands Loft who burst out onto the scene in the Hyperactive Handicap(G3). Ditto for Ends In Ski who made quite a splash in the Warsaw Sprint(G2). Last year’s 2,000 Guineas winner Andy’s Choice has been sprinting of late and we’ll see his best stuff here. If you like an outsider, then give career stayer Flushing Waters(IRE) a second look — he finished runnerup to General’s Chariot LTO in just his 3rd lifetime sprint start.
And then we got some splendid 3yos in multiple graded winner Legendary Lemon(KY), improving Shy General(AUS) and Another Hopeful(IRE). Finally, big speed figures in impressive sophomore Satrus(KY).
Ya know, we just gotta look at these guys in more detail. And of course they all run for their trainers’ respective World Cup Teams. Let me tell ya about this amazing field………..
TEAM FENZA
- Northern Pirate (5/1)
- Andy’s Choice (7/1)
- Shy General(AUS) (22/1)
- Another Hopeful(IRE) (73/1)
The Aussie/Kiwi/Far Easters actually have the weakest contingent in this group. However, they have the horse to beat: #4-ranked Northern Pirate. Jockeymax’s Northern Pirate is just such a threat wherever he goes. Last year, he was just about a length or so behind champion I Make Stuff Up, but of course ‘Pirate had the last laugh when winning on DelPenn Champions Day. All eyes were upon him this year and he did not disappoint. The Belong To Me 4yo just blew us all away with a 114 SP# victory in the Generals Pals(G1) back in late February. That was such an immaculate field and ‘Pirate looked positively super taking down the 7.5f distance.
‘Pirate’s a last-to-first type of runner, a true Hercules. He’s had his ups and downs, showing his mortality this season though. He was kind of flat in the late springtime Grade 1s, running a dull 7th to upstart Mr Devious in the Rising Sun(G1). That was too bad, but Jockeymax got ‘Pirate back into the game with a herculean victory on Smackdown day in mid-summer. Big 110 SP# by the Pirate in that race — he just came out of nowhere to snatch the prize from General’s Chariot. Even though that race was owner-restricted, it was a very good field. True to form then, ‘Pirate bounced in the loaded Sharon & Roys Gold Cup(G1) last month. He’s on and off again, what can I say. But Max can get his horses firing on a four cylinders in the big races and Northern Pirate aims to rule.
So, Northern Pirate is Team FENZA’s big shot. They also have a colt that I’ve had my eye on for a long time: Andy’s Choice, winner of the ’06 2,000 Guineas(G1). This Rainbow Quest colt has been predominantly a miler after winning the classic. He too is a downtown closer, though he only possesses a 2-for-17 lifetime route record believe it or not. Earlier this season, Andy’s Choice wasn’t making any waves in the miler division, so trainer Gunsynd shortened the colt up to 7f. Great move, because Andy’s Choice’s speed figures picked up. He won a pair of listed turf sprints and finished a rallying 3rd to Lowlands Loft in the Hyperactive(G3). I like how Gunsynd didn’t get all crazy entering Andy’s Choice in the graded sprints. Instead, Gunsynd gave Andy’s Choice a few starts to build some consistency and confidence at the shortened distance. I think this colt’s the dark horse in the field — he’s sitting on a big race. I’m actually rooting for him in this spot! =)
Team FENZA enters a pair 3yos to fill out their contingent. As the longest shot on the board, Another Hopeful(IRE) doesn’t have much of a prayer, but it’s not for lack of sprint ability. On the contrary, the modestly-bred Black Sam Bellamy(IRE) son is a stakes winner around one-turn and displays some short route ability too. Another Hopeful has been improving steadily if you toss out the dirt debacle LTO. He’s not at this level yet and clearly outclassed, but ya never know. We might see trainer Llama’s rallier vie for a minor share if he gets lucky and the faves fall.
Actually, Shy General(AUS) is a few shades better at this point than Another Hopeful, but he too needs to run the race of his life. The General Nediym(AUS) son threw a big 105 SP# two starts back over this distance. Despite having a substantial solo lead, the speedster didn’t manage the victory though and had to settle for bridesmaid in the 3yo-only listed contest. Still, Snappa’s colt might mix it up with Ens In Ski for the pace. Doubtful whether or not he’ll be around for long afterwards.
TEAM EURO
- Mr Devious (5/1)
- Lightning Striking (5/1)
- Flushing Waters (10/1)
- Satrus(KY) (20/1)
A much deeper group for the Europe/Scandinavia Team. A-list stud status goes to Mr Devious, winner of the Rising Sun Spring Cup(G1) back in June. Talk about wow-power — this 4yo by Crafty Prospector took his grand ole time finding the upper level, but, boy, he sure has made waves this season. The colt leapt from ALW ranks in the Simon & Simon(G3) back early May. Just a gorgeous shootout on the pace that saw him prevailing with a 110 SP#. That kind of speed merits respect wherever ya go , but trainer Londoner’s Mr Devious went off as mild longshot in the Rising Sun(G1). Tons of sprint division stars in that race and of course Northern Pirate leading the lineup. But Mr Devious shocked the field, keeping his form going with a rousing 114 SP# score for the seven panels.
Mmhmm. Delicious victory and this guy overnite turned into the “it” horse of the division. Unfortunately, he ran a bit “off” in his next start: the Warsaw Sprint(G2). Instead, another swiftie named Ends In Ski leapt to the division’s limelight in that contest while Mr Devious fell off the radar in 4th place. And fall off the radar Mr Devious did too — the colt returned to the hidden listed ranks where he split a pair of turf handicaps. Don’t worry about that too much though — M Devious won his last race with a huge 110 SP#. If Northern Pirate brings the big ’06 credentials to this field, then Mr Devious is the one who can usurp that honor. A win here and he leads the division with two Grade 1s. Hopefully his jockey won’t let Mr Devious get caught in a suicide speed duel. Beware of this colt otherwise.
And Team EURO continues with another swift denizen aptly-named Lightning Striking. At 42 starts, this 5yo by Smart Strike reminds me a lot of Tequila With Lime, surprise winner of this year’s Sydney Sprint(G1). Just an old grizzled veteran whio has positively peaked at this point of his career. Totally at the top of his game, Lightning Striking inhaled horses up the yin-yang in the Sharon & Roys Gold Cup(G1) last month. From 18th to 2nd at the wire, Lightning Striking displayed turn-of-foot just missing to Seekin Destroy. Additionally, this 108 SP# effort came on the heels of a gigantic 111 SP# listed stakes score. I guess trainer Poocher proved the old adage, “You gotta run ’em while they’re hot!”
You gotta love the heart of Lightning Striking, from listed trooper earlier this season to the precipice of Grade 1 glory. He’ll get more pace than in his last in this spot too. Can he outrun Northern Pirate to the wire? What a story!
OK, stop the presses. Two studs so far for Team EURO and now they too have a fascinating dark horse called Flushing Waters. Trainer Pm had this High Chaparral(IRE) 4yo colt running according to pedigree in middle-type routes. Indeed, the colt’s pretty darn good too — he was Grade 1-placed in the Prince of Whales over 10f earlier this season. Bottom line, Flushing Waters seemed to be on the up and up until I guess his trainer plain got frustrated. The colt finished well up the track in the United Countries(G1) over 11f and trainer Pm tossed Flushing Waters afterwards into a 6.5f ALW. It was just the colt’s 2nd lifetime start around one-turn and what a surprise when he returned victorious with a huge 103 SP#.
And the good times continued when Flushing Waters ran runner-up to General’s Chariot in the Battle Of Saratoga(G2) last month. He chose stalker-style tactics there and he’ll need to do that again in this spot — but maybe better yet, try to go after the lead if no one wants it. Very interesting contender and a dark horse alongside Team FENZA’s Andy’s Choice.
Three excellent shots for Team EURO and you can’t count out their token 3yo either. Satrus(KY) didn’t show trainer Bagur much till he tried a solid turf sprint ALW in the springtime. The War Chant royal bred responded splendidly too, reeling off three straight scores before winning a 7f stakes race in July with a huge 108 SP#. Unfortunately, Satrus found himself in a very fast older horse listed debut. That being said though, the closer has a very bright future ahead of him and I wouldn’t be too surprised if he threw a minor money effort here. Still learning the ropes, but solid hopeful.
TEAM NASA
- Seekin Destroy (6/1)
- Lowlands Loft (7/1)
- Ends In Ski (8/1)
- Legendary Lemon(KY) (9/1)
From top-to-bottom, the North & South America Team has a mean quartet that could give all of these horses a run for their money. And the “now” horse is none other than the winner of the Sharon & Roys Gold Cup(G1) last month: Seekin Destroy. The Supers kept this 4yo Mineshaft son up their sleeves for the longest time. Seekin Destroy spent the most part of this season in the listed stakes ranks, building speed and his win column stats. The colt specilaized in seven panels and pounded overniters from Newmarket to South Africa. The latter listed contest went to Seekin Destroy with a huge 108 SP#.
The time signaled his readiness to enter the graded ranks and Seekin Destroy made the most of the opportunity too. Breaking 12th of 18, the big hoss put forth a tremendous rush to the front, stopping the clock two lengths on top with a gorgeous 111 SP#. The victory vaulted him up to #8 in the division. Just how good is this colt? Contender or pretender to the top of the division? We shall see……
If Seekin Destroy is Team NASA’s A-plus stud, then Lowlands Loft and Ends In Ski are their A-minuses (if you count out their last races!). Lieut60’s Lowlands Loft is a lot like Seekin Destroy — both horses have been around the block with the former at 25 starts and the latter at the 30-mark. However, the 5yo Cryptoclearance son Lowlands Loft was in the ALW ranks for much of this season. He had his coming-out party in the Hyperactive Handicap(G3) following a very sweet ALW score. Lowlands Loft sure felt his oats after the win too, recording an explosive 112 SP# in the Hyperactive. Twice bitten of the winner’s circle bug, the horse ket on going, extending his win streak to 3-in-a-row follwing a fine listed stakes score. I love how he kept those speed figures high too during the streak.
Things sure looked swell for Lowlands Loft’s Grade 1 debut in the Sharon & Roys Gold Cup(G1). But it just wasn’t meant to be with the ‘Loft up the track as a hot-n-dirty also-ran. Was his last race just an aberration? Is Lowlands Loft indeed ready to take down the top of the division? He’s a versatile runner on and off the pace. Which tactic will jockey P Haynes select? Viable threat if he can shrug off his last.
Ends In Ski also finished well up the track in the Sharon & Roys Gold Cup(G1). But unlike Seekin Destroy and Lowlands Loft, Ends In Ski is a young pup at only 15 lifetime calls to the post. The 4yo son of Numerous is fresh blood in the division, and boy, did he sure look the part in the Warsaw Sprint(G2) over the summer. The speedster ferociously dominaated the seven panles with a 111 SP#. It was his 3rd victory in a row after manhnadling the listed ranks. What a cooker! I was quite ga-ga over this horse going into the Smackdown race. And Ends In Ski didn’t let his newfound fan down either, running a very respectable 3rd to Northern Pirate after dueling on the lead.
You just gotta love horses that throw these huge numbers consistently — that’s what superstars do and Ends In Ski appeared to be a star in the making. But, alas, patooey! The colt totally coughed it up in the Gold Cup, plain nowheresville after missing the break. Hey, let’s give Fairhaven2’s Ends In Ski a break though and toss that last race right out. First out of the gate unchallenged and first to the wire. My pick! Read ’em and weep.
Those three horses are just awesome contenders for Team NASA. And their final contender is the best 3yo in the field, Legendary Lemon(KY). Gosh, this Lemon Drop kid youngster has come around very nicely for trainer Hardnfast. He’s 9-for-15 lifetime so far and was a Grade 3 winner over a flat mile earlier this season. But take a look at those two graded 7f races at ascot this summer! Wow, 107 SP# rally in the Joisy(G3) and a titanesque 113 SP# in the player-sponsored Maybe I Can(G2). You bet your boots this colt can fly from far off pace or up near it if he so dares.
Legendary Lemon’s numbers indicate he’s more than ready for the older horses. Hopefully, he’s recovered since running a bit average over a Grade 3 mile LTO. Could he be the next I Make Stuff Up? I think he’ll hit the board.
Snowchief’s Picks:
What a field! Enough of me jibberjabbering here — give me Ends In Ski wire to wire over Legendary Lemon, Mr Devious, Andy’s Choice, and Northern Pirate. Ha! Honestly though, almost any one of these horses can win. Good luck and carry your team’s colors proudly as we celebrate the Sim’s internationality! Woohoo!!!!!
Win: Ends In Ski
Place: Legendary Lemon
Show: Mr Devious
Good luck to all on World Cup Day!