The Running of the Young Bulls

Spain will feature fourteen promising juvenile colts in this weekend’s Young Bulls Stakes. The colts will run 8.5 furlongs on the lawn, and they are bound to be full of surprises. The field ranges from a colt who won his maiden at first asking to graded stakes winners, but every one of these guys is quite promising.

1 PROSPETARIAT Xssessiv 7/1

This Sadler’s Wells son has been on the board in 4 of 6 races, but so far has only a maiden win to his name. He hasn’t yet hit the board in a graded race, but is close enough to doing so that you can’t write him off. His win came from just behind the early leader, but he’s run a strong second from the lead, so it looks like as long as he’s near the pace he’s in good shape. His talented jockey should help him, but given his track record so far, I don’t expect him to quite make it onto the board this time. Expect a solid race from him, though.

2 SEPTIC SQUALL Sozzled 9/1

Sozzled’s Septieme Ciel colt just got his second win in an overnight stakes. It was a nice run at seven furlongs, but it’s hard to know what to expect from him in his first race around two turns this weekend. A big plus for him is that he has been improving consistently, and he could do very well indeed if that continues. He’s hit the board in two of his three graded attempts, so he’s up to the quality of this field. The distance is the only big question mark for him, but it’s enough to keep me from backing him this time around.

3 PUTNEY QUEST Pigeon17 9/1

This youngster has nothing but questions to answer. He’s run only once – a totally dominant showing in maiden company at a7 furlongs. His pedigree says he should stretch out to 8.5 furlongs happily enough, but there’s absolutely no telling how he’ll do in this kind of crowd. Could be special, could be just another very nice 2yo – watch and see!

4 CRIMSON WELLS Jockeymax 10/1

Sadler’s Wells son has been on the board in three of five, but has disappointed in anything tougher than a restricted stakes. He did perk up notably as he stretched out to a mile, but that was in an allowance. Given his bloodlines, he almost certainly needs more age and distance to show his best. I expect he’s not quite ready for it yet, but he could surprise as he’s getting just a bit more distance this week.

5 ETHICS PARADOX Gradetwo 7/1

Very interesting little colt right here. He won his debut handily with an 80 fig, then stepped up immediately to an overnight stakes at 7.5 and won with an impressive 89. Granted it had only a four-horse field, but he’s looking pretty good so far. An extra furlong’s unlikely to trouble him, so we just have to see how he handles a full field of high-quality horses. Decent jockey aboard to steer him from his favored position a few lengths behind the leader. I’m looking forward to seeing what this guy can do.

6 FLYIN’ NOVERRE Pogdig1 22/1

The field’s second-biggest longshot is a solid-enough little horse who just doesn’t have a lot of a chance in this company. He’s tried graded races twice, with the best outcome being fifth money. So far he hasn’t shown nearly the turn of foot he’ll need to take on this bunch, and he’s had opportunities to do so. Should do just fine at allowances and overnight stakes, but he’s not ready for graded company right now.

7 ARCANGELO Grholdings 9/1

This son of bargain sire Artie Schiller (by El Prado) has been on the board in all five of his starts, including a Grade II win and a Grade I third. This will be the first time around two turns for this stalker and he’ll need to improve a bit to maintain his record in this quality field. He has a terrific jockey aboard, so it’s really all going to come down to whether he wants to go past a mile. If it perks him up a hair, he’ll be right there; otherwise, he’s likely to mar his record a bit.

8 MELTING POT Varsitytwo 10/1

Versatile colt has hit the board on both surfaces, but finished midpack in his only route so far. Don’t like how he handled that mile attempt, though he does seem to prefer the grass a bit. He’s hung on for fourth in two graded races – combine a wretched jockey with a possible distaste for routes, and I think this is unlikely to be a great day for an otherwise very nice colt.

9 ROCK OF FIRE Newracing 16/1

This Rock of Gibraltar colt flopped last time out in a stakes, but it was his first dirt attempt and he clearly didn’t like it. He is taking a big step up here and this is his first turf route, so he has a lot of questions to answer. He’ll need to speed up a fair amount to be a factor in his first graded stakes, and he hasn’t given any signs yet that he’s quite up to it.

10 HECAMETOMEINADREAM Bobcat 6/1

The morning-line favorite absolutely exploded last time out in his first route attempt, winning an overnight stakes with a 92 fig, the highest any horse in the field has earned. In a case of the rich getting richer, he’s landed 28% winning jockey for this race. He’s never been worse than second in his 5 starts, and although this will be his first graded race, there’s plenty of reason to believe this tough colt will do very well.

11 VIVA LA VOCE Sgtbones 10/1

This will be the first route for this Forest Wildcat colt. He’s a sprinter on dad’s side and a router on mom’s, so it’s hard to tell what he’s going to make of it. This will also be his first graded stakes, but he’s coming off two straight overnight stakes wins, so he’s earned his ticket. A veteran of 9 starts already, he’s been off the board only once. He’ll need to improve a bit to contend in this one, so much of his potential success will depend on whether he wants any part of a mile.

12 TRIPPA Graywolf21 37/1

The longest shot of the field, Graywolf’s colt has been fine in allowance company, but has yet to post a speed figure above the mid-70s. That’s just not going to get it done this weekend. He’s run turf routes several times, so it’s fair to say that we know his capabilities pretty well and this race is too much for him. A perfectly useful colt, this just isn’t a spot that’s setting him up for success.

13 HERE’S TO BEISBOL Zzz2912 11/1

Here’s a really nice value, if you’re looking for it. How about a colt who’s coming off a solid win in a Grade III at 11/1? Pretty nice. Before that, in his first route attempt, he blew away a small allowance field by almost four lengths. His only slip up so far came in the Smackdown, which simply may have been too much, too soon. His graded triumph did come in a smaller field, but it was still a nice test of his class. Keep a close eye on this guy and watch for him to sit just a hair off the early speed.

14 TROPICAL PRINCE Irishcrown 7/1

Last but not least is a lightly-raced Hurricane Run colt who has won two of three starts, all turf routes. Both wins were allowances with smallish fields, but he won handily with excellent speed figures. Big step up for him here, so it’ll be a great test for him. He looks like he has potential, and he’s deserving of being here. Another one to keep an eye on.

It’s a well-matched field with potential for plenty of surprises. Should be fun!