A MILLION DOLLARS IS UP FOR GRABS AT THE PENN MILE
Perhaps one of the most exciting races in all of horse racing is the turf mile division. It pits the sprinters against the routers in a middle ground and has always been a very tough competitive division to run in. The DPCD one mile turf race is know as The Grade I Penn Mile and will feature 14 of the top competitors on the division vying for the winners share of the $1,000,000 purse.
Let’s take a look at today’s field:
1)SADLER SEEKER—11/1—tenpin6 sends this 4 year old colt out of SEEKING THE GOLD with a record of 22-7-5-2 and lifetime earnings of $614,795. This 11th divisional ranked colt races for the Great Plains division of the Rockriver stables. This colt was unraced as a 2 year old and won his first two starts on the turf after making a debut race on the dirt last year. He has added 5 wins this year including 2 Graded stake wins in The Grade II Confederate Stakes and in The Grade II Fried Rice Mile. He posted his lifetime best 110 speed rating earlier this year and has posted triple digit speed ratings in 7 of 8 turf mile races this year. He is a closer who sits at the back early saving his best strides for the stretch drive but he has not had his late kick present in his last 3 starts since finishing 8th in the BB race. Hopefully he will get back on track here today. The rider for today’s race will be Renfroe (18.8%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—102.
2)THE SHINING(GB)—15/1—lenny27 sends this 4 year old colt out of BEAT HOLLOW(GB) with a record of 25-10-3-2 and lifetime earnings of $549,380. This 23rd divisional ranked colt races for Lenny’s Evil Empire stables based at the GR Simsters. This colt broke his maiden in his 2nd of two starts in his 2 year old season. Last year he won 6 races including 3 overnite stake races and this year has won 3 starts including 2 stakes hilited by a win in The Grade I Maudlin Cup. He posted his lifetime best 110 speed rating earlier this year and while he runs best when stalking the pace sitting a few length back has developed a bad habit of throwing out some dud races where he posts disappointing results. If he can overcmoe that he can be a formidable opponent today but if he puts up a race like he has in 2 of his last 3 starts it will end up being a long day at the office for this one. The rider for today’s race will be Haack (21.7%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—100.
3)OLLIE’S GONE—10/1—beamnreasn sends this 4 year old colt out of GONE WEST with a record of 20-7-3-4 and lifetime earnings of $875,830. He is out of the mare FANTASTIC OLLIE who was 27/66 at the track and who has 5 foals on record, all winners of which 1 is a Graded stakes winner and another a stakes winner. This 22nd divisional ranked colt races for The Spartan Racing Stables based at the Great Plains Residency. This colt was a perfect 3 for 3 on the turf as a 2 year old including a pair of stake wins and his only loss that year was when he tried a race on the main dirt track. He picked up 3 stake wins last year hilited by The Grade III Kcusrocek Stakes and The Grade III Panhandle Derby. This year he won his first race of the year but has not found the winners circle since albeit he has finished in the top 3 in 5 of 7 starts, all Graded starts. His win came in The Grade II Sanders Stakes in Georgia. He posted his lifetime best 111 speed rating 2 starts back in The Grade III Browns Fields Handicap over 9 furlongs on the turf and while he ran mainly 8 furlongs last year will be ruturning to that distance here today after racing predominantly at the 9 and 10 furlong distance so far this year. He is a closer who sits at the back early and has usually come up short in his rallies so far this year so perhaps with this return to the mile distance may switch his tactics to give him a chance at the win here today. The rider for today’s race will be Piotrowski (24.7%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—106.
4)DUKE OF NEW YORK(KY)—15/1—shiekabner sends this 3 year old colt out of PULPIT with a record of 13-7-0-3 and lifetime earnings of $300,468. This 33rd divisional ranked colt races out of the CR Racers residency. This colt won 2 of 4 races in his 2 year old campaign, one win each on both surfaces. He has raced exclusively on the turf this year picking up 5 wins including 2 stake wins hilited by The Grade II Coalmine Mile Cup in which he posted his lifetime best 112 speed rating. That was his only 8 furlong start to date in his career having run mostly in long turf sprints and his running style suggests that he will sit midpack early and save his best strides for the stretch drive. It should be noted that this will be his first start against older company in this race today. The rider for today’s race will be Caves (23.2%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING–108.
5)RECOIL—12/1—londoner sends this 5 year old horse out of MISWAKI with a record of 45-16-8-6 and lifetime earnings of $638,042. This 89th divisional ranked horse races for the Coolk stables that are the managing outfit over at the EAAA racing residency. This colt was 0 for 3 as a 2 year old while racing on the dirt track. He opened up his 3 year old season winning a dirt allowance sprint against winners for his maiden win but was then switched to the grass and has remained there ever since. He won 5 races on the grass in his sophomore season including 1 overnite stake race. Last year he he picked up 5 more wins with 1 of those also being a listed stakes contest. This year he has picked up 5 wins including a pair of overnite stake races. While he did have several top 3 finishes in Graded stakes last year he has not been very competitive in his 3 Graded starts this year and he will have to turn that around to be successfull here today. He posted his lifetime best 113 speed rating earlier this year in an overnite 8 furlong turf stake win. His best results come when he is pressing the pace and he will be expected to do the same here today. The rider for today’s race will be Grunhard (25.6%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—105.
6)HOEGAARDEN(KY)—23/1—simsters6 sends this 3 year old colt out of GONE WEST with a record of 12-4-2-2 and lifetime earnings of $222,506. This 71st divisional ranked colt is the second entry out of Lenny’s Evil Empire stables based at the GR Simsters. This colt was unraced last year as a 2 year old and broke his maiden on the dirt in his second lifetime start this year. He was switched to the turf in his 4th start and has raced on the lawn ever since. He has picked up 3 wins on the grass this year including 1 stake in The Grade III The Redalert Matchmaker Miler in Sweden. He posted his lifetime best 110 speed rating in that race and then went up to Canada for the Grade I Canada Mile where he seemed to have a mishap finishing distanced. He has returned in his last 2 races, both on off tracks with mixed results and hopefully will like the return to a firm turf for today’s race. He runs best as a closer and should sit near the back of the pack early saving his best strides for the far turn and stretch. He has yet to win when racing against older company as he has in his last 3 starts. The rider for today’s race will be McCoy (19.5%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—104.
7)SIP OF SAKI—9/2—bjbandit2 sends this 5 year old horse out of SAHKEE with a record of 33-13-7-1 and lifetime earnings of $3,554,230. He is out of the mare DELA’THEDEALER who was 2/28 at the track and who has 4 foals on record, all winners including 2 Graded stakes winners. This 2nd divisional ranked horse races for the Bigkev and Bjbandit stables based over at the Ohio Thoroughbred Racing residency. This horse started 6 times in his 2 year old season winning his first 4 lifetime starts including The Grade III Midsoil Stakes and The Grade III Cryogenics Juvenile. He ended up 5th in the BB Juvenile that year and after a pair of dirt races after that was switched to the turf where he has run for all but 3 of his starts since. He picked up 3 wins on the turf as a 3 year old including The Grade III Fernazzle Classic Cup, The Grade II Upper California Derby. While he had several top 3 finishes in Graded turf stakes last year his only win came in an overnite dirt mile stake in New Jersey. This year he has been on fire winning 5 Graded turf stakes including The Grade II Buddy Boy Mile, The Grade I Explosive Bet Stakes, The Grade I Sydney Mile, The Grade I Turf Invaders Stakes and The Grade I Jack The Man Stakes. He has established himself as one of the if not the top turf miler and 9 furlong runner this year and in his last race rallied just short to finish 2nd in The BB Mile race where he posted his lifetime best 115 speed rating. He comes into this race off 8 weeks rest so hopefully he was kept fit and sharp on the training track. He is one of many closers in this race but if he is on his game today he will be the one to beat here today. The rider for today’s race will be Proehl (30.3%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—110.
8)ROCK BALLAD(KY)—9/1—opinora sends this 3 year old colt out of SEEKING THE GOLD with a record of 19-8-3-3 and lifetime earnings of $794,100. He is out of the he mare LYRIC POET who was 11/33 at the track. This 7th divisional ranked colt races for the Novanora stables based in Vermont at The Pastures of Green. This colt won 4 of 6 starts on the turf as a 2 year old after debuting on the dirt for one race and posted a pair of overnite stake victories in those wins. This year he has added 4 wins including 3 stakes hilited by The Grade III Black Velvet Turf stakes and The Grade I Mospe Cup where he posted a huge 117 speed rating for his new lifetime mark. This mile specialist will probably press the pace but if he finds the going too slow may take matters into his own hands and jump right out to the front of this field. He will need to be strong in the late going here and will also be making his debut against older horses in this race today. The rider for today’s race will be McClendon (25.9%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—108.
9)COCAINE TRAIN—8/1—piccolo87 sends this 4 year old colt out of BUDDHA with a record of 24-8-9-2 and lifetime earnings of $294,024. He is out of the mare HAPPY NUDE YEAR who was 4/12 at the track and who has 3 foals on record, all winners including 1 stakes winner. This 138th divisional ranked colt races for Given’s Fire and Blood stables based at the GR Simsters. This colt was winless in his only start as a 2 year old which came on the dirt and actually did not break his maiden until his 8th lifetime start with that coming on the lawn. He would add 2 more allowance wins last year and has won 5 races this year including a pair of overnite stakes races which have come in his last 2 starts. He posted his lifetime best 114 speed rating 2 starts back and then came back with a 112 rating last time out, both in 8 furlong turf stakes. He makes his Graded race debut today and will press the pace from up front and as with some others may decide to go to the front if the pace is not to their liking. The rider for today’s race will be Cadigan (14.9%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—110.
10)BROCCOLI CARNAGE(IRE)—18/1—shawke sends this 5 year old horse out of FASLIYEV(IRE) with a record of 14-4-2-3 and lifetime earnings of $148,810. He is out of the he mare SILVER MINE who was 7/25 at the track. This 96th divisional ranked horse races out of the unafilliated Jrogue stables. This horse did not begin his racing career until this season in his 5 year old campaign. He won his first 2 lifetime starts and has added another couple of wins since including an overnite stake win. He has raced in 2 previous Graded stakes finishing 3rd in one and last time out finishing well back in The Grade I Kingab Mile. He posted his lifetime best 109 speed rating in his stakes win this year and with his closing style will probably need to improve on that number to win this race here today. The rider for today’s race will be McDowell (6.3%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—103.
11)DIXIE’S PAPPILLA(KY)—12/1—doctahg1 sends this 3 year old colt out of DIXIELAND BAND with a record of 16-8-3-2 and lifetime earnings of $405,070. He is out of the he mare PAPILLA who was 8/26 at the track. This 13th divisional ranked colt races for the Dentition stables based over at Del Penn National. This colt won 3 of 4 starts on the turf as a 2 year old including an overnite stakes start. He has won 5 starts this year including 2 stakes hilited by a win in The Grade II Fivestarnick Handicap. He races best stalking or can even run on the front end and he has run against older horses in his last 5 starts including his Graded stake victory. He posted his lifetime best 117 speed rating while finishing 2nd in The Grade II Posh Purse Stakes on an off turf. Hopefully he can rebound from his last 2 starts which were a little bit of a form reversal from his best performances earlier this year. The rider for today’s race will be Ross (21.2%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—104.
12)ZANZABAR(IRE)—7/1—peeps8 sends this 4 year old colt out of GALILEO(IRE) with a record of 27-11-3-1 and lifetime earnings of $1,234,445. This 25th divisional ranked colt races for the Cobra Kai racing stables based at the GR Simsters. This colt won 2 of 4 races as a 2 year old in the allowance ranks. Last year he won 3 stake races hilited by The Grade III Dracula Stakes in Kentucky. This year he has won 6 races including 3 stakes hilited by The Grade III Utah BB Mile. He posted his top speed rating of 118 earlier this year while winning an 8 furlong turf race in the Smackdown III competition. He is another pace stalker presser who may find things crowded up there with many in this field running a very similar racing style. The rider for today’s race will be Gossett (24.3%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—107.
13)VERY SILVER—7/1—acote sends this 4 year old colt out of SILVER GHOST with a record of 27-8-4-4 and lifetime earnings of $1,321,600. This 26th divisional ranked colt races for the Pilgrim stables based over at the GR Simsters. This colt was picked up via a sale after his debut race as a 2 year old which was a very disappointing dirt run. After a 3 month layoff he returned to the track for his new connections on the turf and won 2 of 5 starts including The Grade I Globalsim Special. Last year he won 3 races including 2 stakes hilited by The Grade II Bean Sprout Turf Cup and so far this year he has won 3 races including The Grade III Laffit Handicap in his 2007 debut. He broke a 7 race losing streak 2 starts back and enters this contest with a 2 race winning streak. He posted his lifetime best 114 speed rating last time out while winning The Lizard Cat Memorial over 8 furlongs on the turf in Maryland. He is a closer who sits at the back of the pack early and enters this race as mentioned in super form. The rider for today’s race will be Simien (25.7%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—110
14)PAYCHECK(IRE)—10/1—deyoto sends this 3 year old colt out of MONTJEU(IRE) with a record of 16-6-5-2 and lifetime earnings of $1,095,938. He is out of the he mare ROBBIE’S RED BOY who was 2/21 at the track. This 2nd divisional ranked colt races for Champion Lodge based over at Queensland. This colt had 3 wins in 7 starts as a 2 year old last year including 2 stakes hilited by The Grade III Flying Saucer stakes in Ontario. This year he has 3 stake wins to his credit including The Grade III Kcusrocek Stakes and The Grade I 2000 Guineas at NewMarket. He posted his lifetime best 113 speed rating last time out on an off turf in The Grade I Kingab Mile while finishing 2nd and has posted 6 straight triple digit speed ratings. He has competed well in both of his races against older company. He is a midpack closer who can also stalk the pace closer up front. The rider for today’s race will be Wright (27.7%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—108.
Should be an excellent race today as some of the top 3 year old milers join up against older company here today. The big question is that without a clear cut front running speed horse here today which of the pace pressers is going to go out on a limb and will the pace be hot enough to let the closers get up in time. Most of the betting action looks like it will go on #7 SIP OF SAKI but I am going to take a shot on #9 COCAINE TRAIN to take advantage of being close up to the front and hold off the late closers in the stretch drive.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING
THEO