Watch the Eruption!
It’s press conference time in Maryland and all the jockeys for the Eruption Handicap are filling into the room. That’s fourteen tiny athletes in brightly-colored silks here to talk about their chances to steer their juvenile colts to victory on the one-mile dirt course. They’ll be speaking in order of post position.
First up is Shaun O’Brian, who’s wearing Marineboy’s white and red. “I’m telling you, lads and lasses, I’ve a nice little colt who’s not getting the respect he’s due. Held Two Ransom has won his last two and he’s ready to try a graded race. No, he’s not run as fast as some of the others here, but he hasn’t had to. He’s as versatile a fellow as I’ve seen and can run near the front or from behind. Don’t matter to him. He’s been trained right and I think he has a good run in him.
Maryland’s top jockey, Victor Elliott, then steps up to the mike. “You know, I could’ve had my choice of any colt here, but it was easy to choose Whitetiger’s colt High Mesa. He’s an easy-to-ride horse — just gun him to the front and let him go. I love how he won the Grade II Club Stakes by daylight last time out and I love that he posted the highest speed figure this field has seen. He’s never been off the board and he just looks better as he stretches out. He’s a terrific youngster and I look forward to riding him.”
Chuck Gerhke then steps forward wearing the Superstables’ Silks of Evil. “Hi, folks. I’m glad the Superstables have done me the honor of riding their colt, Broadway Dancer. He won two graded races, including the World Cup, before he faded a bit in the Breeders’ Bowl. He still brought home a paycheck in that one, though. He’ll need to improve off his best a bit in this very tough race, but I think he has it in him. We’ll probably sit a couple of lengths back and try to pick off High Mesa at the end. The favorite’s a real threat, but I think we have a chance.”
A very youthful looking jockey heads to the mike. “Good morning, everyone. I’m C.V. Behr. I’m thrilled to have a ride in this race during my first season here at Maryland. Alberta Oil isn’t a favorite at 10/1, but I think he has a lot of heart. He’s a stakes winner and he’s only been out of the money once. That was in his only graded start, but he ran very green and he’s done a lot of working in company since then. He’s matured a lot. He has some improving to do, that’s for sure, but his trainer, Homestretc, and I are looking forward to doing our best in front of those big crowds this weekend.”
Another young jock steps up next. “T. Waters here and I’ll be aboard Zz2912’s Get Well Lids. He’s one of the longer shots here at 17/1, but he always tries hard and has always brought home a paycheck after 7 starts. I thought he ran a good third in the World Cup and he’s been improving. He might not have it in him to win Saturday, but I think he’ll continue to earn his keep.”
A jockey steps up in Fastvett1’s flame-on-black silks. “I really like Road Critter,” says Kit Eckloff. “This will be his first graded race, but he’s earned the chance and has been looking impressive. His best race was a fast second in an overnight stakes last time out. Some will say he lacks the credentials to do well here, but if you look at his numbers he could step up enough to run well here. He doesn’t know how to quit and has been off the board only once in seven starts. We’ll stay well back and out of trouble early, then I’ll help him steer clear of trouble in the stretch. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to prove ourselves.”
N. Lumpkin, or “The Lump” as he’s called in the jockey room, comes up to discuss his mount. “Yeah, Rahy’s Song is a longshot, but you never know with these youngsters. He ran a good second in a stakes last time out. This is his first graded race and the competition’s really stiff, but like I said, you never know. He’s improving nicely with experience. Last I heard, Bandinni wants me to try to steal the lead from High Mesa. We’ll do our best and if we can put that colt away, maybe we can hold off everyone else.”
V Cline walks up hesitantly. “I don’t always get mounts for these big races so I appreciate the chance, especially with a colt as nice as Jsimpson’s Brave Birdie. He hasn’t won a stakes yet, but he’s finished second in a grade one and a grade two, so we know he’s up to running with the big boys. His only times off the board can be tossed – one was on the grass and the other was on an off track. He’s been improving nicely and if he can keep that up with another little bump up, he’ll be right there at the end. I’m concerned that there are some stellar speed horses in this race, but right now we’re just planning to let this guy run his race. If that means taking on High Mesa early, that’s just the way it is.”
Ty Dillin comes to the podium in the Superstables’ silks. “Hi, folks. I didn’t manage to land the premier Superstables horse for this weekend, but I still have a nice one. Pantalaimon has been on the board in three of four starts so far. His only miss was in his only graded attempt. He has some questions to answer about whether he can handle a field like this, but he has some good experience under his belt now and I think he’s earned another try. He likes to come from a couple of lengths back, so we’ll just see how the race develops and make our move whenever the time seems right. He had a terrific race last time out and we’re hoping he can improve on that just a little.”
Nat Prescott is the tenth jockey to address the room. “Wow, I’ve been really fortunate to pick up an exciting colt for this race. Cvbear’s Jesus Walks is second choice in the betting and he’s just looking amazing right now. He’s had five races and has been improving beautifully. Last time out he won the Grade 3 Upper State at a mile and posted a stellar 99 fig when he did it. It took some grit to win that one – we’re really pleased with what a tough horse he’s shaping up into. He’s fit and rested and he’s improving with distance, so watch for us to really tear up the dirt coming down the track Saturday.”
B Ironmike comes up to talk about Jakematt’s colt, Barb’s Biscuits. “ We’re the longshot for sure in this race, but I have a lot of faith in this young colt. He’s been running really well in allowance company, but hasn’t had as much luck in stakes fields. Still, he’s been working really well and is super fit right now. I think he’s set up to run a big race, so we’ll just have to see if his training has paid off and he’s ready to run with the big boys.”
R “Colonel” Clink steps up in Triscay’s colors. “Urban Storm Cat is such a terrific colt. Just look at his record – two wins and two seconds in four starts, including a very tough second to Jesus Walks in the Upper State. That was his first graded race, so we’re hopeful that he can run even better this time. He’s one of only a few here that’s run a 99 speed figure. He’s improving with distance and he’s a closer in a field with a lot of speed. I think we have a terrific chance to earn a lot of money this weekend and the bettors, who’ve put us at 6/1, seem to agree.”
C Culpepper is next, and the jockey looks terrific in Eddieboo’s green-and-lightning silks. “ This race will be a big test for Fall Out Boy, but I think he’s ready for it. He’s improved with every one of his six starts and was off the board only once, on the turf. He capped all this off with a very speedy win in an ungraded stakes. This will be his first time playing with the big boys, but he’s been so fast and so successful so far, he’s earned a chance. We’ll come from way back, which suits us just fine.”
Last but not least, R Tartar comes to the podium wearing Willow’s blue-and-star silks. “Ack Loch is a real longshot at 19/1, but his trainer decided to take a chance here and I don’t disagree. This colt was doing just okay as a sprinter, then he routed for the first time in a stakes last time out. He won with a tough come-from-behind run and showed a ton of improvement as he stretched out. Now, he’ll have to improve a lot more to be really competitive in this race, but I figure if your horse is running well and you qualify for DPCD, you jump at the chance. I’m looking forward to helping this colt put his best foot forward.”
The track steward comes forward as all the jockeys file out of the room. “This is the one to watch, folks! This is the race that could help clinch an Eclipse title, and even more importantly, show us who the major players might be for Derby Day. Thanks for coming and enjoy the show.”