Speed-Ball and Deep Closer Co-Favorites Clash in Breeders Bowl Turf Sprint

1.  HELVETIOS  12-1 

5H  Night Of Thunder – King of the Day, Daylami (IRE)

22: 8-5-4  $939,127  77%

Trainer:  xmen1

Breeder:  sharpblue  

After a giant win in the G1 Cup Of July, this son of Night Of Thunder appeared to bounce next out.  This pattern was repeated from the previous pair of races, so it would not be surprising for him to run big in this spot.  While not having seen 6.5 furlongs since running in claiming races in 2019, there is no doubt he enjoyed the distance.  His G1 win is fresh which bodes well for him to show up here and become a millionaire.

2.  EXHEAD  8-1 

4C Caravaggio – Voluble, Exceed and Excel

21:  8-4-1   $792,439  62%

Trainer:  saltburn

Breeder:  tees

Being one of a few horses in the field cutting back in distance might bode well for this colt.  He tried six furlongs in a listed race a year ago finishing fourth but has since improved greatly, winning two graded stakes in his last two starts.  I never throw out a horse coming into a race who has been consistent and this horse has run speed figures over 110 in his last four races and won three of those. There is nothing to suggest cutting back to 6.5 furlongs will stop this guy but it will make his job closing from the clouds more difficult.  Expect to see him flashing late and he could get there. 

3.  WREAKFUL  7-1 

4C  Speightstown – Vindicative, Vindication

17:  10-3-1  $2,180,100  82%

Trainer:  kingdamo

Breeder:  fevola

With his last race a fading second you still can not throw out this speedball.  HIs race two back was at 7 furlongs and he threw a 120, coming in 1¼ lengths the better.  I expect his last out may have been a small bounce from a colt that had consistently been running numbers over 110, and really has been the picture of consistency over his entire career.  Lightly raced he should continue to flourish and get better, which should seriously scare his competitors. The lukewarm co-favoritism here does not do this champion colt justice.  Definitely a major threat and deserved favorite. 

4.  FASTER THAN U R 7-1

4G  Charm Spirit – Credited, Acclamation

17:  9-5-1  $970,698  88%

Trainer:  golfteam5

Breeder:  golfteam5

Another horse very close to becoming a millionaire, this gelding has posted a 117 speed figures in his last two starts.  This deep closer has an impressive resume with all of his speeds in 2020 being over 110.  Running exclusively in graded company he has also been first and second in every start this year.  The distance will not be an issue as he has handled the 6 and 7 furlongs well and is a multiple stakes winner at the 6.5 furlongs.  His co-favoritism does not show his talent, however is a reflection of the ultra tough field.  Look for him to run at his co-favorite and frontrunner WREAKFUL late and provide a stunning finish. 

5.  LT GENERAL SNITZEL 17-1

4C  Snitzel – Carraig Aonair, Fastnet Rock (AUS) 

18:  6-4-2  $969,515  67%

Trainer:  4amigos2

Breeder:  4amigos2

Very close to becoming a millionaire, this colt will have to come back into form to get the job done.  Out of a G1 winner (at 6.5furlongs) and three time graded producer (from four foals), this guy is filling the big shoes set by his dam and half sibling.  The 6.5 furlong distance I think will be a good distance for this horse, who has run well in both 6 and 7 furlong races.  If he can regain the kind of form he had in the Golden Goose Sprint he will be ultra tough, do not count him out.

6.  HENTY BANDICOOT  12-1

4H DeepImpact – Outback Bandicoot, City Zip

19:  10-4-1  $883,374  79%

Trainer:  aussie

Breeder: aussie

With a G1 win over the distance the only thing that would have played more into this colts wheelhouse would have been a yielding turf course.  He has two wins in graded stakes but both came over off tracks.  His speed figures need to improve over a firm course to put him into contention.  His last out he ran poorly and was never a factor.  Coming into this race with nearly two months off might encourage a better showing, but he looks to be a much better horse over an off track.  

7.  POLICE NOTIFIED  11-1 

4YO G  Starcraft (NZ) – Ready For Violence, More Than Ready

16:  5-5-0  $597,755  67%

Trainer:  croissanthold

Breeder:  lenny271

Another closer in the field this lightly raced gelding ran a huge race to just miss in the G1 MGD Special at 6.5 furlongs.  While this race was run over a yielding turf course, he has shown that he also performs well over a fast surace.  His last two races have not been his best however he had two huge starts in July and likely regressed a little off those efforts.  He comes in here with a full month and plenty of speed to run at.  If he gets a good trip and regains his form he should have a solid performance.

8.  DARK KEY  10-1 

5G  Dark Angel (IRE) x Indian Ridge x Wild Again

26:  6-3-8  $1392,010  65%

Trainer:  tarton16

Breeder:  jacko

A multiple G1 winner, this gelding is starting to show some age but proved last out he still has fight.  This year he has exclusively run 6 furlongs and has had a lackluster middle to his campaign.  He picked up two G1 wins at the beginning of the year and his last run was a solid third in a G2.  Connections here are hoping this means he is coming back into form and could have a strong showing here.  With multiple strong runs at 6.5 furlongs or longer the distance should not be a problem.  Could make a big run.    

9.  BUN CROSS  13-1 

4C  Behold De Buy – Zipacad, City Zip

20:  13-4-0  $810,809  85%

Trainer:  equinics

Breeder:  bluecrab

Looking at this colt, one might expect him to struggle with the 6.5 furlongs.  I do not believe this will be an issue for him.  If we look back to the beginning of his career he started on the dirt and broke his maiden at first asking, going 6 panels.  He then stretched out to 7.5 then 8 furlongs.  He faltered in the route and found himself switching surfaces and cutting back to 5.5 furlongs, where he flourished.  This ultra bargain bred then went on an 8 race winning streak, which included three stakes wins.  HIs only graded try came last otu in the 5 furlong Longchamp Sprint where he came up a head short of the win.  This horse is a sleeper and could throw a huge jump in numbers with added distance.  

10.  SIN CITY EVIL  10-1 

4C  Pioneerof The Nile – Shimmerstrike, Smart Strike

22:  10-4-2  $723,466  73%

Trainer:  icbomber11

Breeder:  stupor1

This lovely Pioneerof The Nile colt has never been off the board at 6.5 furlongs.  He threw a sparkling 120 to run second at 7 furlongs so the distance here is right in his wheelhouse.  His last out was uninspiring at 6 furlongs, but I expect him to get back on track here and have a good showing.  He has proven he can handle the class with two on the board finishes in G1 races.  Out of a G1 winning and multiple G1 producing mare it is likely only a matter of time before this colt breaks through, maybe it will be here. 

11.  BATTLEFIELD HERO  11-1 

4C  Dansili (GB) – Battlefield Earth, Diesis

21:  10-3-1  67%

Trainer:  aces1201

Breeder:  aces1201

Another 6 furlong specialist who might find the distance difficult harem this colt has run almost exclusively in G1 company at three and four.  He took on older horses last year in this race and posted a solid 110 while finishing fifth.  Since then he has won a listed and hit the board in three grade ones.  His last few races suggest he might need some rest, though he usually is not too far back at the finish and he is certainly finding the touch spots.  This will be a tough ask with the stretch out in distance and class but with almost a fifty percent win rate you can not really toss him.  

12.  GOODTOBETHEDRAGON  11-1 

3C  Sea The Stars x Kingmambo x Danehill

10:  7-1-0  $1,521,220  80%

Trainer:  aaafarms

Breeder:  kingab

This extremely talented three year old will be the only one of his age to compete against older in this sprint race.  He is cutting back to the sprint distance from four G1 races at 8 furlongs.  His last two starts saw him off the board but still posting numbers over 110.  Early in his career he flourished in sprints, picking up two of his five graded wins in the speed ranks.  With four wins and a place in five sprint starts you definitely do not want to leave this one out, even if he has been off the board in immediate history.  Will need to overcome racing against older and find his form again but still a horse to watch.  

13.  DREAM YOUR DESTINY  8-1 

5H  Oasis Dream (GB) – Delta Dawn Ranger, Dawn Approach (IRE)

19:  7-3-3  $1,195,064  68%

Trainer:  marineboy

Owner:  crimeboss1

Winner last out in the G1,  6 furlong Sprint Cup, this five year old horse is a 6 furlong specialist.  Having raced at the distance for most of his career the 6.5 is possibly for him.  He is a stakes winner at the distance, in which he ran a 110, so I doubt he will struggle, though horses have faltered when their distance is changed after running at the same one for so long.  There is no doubt about the talent this lightly raced horse exhibits and you will certainly find him on or close to the lead when the gates open.  Making his eight start this year and bringing his total to twenty seems like a lot of racing for him in one year but he has yet to show signs of wear.  Will be tough on Friday.   

14.  INVINCIBLE SCALES  9-1 

4C  Invincible Spirit (IRE) – Noetic Scales, Mizzen Mast

27:  8-8-1  $1,022,080  63%

Trainer:  godiegogo

Breeder:  godiegogo

Having not won a race in his ten starts this year, this G3 winning millionaire is looking to win big and you can not count him out.  While struggling to reach the winner circle this talented colt has run second in his last two starts this year, both 6 panel graded stakes.  He also ran second in a 7 furlong listed three starts ago.  Out of a stakes winning mare who ran sixty times, this colt has the breeding to keep trying late in his career and get the job done.  Running consistently over 110 speed figures, maybe the 6.5 furlongs here will be his sweet spot.

Good luck to all, and to all a safe trip.