G1, Kick The Year Off Stakes: Who will get the win in Germany on the turf?
| Germany (GER) Saturday, January 2, 2021 — 12:30:00 PM EST | Race ID : 2601188 | |
| kick the year off stakes | |
| Grade I / Group 1 – Sponsored – Purse : $500,000 | |
| Restricted to 4 Year Olds and Older | |
| 10 Furlongs | ~2000 Meters | One Mile and One Quarter | Firm Turf |
I guess none of us should be surprised by much after the 2020 year we have had in real life. My brow did kind of raise when I saw that this New Year’s weekend there were no CPU Graded Stakes races carded. I am sure that there are many that appreciate those that have sponsored the few Graded races that were purchased in light of the lack in the sim. I also extend my appreciation to those sponsoring Graded races this weekend as it gave me something to look forward to and preview. The G1, Kick The Year Off Stakes will be restricted to horses 4 years old and up. It will be across a Firm Turf track and at a distance of 10 furlongs. This race has drawn a nice field of horses and should shape up to be a barn burner come Saturday in Germany. Most all the horses in this field are well decorated and have shown they have the credentials to be here and compete. There is much excitement in the air over at the barns as the owners and jockeys make final preparation for Saturday’s race. The odds makers have the morning line set and the post positions have been drawn. So let us now take a quick preview of the horses that will be running in the G1, Kick The Year Off Stakes in Germany.
| 1 | MIHALI THE GREAT | AUS | 5M | lawdro | T Monk | 25 | 11 | 68% | $10,589,242 | 88.00 | 5/1 |
In the first gate in the race we find this highly decorated four year old Brown Colt. He is coming into this race as the top money winner and he was sired by Not A Single Doubt. He is an EOY Award winner and is coming in after a win in his last outing. He did have three races prior to that of which he failed to hit the boards against G1 company. But in his last time out he ran 10.5 furlongs in New Zealand in the G3, Lipstick Gold Cup. He was in fifth at the third call and over three lengths off the lead. His jockey got him to rally down the stretch and he got up for the win by just over a length. When he heads to his gate on Saturday here in Germany this closer will be going off as the morning line favorite in this field. His owner has decided on a jockey change for this race and has contracted with jockey, T Monk who will be coming in from Spain to take to the saddle. It will be interesting to see how this pair will match up when they head out to the turf to the cheers of an excited crowd.
| 2 | KITTY B | KY | 4M | eurobarn | L Fenner | 12 | 6 | 100% | $2,217,150 | 416.00 | 11/1 |
This is a nice looking three year old Light Grey Colt and is a scratch bred (KITTEN’S JOY x DUBAI MILLENNIUM x THEATRICAL) and that is a multiple G1 winner this season. This colt went out on 08/02/2020 in the Equinics G1, Solar System at 9.5 furlongs and picked up a very prestigious win by 3 ½ lengths. He then ran in the G2, Early Months Stakes where if hit the wire in third and in his most recent trip to the track he went out on 10/31/2020 in Victoria going 10 furlongs in the G1, The Mc Kinnon. He had another big race that day as he took the lead at the third call and went on to win by 2 ½ lengths. This horse has not been off the boards all season and looks to be a in good form after that 120 speed rating in his last race. The owner has called in jockey, L Fenner from Japan for this race. This is a familiar pairing and the jockey should know what he is doing with this horse. They will be heading out to their gate in the post parade representing the Hoosier Racing residency.
| 3 | YARRAVILLE JUSTICE | KY | 5G | pasm | GD Mate | 19 | 5 | 63% | $255,216 | 21.75 | 8/1 |
This four year old Brown Gelding was sired by Awesome Again and has been improving over the course of his last four race of which should be noted. He is coming off two straight wins in his last two outings. One was in an Allowance race in Paris back in October and the most recent win came on 11/29/2020 in Queensland going 10 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Aly Dee Lc Turf Route. This horse likes to be at or near the front and in this race he made a nice gate to wire run with a 118 speed to get up for the win by over two lengths. The owner has put in the call to jockey, GD Mate from New Zealand to come in and take to the irons for this race. If this horse can bring that 118 speed forward with him as he jumps up in Class he may have a shot here when they head to the turf representing the Universal Racing Club residency.
| 4 | THEROCKTHATBOREU | SKOR | 5M | thewordstables3 | A Fairfield | 16 | 5 | 56% | $265,138 | 24.00 | 9/1 |
This four year old Bay Colt is a scratch bred (ROCK HARD TEN x STORM BIRD x DYNAFORMER) and has some consistency issues on the track recently for his owner. He ran here in Germany on 08/22/2020 in the G3, The Rennen Classic at 10 furlongs and never got off the block. He showed up a disappointing tenth place in that race. In his most recent race he was ready to show that his prior race may have just been an off day. He again ran here in Germany on 10/17/2020 going 11 furlongs in the G3, New Oak Stakes of which he got up for second in that race with a 115 speed rating. His jockey, A Fairfield coming in from Arkansas will need to get this horse to remain in tune for this race and see if he can get him to fire for a big run when they head out to their post draw representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 5 | KISTILI | KY | 5G | kingmambo | T Small | 18 | 5 | 50% | $421,189 | 25.50 | 13/1 |
This four year old Light Grey Gelding was sired by Kitten’s Joy and he had a good thing going with three straight wins to his record. In Japan on 09/26/2020 he put together a nice run going 11 furlongs in the G2, Spankie-Sho All Comers. He moved up quick to grab the lead at the third call and went flying down the stretch to capture the win by 3 ½ lengths. Then he came out for his most recent race in China on 11/15/2020 in the G1, The Singapore Cup. This would not be a good day for this G2 winner when he never found his footing and was never a factor crossing the wire way back in twelfth place. He will need to show some marked improvement from that last race under the guidance of jockey, T Small who is the top local jockey here in Germany. This jockey does know how to ride horses and will hopefully be able to give this horse a good trip. They should get some local support at the betting window when they head out in the post parade representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 6 | IMBIL KERIP | ENG | 4M | sparadise | M Scott | 10 | 5 | 50% | $197,000 | 28.00 | 22/1 |
This is a three year old Bay Colt sired by Dubawi that has seen the good and the bad this season in his races. He seems to have difficulty in that transition to face Graded company. He has show success at the Allowance and Listed Stakes level, but when moving up in Class to Graded races he has shown to be timid against some of the more seasoned Graded horses. On 10/10/2020 he ran in Ireland going 10 furlongs in a $67,500 Allowance of which he showed well. He ran a 115 speed in that race and got up by well over 4 lengths for the win. His owner then jumped him up to a Graded race on 11/21/2020 in South Africa going 10 furlongs and this proved to be a very difficult race for this horse and he was never a factor in this field. He crossed the wire way back in sixth place. His owner continues to have confidence in his horse that is going off as one of the long choices in the morning line. The owner calls in jockey, M Scott from Thailand for this race. This jockey is familiar to this horse and they have done well together in the past at the Allowance level. This pair will be headed out to their gate at post time representing the Midas residency.
| 7 | BRUSHING | IRE | 4M | titleist | H Harzheim | 11 | 4 | 55% | $1,256,305 | 59.00 | 24/1 |
There is a lot of pedigree in this three year old Bay Colt sired by Sea The Stars and is out of EOY, HOF winning mare, Gushing. He is going off as one of the longer choices in this field, but I tend to question this. This horse has been running longer races of 12 furlongs and up in his last five trips to the track and perhaps this is, along with a bad last outing could be the reason the odds makers give him a little snub. This horse back in June went 16 furlongs and won the G3, The Queen’s Flower Pot in Berkshire. Next he ran 12 furlongs in Surrey in the G2, The Great Volt of which he went gait to wire. He then ran on 10/03/2020 in Ontario going 12 furlongs in the G1, Canada Turf. Then it was off to his most recent outing in Kentucky where he ran on 11/07/2020 in the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Turf. This was a big race against some of the best horses around. He came in seventh in that race and perhaps why his odds are not better in the morning line here in Germany. But I feel you have to kind of have to ignore that last race and give him a better shot here. His favorite jockey, H Harzheim will be in the saddle again for this race and there is no question that they know how to work together. This pairing will be headed out to their post draw on Saturday representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 8 | MASTER OF RIBBONS | ENG | 5M | hofcadet | R Dowell | 15 | 4 | 73% | $1,381,656 | 116.00 | 10/1 |
This is another well bred four year old Bay Colt and he was sired by Pivotal and is out of EOY, HOF mare, Neo Forty. This horse when running well runs very well, and when he is not…well it can be disappointing. Back in April 2020 He had a big day under the lights of Paris going 10.5 furlongs in the G1, The Good Day. He took control in the stretch and got up for the win with a 113 speed. Another notable race was in August when he ran 10 furlongs in Illinois in the G1, Windy City Turf Classic. He was way back in twelfth at the third call and this closer was making up ground quick in his stretch run to get up for second with a 116 speed. In his last trip to the track in Newmarket on 10/17/2020 things were not so cheery that day. He ran 10 furlongs in the G1, Eclipse Stakes and simply faltered. He was not on his game and he ran a very disappointing race. This has to bring concern to this owner who is looking for much better out of this horse. He calls in jocky, R Dowell from New South Wales. Perhaps this new jockey change will respark the fire in this horse and get him back as a contender in this race. They will be headed out to their gate draw for this race representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 9 | RYANS MENTAL | AUS | 5M | tonguetie | B Doherty | 21 | 5 | 57% | $458,063 | 104.50 | 9/1 |
This is a four year old Light Grey Colt sired by Not A Single Doubt. Back in September 2020 he showed that he had the Class and speed to compete against Graded company. He ran 10 furlongs in Ireland in the G3, The Plaid Skirt. It was to be his day when he came from over five back to get up for the win. His Next trip was in California in October in the G1, The Roberto Clemente. He was game enough that day with a jump in Class to cross the wire in second. His most recent trip out came on 11/21/2020 in South Africa where he went 10 furlongs in the G1, Jolly Summer Cup. He made an effort but it was not enough to get him to the boards when he crossed the wire in fourth. This horse has the speed when he wishes to show it off. He will have jockey, B Doherty from India coming in to take the mount up top for this race. The jockey will need to bring out all of the best in this horse when they break from their gate representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 10 | YOULAUGHINGATME | IRE | 5M | trotking4 | K Ledwith | 19 | 5 | 63% | $1,068,846 | 117.00 | 8/1 |
This four year old Bay Colt sired by Fastnet Rock is a prior G2 winner that has been close to getting that G1 trip to the winners circle a couple of times this season. This has thus far eluded him, but he seeks to change that on Saturday here in Germany. In September he ran 10 furlongs in New Zealand in the G1, The Osmonds Memorial. He hit a clip of a 114 speed that day and just missed as he came in second by a head. His most recent race came on 10/831/2020 in Victoria when he went 10 furlongs in the G1, The McKinnon. He was cruising along nice in second but in the stretch he simply gave up and came in seventh some ten lengths back. The owner has placed the call to jockey, K Ledwith from Japan to take this trip with his horse. This pairing will be head out to represent the Empire Racing Residency.
| 11 | KACHIMBA | KY | 5M | ariannys4 | R Wilhite | 16 | 3 | 50% | $139,045 | 9.50 | 10/1 |
This is a four year old Bay Colt who is a scratch bred (BERNARDINI x MR. PROSPECTOR x NORTHERN DANCER) and that has seen his ups and downs. In September in the G3, Autumn Stakes in Surrey he hit the boards in third with a 111 speed. He backed down in Class to run a listed stakes in Paris going 12 furlongs in the War Ransom Turf Challenge of which he crossed the wire in second. His most recent outing came at 12 furlongs in Japan in the G1, Japan Classic. This trip was met with much disappoint when he crossed the wire fourteen lengths back in ninth place. He is going to need to show much improvement here in Germany if he is to prove a contender in this field. The owner calls in jockey, R Wilhite from South Africa to take to the saddle with his horse in Saturdays race. He will need to bring his stiff whip and bring out the best performance in this horse if he wishes to keep him competitive in this race. They will be heading out to their gate draw representing the Ariannys Residency.
| 12 | CROSSOVER KING | JPN | 4M | scarletngray | V Gardner | 10 | 2 | 60% | $94,724 | 4.00 | 39/1 |
This three year old Bay Colt sired by King Kamehameha will be going off as the longest choice in the morning line for this race. Honestly I can kind of see why. He has never placed above the Allowance level of racing and his speed ratings just do not factor up against the stronger horses in this field. He has not picked up a trip to the boards since winning an Allowance race back in April. The jockey that will be riding in this race will be V Gardner who is flying in from Florida. This pair will be headed out to the turf on Saturday representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 13 | TIME FOR A RING | IRE | 5G | zkingab5 | R Haffner | 18 | 8 | 67% | $2,054,104 | 312.00 | 6/1 |
This horse is a four year old Bay Gelding that is sired by Galileo and is out of HOF mare, Thirteenth Date. This horse has had a nice 2020 season and found six wins in this last seven races. The one race he lost he came in four and off the boards in Ontario which was in October at a distance of 12 furlongs that appeared to be just a little long and out of his reach. He steps back down to 10 furlongs here in Germany on Saturday and I would look forward to another good performance out of this horse. In his last trip to the track he ran 10 furlongs on 11/21/2020 in South Africa. He ran a remarkable race with a 119 speed rating. He responded down the stretch for his jockey and got up for the win by over a length for his third G1 win during the 2020 season. On Saturday he will have jockey, R Haffner from New York. This pairing will be headed out at post time representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 14 | FEISTY DANCER | IRE | 6M | unc1 | C Snowden | 17 | 5 | 59% | $265,020 | 20.00 | 8/1 |
Last out we have this five year old Bay Horse that is a scratch bred (GLENEAGLES x DANEHILL DANCER x KINGMAMBO) who has only won one race during 2020 and never hit the boards in any other starts. On 11/01/2020 he went out in Surrey to run 9.5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Scotch Whiskey Turf Route he had a very nice race that day with a 117 speed to get up for the win. His most recent race came on 11/28/2020 going 9.5 furlongs in the G1, Galileo in Paris. This was another failed effort at the Graded level for this horse when he ran ninth and was never a factor in this field. The jockey for this Saturdays race will be C Snowden in the saddle to guide this horse. They will be headed out to their far outside gate representing the Universal Racing Club residency.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
1-Mihali The Great: Skipped defending his title in the G1, Winter Cup. There might be a good reason.
2-Kitty B: Equinics champion and coming off a G1 win his last out with a 120 speed.
13-Time For A Ring: Coming off a nice G1 win at the distance with a 119 speed. Needs a look here.
Tarton’s Long Shot
7-Brushing: May have gotten a little snub in the morning line. He is looking pretty fit for this race and at 24/1 odds needs to get on some exotic tickets at the betting window. I am going to give him a chance on Saturday and with a good effort he could find the boards.