The Quick Hogan Memorial
THE QUICK HOGAN MEMORIAL STAKES
In brief
Ireland Purse:$ 70,000
All horses, 3 years and up, a mile and one eighth on fast dirt. A $70,000 purse is at hand here for this close knit field of 4. We will take a look and see who we like and how the race should unfurl.
1 SHAMALANGADINGDONG(KY) 9/5 A. Reed
(FORESTRY x SEEKING THE GOLD x A.P. INDY) stormcat55 stable
On the rail we have this 3yo C, who is 4 for 5 ITM lifetime with 2 wins and to places. He ran his first stakes race in The Tabasco Wavering Special last out finishing 4th by 4 1/2 lengths, going off slight favorite over the eventual winner. After speaking to owner stormcat55 who said “the horse came back in good shape”, we will throw that race out and expect “shama” to improve here.
2 KING’S GROOM(VEN) 5/2 E C Doyle
(ERSHAAD x GONE WEST x BLUSHING GROOM) fared stable
Here we have the 273rd ranked colt in the division who owns a lifetime record on classic dirt 6 – 2 – 0 – 0. His 1st win was an Alw NW2L back in Oct. of last yr. And then in Jan. he won gate to wire in the Irish Kentucky Derby Prep I impressively by 2 lengths and his best sp # to date (90). He faultered in the Prep II last month and after catching up with the trainer for Fared Stable who replied,”King’s Groom is sharp, has a great jockey, and we have one chance only to win this race and that is from the lead and that’s to get clear of the field 3 furlongs out, if Doyle can succeed in doing that he might win because it might be hard to catch him. Otherwise he will be caught a furlong out and finish third.” Listening to him speak in such a way and seeing he is going a mile today we like his theory.
3 SPIDER PIG(KY) 8/5 L Doyle
(HARLAN’S HOLIDAY x CAPOTE x CONQUISTADOR CIELO) doliver stable
This colt named after a Simpson’s skit, won his first race at two in a glorified maiden race (ALW NW43) after running 3rd and 2nd in his two entries in MSW races. His three races while a 2yo were all at 7F and he finished ITM in all. Spider Pig has run twice (both in Ire) as a 3yo and his first effort was in Jan. losing in an ALW NW2L finishing second at 8F closing, missing by 3/4 of a length. His last outing also at 8F also an ALW he came on flying after being 8 1/4 lengths back at one time, winning easily by 2 1/4. Homer might be doing some more ceiling walking after this one.
4 AGARENI EMPIRE(KY) 3/1 Z Kentucky
(EMPIRE MAKER x PINE BLUFF x KALDOUN) orignal stable
Breaking from the outside is the longest shot in the race. He is surprisingly ranked 211th, with a record of 10 – 1 -3 -1. Hasn’t won a race since breaking his maiden in june of last yr as a 2yo. Ran 3 stakes as a 3yo and his best finish was a 2nd three races ago in Jan. This trainer has placed him all over long,short,dirt,turf.He hasn’t run bad at all and could be better than his odds say.
This writer is not sure who is going to win this race. You have a close field here to where one could take the lead and say goodbye or one sitting off the pace and shifting gears, or one coming from the back of the pack. Also depends on which horse shows up, who wants it more. It’s hard not to like Spider Pig. He looks to be improving with every race and here loooks to be a perfect setting. Then you have the only stakes winner in this race,King’s Groom who’s last race has to be thrown out and he is being shortened by owner Nickesyd racing club who resides right here in Ireland. Then you have Shamalangadingdong who could also walk away with this one.
$100 Exacta 3-2