Equinics – Eskimo Curlew

2022 Equinics Eskimo Curlew – Saturday February 26, 2022 at 2.00pm EST.

Grade 1/Group 1 $1.25M 4yo+

12 Furlongs/2400 Dirt.

Massive weekend in Vermont with all the Equinics action. This is the Eskimo Curlew which apparently is an endangered bird. 12F on the fast dirt track. Lets take a look at this field of exciting runners.

1. 28113 – Activism (Lord Kanaloa) Owned by xpansion7 – Jockey – B. Ball 14/1.

4yo colt with nice overall record of 12-6-1-3 and banking $355K. Step up to G1 company for the first time but looks more than capable. Last start he was 3^rd in the Lite Bro Dirt Special 12F. Sat 6^th around 14 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th still around 11.5 lengths from the lead but finished very strongly the last furlong to go down by just over 2 lengths with an SP of 111. Prior to that he won the Peyresurde Dirt Stayer 11.5F. Sat 3^rd around 9 lengths from the lead. Moved to 2^nd, still nearly 7 lengths off them on the turn, but finished very hard the last furlong to get up on the wire by a neck with an SP of 110. Before that he won the Thicket Whatson Dirt Stayer 12F. Sat 4^th over 8 lengths from the lead. Moved to 3^rd, still 5.5 lengths off them on the turn but finished powerfully the last furlong to win by just over a length with an SP of 108. Been really good of late around today’s distance range and looks a major threat here despite the odds.

2. 21111 – Invasion of Ants (Normandy Invasion) Owned by 2021bulbs4 – Jockey – B. Wu 12/1.

5yo gelding with nice record of 13-6-2-2 and banking $216k. Picket fence all in Allowance races. Ready to step up here. Last start he won a 10F Allowance. Sat 2^nd around 1.5 lengths from the early lead. Still 2^nd only ¼ of a length off them on the turn and edged away the last furlong to win by 2 lengths with an SP of 113. Prior to that he won an 11F Allowance. Led early by nearly a length. Broke away by 2 lengths on the turn and was very strong the last furlong going on to win by 3 lengths with an SP of 102. Before that he won a 10F Allowance. Sat 2^nd around 3 lengths from the lead. Took over and kicked clear by over 4 lengths on the turn and was very strong the last furlong, winning by 3 lengths with an SP of 112. Proving way to good for allowance company and ready to step up here. Should be competitive.

3. 16418 – Park the Alpha (Ocean Park) Owned by tarton34 – Jockey – E. Seifert 14/1.

5yo horse with overall record of 22-6-2-2 and banking $247k. Strangely having his first try on the dirt here and picked a tough one for his debut. Last start he was 8^th in the G3 Gary Trent Stakes 12F Turf. Sat 5^th around 11 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 7^th, still 9.5 lengths off them on the turn and faded badly late, beaten nearly 17 lengths with an SP of 107. Prior to that he won the Ks Okkasion Turf Stayer 13F Turf. Sat 2^nd, around 6 lengths from the lead. Took over by a neck on the turn and raced away the last furlong to win by over 2 lengths with an SP of 109. Before that he was 4^th in the Rise to Kip Turf Route 10F Turf. Sat 5^th around 1 length off the early lead. Moved to 3^rd, still 1.5 lengths off them on the turn and battled away the last furlong, beaten nearly 2 lengths with an SP of 108. On breeding you would say definitely not for dirt but stranger things have happened. If he can run on the surface, he has a chance.

4. 21221 – Madcap Mo (Uncle Mo) Owned by myjuliet – Jockey – S. Tate 13/1.

4yo colt with nice record of 11-3-4-1 and banking $205k. Been racing well since the switch to dirt. Step up here but looks capable. Last start he won the Awesome Force Dirt Stayer 12F. Sat 4^th around 8 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 2^nd around 3 lengths off them on the turn and raced clear the last furlong to win by over 2 lengths with an SP of 115. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the Wisdom Tooth Dirt Endurance 11.5F. Sat 2^nd around 3 lengths from the lead. Took over by a neck on the turn and was just nabbed on the wire, going down by a head with an SP of 113. Before that he was 2^nd in the Placebo Dirt Stayer 12F. Led early by 2.5 lengths. Still nearly 3 lengths in front on the turn and just grabbed the last furlong to go down by a length with an SP of 110. Big step up here but he looks the goods. Been terrific of late and now stepping up to G1 company but looks good and should be very competitive. Major player.

5. 11214 – Snugglepuff (Brahms) Owned by teacherlay9 – Jockey – V. Jennings 13/1.

5yo gelding with nice overall record of 16-5-3-2 and banking $287k. Been racing well of late and competitive in G1 race LTO. Last start he was 4^th in the G1 Big Apple 14F. Sat 2^nd around a length from the early lead. Still 2^nd over 2.5 lengths from them on the turn and faded the last furlong, beaten 6 lengths with an SP of 110. Prior to that he won a Local Championship Stakes 16F on a good track. Led early by 5 lengths. Kicked 5.5 lengths clear on the turn and was never in doubt the last furlong, winning by 4.5 lengths with an SP of 107. Before that he was 2^nd in a Local Championship Stakes 10F. Sat 9^th around 16 lengths from the lead. Moved to 5^th, still nearly 12 lengths off them on the turn but rallied hard the last furlong, beaten just over 2 lengths with an SP of 111. Very versatile gelding who can lead or come from behind. Distance range is no issue and should be competitive in a tough race.

6. 11121 – Luterano (Ghostzapper) Owned by lucia10 – Jockey – O A Haack 14/1.

7yo horse who has overall record 10-4-2-1 and banking $138k. Very lightly raced 7yo who has been in terrific form of late. Big step up here but should be competitive. Last start he won a 12F Equinics ALW 12F. Led early by 1.2 length. Moved over 5 lengths in front of them on the turn and stayed on very strongly the last furlong to win by 3 lengths with an SP of 112. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the Houston Mount Dirt Route 10.5F. Sat 7^th around 8.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 6^th, still around 6.5 lengths from them on the turn and finished well the last furlong, beaten just over 2 lengths with an SP of 112. Before that he won a 10F Allowance. Led by 1.5 lengths early. Was 2.5 lengths in front on the turn and maintained that all the way to the line with an SP of 116. Last 3 runs have been superb and was good LTO over this distance. Might get a soft lead and be hard to run down. Chance.

7. 56440 – Air Force Jamison (Air Force Blue) Owned by wando – Jockey – G. Owans 19/1.

4yo gelding with overall record of 20-5-2-0 and banking $141k. Been okay in a lot lesser grade and over a lot shorter trip than the 12F today. Last start he was 12^th in the Wild Trips Turf Route 9F Turf. Sat 10^th around 14 lengths from the early lead. Dropped to 12^th, around 22 lengths off them on the turn and plodded the last furlong, beaten 33.5 lengths with an SP of 82. Prior to that he was 4^th in the Christmas Girls Stakes 8F. Sat 12^th around 8 lengths from the lead. Moved to 11^th, still over 7 lengths off them on the turn and made some ground late, beaten 5 lengths with an SP of 110. Before that he was 4^th in the Bone Roaming Dirt Special 8F. Sat 7^th around 7 lengths from the lead. Was 5^th, still 6 lengths off them on the turn and made steady ground the last furlong, beaten 2.5 lengths with an SP of 113. Did not handle the turf at all LTO and total forgive run. If he can run the trip, then he has a chance. Maybe.

8. 11121 – Stuck on Stupid TB (Sea the Stars) Owned by sonnysires – Jockey – T. Ace 11/1.

5yo horse with nice overall record of 17-5-5-2 and banking $250k. Been racing in great from of late albeit in easier. Adept on all surfaces and no problem with the trip. Last start he won the Minnesota Testbarn Classic Stakes 10F. Sat 4^th around 4 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 3^rd around 3 lengths off them on the turn and just got up on the wire to win by a head with an SP of 114. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the Stormy Bluff Dirt Memorial 12F. Sat 5^th around 8 lengths from the lead. Moved to 4^th, still nearly 6 lengths off them on the turn and finished well the last furlong, beaten 2 lengths with an SP of 112. Before that he won a 12F Allowance. Sat 2^nd by a neck early on. Kicked 2.5 lengths in front on the turn and raced clear the last furlong to win by 5 lengths with an SP of 109. Very nice stats at this distance and must be included. Step up to G1. Big chance.

9. 19043 – Sheventy Sheven (Cupid) Owned by hoosier12 – Jockey – H. McCoy 22/1.

5yo gelding with record of 20-4-2-2 and banking $127k. Been in fair form of late but big step up here. Last start he was 3^rd in the Hoosier Racing Mistletoe Stakes 10F. Sat 11^th around 14.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 5^th, still 10.5 lengths off them on the turn and made steady ground the last furlong, beaten 1.5 lengths with an SP of 106. Prior to that he was 4^th in a 11F Allowance. Sat 7^th around 8 lengths from the lead. Was 5^th, around 6 lengths off them on the turn and was steady to the line, beaten 2.5 lengths with an SP of 100. Before that he was 11^th in the Hoosier Racing Golden Gate Stakes 9F. Sat 10^th around 11 lengths from the lead. Moved to 10^th on the turn, still 11 lengths off them and faded badly the last furlong, beaten 18 lengths with an SP of 96. Would need a career best to be competitive here but can run a cheeky race. Outside chance.

10. 41551 – Radical Violence (Violence) Owned by rabid2 – Jockey – Z. Kentucky 7/1.

5yo gelding with overall record of 20-7-0-2 and banking $693k. Racing well in graded company of late. Last start he won the G2 Grey Fox 13F. Sat 6^th around 12.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 2^nd, within a length off them on the turn and powered away the last furlong to win by just over 5 lengths with an SP of 113. Prior to that he was 5^th in the G1 Breeder’s Bowl Dirt Marathon 14F. Sat 11^th around 17 lengths from the lead. Moved to 9^th, still 12.5 lengths off them on the turn and passed a few tired horses late, beaten 12.5 lengths with an SP of 107. Before that he was 5^th in the G1 Monster Mash 14F. Sat 6^th around 13 lengths from the lead. Moved to 6^th, still nearly 11 lengths off them on the turn and battled home okay the last furlong, beaten just over 8 lengths with an SP of 107. Back in distance but has been super at this distance previously. Should be running on strongly from the back. Threat.

11. 55241 – Classic Roady (Classic Empire) owned by katinka – Jockey – R. Whisper 14/1.

4yo colt with record of 17-3-2-3 and banking $222k. form of late has been very good in easier. Needs to step up again here. Last start he won the Coastal Mining Dirt Special 12F. Sat 8^th around 12 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 5^th, still over 8 lengths from them on the turn and powered home the last furlong to win by ¾ of a length with an SP of 112. Prior to that he was 4^th in the Wisdom Tooth Dirt Endurance 11.5F. Sat 9^th around 12.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 8^th, still nearly 8 lengths off them on the turn and ran home okay the last furlong, beaten nearly 3 lengths with an SP of 111. Before that he was 2^nd in the Son Sliding Dirt Stayer 11F. Sat 6^th around 15 lengths from the lead. Moved to 4^th around 9 lengths off them on the turn and ran home well the last furlong, beaten just over 3 lengths with an SP of 111. Been consistent of late and no reason he won’t be good again here. Really nice win over this distance at latest. Big chance.

12. 12427 – Let Me Be Cadet (Maclean’s Music) Owned by cadetrx – Jockey – R. Dowell 6/1.

6yo horse with very nice overall record of 25-10-4-2 and banking $2.5 million. Been racing well in G1 company of late. Last start he was 7^th in the G1 Big Apple 14F. Sat 6^th around 14 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 5^th but still nearly 15 lengths off them on the turn and just plodded the last furlong, beaten just over 13 lengths with an SP of 105. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the G1 Breeder’s Bowl Dirt Marathon 14F. Sat 5^th around 12 lengths from the lead. Moved to 4^th around 6 lengths off them on the turn and was solid to the line, beaten just over 4 lengths with an SP of 112. Before that he was 4^th in the G1 Seattle Slayer 16F. Sat 5^th around 14 lengths from the lead. Moved to 3^rd, still 13 lengths off them on the turn and battled away well to the line, beaten 6.5 lengths with an SP of 111. Form is solid at 12F and the drop back in distance may see him running on strongly at the end. Major player.

13. 91311 – Honor His Deity (Honor Code) owned by willyam13 – Jockey – B. Alexander 9/1.

4yo colt with excellent record of 13-6-1-3 and banking $235k. Been in red hot form of late albeit in easier but deserves his chance here. Last start he won the Secret’s Untouched Dirt Stayer 12F. Sat 3^rd around 9 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 2^nd around 4 lengths off them on the turn and powered away the last furlong to win by 3 lengths with an SP of 118. Prior to that he won a 10F Allowance on good track. Sat 3^rd around 9.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 2^nd around 5.5 lengths from them on the turn and raced away the last furlong to win easily by 4 lengths with an SP of 113. Before that he was 3^rd in the Slewpy Knock Dirt Route 9.5F. Sat 4^th around 2.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 2^nd around 1 length off them on the turn and just faded late, beaten 2.5 lengths with an SP of 115. Really nice horse whose form is irresistible of late and has to be a huge chance here in his first G1 foray. Huge win over this distance at latest. Yes.

14. 11714 – Tappin Street Cap (Tapit) Owned by bulldogtoo – Jockey – E. Bernstein 6/1.

5yo horse with nice record of 16-8-1-3 and banking $434k. Good form of late but another step up in grade here. Last start he was 4^th in the Mambo Bones Dirt Route 10F. Sat 13^th around 15 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 11^th around 11 lengths off them on the turn and ran home okay, beaten 6.5 lengths with an SP of 114. Prior to that he won the Auror World Dirt Route 10.5F. Sat 8^th around 8.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 5^th around 5 lengths off them on the turn and rounded them up quickly the last furlong to win by just over 3 lengths with an SP of 114. Before that he was 7^th in the G2 Crooklyn Hcp 12F. Sat 13^th around 18 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 13^th around 16 lengths off them on the turn and finished steadily the last furlong, beaten just over 8 lengths with an SP of 108. His last run over the distance was poor but got too far back. Hopefully he stays in touch and launch late. Chance.

15. 27141 – Shift Yourself (English Channel) Owned by plano9 – Jockey – C. Orza 8/1.

5yo horse with nice record of 20-9-3-1 and banking $567k. Been in pretty good form of late and should make his presence felt here. Last start he won the Mississippi Gulch Dirt Stayer 12F. Sat 5^th around 6 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 2^nd around 3 lengths off them on the turn but powered home the last furlong to win by 1.5 lengths with an SP of 114. Prior to that he was 4^th in the G2 Grey Fox 13F. Sat 2^nd around 6 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 4^th around 3 lengths off them on the turn but faded badly the last furlong, beaten 17.5 lengths with an SP of 100. Before that he won the Eruption Dirt Stayer 13F. Sat 4^th around 6 lengths from the lead. Took over by just under a length on the turn and raced clear the last furlong to win by 2 lengths with an SP of 118. Poor run in G2 company two back, but either side was very good. Can he step up in this grade? Chance.

Impossible race to handicap with so many chances and no one would be a big surprise. Plenty of value to be found.

                  13. Honor His Deity – Going with the in-form horse here. Huge win last start over this route and looks a major player here. 9/1.

                  4. Madcap Mo – Another in-form horse who looks to be a major player here at very good odds. 13/1.

                  6. Luterano – Another horse who is in great form. Hopes to get a soft lead and be hard to run down. 14/1