Turf Milers Compete For Huge Prize
Back on March 3, it was announced by Richgins on the Sim’s message board that a HUGE event was coming… The Reuben Garr Memorial Stakes, a Grade 1 contest at 8 furlongs on the sod. In addition to the $550k purse, 3000 credits were placed on the line, 1500 to the winner… In addition to THAT, Kingab donated a regally-bred 2yo filly named Pop’s Passion, to go to the owner of the winner!
This announcement has drawn a strong field of 20 that has so far collectively earned over $11 million and some 25 graded-stakes trophies.
Heading the field is 5/1 favorite SIP OF SAKI, winner of three graded-stakes in his last eight starts. Ably trained by bjbandit2, he comes into this race off a 3rd-place showing in the G1 Sand Castle Free Duty at Dubai. Top rider N Lawton hopes to help the 6yo son of Sakhee make amends today and clear the $4 mil mark in earnings. Lawton is confident he can keep his charge close enough to bring that patented stretch charge into play. Watch for this one to be flying late, but also note that he last raced only four weeks ago, the shortest race interval in his recent PP’s. Will he have all his usual zip in the lane?
The second choice in the morning line is RED RAVEN, at 7/1. This jonsnow2 speedball has had trouble hanging on against top company around 2 turns in the past, but he wired a solid G1 field at Ireland at this distance in his last, while garnering his fourth stakes win (the last 2 graded, no less) in a row. Improving? Almost undoubtedly. Enough to win this? To find out, we’ll have to see how much energy 9%-winning jock J Migliore can keep in reserve. The Raven is 2-for-3 on this turf course, all early in his career.
Third choice at 9/1 is opinora’s ROCK BALLAD, ridden by 10%-winning jock W Jenkins. This Seeking The Gold 4yo colt has been competing with the big boys, having run his last 7 times against graded company. He’s run 4th or better in all except his last, a well-beaten 6th in the 9-furlong Gr. 1 Explosive Bet Stakes at Louisiana. If this guy can break free of Red Raven he’ll be tough to catch, but a speed duel seems to be the more likely scenario.
WOODYNA, at 10/1, has the fastest speed-figure showing here, a toasty 120 in crushing a 20-horse field in the Minnesota Mile. However, that effort seems to have taken a bit of the wind out of his sails, as he has posted three somewhat sub-par efforts since then. Still, he has a strong jock aboard, and oneworld’s stable group has shown they know how to handle good ones, with quite a few black-type earners in their barns. A stalking trip is possible here, and might just be what brings a top effort out of the 5yo son of Woodman.
The improving THE CITY FLY is next choice, at 12/1, despite having only tried stakes company twice, with a 2nd and a 3rd to show for it. Trainer dessie is confident that we haven’t seen the best effort from this 5yo son of Theatrical, and that he can make some noise today, despite having a 6% rider aboard.
At 13/1 is the lightly-raced BURGAZADA, a 4yo daughter of Danehill Dancer. This hamster filly has only faced the starter 9 times, and only 6 times on the sod. Still, she has shown tons of talent, and seems ideally suited to this distance. She’s beaten males before, but not of this race’s quality. She has drawn the services of a fine jock in the 11% J Rolling.
SENOR ANZIO will go off at 14/1. This elranchoti-trained 6yo has really come into his own this year! His last race, his first-ever stakes try, resulted in a dominating win and a 114 speed rating. A solid jock has taken the mount, and elranchoti’s stable group wins a very high percentage of races. This could very well be a “live one”!
Also at 14/1 is KALEIDOSCOPE EYES, a handsome 4yo colt trained by derbybound. 9% jock V Jefferson rides. So far in this colt’s career, he’s been awesome against everything put on the track with him… except graded-stakes types. Can a turnaround be in the skies… with diamonds?
The last of the 14/1 trio is SADLER SEEKER. This 5yo son of Seeking The Gold was apparently on track for stardom last year, with several strong performances (and a couple wins) in graded races. Then, he tried the Breeders’ Bowl Mile and something went awry, as he finished a well-beaten 8th. Since then, the tenpin6 has seen little go right, only managing one allowance win. P Davis (9%) rides, as Seeker continues to attempt a return to past glories.
Up-and-coming 4yo colt JUDAS goes off at 15/1 for trainer zwylde. This son of Green Desert seems to fire big in big races, going 2-for-3 in his only graded stakes attempts. The fine rider E Cunningham (15%) handles the assignment for this member of sdmf’s powerful stable group. Can’t really say if he’ll be up to the task today, but JUDAS has the makings of one to watch.
HOEGAARDEN, a son of Gone West, goes off at 16/1 for trainer simster6 of Lenny’s “Evil Empire” stable group. Gotta admit… That Lenny doesn’t back away from a challenge! This colt has battled many of the best Sim turfers this year, managing a couple nice wins.
Another at 16/1 is CK RED DUBAI, from the docoz barn. The horse has ability, but will likely be a victim of the expected early-speed duel.
CROATOAN is in at 17/1 for the powerful sangster barn. The son of Red Ransom has shown ability, but hasn’t been able to deal with stakes-level company. A 3% jock doesn’t aid things, either.
STRAVINSKY SUNSET goes at 21/1 for theodore13, of the huge “Theo Stables” conglomerate. The Stravinsky colt broke through for his first stakes win last out and is running better than ever, but he’s going to need much improvement to be able to contend here.
THEATROMANIA is 22/1 and represents the racer stable. He’s been unable to get a win since being moved up to stakes-class racing.
BOTTICELLI SANDOR has never been in a stakes race and goes at 31/1. The 4yo Pientre Celebre colt from the auror barn has been solid so far, but this spot is probably too much.
Also at 31/1 is URBAN S[EED ZONE, representing the commbank stable. He’s won a couple listed stakes and a few allowances, but steps into the big leagues here. His jock is 0-for-28 so far this year. Not a whole lot to recommend today.
The fact that JUST BEFORE AGAIN won a Gr. 3 stakes on this very turf course just 5 races ago and yet is 34/1 speaks to the high quality of this field. Of course, his high odds also speak to the fact that he was apparently injured in his next start just two weeks later and that he’s been unable to achieve a win since then, though he’s gotten close. Trainer chuckrock is hoping for continued improvement.
RUN LIKE RUMSFELD will be looking for WMD’s at 64/1. The 4yo Theatrical colt is improving fast for the monimonica stables, but has never tried stakes company on the sod. Very tough spot.here to try.
The tote-board buster here, A CASE IN POINT, is listed at 99/1 on the morning line, but will likely go off at a much higher price. She used to be a pretty solid graded-stakes runner, but fell rather suddenly and mysteriously on hard times and was last seen in a $2500 claimer, from which she was promptly grabbed by the tsunami4 barn. Going up against proven graded-stakes males will be a very tough thing to do, even if the 4yo filly suddenly goes back to her 3yo form.
I’ll be watching and not betting… Good luck to all the participants!