G1 The Queen’s Spring Cup

Off to Hong Kong we go for this G1 race. A field of 11 will go 10 furlongs for the $750,000 purse. Let’s take a look at the field:

#1 Gorosaurus (No residency) 10/1

The Good: This one was very competitive in his prime. Winner of a variety of graded races including the G3 Marcy’s Fort and G2 Fivestarnick Handicap. Best finish going a mile was a 2nd in the G2 Canada Mile. Was bred from G3 winning colt Celtic Nightmare. Holds the best speed figure in the field.

The Not So Good: His prime was a long time ago. This 8 year old gelding has only raced once since February 2020 and that was a 2nd place finish in an allowance. Those stakes victories are coming up on 3 years now. His best distances might also have been a touch longer than this.

Case for the Win: He will have to pretend it is the summer of 2019 and run back to the form he had in those graded races.

#2 Elite Air (Elite Racing Stable) 4/1

The Good: 2 wins in his last 3, earning a stop for his residency in the 2022 Equinics. A solid 4th place showing in that proved this one still has some left in the tank. Was a winner of the G2 Bernie Baruch last summer. Speed figures put him in the mix for this one.

The Not So Good: Hasn’t been over successful the few tries at the distance. That might be nitpicking as I would have to think the added distance won’t hurt him. The speed figure did dip a bit last out, so hope that isn’t the start of a trend for this 6 year old.

Case For The Win: Springboards the nice showing at the Equincs with the added distance and comes rolling down the stretch to catch them all late.

#3 Watsky (Megalopolis Racing Circuit) 9/1

The Good: Out of G1 Winning dam Rapper Sword Dance. This one won the G2 Deauville going away last summer. Career earnings of $1 million. Has spent the majority of career going farther than this distance, so stamina will not be an issue. Nice 2nd place allowance showing two back at this distance.

The Not So Good: Consistency has been an issue for this one lately. Finished 21 lengths back last out, but maybe scratch that off as it was on soft turf. The two tries in graded stakes before that provided poorer results as well and the speed figures are at the lower end of this field.

Case For The Win: Will need to be closer to the pace as he likes the longer distances. Get him close early and outkick the others so he can get first run on the leaders.

#4 Pierro Cry (GR Simsters) 8/1

The Good: Lightly raced colt who has started to hit his stride in the last few months. Winner of the At The Chateau going today’s distance two back. Tried the G3 Night at the Exbury last out and just missed at the wire coming in a solid 3rd. Seems to be progressing and could take that next jump in level here.

The Not So Good: Hard to find a lot in a colt that wins at a 50% clip. Might want a bit more distance as the times he hasn’t won it seems the wire got there just a touch too soon. Has never won a graded stakes either, which the majority of the field has, so will have to do something he hasn’t done yet.

Case For The Win: He just turned 4 so has every right to keep improving. Even a slight jump in speed figure would more than likely get the job down here.

#5 Pirate Class (Northwest Racing Circuit) 10/1

The Good: The debut of this one going long was a very solid outing. The 2nd place showing in the G2 Sanders Stakes gave this one of the top speed figures in the field. He also has graded sprinting experience winning the G3 Highlander. One of the few here that like to be on the lead.

The Not So Good: His last out was a 37 length defeat in the 2022 Equinics. What route race do we believe is closer to his ability? Definitely lacks the routing experience at this level. Why did it take him so long to try?

Case For The Win: Go straight to the lead and play catch me if you can.

#6 Mean Lion (Empire State Racing) 10/1

The Good: This one has been trending upward his last few starts. Last out was a nice victory in an allowance race, while running away from them at the end. The added distance should work to the benefit of him as he comes from a Frankel x Dynaformer cross. 

The Not So Good: He definitely lacks experience at the stakes level. His prior showings in them have been lackluster at best. Was struggling last summer in claiming races, so even with the growth in his speed figures, this will be a step up in class for him.

Case For The Win: Takes to the distance and the speed figures continue to trend in the right direction.

#7 Boss Of September (European Union Racing Organization) 9/1

The Good: This 5 year old colt from G1 winning dam Bleeding Gums got exactly what he needed his last one out. Broke through in a big way with a 1 ½ length victory in the G2 Victoria Cup. Perfect as it came at today’s distance. 7 of 16 wins while routing at any level is also a very positive percentage.

The Not So Good: Had been really inconsistent in stakes races before he popped the big one last out. His speed figures do come up a bit light in this, so will need another jump to contend here. It has been a while since he has put two consistent efforts together.

Case For The Win: Builds off the G2 victory last out and runs the same race to get it done here.

#8 Aspirationofpraise (GR Simsters) 6/1

The Good: Comes from G1 winning dam Prayingwithimpact. $3 million career earner. Winner of this race last year along with the G1 Prince of Whales and G3 Night At The Exbury. Had a string of 4 of 5 graded wins around this time last year. Best in the field when comparing speed figures.

The Not So Good: Was a bit more inconsistent as the season went on last year. Even with the back to back 2nds, the last one out was a bit disappointing. The speed figures might be dipping a bit, so maybe he reached his career peak last spring. 

Case For The Win: Defending champion. To be the champ, you have to beat the champ!

#9 Khellendros (Hoosier Racing) 10/1

The Good: Knows how to be competitive in graded stakes as he is the winner of both the G2 M-Class and G1 United Countries. Has over $1 million in career earnings. Has been competitive in his last couple allowance races, setting up a nice cutback to 10 furlongs here. 

The Not So Good: The last 6 months hasn’t been consistent and we have seen a downward spiral of his speed figures. Last time he faced graded stakes company came 9th. 6 years old now and might be on the downward side of his career.

Case For The Win: Get back to the running style he is comfortable with so he can get a jump with others down the stretch.

#10 Indigo Barbara (Hoosier Racing) 5/1

The Good: Has done most of his damage running the mile as he has been victorious in both the G2 Church Mound and G3 Horse Chestnut. Runs a more front running style that could benefit in here as it is a field of seemingly deep closers. Knows how to be competitive in fields like this.

The Not So Good: Hasn’t done any damage running farther than a mile. His last two at 9F he faded badly to 9th and 8th. Distance will be a major concern as he has to go even a furlong longer today. Speed figures are also declining a bit. Very vulnerable 2nd choice here.

Case For The Win: The front running style puts him on the lead coming down the stretch and able to find that stamina to hold the chargers off.

#11 Quality of Justify (No Residency) 8/1

The Good: Back to back wins in allowance races was followed last out by his first jump into graded company. The race was a success as he finished a strong closing 2nd in the G1 Jai Alai Park at 12-1 odds. Seems to still be improving and the experience in the last will definitely help here.

The Not So Good: It took him 15 races to get into a graded stakes. While he didn’t disappoint, he has been a bit inconsistent when he has faced tougher opponents. Can we trust him to put back to back performances together?

Case For The Win: Watch the last one over and imagine him getting a slightly earlier jump. He can outkick these for the victory.

Field In Numbers

Horse	Top Speed	Top Distance	Top Last 6M	Total Points
Aspirationofpraise	120.6	120.6	117.0	29
Pierro Cry	118.7	118.7	118.7	25
Elite Air	120.1	112.6	118.8	24
Pirate Class	119.9	N/A	119.9	23
Boss of September	115.8	115.8	115.8	21
Quality of Justify	115.7	115.5	115.5	18
Gorosaurus	123.2	N/A	103.8	16
Indigo Barbara	119.4	N/A	110.6	14
Watsky	114.4	114.4	114.4	13
Khellendros	114.9	114.9	107.1	12
Mean Lion	114	N/A	114	9

My Predictions

#4 : Lightly raced and every right to keep improving.

#2 : Takes to the extra furlong and has the class to be right there.

#11 : Puts in back to back efforts in G1’s. Shows he will be in the mix this summer.