Fus Gonner Handicap – G2

PP

ID

Horse

Owner

Jockey

Odds

Preview

1

2649

REQUIEM’S BLADE

lionart

T Sandstrom

8/1

47^th start for this 6yo by Brahms and he’s still firing on all eight cylinders.  Has a listed stakes win two races back at PA, and placed in a listed his last out.  Surprisingly that’s pretty much the extent of his stakes persona.  The horse has produced some very nice 100+SP’s, but has not been able to crack into the winner’s circle at this level.  Today’s field is very tough, so as for us to think he will break through here, is a long shot.

2

104736

HAWKFLY’S PHARBAT(IRE)

cupfly

P Martin

9/1

Hawk Wing scratch bred that was laid off for three months after his 2007 campaign.  Now with 2 races under his belt in the new year he is returning to the form that propelled him to 3 listed stakes victories in ’07.  The horse started his career on grass, but switched to dirt about this time last year.  Since then he has awoken the beast that lay inside.  We’re looking for a top notch effort here.

3

97197

KAYFEINE(GB)

5ringfarms

W Sheridan

11/1

Another turfer turned dirt.  Sired by Kayf Tara, this horse has two listed stakes in his resume’.  Tried this level last out at N. California last out and got lost in the shuffle.  Trainer figures that was a fluke, and will try again at his preferred distance.  However, he finds a very tough field here.  Sire hasn’t produced a graded winner yet, so this will be the first if he can pull it off.

4

116091

TIZ A TORNADO(KY)

simond4

M Clooch

7/1

Tiznow colt that ran a blowout Sp116 win at LA in last!  All the planets lined up for that victory.  That was his 1^st stakes victory and he’s looking to become only the second progeny of Tiznow to become graded.  Duplicating that huge effort will be tough and he may have a slight letdown.  However, if he somehow can keep his present form, he will be a tough nut to crack.

5

134826

MCALLISTER(KY)

lgbost9x

W Johns

60/1

Former $2000 claimer that was used in starters and graduated to allowance ranks.  Great claim, but as odds attest, he looks to be way over his head here.

6

84633

PERFECTLY PLEASANT(KY)

cougar

L Heart

6/1

Still a little wet behind the ears, this Pleasantly Perfect colt has been on a tear since Sept. ’07.  Handled well by his trainer, the colt has become a threat in every event entered.  Last two outs in this company have produced two 2^nd place finishes in very fast times.  He appears to be a fantastic miler, but can handle the extra .5f.  We’re looking for a solid performance here as he matches up very well.

7

74401

A.P. PRECEDENT

squirrel3

E Cotlen

7/1

A.P. Indy sired, this 5yo does what “Indy” sired horse do…win.  Last out was fatigue, based on his previous efforts, including a G2 victory at today’s distance.  Twice a graded winner at a mile and a sixteenth, this seems to be his best distance.  His form is questionable at the present time however.  Trainer was asked about it at morning workouts and said, “not to worry”.  So we won’t.

8

115512

SPITFIRE MK I(KY)

buffy8

T Dory

10/1

Very hot as a 2yo, and now entering his 4^th year, this Tiznow scratch bred colt is looking to regain his status as a graded worthy steed.  Coming off two wins in his last three outs after a two month rest, we’ll see if that indeed takes place.  Colt appears to have matured enough to throw consistent 100SP’s and should be able to handle this level once again.  Versatility in running style helps here.

9

110253

NARCISSUS

tc1

L Miano

8/1

5yo Devil’s Bag bred that has been claimed and discarded by a few owners; has now found a respectable home and is showing what he can really do.  Cleaning clocks in starters, and then advancing to allowance and listed; his last out was a brilliant win at this level in N. California.  The horse is a dream come true for those of us that dwell in the claiming circles.  A great miler that has his sight set on winning this event.

10

112189

DEGOLDENSTORM(KY)

tenpin4

C Garber

13/1

Seems like we’ve heard of this colt before J  Remember the BB juvy, and the Fountain of Ute?  Along with a few other graded events.  Well, the owners do.  After a dry spell of sorts, and all the talk about this year’s Derby, “de Storm” appears to have emerged from his self satisfying past glory.  Enough, he says, and now he wants to be written about again as one of the elite.  Well, he’ll have to earn it here before we concede to that.  However, he does look to be ready to rock and roll in this his 4^th season.

11

112158

BUDA RULES(FL)

joanneb

A Teising

13/1

4yo colt sired by Peace Rules.  Sire is based in FL at present and hasn’t had a graded winner since ’05.  This colt has been a very consistent allowance runner since the summer of ’07, but hasn’t been tested beyond that level.  This is a two step jump, and we’re not looking for anything spectacular to happen here.

12

39873

MATT SCUDDER(JPN)

manowar

O Holt

13/1

Forty Niner colt that appears to have matured in this his 4^th year.  Coming off back to back wins at allowance level he is in excellent form at the moment.  Still, this is a big step up in class, and he will need every bit of his breeding to do well here.  Looking forward to seeing the charts come Saturday.

13

97853

SAN PELLEGRINO

super12

H Desitter

5/1

Like a box of chocolates is this War Chant 5yo.  Ya never know what you’re gonna get.  Horse gives us BTB writers nightmares.  Not only us…the trainer always breaks out the “nickel bag” when he runs.  Actually, he breaks it out when he doesn’t run too… J   Seriously; we don’t know when this horse is going to show up.  When he does, there’s a chance no one beats him.   He does however run consistent 100SP’s, so he fits well here.

Four or five have a shot here and the race will be FAST!