The SERIOUSLY CHURN Special Stakes

The SERIOUSLY CHURN Special Stakes
One mile
Firm Turf
$65,000
All horses, 3 years old

With all the excitement going on in Kentucky it’s nice to know it’s business as usual over here in Longchamp – other than a couple of GR Simsters restricted stakes later on.  Here we have some nice 3yo’s aiming for glory over a mile, and maybe hoping that they too will be in Kentucky next year so see all the action for themselves. The runners are:

ASRIEL(KY)

Trainer: astapor

(Johannesburg x El Gran Senor x Private Account)

Odds:  10/1                 Earnings: 74,615                    Runs/Wins: 9/4

A 3yo scratch bred colt from Given Stables: Fire and Blood.  A nice strike rate overall but seems to struggle in the big races against the better runners.   If you disregard the ground in his last race where he didn’t look comfortable, he’s improving well and may still yet prove to be as capable on dirt as he looks on turf.

VERTBAUDET(IRE)

Trainer: dixiefly

(Montjeu (IRE) x Aptitude x Seattle Slew)

Odds:  3/1                   Earnings: 131,775                  Runs/Wins: 8/6

A 3yo colt from Brundlefly Stables and based on an E class horse. The big favourite for this one has won his last 6 races without too much of a struggle, including  two stake wins.  He should win this one but it could be a close run thing.

SISSON’S GHOST(KY)

Trainer: scream

(Ghostzapper x El Prado(IRE) x Cat Thief)

Odds:  6/1                   Earnings: 96,282                    Runs/Wins: 11/4

A 3yo colt from Binzaman Stables and based on a G class horse.  Started off on dirt before he was successfully switched to turf where he has shone in allowances since.  On a hat trick here but will need to be at his best to give any sort of fight to the favourite.

EL ASTRO ZULIANO(IRE)

Trainer: castillo

(High Chaparral (IRE) x Touch Gold x Mr. Prospector)

Odds:  9/1                   Earnings: 84,405                    Runs/Wins: 6/4

A 3yo colt from Otto Haack (Venezuela) and based on an E class horse. Lightly raced but full of potential this colt was beaten by Vertbaudet in his last race but will have learned a lot from that experience.  Another one who may find more success on dirt if given the chance.

FIERCE EXCITEMENT(AUS)

Trainer: foxon4

(Testa Rossa (AUS) x Caro(IRE) x Prince John)

Odds:  7/1                   Earnings: 94,880                    Runs/Wins: 7/4

A 3yo scratch bred colt from Foxon Stables.  A steady improver who has very few failures to his name so far, and gets his first stakes start here.  Could be interesting, but may just fall short of making the places.

JAGGED PILL(ENG)

Trainer: catomine

(Medicean (GB) x Deputy Minister x A.P. Indy)

Odds:  5/1                   Earnings: 127,285                  Runs/Wins: 9/3

A 3yo colt from Pierchinski Stables and bred from a C class mare (Queen Deputy).  Probably the biggest threat to the favourite this winner of G3-Phenom Stakes has yet to win a race this year but it can only be a matter of time.  Likes to put in a late appearance so watch out for him in the later stages.

VIJANDRA(ENG)

Trainer: kincsem

(Compton Place(GB) x Cadeaux Genereaux(GB) x Shirley Heights(GB))

Odds:  6/1                   Earnings: 295,541                  Runs/Wins: 15/5

A 3yo scratch bred filly from Dupre Stables.  The only filly but also the most experienced runner in the field.  She’s already scored 3 stakes victories and is in reasonable form, though the heavy racing schedule she is under could take its toll.

HODGE(AUS)

Trainer: deyoto2

(Hussonet x Green Desert x Sadler’s Wells)

Odds:  5/1                   Earnings: 68,570                    Runs/Wins: 6/3

A 3yo scratch bred colt from Champion Lodge.  Inexperienced but very consistent.  Has struggled in his stakes runs so far but his last race showed he has great heart and a lightning finish.  It’s hard to see whether he is good enough on the form he has shown so far, but he has every chance.

BOBCAT VALLEY(KY)

Trainer: focusforce

(Forest Wildcat x Archers Bay x Niniski)

Odds:  8/1                   Earnings: 162,122                  Runs/Wins: 9/4

A 3yo scratch bred colt from Nextbonus Racing.  A winner of 3 stakes races as a 2yo he hasn’t really performed so well this year and his owners will hope that this increase in distance will have a positive effect on him. 

Summary

Vertbaudet(IRE) has the class to win this from the front and his form cannot be faulted at the moment.