Maryland Breeders Bowl GIII
The Maryland Breeder’s Bowl GIII Race is on the undercard here on Middle Flower Day. 14 horses 3 years old and up will cover 6 furlongs on fast dirt.
1. (15/1) SHERRIFF’S DEPUTY – hirise – (Deputy Commander X A.P. Indy) – This 6 year old colt was a Graded winner as a 2 year old but after a series of disappointing starts he was dropped back to allowances. His best race came last time out where he covered 6 furlongs with a 107 speed to win. In the allowances he has gained back his confidence and after some speedy victories his trainer has him set for a comeback.
2. (8/1) CANTICLE (KY) – mrvoice – (Orientate X Capote) This 4 year old brown colt is an all round consistent colt that has always been talented has finally grown into himself. He has run well but recently he has shown true brilliance winning two allowances and then a stakes with solid speeds and showing great skill. With these wins his trainer sought graded company where he finished 2nd posting a 112 speed which was a career best. Does seem to prefer 6 furlongs over 6.5 so should really be in his element here.
3. (10/1) SHINZAUN – twopump – (West Acer X Pulpit) – Here is another horse who was very talented as a 2 year old. Now 3 years later he is turning in to a very nice horse. With some solid allowance races including a 110 speed to win a 7 furlong race, this colt looks sharp. The only concern is he looks fairly talented in the 7-8 furlong area having won most of his mile starts. However, 6 furlongs don’t appear to be much of a problem but his best speeds have come longer. This will be a good test and if he passes it will be with an impressive speed.
4. (9/1) BASTIAN – socalman – (Kingmambo x Sadler’s Wells) This 5 year old horse has breeding I thought would prefer turf but he’s obviously very talented on dirt as well. After a successful allowance career on the turf this colt made the switch to dirt where he posted brilliant speeds and after two easy allowances wins he earned his shot here. He has never gone 6 furlongs on dirt but his 6.5 races suggest it shouldn’t be a problem.
5. (10/1) BLACK JACK BLUES(KY) – blackswan – (Came Home X Alydar) This colt blazed in to the world as a two year old winning his first three starts including the G3 Television Stakes and the G2 Faber College Stakes. He then protested going longer but once returned to sprints he started showing his speed. His last race was a real exciting race. The G2 Kentucky Derby Sprint where he won with a 115 speed. Looks like he is going for the sprinting crown running in the Maryland Sprint. Best of luck to the Speedy monster.
6. (15/1) SALTY AFFAIR – sesho57 – (Salt Lake X Black Tie Affair) This 6 year old has 50 starts under his belt but apparently it doesn’t slow him down. After a successful claim to starter to allowance career, lucky owner Sesho57 saw the colt and his hidden potential. Now a successful allowance sprinter this boy looks good in allowances. My only concern is his only recent wins were in 1t allowances and not against open company. He will face much stiffer competition here.
7. (8/1) MOON LIVER (KY) – earthling – (Malibu Moon X Mt. Livermore) This 4 year old colt has 20 starts but 14 on the board. Trainer earthling has found this colt his perfect distance at 6 furlongs his last 3 races have posted hot speeds and two wins going 6 furlongs with a top speed of 110. With that kind of improvement this colt has to step it up and show the same talent against graded competition but if he can do that he will do well.
8. (9/1) URZA’S MITER (JPN) – borrow2 – (Agnes World x Giant’s Causeway) This talented 4 year old colt has been getting better all his life. As a young colt he obviously had speed but just not matured in to a great horse. Now at 4 he looks like he has peaked and with a stake win with a 113 and then 3 weeks later a 111 in a grade 3 race to place 3rd shows he is now a top dog. He ran ok last out but trainer borrow2 said he got a cut in the gate and it made just slightly off.
9. (7/1) FIVE SKIES (IRE) – gallorette – (Giant’s Causeway X Gone West) After running well as a 2 year old this 4 year old colt took a break tried some turf then recently came back full swing to dirt sprints. With a grade 2 win in the Astroturf Sprint with a 111 speed and then 2 stakes wins before it place this horse as a very tough competitor and looks to be on his game here. Question for me is the distance as his graded win came over 7 furlongs.
10. (12/1) STEALIN THE GOLD – bigfan – (Seeking the Gold X Cee’s Tizzy) This 6 year old horse gave his trainer some hope when he came in a 7 furlongs allowance with a whooping 115 speed. In fact most 7 and 7.5 furlong races by this horse have been very nice. I worry about the 6 furlongs being the right distance for him, he ran in a G3 6 furlong race LTO where he finished 10 by 4 lengths. He is obviously talented and very consistent if he can put up the numbers he does at 7 furlongs he will be very dangerous.
11. (10/1) CARNAVAL (KY) – mindiarte – (Hennessy X Awesome Again) This 4 year old colt made his stakes debut last time out in the G3 Ferris Bueller Stakes. He closed to 7th but only 2 ¾ lengths back. For a first effort that was very good and he should be better prepared here. He has some good speeds, a 109 at both 6.5 and 7 furlongs and he posted a 105 in the graded race. He will hopefully improve off his last start and play a part here.
12. (13/1) WYLDE SUMMER (KY) – sdmf – (Awesome Again X Wild Again) This 4 year old colt only has 10 starts under his belt but is very talented posting 5 wins and a 8 on the board. He has run his last two races at 7 and 7.5 furlongs but in his 6.5 furlong stakes attempts he was second by a nose with a 109 speed. I think shortening him up will produce a very nice speed and run. Best wishes to a very talented colt.
13. (8/1) PULPIT’S PRINCE (KY) – tmaria – (Pulpit X Storm Boot) This colts favorite race is 6 furlongs on fast dirt. Already a grade 3 winner in the Back Seat Driver Stakes back in January of this year with a 113 speed. Then posted a 114 to win the 6 furlong Akula Stakes. If this colt shows his speed look for him in the winner’s circle.
14. (11/1) TIRED WINGS (KY) – kaif014 – (Pollard’s Vision X Danzig) This 4 year old is the lone filly in a race and we are honored by her presence. Having won 10 of her 17 starts and I don’t need to go into this fillies accomplishments, Cough Breeder’s Bowl Sprint, cough. After such a stellar streak this filly ran in a few races and then took a break, came back still not up to par and was put back out to pasture. In April she started in a graded sprint where she bombed with a 12th though understandably after such a long layoff. Her next start, however, showed some old spark. She won the open stakes race with a 108 speed and easily. With that win under her belt we are hoping the old Tired Wings have shaken off their dust and she will fly again this week.
With many talented horses in this field I like 8, 13, and 2. But I think if 14 Tired Wings shows up none of the boys will stand a chance. We will pray she will fly again.