The GG BUDA Stakes
The GG BUDA Stakes
A mile and three quarters
Firm Turf
$60,000
All horses, 4 years old and up
You are never sure what kind of field you’ll get for these long distance turf races but this week Longchamp has lucked out with a real field worthy of a feature race. The runners are:
HUNTER’S BIG JOKE(KY)
Trainer: hunter22
(Dynaformer x Distorted Humor x Kingmambo)
Odds: 20/1 Earnings: 101,554 Runs/Wins: 10/4
A 4yo scratch bred colt from Ojai Valley Stables. The big ouusider in this one isn’t given too much chance by the odds makers but he has just won 3-in-a-row so maybe we should be paying slightly more attention to him. His sp# figures may not be as good as others here but they haven’t had to be recently.
BAND OF BUDAS
Trainer: chop
(Tribal Rule x Affirmed x Native Dancer)
Odds: 6/1 Earnings: 3,796,450 Runs/Wins: 55/19
A 4yo scratch bred colt from Topicount Stables. A real superstar over this kind of distance with earnings to match. After a long and distinguished race career, including wins in G3-Phenom Stakes, G2-Longchamp Marathon (2005 and 2006), G3-Carlton Fisk Handicap, G2-Ferdichenko Cup, G1-The Gold Glass, G1-The Archer Cup, G1-The Bourbon Cup and G1-World Cup Turf Survivor, the signs are that he could at last be beginning to slow down a bit. He’s still right up there in the rankings at #13, but like most of us age is beginning to catch him up.
SMART
Trainer: lgbost9
(Smarty Jones x Danehill x Blushing Groom(FR))
Odds: 11/1 Earnings: 135,535 Runs/Wins: 33/6
A 5yo horse from Lgbost Stables bred from a G class mare by super6. Did well last time here in Longchamp over two miles but this looks a far tougher prospect. A nice claim for $40k as a 3yo nonetheless.
SECRETS GOLD
Trainer: seacadet
(Touch Gold x Secretariat x
Odds: 9/2 Earnings: 376,962 Runs/Wins: 45/12
A 6yo scratch bred horse from Seacadet Stables. A nice horse over the years who comes here in good form after winning an allowance last time out. His late running style may just prove to be good enough to take the win this time, so don’t take your eyes off of him.
NAPP(CA)
Trainer: rosemont
(Memo(CHI) x Thatching(IRE) x Pharly(FR))
Odds: 11/1 Earnings: 125,953 Runs/Wins: 8/5
A 4yo scratch bred colt from Rosemont Stables. A real novice at any level after just 8 runs but he has shown himself more than equal to any challenge laid down. It’s his first stakes attempt and he’ll be just itching to take on some of these heavy hitters to see exactly where he stands against them. A good each-way outside bet could be just the ticket.
LUCKY’S CENT(IRE)
Trainer: truly
(King’s Best(IRE) x Niniski x Gallapiat)
Odds: 4/1 Earnings: 432,975 Runs/Wins: 33/15
A 5yo scratch bred horse from Tigertrack Stables bred by tristen181. Claimed for $50k last year his new owner subsequently found some real zip in him, winning the G3-Fusahoochie Turf Classic with him. He’s been going great guns ever since until the last couple of races, both G1 stakes, where he’s been firmly put in his place. Here he will attempt to bounce back in winning style but like some of the other older horses the clock is ticking on his career and it remains to be seen whether he can continue to compete at this level.
DIRECTOR
Trainer: snappa4
(Empire Maker x Theatrical(IRE) x Nijinsky II)
Odds: 5/2 Earnings: 1,942,310 Runs/Wins: 23/8
A 5yo scratch bred horse from Snappa Racing Syndicate. Although he may be relatively lightly raced for his age but he has certainly participated in his share of graded races, winning G1-Coalminer Cup, G2-CEO Classic, G1-The Master and G2-Iago’s Bred To Stay Trophy in the process. He’s a speed merchant (over distance anyway) so will be looking to dominate the opposition here, though he can look a little one paced over the second half of the race – thereby giving those late runners a bit of a chance. Ranked #9 over this distance he will however be very hard to beat.
SHACKLEBOLT
Trainer: lenny17
(
Odds: 7/1 Earnings: 530,202 Runs/Wins: 27/11
A 5yo horse from The Evil Empire bred from an H class mare. Though a talented performer he has never been able to land that big win when it matters and with the level of competition her may be found wanting on this occasion too. He suffered badly in his last race and will hoping for much better this time.
WESTERN SCULPTURE
Trainer: dorrin
(Statue Of
Odds: 8/1 Earnings: 688,472 Runs/Wins: 47/13
A 6yo horse from Ridgecrest Champion Stables based on a G class horse by samitch0. A horse who passed through many stables via the claiming ranks before finding reasonable success for his current owner, including winning the G1-Who Cares Anymore. He’s yet to win this year and is certainly beginning to show his age a little with a few very average performances slowly creeping into his repertoire.
Summary
A very nice field for this stakes race, however the top ranked Director should be able to handle them easily enough.