Smackdown 3 Y.O. Six Furlong Colt Dirt Sprint

Coming to you live from Delaware here is Fast Track Eddie with all the dust flying action of what is sure to be an amazing six furlong dirt sprint! I am talking about 15 fine colts with world class speed. Cover your ears folks because there is sure to be a sonic boom here in Delaware today! That’s right! Its Smackdown time!

Super1 has brought Procedure to town and he means business! Don’t expect Procedure to show any mercy to this field of hopefuls. This Fusaichi Pegasus colt may look pretty but he’s not nice! He’s all about might and glory, and that’s just fine with DelPenn National Residency which also has strong runners in Foxy Mesa and Cheap Thriller in this race.

GR Simsters are looking strong as well with their super horse Vorreedi, and don’t count out a strong performance from Minnesota Downs which has De Fu and Banking Fever firing on all cylinders! This is sure to be a race to remember folks! Now let’s take a look at the field for this year’s six furlong colt dirt sprint Smackdown event.

 Race 3637.2214

PP1      5/1       Procedure (ky) 146837 Fusaichi Pegasus x Danzig x Damascus

Owner: Super1           Rez: Delpenn National

Starts: 10 Wins: 5 Place: 0 Show: 4 Earnings: 336,340

Notes: This colt consistently has run fast times while being managed superbly by Super1. Procedure has world class pedigree. I like the fact this fine colt has been a constant contender in every race. Look for Procedure to run just off the pace setter two or three lengths back.  The press has been clamoring all over this gorgeous colt all week. He had an excellent work out on Monday and a nice photo op with the press. Procedure even had some high profile visitors when ex-NFL running back Barry Sanders stopped by for a visit and movie star Julia Roberts. Everybody seems to have caught a fever for this majestic colt looking to run big here in Delaware.  

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/24/08 South Dakota`6 Furlongs         G2       250k    1:09 1/5           105      3^rd

4/19/08 Washington     7 Furlongs        G3       150k    1:21 2/5           104      3^rd

3/29/08 Malaysia          7 Furlongs        G3       125k    1:21 4/5           107      1^st

PP2      12/1

Catlike Strength (ky) 18385 Strong Hope x Storm Cat x A.P. Indy

Owner: Peeps8           Rez: GR Simsters

Starts: 12 Wins: 5 Place: 0 Show: 1 Earnings: 217,280        

Notes: Well thought out breeding here for Catlike Strength by Peeps8. I like this colt a lot coming off two excellent runs of 104 and 103. Just got beat out for third in the Pea Shooters Handicap to Procedure, but has certainly shown he can contend to win here in Delaware at six furlongs. Whether Catlike Strength sits off the pace or goes for the lead early is still in doubt. The reality here whispers hope is warranted for an ITM finish in Delaware. Peeps has won this race before and will look to do it again.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/24/08 South Dakota  6 Furlongs        G2       250k    1:09 1/5           104      4^th

4/19/08 Washington     7 Furlongs        G3       150k    1:21 2/5           103      4th

3/15/08 Iowa               8.5 Furlongs     Stakes  40k      1:41 3/5           87        11th

PP3      11/1

Pyralis (ky) 140660 Bandini x Forest Wildcat x Wild Again

Owner: Kbsweet        REZ: Delpenn National

Starts: 14 Wins: 5 Place: 2 Show: 2 Earnings: 1,120,960

Notes: Strong finisher that struggled in graded stakes at longer distances. Last time out Kbsweet sent Pyralis under eight and the result was a resounding 105 speed and a nice win. Nice graded wins this year at longer distances but no graded wins in sprints at three. It will be interesting to see if Pyralis can hang tough with such a strong field of athletes like the likes of Vorreedi, Procedure and Catlike Strength. Pyralis has been in the money in all of his seven sprints with only two of seven ITM on routes, so the switch back to sprints seems logical. Pyralis is definitely a colt to watch in this race.

Last Three Races:

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/17/08 Rhode Island 7.5 Furlongs   Stakes      65k      1:28 4/5           105      1^st

5/03/08 Kentucky        10 Furlongs      G1       2 mil.    2:01 2/5           87        16^th

4/12/08 Kentucky        8.5 Furlongs     G2       325k    1:42                 96        5^th

PP4      13/1

Before Monday (ky) 139203 Elusive Quality x Lyphard x Halo

Owner: Aframe27      Rez: GR Simsters

Starts: 12 Wins: 5 Place: 2 Show: 3 Earnings: 172,560

Notes: Another stalker in a field full of stalkers that is coming off a break out performance. Aframe27 has an interesting sleeper here that has three wins and a fast second in his last four races. Needs to take on tougher competition here and show he can compete with the elite. With only one stakes race under his belt it is going to take a big step up in class. The colt made the long flight from Japan to Delaware two weeks ago and seems to be doing nicely.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/31/08 Japan              7 Furlongs        Stakes  95k      1:21 4/5           106      2^nd

4/26/08 Denmark         6.5 Furlongs     Allow.  40.5k   1:16 1/5           97        1^st

3/29/08 Denmark         6.5 Furlongs     Allow. 40.5k    1:16 2/5           95        1^st

PP5      9/1

Banking Fever (tur) 72808 Strike the Gold x Boston Harbor x Maria’s Mon

Owner: Dundy            Rez: Minnesota Downs

Starts: 18 Wins: 7 Place: 4 Shows: 1 Earnings: 282,245

Notes: Another fine sprinter from the Capote line here that comes into the race looking for a break out at six furlongs. The colt has been nice at seven and a half furlongs, but might like the shorter track here in Delaware a lot better. Banking Fever has not finished lower than fifth since November of last year. Needs to step it up and break out on short rest to be competitive in Delaware. With a career 18 starts Banking Fever may be in need of a rest, so don’t bank on anything today.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

6/21/08 North Florida 9.5 Furlongs      Allow.  42.5k   1:55 1/5           96        4^th

6/7/08  South Carolina 7.5 Furlongs      Stakes  40k      1:28 2/5           100      5^th

5/24/08 Argentina         7 furlongs         Allow.  26k      1:22 2/5           97        2^nd

PP6      18/1

I Don’t Get It (ky) 73482 Yes It’s True x Distorted Humor x Pass The Tab

Owner: Tseals1          Rez: Minnesota Downs

Starts: 10 Wins: 5 Place: 2 Shows: 0 Earnings: 279,230

Notes: I Don’t Get It is from the underrated sire Yes It’s True and has shown great potential. The horse has a strong late kick, but hasn’t run since April, so have to wonder if the Tseals1 horse will be sharp. If this colt comes sharp and ready to run we may see a breakout performance and get a nice display of his strong finishing kick.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

4/12/08 Kentucky        8.5 Furlongs     G2       325k    1:42                 89        8^th

3/01/08 Florida            7 Furlongs        G3       125k    1:22                 104      1^st

1/26/08 Wyoming         7 Furlongs        Stakes  50k      1:22 2/5           96        2^nd

PP7 20/1

Henny Again (ky) 145669 Henny Hughes x Wild Again x Danzig

Owner: Henny            Rez: GR Simsters

Starts: 9 Wins: 3 Place: 0 Show: 3 Earnings: 30,515

Notes: It’s as if owner Henny a.k.a. Desperado was just bringing this Henny along slowly so he could wait for the right moment for the smackdown. Now Henny Again is coming off a 105 speed first place finish and turning heads. Can the Henny do it again? There won’t be anymore sneaking Henny through the alley after Smackdown if this Henny comes through big. Henny Again might not need an alley to run through at all if desperado decides to turn the colt loose right out of the gates. This Henny could be an interesting rabbit, or could change tactics and pull a fast one with some stalking. Either way I think Henny Again goes off and runs a fine race here in Delaware; long shot status and all!

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/31/08 Virginia            6 Furlongs        Allow.  15.3k   1:09 2/5           105      1^st

5/03/08 N. Hampshire 6.5 Furlongs      Allow.  22k      1:16 2/5           93        3^rd

3/22/08 Maryland         6.5 Furlongs     Allow.  15.4k   1:17                 90        1^st       

PP8      13/1

Mokrat (ger) 155589 Monsun x Kris S. x Caerleon

Owner: Drat               Rez: Minnesota Downs

Starts: 10 Wins: 4 Place: 2 Show: 1 Earnings: 49,346

Notes: Monkrat is one of those wait and see runners. Will Monkrat be able to make the major jump in competition? Coming off a disappointing stakes debut the assumption is no, but we will just have to wait and see. The horse has been very gritty at coming in the money a solid 70% of the time, but that was against lower level talent.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

6/07/08 S. Carolina      7.5 Furlongs     Stakes  40k      1:28 2/5           96        8^th

5/24/08 N. Hampshire  7 Furlongs        Allow.  22k      1:22 2/5           100      1^st

5/03/08 E. Kentucky    6.5 Furlongs     Allow.  56.5k   1:15 4/5           93        7^th

PP9      11/1

De Fu (ky) 139909 Dehere x Fusaichi Pegasus x Cannonade

Owner: Minnesota                 Rez: Minnesota Downs

Starts: 13 Wins: 5 Place: 0 Show: 2 Earnings 723,950

Notes: Finished fourth in the Great Fishing Hole G3 stakes in a race which Vorreedi finished first. De Fu seems to like six and seven furlongs best, and will hope to run strong here in Delaware.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/31/08 Mexico            6 Furlongs        G3       125k    1:09 1/5           101      4^th

5/03/08 Kentucky        7 Furlongs        G2       225k    1:20 3/5           98        12^th

3/29/08 Florida            9 Furlongs        G1       750k    1:48 2/5           82        13th

PP10    13/1

Indy Evil (ky) 146009 A.P. Indy x Machiavellian x Damascus

Owner: Afc3                           Rez: Delpenn National

Starts: 10 Wins: 3 Place: 3 Shows: 0 Earnings: 106,915

Notes: Indy Evil seems to fit this race nicely. He is coming into his own lately, and seems to prefer six furlong races. This lightly race three year old is looking to continue on a fine growth path like many of the three year olds in this race. If Indy Evil can do that he can contend, and not only contend but come up big.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/31/08 Georgia           6 Furlongs        Stakes  45k      1:09 1/5           103      2^nd

5/03/08 Utah                7 Furlongs        Stakes  35k      1:22                 94        5^th

4/05/08 Norway           6.5 Furlongs     Sakes   60k      1:15 3/5           100      2^nd

PP11    8/1

Cheap Thriller (ire) 140118 Danehill Dancer x Fappiano x Northern Dancer

Owner: Worldwide                 Rez: Delpenn National

Starts: 14 Wins: 3 Place: 2 Show: 3 Earnings: 306,710

Notes: Has been more of a seven furlong runner that likes to kick hard and take control late. Will Cheap Thriller sit in the back of the pack or middle and wait to pounce again? Or will the colt stalk the leaders? I think the ideal positioning for Cheap Thriller may be the front middle of the pack. He certainly has the speed to dominate this race. It really comes down to if he is in the mood to go out and win big for Worldwide. If he is to do it here in Delaware, he will need to rebound from a disappointing 8^th place finish in Mexico. Clockers were raving all week about his Monday workout here in Delaware. The colt even seems to love all the press attention he has received this week.  Worldwide seems high on Cheap Thriller and he will certainly be a contender to win this race.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/31/08 Mexico            6 Furlongs        G3       125k    1:09 1/5           94        8^th

5/10/08 Texas              7 Furlongs        G3       125k    1:21 3/5           106      3^rd

4/19/08 Washington     7 Furlongs        G3       150k    1:21 2/5           109      1^st

PP12    18/1

Speedtown (ky) 1482 Speightstown x Danzig x Seeking the Gold

Owner: Citation                      Rez: Minnesota Downs

Starts: 15 Wins: 4 Place: 5 Show: 1 Earnings: 305,080

Notes:  Speedtown has not won anything above regular stakes, and appears to be overmatched here. Barring a major break out look for Speedtown to run middle of the pack early on then fade late. Some think the hard racing at two may have taken a toll on Speedtown, but nonetheless the horse had a nice sound work out on Tuesday.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/24/08 South Dakota 6 Furlongs         G2       250k    1:09 1/5           92        8^th

4/19/08 Kansas            6 Furlongs        Stakes  50k      1:09 3/5           97        2^nd

3/1/08   Nevada           7 Furlongs        G1       500k    1:21 3/5           89        9^th

PP13    9/1

Vorreedi (ky) 141902 Bernardini x Danzig x Unbridled

Owner: Vor                             Rez: GR Simsters

Starts: 10 Wins: 6 Place: 0 Show: 2 Earnings: 187,996

Notes: A monster with a big late kick coming off two big G3 runs with speeds of 107, and 105. Vorreedi has been kept under close watch with guards watching over him 24/7 while in Delaware. Vorreedi was snuck out of the barn early Monday morning here in Delaware before sun up to work out. The clockers missed it, but trainer Vor said everything was fine, and that he was sound and ready to take all comers. Vorreedi will be interesting to watch and may be in position to obliterate the competition by picking them off one by one just as he did in the Great Fishing Hole Stakes in late May.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/31/08 Mexico            6 Furlongs        G3       125k    1:09 1/5           107      1^st

4/26/08 Kentucky        8 Furlongs        G3       150k    1:34 3/5           105      3^rd

3/29/08 Florida            9 Furlongs        G1       750k    1:48 2/5           97        6^th

PP14    15/1

Cyane Bloodbane (ky) 13449 A.P. Warrior x Storm Cat x Woodman

Owner: Waremblem4 Rez: GR Simsters

Starts: 11 Wins: 4 Place: 3 Show: 1

Notes: Finished fourth in last years World Cup Juvenile Colt Sprint. Look to see if Cyane Bloodbane charges to the front and goes for the wire to wire win. If his last race is any indication he may be ready to take off and steal this one, but if he is going to do it he will have to beat long odds.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

5/31/08 Georgia           6 Furlongs        Stakes 45k      1:09 1/5           101      3^rd

5/03/08 E. Kentucky    10 Furlongs      Stakes 500k    2:01 3/5           87        7^th

3/08/08 Louisiana         8.5 Furlongs     G2       500k    1:41 2/5           96        7^th

PP15    6/1

Foxy Mesa (ky) 145054 Sky Mesa x Forty Niner x Seattle Slew     

Owner: Docpmg                     Rez: Delpenn National

Starts: 10 Wins: 4 Place: 1 Show: 2 Earnings: 320,930

Notes: Foxy Mesa has been real fast in G2’s and G3’s while struggling with G1 races. The horse has a slew of big speed factors however and looks to be a real contender as the last G1 falter came at nine furlongs. The horse finished 11^th in that G1 one, and will be looking to prove he belongs with the elite again. Will be interesting to see if Foxy Mesa sets the pace early on or sits a little off pace and waits to pounce. Intriguing to see a Sky Mesa sired horse running sprints here, but Foxy could turn some heads here in Delaware. Foxy Mesa will be running on short rest, so fatigue could play a factor here.

Date    Track              Distance         Class   Purse   Time                Speed  Finish

6/21/08 Texas              7 Furlongs        G2       250k    1:21 1/5           105      3^rd

5/10/08 Texas              7 Furlongs        G3       125k    1:21 3/5           108      1^st

4/5/08   New York       9 Furlongs        G1       1 mil.    1:49 1/5           89        11^th

Fast Track Eddie Picks:

Procedure, Pyralis, Vorreedi