G1, Big Red Stakes
This week we are headed to Illinois where a field of thirteen colts and geldings will be running in the G1, Big Red Stakes. They will travel 10 furlongs across the yielding turf as they attempt to be the first to get to the wire and pick up a G1 win. This appears to be a pretty tight field for this group of three year olds and it should make for a very exciting race this Sunday afternoon. The morning line odds have been posted and the post positions have been drawn. Let us take a preview of the field of horses that will come out to run in the G1, Big Red Stakes.
| 1 | THE DRAGONFLY | KY | 3G | givenafterdark | Q Cassell | 11 | 4 | 73% | $2,349,700 | 53.00 | 6/1 |
Coming out first we will see this Chestnut Gelding (MORE THAN READY x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x STREET CRY) who two starts back picked up the win in the G1, Middle Jewel Stakes on a sloppy track on the dirt. He has history of running on the turf in the past successfully. His most recent start came in Ontario in the G1, Clerk Of Scales Stakes in Ontario. He did not have a successful trip this time out and would cross the wire in eighth with a 102 speed rating. He makes his return back to the turf for this start on Sunday when he comes out representing the GR Simsters.
| 2 | JAKE VEGAS | KY | 3M | jackfrost | F Oxon | 10 | 5 | 80% | $245,169 | 37.00 | 8/1 |
This is a Bay Colt who is a scratch bred (AMERICAN PHAROAH x DANZIG x NIJINSKY 2ND) that had been running well for the owner on the dirt up until May of this season. He has made three starts on the grass and has come up with three nice wins. Last time out we saw him going 9.5 furlongs on the turf in New York in a Listed Stakes, Brown Dancer Turf Route. He broke quick out of the gate and wired it for the win with a 101 speed rating. The owner would like to see him get his fourth win in a row this weekend as he makes his first graded start on Sunday representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 3 | BASSILI | FR | 3G | paceman2 | M Reveiz | 12 | 4 | 58% | $366,115 | 80.00 | 7/1 |
This is a Bay Gelding who is a scratch bred (WOOTTON BASSETT (GB) x DANSILI (GB) x LYPHARD) that got up for the win two starts back in the G2, Penn Mile. He then came back out for his most recent start in Deauville where he would go 8 furlongs in the G1, The Jean Brat. He would have some difficulties in this race and never found a big kick in his stretch run. He crossed the wire well back in tenth with a 104 speed rating. This horse has never run over 8.5 furlongs in his career and thus he will be put to the test to travel this 10 furlong course on Sunday when he heads out at post time representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 4 | RIGHTOUTTHE WINDOW | IRE | 3G | morgantown | L Radzinski | 8 | 4 | 87% | $319,361 | 80.00 | 7/1 |
Next, we will see this Bay Gelding (INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (IRE) x FASTNET ROCK (AUS) x SADLER’S WELLS) that has only missed hitting the boards once in his eight career starts. But he hit a big win in his most recent start when in Deauville he would go 10 furlongs in the G2, The Adam Gene and pick up his first graded win in his first graded start. He has three wins in a row coming into this weekend’s race and the owner would like to make it four when they head out to their gate draw representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 5 | XCEPTIONTOTHERULE | IRE | 3M | asrstar2 | Z Kentucky | 8 | 3 | 75% | $315,836 | 30.00 | 14/1 |
This is a Bay Colt who is a scratch bred (CAMELOT (GB) x SHAMARDAL x DEEP IMPACT) that put up a nice race at 10.5 furlongs when he got the win in the G2, The Dante’s Inferno. He was then sent out for his most recent start in Surrey in the G1, Derby de English. He would balk at this 12 furlong distance and did not appear to have the stamina he needed to be competitive in this race. The owner is looking for him to rebound this weekend has he drops back down in distance. The owner has also seen his horse run well on an off track before and hopes this to be an advantage when they head out of the paddock representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 6 | CRACKING QUEST | GB | 3M | amir1680 | T Ace | 12 | 6 | 83% | $1,582,320 | 452.00 | 8/1 |
Next, we have this Bay Colt who is a scratch bred (CRACKSMAN x RAINBOW QUEST x NUREYEV) that his made his six most recent starts at the G1 level. In those six starts he also picked up three wins and was only off the boards once. Also interesting is that all three of those wins were at the 10 furlong distance of which he will again travel this weekend here in Illinois. His most recent race was at 10 furlongs in Ontario in the G1, The Queen’s Dish. He got a nice break out of the gate and then went wire to wire for the win with a 110 speed rating. Everything looks good for this horse this weekend but there is one looming concern. He has always raced on a firm turf track and this weekend he will be traveling on a yielding track for the first time. The owner feels his horse will be okay on the wet turf when they head out at post time representing the Elite Racing Club residency.
| 7 | BALTIC OH LA LA | JPN | 3M | kimugletop5 | M Scott | 7 | 5 | 86% | $365,380 | 93.00 | 10/1 |
We come to this Bay Colt (TOWER OF LONDON (JPN) x CHAMPS ELYSEES x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY) that in seven career starts has only been off the boards one time. Two starts back he would pick up a Listed Stakes win in the Danin In Seattle Turf Route. He would then be sent out for his most recent start which was on this Illinois track to go 9.5 furlongs in the G2, Upper California Derby. He would again deliver another nice performance as he took control by the time of the third call and went on to pick up the win by two and a half with a 108 speed rating. This horse is looking for his third win in a row this weekend. After having a successful first time graded start in Upper California Derby on this track the owner feels his horse is up for the challenge when they come out in the post parade representing the European Union Racing Organization residency.
| 8 | WITCHBANE | GB | 3M | xmonster6 | E Cerda | 8 | 5 | 75% | $725,744 | 57.00 | 8/1 |
Next, we have this Bay Colt (FRANKEL (GB) x SEA THE STARS x KINGMAMBO) that has a couple of graded wins this season. He picked up the win in the G2, The No Allies and then struck the boards with a win in the G1, The Italian Derby. His most recent start would not be as fruitful when he would go 12 furlongs in Surrey in the G1, Derby de English. In his stretch run he would make up a little ground, but it was not enough coming from too far back. He crossed the wire in sixth with a 105 speed rating. Dropping back down in distance here in Illinois could be helpful in getting this horse a nice rebounding effort when he heads over to the turf representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 9 | BALLANTREE | GB | 3M | francua1 | Bo Edwards | 9 | 4 | 67% | $596,679 | 150.13 | 11/1 |
Here we have a Bay Colt who is a scratch bred (FRANKEL (GB) x STORM CAT x I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS)) that has put up some nice races for the owner. In four starts this season he has picked up three wins. Last time we saw this horse on the track he would go 10 furlongs in South Africa in the G1, World Weekly News 2000. He flashed out of the gate quickly and dared anyone to try and catch him. He successfully held on by a half stride to pick up the win. He will be looking for his second G1 win in a row this weekend and this horse has proven he can run successfully on the wet grass. The owner feels his horse has what it takes this Sunday to bring home the trophy when they head out at post time representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 10 | SPIRIT OF LYPHE | IRE | 3M | peeps1 | M Buck | 12 | 4 | 83% | $367,285 | 82.50 | 16/1 |
Next, we will see this Bay Colt who is a scratch bred (INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (IRE) x NUREYEV x LYPHARD) that two starts back found his stride and picked up the win in the G2, The Derby Stud Trail. He would then be sent out for his most recent start In Surrey going 12 furlongs in the G2, Derby de English. He struggled throughout this race and would never be a factor as he finished out of the picture with a 90 speed rating. This horse won at 10 furlongs in The Derby Stud Trail and thus this drop back down to the distance should spark his interest to show up with a much better effort this weekend when he heads out of the paddock representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 11 | ATX | KY | 3M | asmussen | A Jolly | 9 | 5 | 78% | $571,936 | 148.75 | 7/1 |
This is a Light Grey Colt (TAPIT x DEEP IMPACT x UNBRIDLED’S SONG) that has five starts on the turf this season and has picked up four wins and two of those were G2 starts at this 10 furlong distance. Last time this horse was on the track would be in Virginia where he would go 10 furlongs in the G2, The Colonial Derby. By the time of third call his jockey had moved him to the front. He would go on to get the win by two lengths with a 109 speed rating. In the saddle this weekend we will see the same jockey, A Jolly who is a frequent friend to this horse. He gets the mount again this weekend and hopes they can give a duplicating performance together when they head out at post time representing the DelPenn National residency.
| 12 | TIKI TAKI PIRATE | IRE | 3M | crossbones | A Smith | 12 | 2 | 50% | $111,585 | 10.00 | 16/1 |
Coming out next we will see this Brown Colt who is a scratch bred (AUSTRALIA x DYNAFORMER x NUREYEV) that has been running well recently in some Allowance level starts. His two most recent starts have both been in California. He picked up the win in a NW2L Allowance two starts back. His most recent start he would travel 10 furlongs in a $50700 NW2n of which he finished in second two strides back with a 97 speed rating. He is making a big jump in Class this weekend and will need to find all the firepower he can against this rough and tumble field of bullies. He will make his way out of the paddock this Sunday to make his first graded start representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 13 | TEOFILIO STEVENSON | IRE | 3M | selhold5 | D Givins | 12 | 2 | 58% | $869,916 | 26.13 | 18/1 |
Breaking from the outside gate will be this Bay Colt (TEOFILO x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x MONTJEU) that two starts back would get a second place finish in the G1, The Japanese Derby. He would make his way out for his most recent trip to the track in Germany where he would go 12 furlongs in the G1, German Darby. He broke well and lead this race until his stretch run. He would fade fast on the wet grass and crossed the wire in fourth some eleven lengths out with a 95 speed rating. He will be making his third G1 start in a row and this longest choice in the morning line hopes the drop in distance will be successful when they head over to their post draw representing the Down Under Racing residency.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
4-Rightoutthe Window: Ran big in G2 last time. Can he get a G1 this time?
6-Cracking Quest: Has not lost at 10f since last November. Can he keep up that streak?
11-ATX: Won at the distance in G2 last time. Can his favorite jockey bring him home again?
Tarton’s Long Shot
7-Baltic Oh La La: This horse has two nice back-to-back wins. His most recent start was at 9.5 furlongs of which he picked up a G2 win. Can he go 10 furlongs and on a track that will be listed as yielding at post time? He is going off at 10/1 in the morning line and if he can get into the top three finishers of this race, he could be a money maker. Let’s give him a little support this weekend at the betting window and see what he can do.
Thanks for the write up. I love the breedings in this race. Good luck!