Starlight 12f Equinics Recap

VT,  RESTRICTED–G1, 4yo+ M 12F Dirt

The penultimate race on the Equinics Vermont dirt card, an open race for horses 4 and up going a mile and a half on dirt lived up to its billing.  The Belmont like test for older horses certainly was a test of champions. The race benefited the Starlight foundation, a group that sounds like angels of mercy.  It is not too late to follow the link and make a donation. This was an incredible race and every horse in it ran its heart out. Lets take a peak at how they performed.

How They Ran-

GRSimsters- PINE SPIRIT Tr Topicount4

The 4 year old son of Arch x  Seeking the Gold x  AP Indy had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Career earnings well over a million dollars and a multiple Grade 1 winner, hoping to help the defending Equinics champ back to the podium.. He entered the race as a horse that has run all his best races in all his biggest spots. Saturday he ran huge again, not quite all the way back to his Smackdown day score but not far off of it either. He missed a length and this race was so tight that one length meant missing a medal. The only thing that blunted his tremendous move was some real gutty horses in front of him.

Del Penn- RAMA Tr Super 11

The 4 year old son of Kingmambo x  Pleasant Colony x Nijinsky II entered of a 114 at 13f.  Unfortunately for Rama that monster effort may have taken more out of him than expected. He broke a little slowly, woke up and found himself with a lot to do. Ran evenly and that has positive portent for the future.

Benelux– THE FIGUREHEAD Tr Kristoff

The 4 year old son of Elusive Quality x Saint Ballado x Graustark entered the race with the talent to upset the applecart if he doesn’t get lost in the back early. Unfortunately that is just what happened in this huge field. He found his best stride too late.

Great Plains- SHALLOW WATER Tr. Aces1211

My choice, the 4 year old son of Daylami x The Minstrel x Sir Ivor had won stakes at 3 different distances and a 10f G1 in his last outing. He got a trip he and did have the folks at Great Plains on their feet and screaming at the end. Despite a monster close he missed out on a medal by fractions. Really could not have asked more from horse or rider, yet you wish they started the charge a few bounces sooner.

EAAA Racing- SANDBANK Tr Shamran2

The 4 year old son of Sakhee x Kris S. x Val D’Lorne needed to channel a little Nick Zito to get it done here. At least that was the tout. For a long time the bronze medal trainer looked to have done just that. When he took the lead at the third call, glory looked highly likely and a tremendously game finish got him a trip to the podium. Great job by the connections getting this one ready and to a jockey who let him relax and nearly shock the world.

Northwest Racing Circuit- ELUSIVE SAINT Tr Camry

The 5 year old son of Elusive Quality x Strike The Gold x Saint Ballado wanted to get loose on the lead, so NWRC could have a new hero. Instead he stumbled out the gate got caught in traffic and still ran big. Gutty effort running a bit out of position.

Alpine Racing Association- HOPE FOR THE ARK Tr. Antagonist

The 4 year old son of Pine Bluff x Blushing Groom x Roberto came in off a 14f stakes back in March and in need of everything falling his way. He broke alertly and made the lead and was flying on the front end. The pace was too hot and eventually he faded. A strong run.

Vermont- DWELL ON IT Tr. Flagdown2

The 5 year old son of Contemplate x Kayf Tara x Shareef Dancer was beaten 35.5 lengths in his last and appeared not to be at the top of his game. It was a tough spot and he gave it his all. Today was not his day.

Blazing Saddles SATISFACTION Tr Coltsblue

The 5 year old son of Birdstone x Scatter the Gold x AP Indy maybe better at 16f where he won a stakes race in the prep for this one. Left himself too much to do with horses this good but still made a charge and finished a respectable mid pack.

Ireland- BAD SIN Tr Borden

The 4 year old son of Sindar x Final Straw x Guilty Conscience had a lot of support in the chat room at race time.  Would he get  the garden trip and swoop in for a piece late?  He also was bottomed out by the hot early pace and fell too far back to close into horses of this level. Also gaining ground late and nothing to hand his head over.

Minnesota- ATAUN Tr Palmisland

The 4 year old son of Gone West x Sadler’s Wells x Blushing Groom and 2007 Bluegrass Derby wanted to make a long sustained run starting around the 6f marker and not stop that move until the wire. That is just what this great champion did. He only is not wearing the ultimate badge of success because of a competitor who refused to lose. Ataun ran huge and Silver medal glory should be basked in. Awesome effort by a sim legend.

Hispano Parlante- FUSILY JERRY Tr Wrecked

The 5 year old son of Rahy x Dixieland Band x Secretariat was winning late was told by this sharp cookie that he needed a career best along with a bucket of luck.  Guess what folks he had all that and more. Fusily Jerry ran a career best 108, outkicking the biggest kicks in the sim. His “shock the world” performance had Hispano Parlante in a frenzy. I tip my cap to the rez, the connection and this horse for running a race of a lifetime in the biggest of spots.  This one will not soon be forgotten anywhere and will always be a part of the great Hispano Parlante annals. As Dick Vitale would say UPSET CITY….  GOLD MEDAL BABY!!!!!!!!!

The CR Racers- CASH MONEY KID Tr looney1

The 4 year old son of Newfoundland x Nijinsky II x Mr. Prospector was brimming with confidence at the ultimate moment of his career.  He needed the performance he ran two back (109) and not the one he ran in his last (103). A nice run in a huge spot and better days will be ahead for the trainer and horse.

Rash- BLUFF ON STAGE Tr Chicks

This 5 year old son of Pine Bluff x Theatrical x Trempolino arrived on his biggest stage unfurling a large bluff, and some thought he might be trouble in this race.  He turned in a fine effort and will also see days where that effort leads to a better result.

Kentucky Horsemen- MAMBO COLOR Tr Cyberex

The 4 year old son of Le Vie Dei Colorie had improved greatly since being switched to dirt full time.  He ran nicely but as might have been expected he was in with horses that are better than him right now.

Queensland- ULTRRANDOM Tr Hawkz

The 6 year old son of Jallad x Youth x Elocutionist was written off a bit here.  After his rider lost his whip and a stirrup coming out the gate all hope was lost. He never got to show his best stride.

 Ohio– DARKNESS COMES Tr. Liddleski

The 6 year old son of Desert King x Jade Hunter x Bold Bidder had only one lifetime race of over 100 spf. Now he has two. Ran a huge effort and most have everyone in his camp bursting with pride He nearly ran big enough to hold on for a piece.

EWC- Enam Tr Denovo

The 4 year old son of Fasilyev x Silver Hawk x Slip Anchor was a lifetime maiden on dirt and he still is Denovo’s charge gave a very solid effort and can be proud to have participated in one of the best races on this whole card.

Final Analysis

it was exactly as advertised; a field full of talent and once the gate opened anything could and did happen. The few horses do who had superior resumes ran into a horse that simply did not care. The pace was healthy but not blood curdling. I gave you a three horse exacta box featuring Pine Spirit, Shallow Water and Ataun. They ran 2^nd 4^th and 5^th.  The horses (Fusilly Jerry GOLD and Sandbank BRONZE) that broke up this exacta ran monster races and pulled off a couple of the best training jobs of Equinics day. Atuan (SILVER) the horse who came in with the biggest reputation did nothing to disappoint. I really enjoyed it and I hope you did too.