Breeders’ Bowl Turf 2023 by Lenny

The Breeders’ Bowl Turf’s history is one of Champions. Eclipse Winners. Hall of Famers. Horses that I still consider the best of the best going all the way back to when I started playing this great game. Joe Cayenne, Sunnybank Memorial, Allied Assault and Lex Luthor all won it once. The great Horseshoe Bay won it twice. It has always been a race that separated the men from the boys so to speak.

In recent years, with so many rich races taking place in the fall at the classic 12-furlong distance, some owners have opted to run in the Ark and then not wheel back for the BB and instead have targeted the more lucrative Japan Classic at the end of the month. This year we have no 3YOs in the field, which may seem a bit odd, but this year’s Ark did not have any 3YOs either so maybe it is just a sign of the times.  If you have a horse that can compete at 12 furlongs you have numerous options to choose from.

Here is the field:

TAKAVACHO – Mano Racing Stables

Brian Boru x Belong to Frank (Frankel x Savabeel) – 4YO Gelding

Stuff you should know:  #1 Ranked in Long Turf Division, 2023 winner of GI Jockey’s Weapon 12F Turf, GI The Grand Brazilian 12F Turf, GI John Scott Appreciation Stakes 12F Turf, and 2022 GI King Kong Vase 12F Turf. Off track has been hit or miss.

Things I like:  Tops in the division and coming into this race after winning the GI Jockey’s Weapon on 10/17. Has shown he’s fast enough when he’s dialed in and has four GI wins under his belt so he’s no one-hit wonder.  Race is wide open.

Things that concern me:  Last race win was a very short and very light field a mere two weeks ago.  He’s won three GIs this year at this distance, but also thrown in a few clunkers in GIs at this distance including the Sword Swallower where he was beaten by a few entered here.  He was more consistent about a year ago.

Final Thoughts:  In with a solid shot, and if the right version shows up for this race, he’s as good as any in the field.  A definite shot on fast turf, but odds get tougher to me with an off track based on the GIII two races back.

BALON D’OR – BigRick Racing Stables

Kitten’s Joy x Redoute’s Choice x Montjeu – 4YO Gelding

Stuff you should know:  Was claimed for $40,000 (80 bps) in March of 2023. Ouch!!  Condolences to RWhisper. We’ve all been there!  2023 winner of GI Coffeefields Cup 12F Turf, and The Expensive Jalopy 12F Turf. Has won 5 of 6 since being claimed. He’s never run on an off track.

Things I like:  Comes in off back-to-back GI wins at the distance and has run his fastest career races his last three starts, all in GI races.  He ran out of room chasing fellow entrant King Kam Galileo three back in the Sword Swallower but put up a 122 and finished ahead of others entered in this race.

Things that concern me:  This is the best field he’s faced to date.  He’s another wheeling back in roughly two weeks and this will be his fourth GI in just three months.  Very tough to maintain good form for that long.

Final Thoughts:  Balon D’or is very live and if he can overcome the short turnaround and runs at top form, he can win this race. Oh, and I need to look at claiming races way more often!!

ALL IN A DREAM – Flagdown Racing Stables

Galileo x Dubai Millenium x Caerleon – 4YO Horse

Stuff you should know:  Likes it Long – 2023 winner of GI Ackland Cup 16F Turf and 2022 winner of The Vicky Derby 12.5F Turf on Good Turf. There are closers, deep closers, horses that break down, and then this guy – he comes from the absolute clouds!

Things I like:  Comes into the race off a solid effort in the Ark de Comicdog, running a tight third with a 120 speed figure. In that race All In A Dream woke up over 24 lengths back at the half and only missed the win by a length. That race had 17 GI winners, and the two who finished ahead of this guy are not entered here.

Things that concern me:  Only win at 12F was in a GII in September of last year. He’s been inconsistent a bit and could bounce off the big Ark effort.

Final Thoughts:  If the race comes up wet, his chances improve. Combined with an off track, his last effort puts him near the top of the who-can-win list.

KING KAM GALILEO – Stockswami Racing Stables

Galileo x Queen Kam (King Kamehameha x Dubawi) – 5YO Horse

Stuff you should know:  Dam is in the Hall of Fame. She was a great runner in her own right, winning three GIs from 8-10F on turf.  Sibling King Kam Sepoy won GIs on both surfaces including the Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile, and sibling My Awesome King won multiple GIs on turf including the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile Turf.  King Kam Galileo is the 2023 winner of The Sword Swallower GI 12F Turf and the 2022 Razorback Route 14F Dirt.

Things I like:  Fantastic family that has won on this stage. King Kam Galileo himself ran a respectable fourth in the Breeders’ Bowl Marathon last year. His 122 in the Sword Swallower victory would be good enough to win this.

Things that concern me:  Ark bounce can be overlooked a bit coming off a career best race before it, but that was a quality field that had others in this race finish ahead of him. I’m not sure this is his best distance or even his best surface.

Final Thoughts:  Fits right into the thick of things for this race. With a win, mare gets her third BB winner and she’ll only be an 11yo next year in the shed. Good vibes here.

BANNOW DRIVE – Dixiedotco Racing Stables

Epiphaneia x Wexford County (Sadler’s Wells x Roberto) – 4YO Gelding

Stuff you should know:  Best runner from a very solid mare. Mom won multiple stakes 10-11F on turf and numerous siblings with stakes and graded victories in the turf route category.  Has not lost a race this year! 2023 winner of The Classic Turf Stakes 12F on Good Turf – his only GI attempt. Has been unclaimed in four claiming races lifetime. I think everyone figures if Dixie is putting it in a claim I might as well not bother!

Things I like:  Form is on the upswing. Well rested and loves the off going. The Sim Mount Rushmore is just this trainer’s face four times.

Things that concern me:  Has yet to really be tested and his last race, although a GI win, was very light. Most of the family wasn’t quite as good at 12F as they were at 10-11F.

Final Thoughts:  It’s a Dixie horse who hasn’t lost a race this year. Regardless of type, he knows how to prep them and knows where to place them. Legit! Did I mention I need to look at claims way more often?

KING OF DUBAWI – Rubber5 Racing Stables

Dubawi x Kingmambo x Montjeu – 4YO Gelding

Stuff you should know:  2023 Winner of The Milan Grand Prix 12F on off Turf.

Things I like:  Has won three of four races on off going, including his sole GI win three back. Two back ran a game second against a quality field in the King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald Stakes on firm turf. If you toss the Ark, which wasn’t brutal, and he runs back to his form two and three back he wouldn’t be hard to see hitting the board.

Things that concern me:  His sole GI win was on an off track and against a very light field. Although his run in the King Geoff was good, he’s had a lot of head-scratcher performances in softer spots. No idea which runner shows up.

Final Thoughts:  He’s won a GI on soft turf, so he moves up considerably if the grass is wet Saturday.  Needs to run a career best race to win but can contend for a piece if things go his way.

GNARLED SHADOWS – Lenny271 Racing Stables

Kitten’s Joy x Smart Strike x Monsun – 5YO Gelding

Stuff you should know:  All of his wins have been in wire-to-wire fashion? Really reaching here, but everyone gets an at bat.

Things I like:  His sole race at 12F was in a GI and he ran second. His last four races have been the best of his career, but really hoping he’s a monster on off turf if it ends up wet at this point.

Things that concern me:  He’ll need to set a career best speed figure to win and that still may not be fast enough.  He needs to lead to win and there is more speed here than he’s seen before.  Could surprise and contend for a minor piece but could run dead last.

Final Thoughts:  Yuck. In my head I’m thinking about scratching as I write this. Yet, I’ve seen turf sprinters win the Derby, so he goes to post. The Sim’s motto is much like the New York State Lottery – ‘Hey, you never know’.

BRAZILIAN BOMB – John5539 Racing Stables

Alpha x Elysium Fields (Pivotal x Sadler’s Wells) – 5YO Gelding

Stuff you should know:  Mom won three GIs on turf from 9-10.5F. He’s the best offspring to date. Is three-for-eight lifetime….in claiming races! Thankfully he never got claimed.

Things I like:  Another who seems to like soft going, this 5YO just got into stakes races this year and has not missed the board yet. Four races back he won a GIII at 12F on the turf with a 122, so he’s fast enough to win. Last three races were all in GIs at 12F and he’s earned two seconds and a third.

Things that concern me:  No GI wins and, although he’s run well in the last three races, he’s been beaten by a few in this race and seemed to be losing ground in all three. 

Final Thoughts:  Solid horse who has really improved this year as the competition has gotten tougher. He’s proved he is fast enough to win, but really needs to turn the tables on a few of the others in this race and take a step forward in GI company.  Why am I not checking claiming races more often?

A VANISHING ACT – Spinround Racing Stables

Galileo x The Valkyrie (Awesome Again x Dynaformer He-Mare) – 4YO Horse

Stuff you should know:  Has already surpassed his he-mare who was a SW and G1 placed at 12F on turf. 2023 Winner of the Coronation Pilsner at 12F on turf.

Things I like:  His GI win earlier this year was solid and fast enough to put him in contention. Gritty horse whose couple graded wins were both by a head; he knows how to get his nose in front.

Things that concern me:  His last two races. Both were against accomplished fields, and neither were good enough to hit anyone’s tickets here.

Final Thoughts: Like that he’s wheeling back in the 5-week range.  His best races earlier this year were off about the same rest, whereas his two clunkers were off 8 or 9-week spells. Could be an angle?

I AM SWEEPER COTC – Cothill Racing Stables

I Am Invincible x Sweeper ER (Sadler’s Wells x Dynaformer) – 4YO Horse

Stuff you should know:  Best runner out of a solid mare. She won stakes on turf from 11.5-13F. Numerous siblings have won stakes on turf from 8-12F, and one was a GIII winner at a mile on grass.

Things I like:  Hasn’t been back at 12F in a while (1/14/23) but that race, although a 5^th place finish, was his fastest career race.  Wheeling back here off four consecutive races at 16F including a second place finish in the Gold Glass GI where he finished ahead of a few entered here. The cutback could be just what he needs to take a step forward as it’ll take a career best to earn some money here.

Things that concern me:  His two graded wins were a year apart with the last being April of this year at 14F on turf. Since then, he’s been competitive in graded races at 16F but hasn’t shown the type of move you’d like to see from someone trying to win his first GI.

Final Thoughts:  Cutting back to 12F after four in a row in graded at 16F. If you toss the last, he’s been in decent form but will need a big step forward to contend here. 

SKIES MAY FALL – Sremel9 Racing Stables

Night of Thunder x Cups Hero (Teofilo x Monsun) – 4YO Horse

Stuff you should know:  Best runner out of G2 winning mare who won graded races at 9.5 and 10F on turf. 2023 winner of URC – A Tribute to Smokeglack GI at 12F on turf.

Things I like:  Recent form has been solid, winning the Smokeglack two back and following it up with a fair fourth in the Canada Turf GI at 12F on turf. Three back handily won an open stakes at 12F with a 117 and is competitive every time he gets in the gate. If he stays consistent could be a contender here as well.

Things that concern me:  Not a ton other than I’m not sure he’s fast enough to win.  Needs to improve a good bit from his last race.

Final Thoughts:  Fits right in with this field. Might be a smidge slower than some of these, but everyone here has a few issues so he can’t be counted out. Is one-for-one on off going as well.

LA PLAYA BUENO – MTK76 Racing Stables

Beach Patrol x Muy Duro (Smart Strike x Danehill) – 6YO Horse

Stuff you should know: Mare was a GIII winner on turf at 10.5F and has produced a couple GI winners including La Playa Bueno. Sibling Muy Delicioso was a GI winner at 8F on the turf. 2022 winner of the John Scott Appreciation Stakes and Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic, both at 12F on firm turf.

Things I like:  Has been fast enough in the past to win this and has multiple GI wins at this distance and surface. Trainer is patient and knows this game inside and out.

Things that concern me:  Although he’s hit the board a few times, his last significant win was in March of 2022. He’s hit the board five times since then in GIs at this distance, but that’s about the best I can see for him in this race. Maybe a piece of the Super?

Final Thoughts: Trainer has won just about everything in the Sim and knows how to get his horses ready.  La Playa Bueno got necked out of winning this very race two years ago, so maybe the redemption angle works?

BABYLON HAS FALLEN – Willyam13 Racing Stables

Sea The Stars x Prayingwithimpact (Dubawi x Galileo) – 4YO Horse

Stuff you should know:  Mare was a GI winner at 12F on the turf and has been amazing in the shed; will probably end up in HOF at her current pace. Sibling Warfareisspiritual won three GIs from 10-12F on turf including the Breeders’ Bowl F&M Turf at 11F. Sibling Aspirationofpraise won multiple GIs at 10F on turf.

Things I like: Top notch mare and Elite pedigree. Hasn’t crossed the line first in anything more than a stakes race, but his last effort, a second in The Expensive Jalopy GI at 12F, was his fastest career effort at 120. A repeat of that puts him right in the thick of things at the wire.

Things that concern me:  Although his last was a career best race, he was caught and put away handily by Balon D’or also running in this race. The race before that, in the GI King Geoff, was a really poor effort.

Final Thoughts:  Family has thrived in these types of races and this guy was knocking on the door last time out. Needs to turn the tide on Balon D’or to have a shot at the win. His owner is at the top of my want-to-meet-someday list; an absolute gem of human being!

RYANS PRAXIS – Rbokie24 Racing Stables

So You Think x King Kamehameha x El Prado – 5YO Scratch Horse

Stuff you should know:  After running second to Takavacho last December in the King Kong Vase, really lost his form for a good bit of this year. Found it recently winning a stakes and G2 at 11.5F on the turf, both at career best speeds.

Things I like:  If you toss the Canada Turf race because he didn’t like the travel from Japan to Ontario, his two races at 11.5F were career bests and put him in contention in this race.

Things that concern me:  His last two GI races at 12F have been losses by a combined 39+ lengths. If you think the second in the King Kong last year was more of a fluke, just might not quite be good enough to win at the GI level.

Final Thoughts:  I’m not sold that 12F is his best distance but can’t fault his connections for taking a shot here based off those two 11.5F romps two and three back. Will need a massive effort here to win, but stranger things have happened. It’s the Sim!

There you have it. A very competitive and balanced field for the 2023 Breeders’ Bowl Turf.  If I was betting, I’d probably lean Balon D’oro to win with Bannow Drive and King Kam Galileo fighting for second.  Congratulations to all who have one in here and Good Luck this weekend!!