Breeders Bowl Dirt Marathon

We have full field of runner for the 14 furlong race on dirt. 9 of the 14 horses have won a Grade 1 previously and all have shown they can compete at this level. 12 of the 14 are 4 or 5 year olds and there is one mare in the field. 4 of the horses have been available in claimers in their life. Get out there and look for the hidden gems folks, they are out there. I ran a mare in this event years ago, and I’ll just say I hope this one has more success than I did!

Casterly Cat 22/1

The only 3 year old in the field and the longshot, Casterly Cat is bred to perfection. Out of HOF Mare Cadet Cat, this son of Curlin is just starting to hit its stride. Casterly Cat still hasn’t won a graded race, but a 2^nd in a G1 last time out with a 113 speed figure, shows that he has enough to be at toward the top of the field. I feel I need to talk about this horse’s Mom, Cadet Cat and the success she has had. Casterly Cat is the 8^th baby, and the 6^th graded winner. Cadet Cat is 8 of 8 on producing Stakes winners. It seems this mare can produce winners. She even has 2 horses in this race! At 22/1, this horse is a steal.

Customizer 12/1

The first of the 4 horses previously in claimers, Customizer is the only horse in the field that has won a Horse of the Year award. He is also the oldest in the field at 6 years old. Unfortunately, it looks to me like father time is starting to catch up to Customizer hasn’t won a race in over a year. However, he did manage a 3^rd in a G1 early this year, so trainer Vodka7 is hoping their horse has one more big run in them.

LikeIGiveAHoot 16/1

This writer has to admit, he had never heard of the sire Hootenanny before. It is a good thing trainer Winterset did, as it produced this terrific horse. He started off on the turf with moderate success, but really turned the corner when he tried dirt, and was stretched out to longer races. LikeIGiveAHoot has won 3 in a row, winning by 3 or more lengths in each. One of which being the G1 The Monster Mash last time out with a speed figure of 111. This is another horse in great form and should be in contention at the end.

Jabuk Calotte 12/1

This 5 year old son of Sea the Stars, is a G1 winner and has proven to be a very good runner on both dirt and turf. He started off the 2023 year in great form winning 2 including a G1. Since then, he has turned a 2^nd, a 3^rd and a 4^th. Last time out was a third losing to LikeIGiveAHoot. This author thinks that won’t change this race, and Jabuk Calotte may have a hard time chasing down the leaders.

Went Nationwide 12/1

Went Nationwide is coming of a 2 ½ month rest after a less than steller performance in the G1 Seattle Stayer back in August. One of the 2 horses in the field that has yet to win a Graded race, I don’t think this is going to be the race that it happens. That said, Went Nationwide has shown some very impressive speed early this year running a 117 speed figure in a G3 and coming in 2^nd. Hopefully that rest did the horse well, and we can see a repeat of that run.

Beer on the Wall 10/1

Another former claimer, this horse could have been had for a mere $50k back in 2021. Bali88 spent that and it sure paid off. 6 wins including 2 G3 wins has this horse earning surpassing $600k. Beer on the Wall ran in this race last year and came in 6^th and seems to be in about the same form. He will sit on the back of the field for most of the race with great closing speed. I think he won’t quite make it, but should put some fear in the front runners who see him in their rear-view mirror.

Desort Meola 6/1

The odds maker’s favorite at 6/1, put on quite the show in the last year+ putting in 6 wins in a row with wins 3 or more lengths including 2 G3s and a G1. However, after those 6 wins, last race he fell off running a 6^th place finish with a 105 speed figure. Was that just a bad race? Was the start of the end of his great career? This writer doesn’t know, but we may know after this race. If Desort Meola can regain the form it had during his win streak, he will be the one to beat.

Jabuk Annoy 11/1

The only mare in the field, this daughter of Tapit is going to coming back again after getting 2^nd in last year’s Dirt Marathon against the boys. She had a few more good runs after that great race last year, but seems to be slowing down as the year has progressed. Does she have it in her to come back and avenge her 2^nd place last year?

Fleetwood Bundy 11/1

After proving himself as the fastest Turkish horse, Fleetwood Bundy was brought to America to compete against others at this elite level of production. He has won all three races in the states including a G1, and had a 2^nd in a G2 during a quick weekend getaway to Hong Kong. This son of Super Saver out of a G1 winning mare Elite Titleist, is in peak form. I believe this should be the favorite for the race and who I will be putting my money on this Friday.

Grandezza 10/1

Grandezza will likely set the pace early on, but the outside post is not going to do him any favors. Trainer Frankster does not shy away from competition as he has run Grandezza in G1s in his last 11 of 12 starts. The only “break” was a G2. Grandezza has responded winning 4 of those races. Frankster tried him on the turf last start which was where he started his career, but is back on the dirt for this one. Grandezza had a 10^th place finish in last year’s Dirt Marathon and while I think he will run better this time, there is just too much late speed in the race for him to hold on.

Cadet Rat 8/1

The older brother of Casterly Cat, this horse wants to make sure lil bro doesn’t beat him. I think the time has come as I like Casterly Cat more in this race. Cadet Rat is no slouch coming in 3^rd last race in the G1 Seattle Stayer. He should be up front with Grandezza, but much like Grandezza, I expect him to be run down.

Distorted Funnies 7/1

This scratch bred was the winner of this race last year and is back to try to keep the crown. That was the last win on dirt for him but he has grabbed a G1 win on turf. This versatile horse can still run and should be in mix for another win. He will be upfront with Cadet Rat and Grandezza and has the best chance of the 3 to hold on. He held on from the post 9 last year, now we will see if he can from the 12.

Lopo’s Pride 8/1

Lopo should be proud of this one. He is new to the Graded circuit, with this being only the 4^th grade race he has run. A 117 speed figure in a G3 and a win in a G2, shows he belongs here. He had a rough show in his first G1 last race but hopefully Lopo’s Pride can show he belongs at the G1 level. The lowest career earner in the field to date, but he should still have a lot of earnings to come.

Arrrrrr 8/1

Another front runner and this one is stuck on the far outside. He managed a 2^nd in a G3 last race out of post 10, so it can be done. He has had a nice long rest of almost 4 months, so Arrrrrr should come in rested and ready to run. He has put up some of the highest speed figures in the field with a 118 last year. He should be in the mix, but I don’t see him quite breaking the top 3. I’m betting an exacta of Fleetwood Bundy and Casterly Cat.