The strom came can he make the others sing the blues
Race : Jockey Club Classic – Grade II – $300,000
Track : Sweden
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old
Distance : One mile on the Turf
GYPSY THUNDER (KY) THUNDER GULCH x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x SLEW O’ GOLD
This colt has been busy of late. He has been mixing it with older turf milers and coming up short on his last two starts. This in theory should be an easier task. He was placed over 8f in a grade 3 earlier in the summer which is a bonus class wise. His only run on an off track was a win! That could be a great asset to him today though appears to lack the class to win.
ANOTHER DUD (ENG) SHIROCCO (GER) x SECRETARIAT x DEPUTY MINISTER
This horse has been running over all sorts of trips. He has won a grade 2 over 9f this year which shows he has the class to win at this level. He last win though was over 11f. Since then two runs at 7 and 8 furlongs have resulted in losses. His off track record is poor. Has little or no chance in this race needs to step back up in trip.
STONEBRIDGE KNIGHT (KY) BELONG TO ME x KINGMAMBO x NUREYEV
This gut has done very well indeed. He has won a grade 1 over this trip. That has to be seen as a positive and ran very well to be placed at Royal Ascot as well. He was well beaten in the Equinics last time but has had a nice rest since. The unkown is will he handle the off track if he does could well run into a place on his best form at least.
PASAME LA BOTELLA (ENG) LIBRETTIST x SUNDAY SILENCE x UNFUWAIN
This horse ran a high lifetime speed figure in the Equinics race. On the balance of his form that slightly flatters him to be honest. He is a good solid horse but as of yet has not won a stakes race. At look at his off track record again leaves a sense of well I do not think he has it. The owner will be hoping to build on his last start but in truth I cannot see him hitting the board.
ISGRIMNUR (IRE) MONTJEU (IRE) x DANZIG x MR. PROSPECTOR
This horse has not got the breeding his name would suggest. He is a horse who seems to be improving with racing a swell. He is yet another sim Montjeu that stays nowhere near as well as connections would have hoped for I guess. I doubt they are to worried given his race record. He looks a progressive horse as well. His win and speed figure last out suggesting a graded try is worth while. The only real worry will be the off track.
BOOM GATE (ENG) RAINBOW QUEST x THEATRICAL (IRE) x DANEHILL
This horse has had a very selective and targeted campaign this summer. He has a nice grade 3 win to his credit and classic placing in the spring. In his last two starts he has not really built on them even though given every chance to do so by connections. There has to be the doubt that he is a horse who the others have caught up with which is the case with many good early season 3yo’s in the sim. No off track form either.
COZZANE HILL (KY) COZZENE x KING OF KINGS (IRE) x DANEHILL
This horse has been running over longer than a mile of late. He won a stake race over 9f earlier this year. He has been 5th in his last two runs over longer but has run ok. His connections must be hoping that the drop back in trip sparks improvement, it may well do. I would have though there would have been easier openings to try out the theory. A major positive is his win on a n off track.
HOPEITGOTAPPROVAL (KY) HENNESSY x WITH APPROVAL x PLEASANT COLONY
This horse has been running very well in allowance races of late. In fact his turf record overall is very good with 3 wins and seconds from 7 runs. A negative factor is he has never gone on an off track. He has to overcome the step up to graded class though was placed in a turf stakes race. Although I expect this horse to run well there should eb a few to good for him.
DELPENN CHAMP (KY) SEEKING THE GOLD x SEATTLE SLEW x NORTHERN DANCER
This guy put up a really nice speed figure on his last run to win an allowance race. It would appear that many Seeking The Gold’s are able to do that sort of thing. The big question though is can he carry it into grade class? Only way to find out is run him. An off track win over 8f is another big plus in this horses armour as well. A solid candidate.
CANTAZUCENO (KY) DYNAFORMER x DEPUTY MINISTER x BUCKPASSER
This horse is improving nicely with racing. As one would expect from his breeding age is making him better. Three nice wins on the bounce of late have let the owner give him a crack in here. He has also won on an off track which is another added bonus. Once again the main issue here is can he bridge the gap between allowance and graded class?
STORMIN BLUES (KY) BERNARDINI x STORM CAT x FORTY NINER
He has put in some serious speed figures of late. His last start was a win in the Equinics which was a very good run indeed. He has also won on an off track at stakes level. He appears to have a poker hand that trumps all the other players here. The question is has it got the funds to win the pot so to speak. If he runs his race should win today. In the sim we all know horse do not do that often enough but let’s hope he does for connections. On a side note Bernardini sire top class turf horse (I guess that will be like Mineshaft has done in real life then).
DANISH LAW (IRE) DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) x LAW SOCIETY (IRE) x MT. LIVERMORE
This horse I s the outsider in this field. He has been running well in sprint races winning over 7.5f at that level in the spring. Looking at his form his speed figures appear to be lacking. He has failed to win at a mile or above and has not won on an off track. I cannot see him reversing any off those tends in this race with some exciting progressive horses.
PALAZZO (ENG) MEDICEAN (GB) x GONE WEST x SEATTLE SLEW
This horse has been well campaigned. He has 7 wins from 16 starts lifetime. He has been starting to struggle of late. It may well be he is a horse that some of the others have caught up with. He is still posting nice speed figures but finding a few to good each time. I think more of the same will be on offer to day solid run but not good enough. Major positive is that he handles an off track.
SILENT AND SMOOTH (IRE) SHAMARDAL x SEATTLE SLEW x NUREYEV
This guy has a nice improving profile. He ran well last time behind Storming Blues no reason to be honest why this horse should turn the form around though. He has no off track form which will be against him as well today. A lot of his sires offspring improve over time in the sim, that makes sense being a son of Giant’s Causeway though. I doubt this horse will figure today but has the look of a horse that could easily win a graded race at 4.
As for my selections. I think I have to follow the class and select Stormin Blues for the win. I would expect the two horses who appear on the best upward curve and off track form to take the place spots in Cantazuceno and Delpenn Champ.