A Battle of International Juveniles In Canada
This week’s feature race in
I WIN (KY) 14/1 Divisional Rank: 119
2 Year Old Colt
POINT GIVEN x NIJINSKY II x
Jockey: T LeVan ( 88 – 10 – 7 – 6 – 11% )
Record (7 : 2 – 0 – 0) $40,080 Turf (4 : 2 – 0 – 0) $38,185
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 76
The second longest shot on the board, this Point Given colt figures to improve as the distances get longer, and he will have to improve to be competitive this weekend. His best run came three starts back when he got home by a nose in a mile allowance on the grass, and he should appreciate the extra 100 meters of Saturday’s race. He likes to come from far back and he will need an honest pace. However, his last two outings have resulted in two dull fourth place finishes and this will be his eighth start of the year. His connections will be hoping he hasn’t gone stale.
A.P. HARLEQUIN (AUS) 10/1 Divisional Rank: 294
2 Year Old Colt
ROYAL HARLEQUIN (AUS) x A.P. INDY x THEATRICAL(IRE)
Jockey: Mo Johnson ( 113 – 5 – 14 – 12 – 4% )
Record (6 : 2 – 1 – 2) $51,358 Turf (4 : 2 – 1 – 1) $45,510
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 83
This Australian bred colt will be trying a route of ground for the first time and he could be a real sleeper in here given the added distance. His two best races have come at 7 furlongs and he was impressive last time out when he scampered home by 2-1/4 lengths at that distance in an allowance. In winning that race he recored his best speed number of 83. Another improvement this weekend could put him right there at the finish.
TO ALL THE CYNICS (IRE) 9/2 Divisional Rank: 2
2 Year Old Colt
DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) x VICTORY GALLOP x STORM CAT
Jockey:
Record (5 : 3 – 2 – 0) $463,840 Turf (5 : 3 – 2 – 0) $463,840
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 90
The joint morning-line favorite, this colt from the first crop of the red hot Sim sire Dylan Thomas is the only Grade 1 winner in the field. He was awesome last time out in winning that one mile grass contest, and a repeat performance on Saturday will surely put him in the winner’s circle here. His numbers have improved with each start and off a six week break he figures to be fresh for a fall campaign. Looking further down the road, this colt is by an Arc winner out of a mare by a
FLYER (FL) 16/1 Divisional Rank: N/A
2 Year Old Colt
WILKO x TIGER HILL (IRE) x WITH APPROVAL
Jockey: J Allen ( 69 – 3 – 4 – 11 – 4% )
Record (4 : 1 – 2 – 0) $40,800 Turf (3 : 1 – 2 – 0) $40,800
Distance (1 : 1 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 83
The joint longest shot on the board this colt provides bettors with an intriguing longshot possibility. After a subpar dirt debut this guy has improved with each outing since being put on the grass. He finally broke his maiden last out after two solid runners up efforts. In that race he rallied from far back to score by 3/4 lengths over 8.5 furlongs with a speed rating of 83. So we know he is improving and we know he can handle the distance. Hunch players will also love the fact that his sire is Wilko who shocked the BC Juvenile in 2004. However, is he coming back too soon after only three weeks rest? hhhmmm
MARCUS ANDRATTICUS (
2 Year Old Colt
MARCUS ANDRONICUS x MONSUN(GER) x CARO(IRE)
Jockey: H McSpeed ( 58 – 4 – 7 – 6 – 7% )
Record (6 : 1 – 3 – 2) $354,494 Turf (6 : 1 – 3 – 2) $354,494
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 83
This colt is trying to become the second Indian bred horse by his sire to win a Graded Stakes in the Sim. He is by the impeccably bred freshman sire Marcus Andronicus who was a $1.5 million Coolmore yearling purchase. This colt has only a maiden win in six outings, but he has never been out of the money, and was unlucky to lose his last two starts against Grade 1 and Grade 3 company. He was a fast finishing second on both occasions and his connections are hoping that his first start over a distance of ground would result in that coveted Graded Stakes victory.
PRINCE FOR RANSOM(IRE) 14/1 Divisional Rank: 32
2 Year Old Colt
STRATEGIC PRINCE x RED RANSOM x CRIMSON SATAN
Jockey: V Townsend ( 477 – 47 – 44 – 54 – 10% )
Record (5 : 1 – 1 – 2) $88,775 Turf (5 : 1 – 1 – 2) $88,775
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 80
This colt has never been beyond 6 furlongs but with his breeding I don’t anticipate the 8.5 furlong distance will pose a problem here. His last three starts have all been on the board finishes against Grade 3 company and on the last two occasions he closed well but just ran out of ground. I believe the extra distance will be a plus for him, however I don’t know if it will make him improve enough to put him in the winner’s circle.
QUAD DEUCES(IRE) 16/1 Divisional Rank: 286
2 Year Old Colt
TIGER HILL (IRE) x JOHAR x BLUSHING GROOM(FR)
Jockey: R Heenan ( 534 – 83 – 72 – 70 – 16% )
Record (5 : 2 – 1 – 0) $50,130 Turf (5: 2 – 1 – 0) $50,130
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 73
The joint longest shot on the morning line, this colt will really have to improve dramatically to be any sort of factor against this group. After two wins and a second in his first three starts, he has failed to hit the board in his last two trips to the post. Both those efforts were against Graded Stakes company and this field isn’t any easier. He has the speed to be part of the early pace, whether he will be around at the finish is another question that will be answered on Saturday.
SILVER REVOLVER(KY) 6/1 Divisional Rank: 119
2 Year Old Colt
SILVER DEPUTY x ELUSIVE QUALITY x NIJINSKY II
Jockey: B Tarbotton ( 50 – 4 – 2 – 3 – 8% )
Record (2 : 2 – 0 – 0) $70,980 Turf (2 : 2 – 0 – 0) $70,980
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 81
Unbeaten in two starts this speedy son of Silver Deputy should be part of the pace scenario. After a wire to wire maiden score going 7 furlongs, he came back five weeks later to win a mile allowance over three overmatched rivals. He rated just off the pace that day before drawing away through the stretch. Of some concern is the fact that his speed number that day was significantly lower than his maiden number. Did he run down to the level of his weak competition or was the distance a problem? With a heavily speed influenced pedigree the 8.5 furlongs could be a concern.
EUREKA SPRINGS (IRE) 7/1 Divisional Rank: 20
2 Year Old Colt
MONTJEU (IRE) x SEEKING THE GOLD x BROAD BRUSH
Jockey: B McCafferty ( 74 – 2 – 5 – 14 – 3% )
Record (6 : 2 – 2 – 0) $78,600 Turf (4 : 2 – 1 – 0) $66,100
Distance (1 : 1 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 85
This colt has improved with every start and his form has really taken off since he has been a route of ground. He dominated The Brother Vacuum Stakes four weeks ago in gate to wire fashion over the same distance as Saturday’s race. However, he could be a need the lead type since his only two victories have come when he made a clear early lead and was able to control the pace of the race. All the other speed in here makes his task that much harder if he is unable to rate successfully.
PEGONWAR (JPN) 6/1 Divisional Rank: 28
2 Year Old Colt
WAR EMBLEM x FUSAICHI PEGASUS x SHADEED
Jockey: N Oates ( 57 – 2 – 5 – 7 – 4% )
Record (4 : 4 – 0 – 0) $174,840 Turf (4 : 4 – 0 – 0) $174,840
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 83
From the land of the rising sun comes this War Emblem colt who is unbeaten in four starts. He has been brilliant in each of those four outings, winning on the lead and from just off it. He has also won on fast ground and soft ground, so he hasn’t shown any weaknesses so far. He faces a new test this weekend when he goes a distance of ground for the first time and he also makes his Graded Stakes debut. By a derby winner out of a mare by another derby winner, his connection are unconcerned about the distance. The competition however is another matter. This is his toughest test to date.
TYCOON WELLS(FR) 9/2 Divisional Rank: 43
2 Year Old Colt
ANABAA x LAST TYCOON(IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS
Jockey: B Renfroe ( 575 – 113 – 104 – 79 – 20% )
Record (4 : 3 – 1 – 0) $128,975 Turf (4 : 3 – 1 – 0) $128,975
Distance (0 : 0 – 0 – 0)
Best speed figure: 87
The joint morning line favorite, this colt has reeled off a hat trick of wins after failing by a length in his first start. Last time out he beat the highly regarded Marcus Andratticus (IND) in The Grade 3 Omnipotent Juvenile and he faces that foe again in here. This weekend he goes a furlong futher than he ever has, and even though there are some questions surrounding his distance capabilities, I believe the 8.5 furlongs should be within his scope. He certainly has the class to get the job done and his tactical speed should assist him in negotiating a perfect stalking trip.
Good Luck to all!