Plenty of Jockeys in the Jockey Guild
This is probably the first G1 race that I have covered that I can recall so I hope I do it justice. Welcome people to the Jockey Guild Gold Cup Grade 1 over a mile and one quarter. The dirt track is rated as fast for these 3yo’s and up and it should be one cracker of a race at first glance at the runners. Let’s see who is running and who the standouts are:
1 A PRAYER(KY)
Owner: 88stud
Record: 21-2-6-4
Earnings: $395,761
Jockey: R Haffner
Odds: 11/1
4yo colt out of Crafty Prospector x Danzig x Seattle Slew. Is in the best form of his career at the moment running some good recent races. Has only 2 wins to his name but has been very consistent in placing throughout his racing career to date. One of those wins and where he earnt the majority of his earnings was 2 runs back in the G2 Iowa Cornhusker BB Classic over 9 furlongs on what was rated as a good dirt track. Won by 3 lengths with a speed rating of 109. Great run! His last race out was in the G2 Insulin Cap over 9 furlongs again, fast dirt and placed second with a career best speed of 112. Prior to that was mainly Allowance and Stakes racing with some moderate success. So he is in good form and starting to make his claim at G2 grade. Will need to continue his recent good form and probably improve to take this out. Chance though of being there at the end.
2 ANDREW JOHN(KY)
Owner: sonofaus
Record: 13-6-1-1
Earnings: $230,125
Jockey: B Dirks
Odds: 7/1
Breeding is from A.P. Indy x Sadler’s Wells x Seeking The Gold and has 6 wins to his name out of 13 outings. Coming off yet another win at Stakes level with a very good run over 11 furlongs with a speed of 111. Well running colt in decent form. Have to point out one thing though. while he has been running decent runs has been unable to really make the jump from Stakes level into Group racing. The best he has done at Group level was back in February with a third place finish in a G2 race. Since then though each time he has had his chance has been unable to really push to be with the front runners. Trainer giving him another chance here – will need to possibly start his run earlier so that he has enough room to wind up to his top speed and catch the front-runners.
3 THE KID STU(KY)
Owner: lenny9
Record: 14-8-2-0
Earnings: $829,120
Jockey: N Lawton
Odds: 7/1
With 8 wins from only 14 outings, The Kid is used to winning. Running recently in some big races had a great win in August in the G1 CA Classic over 10 furlongs winning by 1 3/4 lengths. Speed rating of 117. Thats pretty impressive. Likes to lead and get out front early in the race. One of the ones that I believe can take this out particularly if he gets a good jump and the early run as he likes to do. Out of Seeking Gold x Northern Dancer x Hail To Reason has some very good bloodlines and will have a very good chance at this if he runs like he did two outings back. Certainly worth a bet.
4 THOROUGHFARE(KY)
Owner: avalanche3
Record: 21-3-3-5
Earnings: $164,119
Jockey: J Bachand
Odds: 15/1
Out of the highly fancied Ghostzapper x Pulpit x Forty Niner, is going to be doing it tough here you would think based on his recent form and results which is probably why the tote has him at 15/1. Still he can run otherwise he wouldnt be here. Does prefer to lead if he gets a good jump and then try and hang on at the finish. Last time out was a third place finish in the Their Rattles Cap Stakes over 10 furlongs. I just have a question mark on whether he can put together the pace and stamina for this distance.
5 THE BLUE SINGS(KY)
Owner: meguire2nd
Record: 17-4-2-4
Earnings: $125,498
Jockey: T Johnson
Odds: 28/1
Long shot of the race but is in the form of his career coming off of 2 wins. Last outing was a win over 10 furlongs in the Deputy Robin Memorial Stakes on a slow track which he won convincingly by 2 lengths and a speed of 108. Previous race was also a win in Allowance company again over 10 furlongs. Out of Bluegrass Cat x Unbridled’s Song x Runaway Groom certainly likes the wetter tracks with a record of 7 outings for 2-2-2. Based on his recent form he will need to step up again to challenge here. In good form though and fantastic odds if he does get there.
6 HERE FOR THE PARTY
Owner: babyfarm
Record: 43-9-9-4
Earnings: $616,632
Jockey: C Ambrose
Odds: 9/1
Known as the life of the party is always ready to go on, make a joke or just chat about anything thats going to keep the atmosphere flowing. Out of Hansel x Trempolino x Danzig, is an experienced campaigner with 9 wins to his name. Last time out needed some extra distance as he was still winding up as he crossed the finish line. However he put it all together for his ninth win in the recent Scapped River Special stakes over 10 furlongs with a speed of 113. Even though this is harder, much harder he does have the experience, form and knowledge to challenge in this one. Could be worth watching if you prefer the experienced runner.
7 BLUEGRASS GHOST(KY)
Owner: illbred
Record: 22-8-6-0
Earnings: $1,037,921
Jockey: B Child
Odds: 9/2
Another out of the very successful Ghostzapper x Seattle Slew x Buckpasser, this one is on the money. Seems to excel in these higher grade races with a resounding win by 4 1/2 lengths in the G1 Ace Bailey’s Childrens Foundation Restricted race in August and a speed of 115. With varied placings at Stakes level, we go back to February and March where he won in both the G2 Vermont is 4 Lovers and the Stakes Rock’s Texas Cooking Series both over 10 furlongs. At his distance here and he likes to perform at the top level. Hard to go past.
8 SPANIARD(KY)
Owner: spqr
Record: 19-6-1-2
Earnings: $249,584
Jockey: R Foster
Odds: 9/1
Awesome Again x Alydar x Bold Ruler is the breeding and is in reasonable form although not the best of his career. A 4yo colt that is going to have to step up here certainly in terms of the speeds he has been posting on average considering some of the class he is up against here. May well enjoy the extra distance being allowed in this race and has raced in Group racing before although not with much success to date. Odds are probably flattering where he stands in this race and will need a very good run to take this out.
9 MANIUS THE MIGHTY
Owner: waremblem1
Record: 30-9-5-5
Earnings: $545,885
Jockey: P Davis
Odds: 9/1
Good name. I like it. From Kingmambo x Seattle Slew x Alleged is this upstanding and mighty 5yo chestnut horse. Not so mighty last time out though with a very disappointing run in the G1 The George W. Loser Tribute over 10 furlongs. Finished in 9th place and fading badly more than 26 lengths behind the leader. One the trainer will be wanting to forget and so I wont say anything more about it here. Actually forget I even mentioned it. The race we can talk about is the previous outing which was a Stakes race, The Cat Dance Memorial also over 10 furlongs. Sensational win by almost two lengths and a very good speed of 110. Not the first run of this quality either with a win in the G2 Statewide Pinhead Guild Stakes back in April. So he can run. Definite chance here if he runs in that sort of form. Worth considering.
10 STRIKE THE RED(KY)
Owner: catamount2
Record: 27-10-4-3
Earnings: $317,335
Jockey: A Sailor
Odds: 5/1
One of the more fancied runners on the tote and if you look at his record you can see why. Consistency with a capital C. Coming into this race on the back of 3 wins all at Stakes level and at consistent – theres that word again – speeds of 111, 112 and 110. From Smart Strike x Broad Brush x Alydar and looks the goods here. In tip top form and you would be hard pressed to dismiss this one lightly. Did run at G3 level back in April which was a miserable ninth place. Only question mark really – can he step up here? I think he can.
11 SUMMER WINE(KY)
Owner: kingman
Record: 17-3-6-3
Earnings: $237,815
Jockey: Ax Williams
Odds: 8/1
Another one with good consistent racing and this at Group level too this time. Out of Forestry x Nureyev x Buckpasser has only 3 wins to his name so you would think is being pushed way too hard to even be considered here. Not so because has raced at Group level before including G1 and placed. Likes the distance so is deserved odds at 8/1. You would think would be around the front runners in the straight – only needs to step up a little to challenge. Certainly worth putting a few bob on this one.
12 ALINA DANCER
Owner: jakematt
Record:
Earnings:
Jockey: N Painter
Odds: 10/1
Out of Gone West x Nureyev x Round Table. You dont find too many at this level with unknown or unproven sires do you? This one will be full of confidence after coming from a very close win by a head in the G2 Upstate BB Stakes over 10 furlongs. Up and down a little in form so hard to pick which way he is going to run this time. Hopefully the right way and thats finishing hard like he did last time out. Outer odds so watch your money but this one could very well surprise. Maybe…
The winner today will be taking home a whole bunch of cash. My picks for the finish are:
7 BLUEGRASS GHOST(KY)
11 SUMMER WINE(KY)
6 HERE FOR THE PARTY