PAST , PRESENT, and FUTURE COLLIDE in KAMIKAZE MILE
Race :
Track : Japan
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : One mile on the Turf
RACE ID: 3742.5016
We are here today in the Land of the Rising Sun for a preview of Saturday’s Owner Restricted Kamikaze Mile. The race, part of THE BARGAIN BRED RACING SERIES, is for 3yr, olds & up, to be run over the turf course at a flat mile and carries a purse of $75,000 dolllars. A field of 10 runners are expected to contest the outcome, headed by the un-restricted Stakes winner DAKOTA, with earnings of over $200,000 dollars and former Bargain Series winner SHOAIB AKHATAR(the only filly in the race), who easily captured last year’s Bargain Princess Stakes. At first glance it looks like these two, along with several others have a real chance at capturing the title, which should make for an exciting afternoon. So lets take minute to get a closer look at the field and see how the race figures to play out.,,
POST #1 FORD GT FORTY (LA) ID#130535
FORD EVERY STREAM x MANLOVE x LANSDOWNE
RACE RECORD: 21-2-2-2
EARNINGS: $31,600
TRAINER: prosportz
JOCKEY: T BLAKE
ODDS: 16-1
The poor Step-child of the group, who has yet to win outside the Maiden or Claiming Ranks and who even at that level has not been going in the best of form. Will need to hail a taxi to get home on top.
POST #2 JETLINER (AUS) ID#50446
JETBALL x MASTER BILL x BELDALE FLUTTER
RACE RECORD: 64-7-14-9
EARNINGS: $136,406
TRAINER: leolh
JOCKEY: W MOSEBAR
ODDS: 15-1
The Blue-collar work horse of the group, who continues to plug along at age 7 and who time after time while facing adversity has pulled himself back up out of the claiming ranks, while racking up 63 lifetime starts. Starting from humble beginings, a one time 10000 MLC, who had almost 40 starts before he became Stakes Placed, but continues to bounce up and down the Class Ladder.
POST #3 HOUNDVILLE ID#109933
DEERHOUND x SHAHRASTANI x CORMORANI
RACE RECORD: 25-7-4-4
EARNINGS: $139,557
TRAINER: platypuscz
JOCKEY: C ROSER
ODDS: 5-1
A former Claimer who hit bottom at $3500.00 last November(07) and by May(08) was a restricted Stakes winner. He has been 2nd in two out of his last three against Allowance Company and today’s Mile distance suits him fine.
POST #4 RECON SHOP (CAN) ID#108529
BRITE ADAM x RICHMAN x CARACOLERO
RACE RECORD: 20-2-2-2
EARNINGS: $24,866
TRAINER: richmans
JOCKEY: W RATZLAFF
ODDS: 9-1
A win & 2 places in his last three starts in Allowance Company and appears to be finally coming into his own. I am not sure is good enough for these, but off current form he may get a part.
POST #5 DAGASTAN (IRE) ID#168266
SOVIET STAR x NUDIST COLONY x KASHMIR II
RACE RECORD: 4-3-1-0
EARNINGS: $61,710
TRAINER: yielding
JOCKEY: B SIMMONS
ODDS: 22-1
A lightly raced colt by SOVIET STAR, who has three wins in four starts. His lone loss coming last time out in the Owner Restricted 6 furlong TOKYO SPRINT, finishing 2nd by 3/4 of a length, in a quick 1:10flat over Saturday’s course. He will need just a slight improvement today to be a contender for the big prize, but could easily be one of the bridesmaids.
POST #6 DAKOTA (WA) ID#122363
YOU AND I x HOMEBUILDER x BRIARTIC
RACE RECORD: 26-8-2-4
EARNINGS: $210,247
TRAINER: ceclaim
JOCKEY: G ARNOLD
ODDS: 8-1
I am not sure what is going on with this former derby contender? His last three starts have been far below his standard(SP#s 42, 80, 83), and you have to wonder if this is a sign of things to come. If you go byond his recent form, you will find him competive on both dirt and turf at all levels and arguable the class of the race. A return to form would make him tough to beat here, but your guess is as good as mine!
POST #7 FORCE THE LOT ID#184
ALLIED FORCES x LYPHARD’S SPECIAL x VERBATIM
RACE RECORD: 45-10-8-6
EARNINGS: $149,990
TRAINER: stormdanza
JOCKEY: G DUFFY
ODDS: 10-1
An allowance performer the last 2 years, who was Stakes Placed back in 06′, but has been in steady decline for awhile. He will benefit from the Owner Restricted condition, but will need a top effort today to just get a check, with little hope of the Grand Prize.
POST #8 FAR BEYOND THE SUN ID#106296
LABEEB x WOLF POWER x PROSPEROUS
RACE RECORD: 38-7-7-2
EARNINGS: $264,473
TRAINER: simsracer
JOCKEY: W MANFULL
ODDS: 2-1
2nd in earnings among LABEEB progeny and a two time restricted Stakes winner, who has been running in fairly good form, finishing 5th in his last two starts against open company (SP#s 100, 105), while going slightly farther than today’s distance. He has made a career in restricted racing and would be no suprise to get a check today.
POST #9 BPB MARKANE (AUS) ID#147935
MARKANE x ROYAL ANTHEM x TOUCHING WOOD
RACE RECORD: 12-3-0-2
EARNINGS: $99,073
TRAINER: bpboost
JOCKEY: C FAIRCHILD
ODDS: 17-1
A former un-restricted Stakes winner, who has not been going well of late and steps up to face older today. If that isn’t enough? In his only out at 8f, he finished a dismal 8th, beaten 12 lengths. He will probably need to go at least 10 pts. faster than his best race to date, to be in the picture and short of Devine Intervention, seems an unlikely candidate with these.
POST #10 SHOAIB AKHTAR (IRE) ID#9916
INTIKHAB x MANZOTTI x MINNESOTA MAC
RACE RECORD: 30-10-6-6
EARNINGS: $331,323
TRAINER: younggroup
JOCKEY: K LEDWITH
ODDS: 5-2
A fairly consistant type who has hit the board in 22 of 30 lifetime starts and has collected a check in 26 out of 30. She comes into Saturday’s race with 3 Restricted Stakes tallies already to her credit and having finished no worse than 4th in her last 9, while racing against both Allowance and Restricted Stakes compitition. Her SP#s overall, while not the highest, put her right there at the finish and it seems she usually does just enough to be part of the picture. A fairly safe bet to be in the top 3.
In review, The Kamikaze breaks down as an interesting collection of runners who are at different stages of their respective careers. With the old pros trying to maintain the status quo and the upstarts trying to make a name for themselves. My motto: when in doubt, go with the class. So i am picking SHOAIB AKHTAR to win. i think we may see a rebound in form from DAKOTA Saturday and i think it will be between DAKOTA, DAGASTAN, and FAR BEYOND THE SUN to fill out the board.
TILL NEXT TIME….
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE RACES!!