Looking For The Queen Of The Turf

Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff

CA G1, 3yo+ F 11F Turf

Welcome to the Breeders Bowl the Sim’s preeminent event for trainers, jockeys, horses and of course BTB writers as well.  I thank my supervisors from the bottom of that black spot where a heart would be for the opportunity to cover this race. Adding to the honor is the fact that The Distaff is one of the most prestigious on racings biggest stage. It is one of the original few that has been on the card since 1999. Back nearly a decade ago the first incarnation of The Turf Distaff was won by Lil Pot who is now an open mare and just had her first foal for Olwhisper. Time flies when you are having fun. Since Lil Pot won the first BB Distaff others who have graced the winners circle include, Road Rubbing who ran 116 in 2000. In 2001, the great Amanda Jane was upended by Jo Anne Christmas who ran 114 in her score. In 2002 Deadly Con defeated those two and Cecil Roo amongst others on her way to a winning spf of 112.  In 2003 Kristeene S out finished a flying Fat Free Car to post an eye popping, record setting 121 spf. Imagine the agony of running a 120 and losing. In 2004 the legendary Turning Japanese demolished the field by 6 lengths, scoring in hand with a 112. In 2005 Turning Japanese became the race’s first and thus far only two time winner, repeating her trick in 105. 2006 saw Cold Storage become the race’s first 2 million dollar winner as the purse was doubled in time for her 2 length victory in a 104 spf. Last year the recently retired Magical Mia put a BB Distaff title in her scrap book capping a brilliant career with a 4 length score, the second largest in the history of The Distaff. Since the race moves each year there is no point in looking for bias as to pace and we can expect this years event to be a wide open betting event.  I am not really as focused on figuring out who to bet on, as every horse in this race will deserve support, but rather looking for that magical storyline that might guide us to a worthy winner. Here it is, the race that every lady turf runner in the sim dreams of putting on her resume. The 2008 Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff!

For a few owners and trainers this has been a nervous week as a few of the horses in this race were on the bubble to draw in. For horses like The Xmas Spirit, Sisson’s Miner, House of Ballads, Norse Princess, Derockery and Sheza Maniac that bubble burst and this group just missed the cut for the field but still have had seasons worth taking note of.  For the 14 who are heading to post the red carpet and paparazzi await.

THE FIELD

Wow it is so exciting just rubbing elbows with these trainers and riders. You can see why each is among the best in the biz. Some are loose with the jabber and horse jargon flying around, while others are focused and carry that same air of confidence in their silent stares. Even the rookies look so self assured, though it is there first trip to the big dance. I know…  Lets get to the horses in this race and with out further ado off we go.

PP 1 DESERT ALLEY(ENG) TR lenny25 JKY W McClendon 17/1

This 4 year old daughter of GREEN DESERT x BROAD BRUSH x ALYDAR started her career on dirt but broke her maiden at first asking when set to a turf route. Her three year old campaign was highlighted by a score in Smackdown and two graded placings. As a four year old she has kept getting better as she went longer scoring a few listed stakes wins and she had her first G1 score two back on a soft turf course. Career high 104 spf came in a loss. Her style is as a late closer with a great stretch burst. Career earnings are over a million.  Her last race was not good finishing a well beaten 12^th in a G1. will she have enough kick to catch them in the lane? She is a little bit like the girl with the curl so beware.

PP 2 DAY OF TRIUMPH(AUS) TR scootboy H Harzheim 23/1

The three year old daughter of ELVSTROEM (AUS) x MANILA x SADLER’S WELLS is taken on the older girls here for the first time. But the winner of Sydney and English Oaks would seem ready for that challenge. She seemingly got really good really quick back in March winning an allowance race by 5 lengths. It became clear she wanted to go longer when she ran second her next out cutting back. She won the two Oaks back to back and then placed in attempt at an international triple in The Danish Oaks. She wants to be on or very close to the lead but could struggle if she too far from it or the pace is too hot. Career best Spf of 101 came in an open length score and she is nearly a millionaire from just 14 starts.

PP 3 MON COUP(IRE) TR lasthope1 JKY B Ball 8/1

The 4 year old daughter of MONTJEU (IRE) x KINGMAMBO x SEATTLE SLEW was born to run all day. She debuted in a sprint but her connections knew that large expanses of grass would be her domain. She won her first route handily as a two year old. By the time she started going over a mile and half she was making waves in the sim with dominating scores. She finished her three year old campaign with a three race win streak that included her first graded score a G3. She really seems to excel going further than we are going here but her career best spf of 106 certainly shows she can pick em up and lay em down. She has a long sustained drive that has he at the front around the third call. She has earned 900k in 25 starts.

PP 4 FLAMMEN SEHEN(GER) Tr reacher P Harzheim 10/1

Another 3 year old here, this one the daughter of MONSUN(GER) x IN THE WINGS(GB) x SHIRLEY HEIGHTS(GB) she also started her career at sprint, but only as a precursor to being discovered as brilliant at a route. Once she was sent beyond 9f this young lady really began sowing her oats. She could not quite keep up at the Oaks in Britain but showed her metal with a respectable third. Since then she has been blistering the track with back to back 105’s in G1 events winning her first in the Liberty City Oaks two back after falling as far 12 lengths off the lead. She can close with a flourish and her last race was a doozy a career best 112 in a second graded score. 700k in just 11 starts, and she ought to be coming like gangbusters at the finish. If she doesn’t bounce off her last look out. On paper it looks like she just keeps getting better.

PP 5 TRUE DREAM Tr kevoman2 N Lawton 13/1

The 5 year old daughter of SADLER’S WELLS x NIJINSKY II x LYPHARD did not run at two and was not lighting the world on fire to start as a three year old. She debuted on dirt in disappointing fashion and even her first turf route did not engender confidence. Luckily one does not give up on a royal pedigree like hers too quickly and the patience was rewarded. Her three and early 4 year old campaigns are littered with listed stakes scores but despite owning this level she is still a maiden at the graded level. She has been close oh so close but still is only graded place despite some stirring runs. Her career best spf of 110 came this season but her recent form has not been good since back to back near misses in G1’s this summer. If she is at her best she should hang 4-6 off the pace before trying a late rally… just under 900k in 34 starts.

PP 6 CAVALIER CHANT(KY) Tr  aggots JKY K Ledwith 23/1

Joining the kiddie corps is the 3 year old daughter of WAR CHANT x KINGMAMBO x CAERLEON. She is yet another whose debut was a less than stellar try on dirt. It was not until she turned three that her connection and she agreed that the lawn was her thing. All season she has been a force at the listed stakes level and broke through at the graded level back in June. She likes to stalk the leader and when her gas tank is full she can overtake them late. She has a career high spf of 101 which came in her G2 score. She ran 6^th last out in what hopefully will be no more than a prep for this race. She is closing in on ¾ of a million in earnings from 19 lifetime starts. It looks like she will need her best and some luck.

PP 7 WICKED WENCH(IRE) Tr tesio JKY D Givins 10/1

An older gal at 5 from the bloodlines of MONTJEU (IRE) x BLUSHING GROOM(FR) x NUREYEV who did not run at 2. She is one of the few in here that debuted on turf and with a victory. She won her first stakes in her third start and then went on a crazy roll. She won 3 Grade1 races in a row and entered the 2006 version of this race off yet another Graded score. Alas it was not be in the BB as she ran a disappointing 7^th. At 4 an injury robbed her of a second straight chance at this dance but it was a fantastic season anyway she recorded a lifetime best speed figure of 110 winning a G2. She repeated her victory in the yabba dabba doo handicap this season before struggling a bit. She seemed to regain her form in her last race a near miss in a G1. She has been very versatile in winning more than 2 million in 28 lifetime starts. That pace flexibility should be a big asset to D Givens.

PP 8 FINANCIAL IMPACT(JPN) TR okiedokie JKY B F Abman 12/1

A three year old mare out of DEEP IMPACT x DEPUTY MINISTER x BUCKPASSER is a bit a newcomer to the scene with only 11 lifetime starts. Of course the 700k plus she has won says that she is not new to winning big races. She did not win first out despite being placed in a turf route, but rebounded with too scores on soft grass. She began this season with three straight wins including her first stakes score but from May until July she slipped into a funk losing 3 straight to her division mates. Following a ten week break she been brilliant win a stakes and the G1 Pebbles in her last out. Her career high spf is 104 and she may need a new mark if she wants to win this one. She has gine gate to wire in most of her scores before showing she can rate from off the pace in her graded score.

PP 9 JENA BERLIN(JPN) Tr astinator5 JKY B Schardein  7/2

The morning line favorite is a 4 year old KING KAMEHAMEHA(JPN) x DANEHILL x TURN-TO who won at first asking at 2 before stumbling through an lousy start to her three year old campaign. Bouncing from dirt to turf, with no luck, until the middle of May, she finally he took off with 4 straight wins over the summer. Before you think this is your normal big time horse career keep in mind 3 of the wins were in starters before she emerged with a stakes victory. That’s right for 25k and 50 bps she could have been yours right now. Even though her three year old campaign was nice this one has been sensational this year and especially lately. Her spf’s of 113 and 115 before her third place tune up should be daunting for her foes today. If she goes that high again she will be tough to beat on Saturday. She likes to press the pace and make a late move and has over 1 million in earnings from 24 starts. Peaking at that right time?

PP 10 SAKE(KY) TR 2tohold JKY T Loesch 12/1

The three year old daughter of DYNAFORMER x DANZIG x ALYDAR debuted unhappily on dirt last summer and bumbled through a two year old campaign that did not really hint at the success to come. Her only win at two was a rez restricted stakes and it was followed by more uninspired runs. Her three year old campaign has been stellar. She open up with two wins running through he conditions and by June she was winning G3’s and Smackdown races. She through in a equinics clunker and then two more good performances getting her into this race. She is a late closer whose highest spf is 109 in smackdown. She has earned 700k in just 15 starts. She certainly is on form and should be one to fear in the final strides.

PP 11 KEPLER OF RAINBOW(ENG) Tr bobo D Evans 8/1

A 4 year old gal via RAINBOW QUEST x SADLER’S WELLS x RED RANSOM is one of the few in this field that started her career fast. She won her first three in sprints including a graded score. Her three year old season was disappointing she never really found her niche. At 4 she rediscovered the talent that made her a brilliant baby. Her connections have put her nose to the grindstone and this will be her 17^th start of the season. Yes 17 and she has seemed to love the task masters whip. In August alone she won a G1 AND a listed stakes. This mare is the definition of hard knocker. She has two G1 and a G2 victory this season so she has tons of talent too. Her career high spf is 107 and if she has anything left in the tank she could be one to look for winging it on the front end. When she is not out front her results have been not as good. With a 1.5 million in the bank she knows how to earn coin so beware.

PP 12 SILIANE(IRE) Tr planoaxius JKYP Bangs 7/1

This 4 year old stunner is by MANNDAR (IRE) x STRAVINSKY x JADE HUNTER one of the more creative breeding combos in the race. Of course that could be because the connections have made breeding creative combos that work easy for rookie simmers like yours truly. I actually got to talk with Plano prior to the race and he is over the moon excited to be in the race with this gal and he just finished wiping the off his brow over whether she would draw in. If patience is part of love this gal was showed quite a bit of both as a 2 year old. She did not break her maiden until catching an off track in march of her three year old season. After that she took off rolling through the conditions and her first stakes win in her next 5 starts. At 4 she has been running with the big girls and more than holding her own. 6 of her last 7 starts have been triple figure spf’s so she is consistent. She has only one win this season but it came in her last prep so she may be sitting on the race of her life. Her career high speed fig is 106 and her bankroll is a tad thin for this group at 325k. For a guy who has made the sim so much more fun for me I will certainly throw down a few sheckles on her beak. For anyone who is thinking about breeding a horse and did not know about it check out his web site http://planoaxia.vselijak.eu/sea.php

PP 13 TEARAWAY(FR) Tr cooldude JKY J Stivers  8/1

This TREMPOLINO x CAERLEON x KEY TO THE MINT may be the hottest 4 year old mare in the field. She comes in off 4 straight wins. She is another who shows that patience is the ultimate sim virtue. She did not break her maiden at first asking or even second. No this gal did not get her picture taken until start number 14. 14 starts before breaking her maiden and now she is in the BB. How about them apples! She is another one in this field that an intrepid claimer could have had cheap as recently as December of last year. Maybe it was the 15 and change length score in a starter in February that gave her connections the hint that she was ready to step back up in class. She started her hot streak with one more starter and then two listed wins before a scoring in a G1 in her last. Despite her inauspicious start she has rang the cash register for a 500k in 28 starts. Next time you want to send one to auction take a look at her career high 107 spf and perhaps be like this cooldude and think twice. She can wing on the lead or stalk so keep an eye out for her on the front end early.

14 PELENNOR FIELDS(KY) Tr stormboot2 F Gossett 17/1

In our far outside post is a 3 year old filly by ARAGORN (IRE) x GALILEO (IRE) x NIJINSKY II who won at first asking before back tracking a bit. She really took off as a three year old winning 4 of her first 5 including the Adelaide Oaks G1 in May. Since being beaten in the English Oaks she has fallen on a bit of a slump. Her career high spf of 101 may not be good enough in this one but she may be sitting on her career best. She has nearly 500k from a mere 14 starts and has only been off the board twice in her career and one of the two was on dirt. For the most part she is a front runner although she battled from a stalking position in her biggest win. She is always a consistent threat but really has her work cut out for her here.

The Final Analysis

Man do we have some story lines here. A horse that made the breeders bowl at 3 and now returns at 5, a career maiden suddenly blossomed, some fantastic young 3 year olds looking to best older, and a pair you could have claimed during early struggles. A shout out to the connections in this race, they have really showed how to be patient and take risks at the same time. Each of these horses has at some point reached a spot where a bad decision or a further erosion of confidence may have kept them from ever finding their way to the biggest race of the year. So golf claps all around for the trainers. As for the horses you can see that they have all run big and run small at times and one of them is going to into the sim history books after the race on Saturday. Who will it be? On speed form one would be hard pressed to avoid the favorite Jena Berlin but early speed abounds. On form Flammen Sehen looks awfully tough and the pace should be to her liking, but does a dreaded bounce await? Is Keplers Rainbow worn out or on the muscle? Is Siliane ready for her career best? Can Mon Coup apply the coup de grace? Maybe a long shot can sweep up the giants, your guess is as good as mine. I will be at the rail and my popcorn is ready. Good luck to all and remember just getting in this race is more than most simmers even dream about! Congratulations to all!