Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf
California– Who wants to be a champion? The 2008 Sim Eclipse Champion 2yo Turf Colt honors are up for grabs this year, but we’ll get a better picture of the division after the running of the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf. Traditionally, the winner of this race goes on to pocket the championship — not always though, so there’s hope for all our starters!
We’ve got all kinds of exciting details to this race. Hot freshman sire Dylan Thomas(IRE) is represented with two Juvy Turf runners. Only 4 of the 14 BB Juvy Turf starters have topped 90+ SP#s: To All The Cynics, Tycoon Wells, Super Risk, and The Beast Enters. We have 3 Grade 1 winners already in the field: Kiffer (Nationwide Stakes), Slightly Shaded (Knick Knack Juvenile), Super Risk (High Flyer), and To All The Cynics (Guns N Roses). And much more in our horse-by-horse preview below! Let’s meet our lineup before they take to a fast mile over the grassy California strip……….
1 To All The Cynics(IRE), 2yo colt by Dylan Thomas(IRE) Last Race: 1st in Flying Saucer(G3) over 8.5fT
Biggest ’08 Victory: Guns N Roses(G1)
Odds: 6/1
Graded stakes horses are no rare commodities to the extremely succcessful Supers contingent, but I must say that the team of Whirlwind, Topicount, and Afc have topped their gameplay history with their Juvy Turf co-entry this year. To All The Cynics(IRE) and Super Risk(IRE) are an absolute pair of princes who look mouth-wateringly fantastic on paper. Both have already won Grade 1 races and both have precociously whipped through that 90 SP# barrier in barely 5 starts!
To All The Cynics (let’s call him “Totsy” for short!) won the stepping-stone Flying Saucer(G3) with a barreling stretch drive over Tycoon Wells. That Flying Saucer is historically a premier Juvy Turf prep since it fits in quite nicely a good month before BB day. Totsy had previously pocketed a sponsored Grade 1 at Wyoming after pressing the pace for pretty much the entire mile trip. He’s perfect around two-turns and you gotta appreciate how he’s climbing the speed figure ladder. If you like horses on an upswing, Totsy’s your boy.
With a 4-for-6 record so far, Totsy could easily seal the championship with a win Saturday. He’s the #1-ranked colt in the division — I’m giddy on this colt. He could be special.
2 Pass The Mic(KY), 2yo colt by Mineshaft Last Race: 1st in No Party Party Stakes(L) over 8fT
Other ’08 Victories: Devil’s Dynamite Special(L)
Odds: 8/1
And in this corner, it’s the Lennbrenner Empire with a gorgeous undefeated son of Mineshaft. His name: Pass The Mic, or “Micky” for short. He broke his maiden in his lifetime debut midsummer as easy as can be at Dubai. The speedster then traveled to the States, ready for lobster season at the Maine Racetrack. And Micky ran like a 5-star dinner too, bowling over a pair of miler turf listed events. He won by 1 1/2 lengths wire to wire. Then he won by two lengths after dueling for the lead. 80+ speed figures in both. My oh my!
With a perfect 3-for-3 record, Micky knows how to bring home the bacon. He faces the toughest tough so far of his young career Saturday. Just how good is he? Dynamite or just a little sprite? He sure has the pedigree to run on and thensome. We’ll see if he’s got the goods. Hey, Micky! Hey, Micky!
3 Tycoon Wells(FR), 2yo colt by Anabaa Last Race: 2nd in Flying Saucer(G3) over 8.5fT
Biggest ’08 Victories: Omnipotent Juvenile(G3)
Odds: 6/1
Pointblank a.k.a Chloedawg gets in on the Breeder sbowl action here with the value-based Tycoon Wells. The colt is a son of Anabaa out of a Last Tycoon mare and thus I imagine has returned Chloedawg’s minimal BP investment tenfold. Because Tycoon Wells ain’t no loppy-jaloppy — this guy’s pretty fast and the oddsmakers pay him great honor, making him the co-favorite.
Tycoon Wells broke his maiden in his second lifetime start earlier this season, then reeled off two more around one-turn. The highlight of course was the Omnipotent Juvenile(G3). As usual, Tycoon Wells broke alertly, dueled somewhat on the lead and then took command at the top of the stretch to coast under the wire a length on top. The 85 SP# for the 7.5 furlongs wasn’t a world record by far, but Tycoon Wells got the job done. Railbirds agreed — Tycoon Wells went off at slightly lesser odds than To All The Cynics in the Flying Saucer(G3). ‘TW ran big too, but may have been pushed too much early on in hindsight. He looked like a winner at the top of the stretch, but “Totsy” swept up late for the photo.
Still, the runnerup effort merited a 95 SP# for Tycoon Wells. I worry that there’s a lot of speed in this group though. Can Tycoon Wells outwrestle the mad scramble and outlast the closers with plenty left in the tank? We’re gonna test this guy’s mettle again to the wire!
4 Kiffer(ENG), 2yo colt by Dansili(GB) Last Race: 1st in Nationwide Stakes(G1) over 7fT
Other ’08 Victories: Gold Lightning Stakes(L)
Odds: 10/1
The #1-ranked sprinter usually enters the BB Juvy Turf and this year it’s Kiffer from one of the top trainers in the Sim: Rafa. Kiffer accomplished his ranking with a victory six weeks ago in the Nationwide Stakes(G1) around 7 furlongs. The Dansili colt found himself sitting closer to the pace than normal in the Nationwide, but that didn’t hurt him one bit. On the contrary, Kiffer galloped around the Ireland racecourse in cruise control until asked for run in the final eighth. The colt exploded to a commanding 1 1/2 length victory, scoring a decent 89 SP#.
I think Rafa has a real live sleeper. Kiffer has a sprint-to-miler pedigree through and through: Dansili x Storm Cat. I like how this colt continues to improve. Frankly, he was well beaten around 7f back on Smackdown day last July. But Rafa kept him going at the distant, getting him a nice listed stakes victory prior to the Nationwide. Kiffer makes his first start around two-turns and he’s got a better than average chance of passing the test. Can he survive an expected speed duel though? Big possibility. Keep an eye on this one.
5 Super Risk(IRE), 2yo colt by Danehill Dancer(IRE)Last Race: 1st in High Flyer Stakes(G1) over 8fT
Odds: 12/1
You can’t argue against a colt who’s done just about everything asked of him. And especially a youngster who’s overcome some adversity too — Super Risk began his career with an absolutely forgettable nightmare trip over the dirt. He broke well enough, but never handled the sandy stuff, fading to dead last in the 14-horse Maiden Special Weight.
But there’s always a new day in the Sim and Super Risk made the most of second opportunity, dispatching a turf MSW wire to wire. He’d go on to win four straight over the lovely green stuff. The highlight of course was an authoritative score in the premier High Flyer(G1). Super Risk displayed excellent maturity relaxing behind the frontrunners. The colt took over at the top of the lane though and won well under wraps 1 1/2 lengths on top.
Like “Totsy” (To All The Cynics) above, Super Risk has that eye-catching speed figure upswing to his resume. While Totsy presents two 90+ SP#s, Super Risk has just one (92 in High Flyer). Ranked # 3 in the division, Super Risk has all the right moves so far. He’s beaten a number of horses in this field already. I can’t believe he’s 12/1! Bet, bet, bet!
6 One Size Fits All(AUS), 2yo colt by Grey Swallow(IRE)
Last Race: 3rd in Nationwide Stakes(G1) over 7fT
Biggest ’08 Victories: Goats That Faint Juvenile(G3), Mr. Dance Bonanza(L)
Odds: 7/1
If you like your winners with tons of heart, then look no further than One Size Fits All. This little guy is a feisty bulldog wrapped up in mustang Wild West spunk. “Ossie” was an earlybird foal who at first asking earlier this season. By summertime, he had an ALW score, a stakes triumph, as well as a Grade 3 victory in the Goats That Faint Juvenile around 6.5 panels.
Versatile on or off the pace, Ossie went off as one of the racetime favorites in the Guns N Roses(G1). It would be his first start at a mile. The colt broke well and got into a scramble up front. Nothing to worry about though too much and looked poised to sieze command at the top of stretch of that race. Alas, a horse named To All The Cynics (who shadowed Ossie near the entire way) sailed home much the best while Ossie had to settle for the bridesmaid’s purse.
Tough loss for Ossie and trainer Hansg decided to shorten up the gritty youngster. Ossie again numbered amongst the faves in the Nationwide(G1) around seven panels. At the break though, his jockey took him back around midpack and tried to make a late run. Ossie gave his all but had to much traffic to overcome, settling for the show spot near two lengths behind winner Kiffer. This colt has a lot of courage, but needs better luck. Must respect his experienced 4-for-7 record. He’s better than he looks on paper. Interesting mild longshot and definite factor for your exotics.
7 El Misti(KY), 2yo colt by Storm Cat Last Race: 2nd in Exclusive Gulch Challenge(L) over 8.5fT
Biggest ’08 Victories: Caves Irish Stakes(L), Nu Car Smell Special(L)
Odds: 23/1
From the last 2yo crop of Storm Cat, Dixiedotco’s El Misti is one of the slowest horses in the field with a top speed figure of just 81. But he more than makes up for his modest numbers with his shake-loose speed. El Misti broke his maiden in his 2nd grass start well enough in wire to wire fashion. He then proceeded to add two straight listed stakes scores including an 8f test. He lost a photo finish by a whisker in his last start when stretching out to an extra sixteenth.
I’d expect El Misti to get all bouncy-pouncy again early on. If he can shake loose, he might have a shot at the top of the stretch. He certainly has the breeding to take on the faves and is a proven winner of the distance too. There’s a lot to like in this colt — his steady improvement is a big plus. However, the numbers on paper and those long, long odds might scare ya off. Ya never know though — this race has seen it’s share of dark horse winners. Play Misti for me!
8 A Skunk Vice(JPN), 2yo colt by Alkaased Last Race: 9th in High Flyer Stakes(G1) over 8fT
Biggest ’08 Victories: Tiny Toes Stakes(G3)
Odds: 12/1
If you like your winners with tons of graded experience, then A Skunk Vice could be your win ticket. Trainer Skunkbarn has followed a classic prep trail with A Skunk Vice. The chippy colt broke his maiden right off the bat and naturally followed it up with an easy peasy ALW score. Skunkbarn then took his prized charge through the little guy sprinter grades, stretching out in gradual increments. A Skunk Vice finished a promising second in the 6 furlong Little Ones Juvenile(G2), closing well from the back of the pack. He ran 2nd again in the 6.5 furlong Dalesbark Cup(G3) before triumphing in serious fashion in the Tiny Toes(G3) over one mile.
A Skunk Vice notched the Tiny Toes with an 89 SP#, pretty darn good for his two-turns debut. With that kind of progress, you’d think the colt would’ve kept on going in the High Flyer(G1), but it was not meant to be. ‘Vice threw a real stinky clinker, finishing well off the board and never really running a lick in Super Risk’s High Flyer. But I’m willing to toss that race out though and keep one eye peeled on this sassy closer.
Can he bounce back from a debacle like The Beast Enters did LTO? Are these other colts due for a clinker when A Skunk Vice has (thankfully) got his off day out of the way? Better than his odds indicate. This colt has a real chance for Skunkbarn.
9 Scary Bit(IRE), 2yo colt by Noverre(IRE)
Last Race: 1st in Empty Band Memorial(L) over 8fT
Odds: 12/1
If you like to play holidays, then Scary Bit fits the bill and thensome for Halloween next week. Yochem gets in on the Breeders Bowl festivities with this son of Noverre out of a Gone West mare. Scary Bit stayed the course and won his at thrid asking late last springtime. The little barrel-belly of a colt added an allowance afterwards and a stakes-placing in his 1st start at a mile.
Most recently, Scary Bit has been coming into his own. The colt flashed some zippy speed in six weeks ago in South Dakota’s overnite feature for freshmen. Scary Bit dueled with the early frontrunner through the opening quarter of the mile turf event. He then siezed command on his own enroute to a jolly old romp by three lengths. Railbirds saw Scary Bit better his previous mile mark to 1:36 4/5, an 88 SP# (up from 83).
Saturday, Scary Bit faces graded company for the very first time. I’m a little worried about how he’ll handle the class leap, but look carefully at his PPs. He’s getting more and more confident with every start. He also has a history of closing from off pace and I quite like that strategy with this group. Expect Scary Bit to haunt this field from about midpack or so. We’ll see if Scary Bit plays either a trick or treat on us!
10 Slightly Shaded(KY), 2yo colt by BernsteinLast Race: 1st in Knick Knack Juvenile(G1) over 8.5fT
Odds: 13/1
Poor Slightly Shaded! No respect from the bookies, my oh my! Bigrick must be furious at those squashy number-crunchers. Slightly Shaded is the #2-ranked turf colt in the division and winner last time out of the Knick Knack Juvenile(G1) — but he suffers morning line ignominy here at 13/1! Yow!
Geez oh pete, brother can ya spare a dime? What’s not to like with Slughtly Shaded. The colt’s won 4-in-a-row since breaking his maiden in his 2nd try on the lawn. Sure, Bigrick took his time with Slightly Shaded, opting for a couple ALW schoolings instead of rushing to black type company. But the colt ran like gangbusters in the Knick Knack, boot-scoot-boogeying from behind the lead to a rather professional 1/4-length score. What more can ya ask for?
Well, Slightly Shaded’s speed figures aren’t all that great. His top speed so far is 85 and that didn’t even come in the Knick Knack. Was the Grade 1 purposely slow or just a fun outing for a bunch of flashes-in-the-pans? Perhaps the frontrunners (which included Slightly Shaded) just didn’t get all crazy daisy and set sensible fractions. And quit poo-pooing over ‘Shaded’s modest sire, Bernstein, when compared to all these bluebloods too! He’s got Lemon Drop Kid and Forty Niner in his classy female family. Bottom line, wouldn’t be a surprise if this colt wins, but, on the hand, wouldn’t be a surprise to see this colt fade too with those numbers. We’ll see what happens. Just how good is he?
11 The Beast Enters(ENG), 2yo colt by Green DesertLast Race: 2nd in High Flyer Stakes(G1) over 8fT
Biggest ’08 Victories: Norfellow Stakes(G3)
Odds: 11/1
Fear the Beast! Quikvett from the Northwest Racing Circuit brings his monster colt to the Breeders Bowl feast. The Beast Enters brings a mere 1-for-4 lifetime record to the table, but look again: he’s loaded with black type. Matter of fact, the ‘Beast made his career debut in black type company, finishing second in a Northern California feature. The 75 SP# prompted Vett to go bold again with the ‘Beast. Ostend’s Norfellow Stakes(G3) was the ambitious destination and the gamble paid off in spades when the ‘Beast swashbuckled his way from behind the lead to a length victory. What a way to break your maiden!
But what goes up must come down eventually and The Beast Enters faltered in his next start, representing the NWRC in the Equinics. With all due respect though, the colt came off a lengthy layoff — he just wasn’t fit and did his best to carry his trainers’ residency colors. Most trainers might’ve taken a step back to regroup, but not Vett. He knew he had a good horse on his hands, so he asked the ‘Beast to step up to Grade 1 company. Super Risk would collar the ‘Beast in the High Flyer(G1), but not before the ‘Beast zipped through sizzling early fractions. The speedster was gallant in defeat, holding on for the place spot in a 90 SP# effort.
Just how good is this colt? You can’t argue with the High Flyer performance — that was a really nice race bouncing back from the Equinics debacle. Defintely deserves to be here and merits healthy regard as possible spoiler. Will the expected speed duel hinder winner’s circle aspirations though?
12 Eureka Springs(IRE), 2yo colt by Montjeu(IRE)Last Race: 3rd in Flying Saucer(G3) over 8.5fT
Biggest ’08 Victories: Brother Vacuum Special(L)
Odds: 13/1
Eureka Springs took his merry old time breaking his maiden for trainer Simond. The Montjeu son actually began his career over the lawn early this year. The poor little guy though never got into the hunt in the KY Horsemen Residency feature. Must’ve been a very puzzling debut for Simond, because he reached back to the colt’s Seeking The Gold x Broad Brush female family and decided to switch to dirt square away. Eureka Springs flashed a little speed, but nothing too heavy. Puzzling.
Spring turned to summer and the colt found himself back on the green stuff. Something must have clicked in Eureka Spring’s scatterbrain because the crazy colt zipped to a gate-to-wire MSW score. He added a short field stakes race two starts later over 8.5f, then finished a decent albeit distant 3rd in Super Risk’s High Flyer(G1). The colt broke well enough if not as quick as the other front runners. He still had the stamina to hang on for the show spot which won him a ticket here.
On the bright side, Eureka Springs continues to improve with each outing. He halready has three 80 +SP#s and some graded level experience. Will we see him blossom this week? Quite possible, but again he’ll face a lot of competition for the early pace.
13 King Thomas(IRE), 2yo colt by Dylan Thomas(IRE) Last Race: 2nd in Off Till Star Bonanza(L) over 8.5fT
Biggest ’08 Victories: Double Bluegrass Special(L)
Odds: 14/1
We’ve got another outsider in Doctahg’s King Thomas. This colt’s been competitive at the listed level, winning 2 of 5 lifetime starts. After breaking his maiden off the bat, King Thomas ran tough if not the winner in a pair of one-turn contests. Spaced out decently, but without too much rest between starts, King Thomas proceeded to dispatch a 4-horse field in his first attempt at a mile. The colt then cracked the 80 SP# barrier for the first time while finishing 2nd over 8.5f.
On one hand, King Thomas doesn’t have any graded experience yet, so we just don’t how he’ll handle the class leap. Additionally, his speed figures are snoozy. However, this colt has stuff going for him. For one, he’s got a royal pedigree being by Dylan Thomas out of a Kingmambo x Seattle Slew female family. Next, he’s a true-blue closer, doggone it! There figures to be a speed duel with this group and, boy, if King Thomas could pick up all the pieces! Which leads me to my next point — could it be that this colt needs the graded level to finally show his best stuff? I mean, he’s not gonna get fabulous pace up front to run at in short listed fields full of ambitious overplacements. Beware the closer who at long last gets an optimum race scenario!
This outsider’s bred for two turns, proven over two-turns. Is he ready though at this point? Finally — Doctahg, trainer of 2008 Bluegrass Derby champ Kissin Streetcry whose one of the big faves in the BB Classic, yup! Who’s gonna bet against that karma? I sure ain’t. 🙂
14 Dreamsongs(ENG), 2yo colt by Pivotal(GB)Last Race: 1st in What Till Earl Bonanza(L) over 8fT
Odds: 9/1
Dan (Given) always gives his horses the greatest names. The delightfully declared Dreamsongs has a dreamboat of a pedigree with Pivotal matched with Storm Cat and Forty Niner. And the looker of a colt can run too, presenting a 4-for-5 lifetime record. Dan played Dreamsongs very conservatively, letting the first-start MSW winner add an allowance, then a stakes-placing around one-turn. Nothing too fancy for the stalker colt — Dreamsongs returned after his black type debut to the workman ALW ranks where he built up confidence with another victory. It was his first start over the mighty mile.
Dreamsongs has since added a stakes score over a short field in 1:37 flat. Not very snazzy time, but that’s all Dreamsongs needed to get the job done. Expect the stalker to avoid any frontrunner duels and he’ll need to overcome the 14-hole and garner good racing position. Difficult to beat down a perfect 2-for-2 record around a mile. Just how good is this colt? He faces his toughest test yet Saturday. Can he keep his form going through the class leap? I sort of think he should be at a bit higher odds than 9/1, but, then again, what do I know. Load ’em up and let Dreamsongs play a rock-the-house tune like, “I am the champion, my friends / And I’ll keep on fighting to the end….”
Snowchief’s Picks:
Quite a good field! Maybe not a tremendous group, and, to be honest, I’m a little disappointed in the quality. But that’s to be expected since these colts haven’t been running 8f+ for long.
Expect a lot of early speed. I’m ga-ga over the closers like King Thomas, A Skunk Vice, and To All The Cynics. Some of the stalkers like Tycoon Wells, The Beast Enters, Kiffer, and Scary Bit might find themselves shuffled further back than normal. Who knows? That could be just what they need! Kiffer and Slightly Shaded are a couple of wildcards — the former must pass two-turns while the latter has to step up in speed figures. One Size Fits All merits heavy respect with his versatility and should get a piece of it.
But I really think the Supers have this one in the bag. Their two horses are proven and impressive at that. I’m gonna gamble that To All The Cynics peaked a race too early and go with Super Risk who beat a lot of the horses in this field. Rival Tycoon Wells might spoil that assessment. The Beast Enters should run a nice race for a money spot.
And my hit-or-miss longshot to spoil the whole field is King Thomas on pedigree and the fact that he’s the true blue closer of the group. He hasn’t thrown the speed figures yet though, so it can go either way with him.
Win: Super Risk or King Thomas
Place: Tycoon Wells
Show: The Beast Enters or One Size Fits All
Longshot: King Thomas
Thank you to everyone who emailed their comments to Lilbitfarm. Rich however asked me to fill in for him today because of an emergency. There was no time to forward your trainer comments. Our thoughts are with you Rich and the Lilbitfarm family!
Good luck everyone and enjoy Breeders Bowl XI as well as the Breeders Cup! Go, Curlin!!!!