Who Can Track Down Cthulhu

Cthulhu Reigns should be tough to beat  in Argentina’s Grade 1 Grand Carlos.

Cthulhu Reigns (#8, 5-2) with three wins from five starts this campaign is set up well in the Grand Carlos. The American Pharoah colt from the Waremblem Barn won the Grade 2 Princess of Wales two back and last time out was fourth in the Smokeglack Tribute. The homebred comes into this race battle tough after a series of good Graded efforts at age three. With $360k on his card and a top speed badge of 115 this colt should be one to fear this Saturday.

A sneaky play in this spot could be Brundlefly’s George’s Origin (#1, 10-1). A lot needs to go right for this 3-year-old by George Vancouver. But look at what we know. The gelding is ultra consistent at the Allowance level. Even the race on dirt shows ability and versatility. The records only go back one month so I can only assume what happened two back. This horse was placed in a $30k claimer. It was a difficult claiming race because another one was dropping into this spot and beat George by one length. The gamble didn’t pay off because (I assume) Brundlefly was waiting with a claim ticket on this gelding and off to a new barn he went. Placed in a terrific spot last time by these connections the horse ran-off-the-screen winning with a new speed badge of 112. The race came at this distance and a repeat performance puts this gelding right near the other top contenders. A very possible top three chance at a price.

3away racing has a Grade 2 winner ready for action this Saturday. Legacy Traitor (#2, 5-2) by Dubawi is a homebred 5-year-old who excels over this trip. Nine of eleven in the top three at this distance with three victories. One of whch was an impressive  2.5 length score in the At Night Cap last December. What has happened since has no doubt left these connections wondering and worried if they’ll ever get back to those lofty levels. He’s been keeping mostly Grade 1 company this campaign and his late charge has not been effective. Last time out he closed to defeat more than half the field in Sweden. The 110 number is encouraging and his 116 from last December does make him a contender. Overall I like the fondness for these conditions and feel he’ll be a factor come race day.

Yose Almaar (#3, 9-1) from Stalbrabant Racing could’ve been had for just $2k last March. The grey by Binary File has won three times this campaign and owns two wins over Allowance company recently. He showed terrific winning attitude over the lower levels at three. But he’s probably coming into his own now as his recent form has been very good over better competition. The move up into Grade 1 waters will offer the ultimate test for the gelding. Last year around this time he ran a 93 figure at this distance and he’ll need to improve off that to be a top three contender here.

Bizalls brings Arpo the Robot (#4, 9-2) into this race off a romping 16.3/4 length score in Allowance company. The field was probably lacking in quality but you want to see a horse run up the score when he’s taking an edge. He did in spades and will be very confident on Saturday. Looking three back on the geldings card you find a good second place with a 112 speed badge. He’s untested at this level and the Erupt homebred needs to show the SAF form will transfer against the best.

If anyone should feel disrespected it’s Robsscoobi’s colt Stars of the South (#5, 7-2). Starting off as the third choice in the Grand Carlos is still an great acheivement but they’ll be wondering why the disrespect as the Sea the Stars 4-year-old comes into this event off a smashing score in Grade 2 company. Probably the best part of this colt is his terrific current campaign. No other runner has better current form. The win in Ireland last time came after a series of Stakes races which he was knocking at the door. Eleven placings from 15 starts seems to indicate he can go this distance. Obviously the handicappers might be apprehensive considering he usually enjoys longer trips. His speed badge of 115 is the best last out race of any in here. This classy guy merits a long look from the punters at a very square price of 7-2.

Corza brings the Game Winner colt, Third Marriage (#6, 10-1) into this affair off some suspect sprinting form. Zero for six this campaign is a surprise since the colt was running so well last summer. But he hasn’t carried any form forward. Getting away from the short distances should help. He’ll enjoy stretching his legs here. If he can find a good rhythm in front early then it would give him a chance to steal this event. He’s up against some tough ones here. This two-time winner will need to get braver on Saturday.

The other 3-year-old in this spot is 6ward3 Racing’s Arthurian Digger (#7, 32-1). It’s a tough transition to make when they try to beat older company. This one will also try to beat Graded foes in this spot. It’ll be a tall ask for the Camelot gelding. One thing in his favor is his improved form. After losing eight straight, he rolled home two back to break his maiden in the tough Kentucky circuit. He followed that race with a fast-closing second in Allowance company. He improved to a 106 speed badge which is still a bit low for these guys. Maybe the added distance can tilt the race in his favor but the handicappers are not convinced. He does have some hurdles to overcome. His appeal is mostly for longshot players.