Jump Town Handicap

Jump Town Handicap
Grade II
A mile and one eighth
Fast Dirt
$250,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up

It is so nice to be back in Kentucky the true capital of horse racing for this top notch G II event. I have had the chance to talk with some of the trainers involved and it seems like this race may be a key prep for the Del Penn event next month so keep an eye out for that. 11 top notch young ladies head to the track and they will be seeking to add their names to the list of prior winners. This event has some nice history as this is the 9^th running of the Jump Town Handicap. Virgin Bubble, Shannies Swamps, Fleet Deputycat, Dangerous Reward a two time winner and the event record holder, Storm Shaft, Wild Chick and Pye are Squared are the previous winners. Notables like Swift Kick were upset in this one too so beware to the favorite. Which of these lovely lasses will join this list of honor? Well lets take a look at the field and see if we can give you the name in advance.

THE FIELD

PP 1  SWEET SISTER MERCY Tr zwango1 JKY B Carley ML 6/1

The 5 year old daughter of KINGMAMBO x NIJINSKY II x SECRETARIAT has already rung the cash register to the tune of over two million bucks, so you know she is no stranger to big races.  She just missed in a G1 two back but otherwise she has been struggling a bit since May. The BB Distaff was a washout last race and she could be angry seeking revenge here. Has a monster closing stretch kick if she is at her best.

PP 2 PRAVDA(KY) TR super10 JKY D Givins 6/1

As you look at the trainers this race starts looking like a GRS restricted race with their recent additions. Ok so that may be overstating it a bit. This lass out of KINGMAMBO x PLEASANT COLONY x DANZIG is sharp as a tack right now coming off back to back scores. She is also a millionaire so winning big races is pretty par for her course. She likes to stalk her prey from close up to the pace before making her strike. This race is in her wheel house distance wise so beware.

PP 3 K’S ESKAPE TR pompeya JKY M Ketron ML 9/2

Yet another millionaire… This 6 year old mare out of MINESHAFT x DANZIG x MR. PROSPECTOR is still cranking out huge figs and big wins. If she gets loose on the lead here it could be curtains for the rest of the field. She has won when rating but I think M Ketron will send her to the front and try to steal away. If she is pressed hard on the engine she might set up the deep closers in the race. A key one to watch.

PP 4 DERBY CAT(KY) TR rtribbett JKY D Sherman ML 8/1

Derby Cat is the first of two entries from Delaware’s self professed best trainer. I am not sure there are too many who would contest the issue… After all… 50 people live in the whole state and 49 are there ducking taxes… Only one roots for the sad Atlanta Braves. Anyway this 4 year old gal out of  STORM CAT x RUBIANO x RAJA BABA is just the sort Mr. Tribbett uses as a calling card. She has been brought around nicely climbing conditions and then exploding in graded tries. Her top speed figs don’t seem to match up with the very best in here, but this filly is just showing what she has. Don’t be surprised by a career best effort.

PP 5 MIND ERASER(ENG) TR fastvett JKY P Cadigan ML 13/1

This lovely 3 year old filly out of DUBAI DESTINATION x LURE x SUMMER SQUALL saved my butt back when I was a gambler. Her effort in the Hypnotic Explosion paid bookies back in full before Given had to bail me out again at the end of the summer. Since those experiences I decided to see how far my BTB check goes with endorsing it over to pay my gambling debts. Fastvett is another top trainer and this race is loaded with them. I expect this gal to love the distance and close like she stole something, but I am not sure where that lands her.

PP 6 ALSO SWEET TR pick6king JKY B Fultz ML 6/1

The 6 year old mare out of POINT GIVEN x TREMPOLINO x SWORD DANCE(IRE) is closing in on millionaire status but seems to do her best work at a mile. Will the extra ground help or hurt? Her trainers win pct seems to indicate he knows his business better than a cub writer so I will not question it too much. She has been coaxed back up this level beautifully with a series of allowances and then some top stakes efforts. She has an awesome late kick that could land her in the winners circle if B Fultz uses it properly.

PP 7 GLACIER QUEEN(IRE) TR andysakmar JKY A Levell ML 14/1

Since being shifted from the grass to the dirt this 4 year old daughter of  MONTJEU (IRE) x GREEN DESERT x ACK ACK has exploded on the scene. She ticked off conditions and now attempts to make the final jump up to the graded level. She sure has picked a tough spot to do it, but her trainer seems certain she is ready. She wants the lead and will be a big part of the pace scenario. If she can make the lead she could upset the apple cart. I won’t be looking for spilled apples though.

PP 8 ALL THE RICHES(KY) TR flagdown JKY L Goodburn ML 6/1

More top level connections here to send out this top flight 4 year old out the late great SAINT LIAM x DUBAI MILLENNIUM (GB) x GREEN DESERT. A solid run in this race likely catapults All The Riches to millionaire status. She seems to love this distance and her recent efforts show she is in top form. Is she fast enough to win at this level of competition? The lone question she will need to answer. She has a long sustained run so if she closing on the lead at the third call look out.

PP 9 KATHERINEOFARAGON(FR) TR gipper7 JKY B Sipe ML 8/1

This 4 year old mare out of HIGH YIELD x KINGMAMBO x FERDINAND is in the midst of a brutal campaign. This marks her 9^th graded effort this year. In fact of her 26 lifetime starts 23 have been at this top level. Quite an achievement! Her lifetime earnings of over 2 million shows that she has been doing a helluva lot more than just entering the gate in these races. She seems to be flexible in her running style either pressing the pace or laying back mid back before unleashing her best run. Is her form good enough right now? It looms a doubt.

PP 10 SKYGUSTY(KY) TR chooke JKY N Jacoby ML 34/1

Every field needs an outsider and in this race it is the 4 year old daughter of THUNDER GULCH x STORM CAT x ARTS AND LETTERS. Her career earning of 40k would not cover the taxes on some of her competitors wins. That said her last few efforts have been very solid and if she can unfurl the race of a lifetime she could give new meaning to the word upset. Her near the pace running style makes her a factor when figuring out how the early speed will fare. Good luck!

PP 11 DESPERADO’S SONG(KY) TRdesperado2 JKY B Alt ML 5/1

If you hang around sim chat ( a great place to get tips or a fresh set of eyes on your horses) you have probably seen and HEARD about this young gal. Her trainer is quite proud of her and rightfully so. When this 4 year old daughter of UNBRIDLED’S SONG x DEPUTY MINISTER x FORTY NINER carried the day for GRS in smackdown it sent her namesake to the ultimate level, the top echelon, the very pinnacle of sim trainers. She comes in off a disappointing loss on GRS championship day and she and her owner and she are loaded for revenge with 2 horses in this race. Look for Desperado’s Song top use her massive sustained run to try and cross the wire first.

THE PICKS

Wow what a field… You have to be impressed by the amount of dough that these horses have; from a three year old with a half million in earnings to 6 others or so with 750 or more. So what will separate them? I think the pace will make the race. Look for K’s Escape to dictate the pace and if she is unhurried she should win. Will the outsider Skygusty and major player Glacier Queen force her to go to fast and set up the closers? If they do I like Desperado’s Song and Sweet Sister Mercy to close the fastest and put up huge numbers. Ok final picks

K’s Escape

Desperado’s Song

Sweet Sister Mercy

Mind Eraser