2025 Sand Castle Classic GR 1 6M 4yr/up

Looks to be a sunny and warm day here in Dubai, and looking forward to covering my 3^rd year in a row Sand Castle Classic where I went 0-3 and my top pick ended up 4^th in 2024 and 1-3 by picking the 2^nd place finisher in 2023 so as we can see my handicapping skills have alluded me and analysis is subpar but hey if it were easy we’d all be a little richer!  The field has only one returnee and no he is not looking to repeat but this year’s crop got me excited to see how the older horses when not run into the ground early have produced what Frank has been preaching in the streams so take that bit of info any how you like.  So sit back read the intel that can hopefully put a few dollars in your pocket either in this race or save for a future race this season to see about providing clearer detail in what looks to be a very good start to a very competitive 2025 Graded season.

Dubai (UAE)

Saturday, March 29, 2025 — 2:40:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3501362

Sand Castle Classic
Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $6,000,000
Restricted to 4 Year Olds and Older
10 Furlongs | ~2000 Meters | One Mile and One Quarter

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HORSE                                                              OWNER                               ST      1^st        2^nd       3^rd         Earnings

  1.  COFFEE LATTE                      KY      4M      jastables7            Career 8          2          4          1            $162,520

MORETTI x TAPIT x EMPIRE MAKER

First time GR 1 and 10F runner here out of little known bargain sire Moreetti (25 BPs).  Hasn’t been outta the money since his debut and looks to tackle much tougher than he’s ever faced in here.  A good result will bode well for the rest of the season set up, really a no lose situation as expectations are low.  Drawing the 1 Hole could help as he is a late stalker although has never seen a field this big which could pose traffic problems.

 2.   MOVIE STARR             KY      5M      dragster                  Career     21        9          1          2            $1,821,961

MEDAGLIA D’ORO x EMPIRE MAKER x DEPUTY MINISTER

#5 ranked 5 yr old that has been the best progeny out of mom HOLLYWOOD STARR.  Looks to jock Loesch again after pulling out a victory 3 weeks ago in the Cali Hdcp and keep the winning streak for 2025 going.  On the back nine of his career with 50%ITM and looking for a solid 5yr old campaign to finish it out.  Like the chances of top 3 finish out of that 2 hole where his just off the pace approach will benefit.

  3.   PASTELLFISKAR                   KY      4G       biggestjet                Career 12        4          4          2            $208,456

TWIRLING CANDY x GHOSTZAPPER x STORM CAT

Out of SW mare  PROJECT CADET and first time starter at the GR 1 level.  2 ALW wins and a GR 3 3^rd at this distance shows promise to a solid 4 yr old campaign.  Has produced nicely since getting the snip minus the throw out sloppy 6^th and you got one that realizes this distance is definitely the sweet spot.  Owner BiggJet has his work cut out for this project but I’m sure he’s up for the challenge and looks to make this the mare’s best offspring yet. 

  4.  FORGET MAUI                        KY      5M      dixiedotco        Career  22        8          3          3            $418,775

QUALITY ROAD x STREET CRY x A.P. INDY

Since mid last season has tackled primarily this distance by starting off with a GR III win and from there has shown signs of becoming a late bloomer.  His stalking style and late jock move error in the Euro Classic proved too difficult to overcome and those top 2 are in here today again.  Change in jock hopefully avoids that error and a nice prep ALW win last time out will set the tone. 

 5.   FINAL OTTO                KY      5M      kaner12            Career  15        8          2          0            $573,205

WAR FRONT x STORM CAT x KINGMAMBO

#24 ranked 5 yr old last offspring from HOF’er and 4 time GR 1 producer mare  OTTO JONES.  Late last year tackled his first GR 1 and won beating fav in here Book of Numbers by a head.  So a head scratcher why the bettors are putting him at 15/1 the same price he won at last time out?  Late bloomer that could be a contender later this year and one to look out for possibly BB Classic worthy?  Mid pack striker will be his MO  here and hoping his long layoff will not hinder the progress.

  6. KARIOKA                                  AUS    5M      xpansion94         Career  25        11        2          5            $413,936

AMERICAN PHAROAH x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x STREET CRY

Tied for most career wins in this race and has run Stakes primarily with this being the swan song to a GR 1 debut.  Another mid pack/possible pacesetter as that ALW prep win with a jawdropping 17+lengths has peaked interest around the backstretch barns around here.  Either way still a great career in the ever growing hard to win GR 1 races in the sim and one of the few times a HEMARE offspring comes out or close to it’s father and have a great line that followed all the way back even further.

  7.  FROZEN FORTUNE                IRE    4G       jastables31               Career 9          4          0          2            $156,881

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE x FROSTED x STREET SENSE

First time GR 1 runner out of GR 3 winner mare SNOWFLAKE SENSES.  Owner jastables has this one progressing nicely (3 for 3 at this distance) since switching to dirt and although he might be a little in over his head here right now look later into this 4 yr old campaign and you should see a lot more Graded races in his future.  Another big score for little known sire (Soldier of Fortune  117 BPS).

8.   ALTERNATE XMAS    ENG   4M      givenyakuza           Career    12        5          1          2            $5,143,080

FRANKEL (GB) x MEDAGLIA D’ORO x REDOUTE’S CHOICE

One of 2 entries in here for owner Given. With it’s last win in the Bluegrass Derby last year looks to get back on track here after not hitting the winners circle since.  #2 ranked 4 yr old in the sim and leading $ earner to date in this race will look to reg jock Cassell to get him back to form after a trying the Triple Crown and getting 1^st,2^nd and 5^th in it.  Too bad this is a fast track as he seems to love the off tracks but will be looking for off speed pace to help his stalking style.

 9.   WAR SENSES                        KY      6M      jastables           Career  25        7          4          2            $2,682,637

WAR OF WILL x STREET SENSE x BERNARDINI

Beaten badly last time out (14 lengths 12/14) and versus some that are in here today.  The writing is on the wall for this 6 yr old in what could be the close to a good career.  Last 2 wins were in GR 2 and GIII in the slop mid last year so jock Appolonia has gotta pull out every trick in the book for this one.  The War of Will offspring shows there is good value there (400+BPS) and not all have to be top 20 sires in the game.

10.   BEFORE YOU KNEW            KY      4M      asrcurlin             Career   11        7          1          0            $3,133,515

CURLIN x DANZIG x A.P. INDY

#1 ranked 4 yr old & EOY as a 3yr old that will be running 10F for the first time.  Currently riding a 5 race winning streak (4 GR 1 in a row).  Can see this one being our pace setter and hoping to steal a start to finish win.  Hasn’t ran since dec 2024 and has been putting in quick and shorten workouts to be ready for this one.  The past longer distances seem to be throwing off bettors but one thing that can’t be overlooked is the 11 and 7 length margins to handily wins the past two races.

11.   HE WANTS GUNS      KY     4M      dochman2              Career    13        5          2          0            $4,750,695

INTO MISCHIEF x CURLIN x TAPIT

#4 ranked 4 yr old and out of EOY mare SHE WANTS BICEPS looks to do what mom couldn’t in winning this race.  Comes in here on 3 weeks rest and looks to face most of those in here that he beat in the BB Classic.  With less pace speed in here look for him to make a move sooner than past races as lots of off pace/stalkers in here which should benefit him.  Already a better producer than his mother and that should be key in a strong 4 yr old season.

12.   INSTAGRAM STORY             KY      4M      Gowans2023        Career  12        5          2          2            $370,153

UNCLE MO x CURLIN x TAPIT

Out of mare  INSTAGRAM MODEL and grand mare INTERNET SENSATION this bloodline alone screams future GR 1 winner.  Owner Gowans has gone textbook with this one bringing it along with all the right trimmings.  Start of a big year here and IMO can’t see why the betters posted 19/1?  Faced some in here last time out and beat all but Lorne Alibi shows what is to expect of him as he knows the track and conditions for the result needed this time out.

13.   DEADLY BELIEFS                 KY      5M      futurestar            Career  22        7          4          4            $728,084

TAPIT x ARROGATE x KINGMAMBO

Our only returnee from last year’s SCC.  The son of DOUBLE DAMNATION did however do better than mom last year by finishing 7^th.  Has won a couple since then (STK/ALW) but has not lived to the hype of mom as few do in this game!  This year’s PP 13 should benefit him as he was stuck near the rail last year and just couldn’t find the footing to close being boxed in.   Has faced a few in here and pulled out a 3^rd in the GR 1 Guild GC but his success is in longer races and weaker fields.

14.   BOOK OF NUMBERS            KY      6M      romanbrother      Career   18        8          7          2            $557,615

CITY OF LIGHT x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x WILD AGAIN

The Fav in the race and one of the two oldies in here as well.  Has been ITM his whole career minus his debut so can see why bettors love him.  Comes in this race piping hot with great works since Jan where he prepped and won an ALW by 8+ lengths.  How ever has only raced one GR 1 race (2^nd) in his career (Euro Classic) along with a GR III win and this is his preferred distance.  PP is not a concern since he likes to work just off the pace and even though 6 seems to still have some mileage left for a very productive 2025 campaign.

15.   EXPERT IN SONGS    GB      6G       alydarthvader3       Career   26        11        3          2            $2,488,754

EXPERT EYE x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x UNBRIDLED’S SONG

#20 ranked 6 yr old is the best crop out of SW mare GEE IM GOOD.  Owner Alydarthvader has struck gold by getting a dirt runner out of great value (171 bps) primarily turf sire Expert Eye.  This one faultered badly last time out 10^th in a GR 2 back in feb but hopefully it was due to the long layoff and not age/starts which could also be taking it’s toll.  The only claimer in this race (10K) shows that diamonds are out there if you look/work at it enough.  Morning line shows promise from the public even though the 15 PP isn’t ideal there should be enough inside speed to help his stalking style.

16.   BIG RON                       GB      4M      givenglory               Career   13        6          3          0            $2,318,086

FRANKEL (GB) x REDOUTE’S CHOICE x KINGMAMBO

#8 ranked 4 yr old that is from the HOF’er and history of strong runners WISTER ROAD.  Has come off a career SPD 119 @9.5 F GR 2 win after a couple of misfires so the 4yr old campaign is looking promising as he tackled older last year as a 3 yr old and now we know the potential.  Has beaten some in here at the Travelers’s but getting the 16 hole for a pacesetter could prove difficult this time out.  No doubt owner Given is looking for a big result in this one!

17.  GOD’S FINAL FURY   KY      5M      temp5                       Career  20        8          2          1            $1,839,986

AMERICAN PHAROAH x SADLER’S WELLS x UNBRIDLED

#26 ranked 5 yr old best offspring of GR 2 winning mare  GOD’S FURY.  Comes in fresh off a 8+ length ALW prep for this one after a 3^rd finish in the BB Classic.  More of a off track/ 11-12 F specialist early in his career is starting to turn into a 10F threat at the tail end of his run.  Late stalking style with a outside PP should suit him well in this race and see where this result will take him later this year.

18.   BRO BRO                                 URU    5G       dixielcl2              Career  26        11        6          3            $559,728

ORB x DUBAWI (IRE) x STORM CAT

Local Champion who is coming in on just over three weeks rest after a 3^rd in the GR 1 Cali Hdcp and drawing the PP18 are just more obstacles to overcome.  Squeezing every ounce of races and talent before it’s too late is what Owner Dixielcl is doing here and the bettors are taking notice as a 12/1 shot here.  No doubt the end is nearing for this one but can it sprinkle magic one last time?

19.   LORNE ALIBI                         KY      5G       ygeldings04              Career  20        8          1          4            $571,834

AUTHENTIC x CURLIN x UNBRIDLED’S SONG      

Was primarily a 11F runner in his 4 yr old campaign with 5 wins but Owner Ygeldings has shorten up to this distance sensing father time is catching up.  Well first two starts have shown it’s the right call (1^st,3^rd) and this race is a step up again to prove it makes him look like a genius.  Drawing the 19 PP is the only hiccup as he has never been wider than 8 and facing this much traffic could pose the problem.

20.  JUST FOR THE DEVIL          KY       5G zkingab42          Career  15        8          2          3            $2,780,021

JUSTIFY x A.P. INDY x STORM CAT

#13 ranked 5 yr old and out of multi SW producing mare SATAN’S LAUGH.  Comes off a layoff since Nov and a 2^nd in the BB Classic to hopefully be a factor here.  This is his distance and brought along nicely from owner Kingab as only 15 career starts and at 5 still lots in the tank.  Has not beaten any of these in here yet but looking for a solid outing and season for the DEVIL.

LR’s lucky picks

1.   12 Instagram Story   –  start of a series of hopefully bigger GR 1 results
2.   14 Book of Numbers  – sorry just can’t overlook the ITM factor
3.     2  Movie Starr – like the top 3 possibilities and had to put somewhere