Strong field assembled for ‘Allied Assault’
Welcome to New York Aqueduct for the race that honours Hall Of Famer Allied Assault. The race was named after him following his unprecedented 3rd win in the race in 2005.
Let’s take a look at the strong field that has turned out to contest this prestigious event.
ALUM BAY
Following success in last year’s Canada Turf the son of High Chaparral has been mixing it with the best in the division but has still so far failed to add another graded victory. He caught a soft field in that Canada Turf and on all evidence to date he is more at home in the G2/G3 fields. In good form at present but will find it tough on Saturday in what is a quality field. Mid-div finish.
RAPID GREY
This Hall-of-Famer in waiting is now in the autumn of his career and although still running well is finding it harder to rack up those graded wins. His success in the King Geoff earlier in the year shows his appetite for the game is as strong as ever but there is a feeling that everything would need to drop right on Saturday for the win. I would be disappointed though if he wasn’t able to take home a paycheck.
FANTASTIC MIX
In the spring of this year, this son of Linamix looked to have the world at his feet with a G1 success in his 5th race. He hasn’t really built on that success since, and it is only in his last run (where he managed to hold on at the wire in a stakes race) that he looks to be back in the groove. I’m a little concerned that he is taking on a field of this quality after such a narrow success and it might be a ‘bridge too far’ at this point in his career.
ROSENTHAL
Last year’s winner is a slow-maturing type who didn’t make his mark in this grade until this time last year where he ran out a convincing winner over a decent field. That is still his only G1 success and the evidence suggests he might fall a little short of this grade overall. He will do well to emulate the great Allied Assault who is the only multi-winner of the event to date.
OLD AND POOR
Back in 2005 this fellow ran 3rd in the Derby De English behind legend Horseshoe Bay. He was subsequently off the track for 3 years before returning to action early this year. He won a stakes race in April where he was allowed to dominate but when upped in grade he has patently been found wanting. Will likely finish towards the rear of the field.
STRONG BELWAS
Like Old And Poor in the previous stall, this fellow was also 3rd in the Deby De English. His career has largely been over shorter distances where he has racked up a couple of G1 wins but his stamina is definitely tested over this trip. Will likely be in the van for the most part but may well be passed by a handful of deep closers in the latter stages. Likley finish 5th/6th.
RISSOTTO
Claimed by current connections in March of this year for $150k and although he has performed well he still hasn’t won for his new owner. Could well set the race up with his front-running style but will back-pedal as soon as they hit the stretch.
MAX CALIFORNIA
The number 1 ranked older horse in the division, he has three G1 victories on his resume and has run consistently all year. He was run out of it in the Breeder’s Bowl by the up-and-coming 3yo Wrecking Crew who is strangely absent on Saturday. Following a nice prep run over 14f last time he should be cherry-ripe for a top performance this week and is the one they all have to beat.
CIRCLE OF SOLACE
Back in April this guy looked to be the new star of the division as he went 7/8 with a win in the G1 San Francisco Capitan Handicap. However, since that victory he has looked a shadow of the horse he was and has left his connections baffled. This is not the place to be putting a horse low on confidence and a poor run here could finish him off for good. Needs his confidence restored before tackling a field of this quality.
SILENCERS
This year’s G1 Sword Swallower Stakes winner is another that seems to find the best in this grade a little too hot to handle. Four subsequent graded runs following the Sword Swallower have yielded a couple of 3rd place finishes but he was still well off the pace. He will need to improve on all he has shown to date to take the win on Saturday.
DELPENN GOLD
A son of Sadler’s Wells with only 13 career runs to date and he can already boast two graded victories, and still looks to be on the upgrade. He found the hustle and bustle of the Breeder’s Bowl a little too much but at his present rate of improvement he will be a serious contender for honours next year.
SHRIVER MINE
This 6yo son of Dynaformer is the outsider of the party at 37/1 which is a bit tough considering his record at 10 furlongs. However, his one run at 12f was very disappointing and he was beaten a long way behind Rapid Grey in the King Geoff in July. Would need to step up considerably on that run to make his mark on Saturday.
FANG
This very slow-maturing son of Spinning World ran out a comfortable 3-length winner of the Canada Turf in October. If you throw out his last run against 10f specialists in the Eclipse then he must hold every chance in this. Will likely be on the front end early and of the front-runners in the field he is the one who will still be holding sway into the straight. Disappointing if he can’t take home a piece of the pie.
THE GUN WENT OFF
Probably the most exciting runner in the race! He is a leading contender for the 3yo Eclipse award and to further cement his claims he is a G1 winner on both surfaces. In 8 races on the turf he has yet to finish outside the first two and is a 3-time G1 winner on the surface. If that wasn’t enough he is the first 3yo to be successful in the Ark De Triumph and routed the field in the Japan Classic. If he isn’t feeling the effects of a hard season then he could well spoil the party for Max California.
CHRISTCHURCH
Finally we get to my contender, probably the dark horse of the race. He is 6/8 having lost his debut over an inadequate mile with his other loss being a solid 4th in the Breeder’s Bowl in what was his 7th race. He ran out an easy winner in his stakes race prep and this will be the race where I find out how good he is. He is likely to be still too inexperienced for the win but a good showing might provide hopes for a good year in 2009.
There you have it, an all-star field and a race that could have a strong bearing on end-of-year honours. My picks for the race:
- Max California
- The Gun Went Off
- Rapid Grey