Breeders’ Bowl Mile by SocalSlew
BREEDER’S BOWL MILE
This field of 20 exceptional runners tests their fortitude going 8 panels on the firm California turf course. An abundance of come from behinder’s are sure to make the stretch drive an exciting one as they battle for their share of today’s 3 million dollar prize!
PP#1 BOX OF INVINCIBILITY (O/T- Givenhello) 12/1
Although posting very respectable speed ratings, this son of Invincible Spirit has yet to win a Grade 1 event. His chore will not be an easy one here, as his come from behind running style will be challenged by most of this field of 20, and upon entering the stretch he may find the traffic akin to that of Interstate 5 on a Friday afternoon. However, if given a clean, traffic free trip he could figure in the equation.
PP#2 TEMPLE OF FAIT (O/T- Woetteholding) 7/1
This multi time Grade 1 winner appears to be coming into this event in top form, having won both of his past two races handily (The Grade 1 Maudlin Cup and The Grade 1 King or Main Stakes). While he’s run most of his races coming from behind, he proved in his last outing that he is quite capable of clinging to the pace and still hitting the wire on top. This is a big advantage in this field lacking front speed and makes him an absolute contender.
PP#3 EMBREE (O/T- Francua11) 7/1
A winner of 3 of his 4 last graded races, this Francua11 trainee may set the pace and never look back. There’s little to dislike here as this son of Exceed And Excell has come into this race in perfect form. The oddsmakers may have been a bit generous with this one, and a clean ride should prove his worthiness as the race (co) favorite.
PP#4 WELL DONE BARBARA (O/T- Jakematt3) 12/1
Owner/Trainer Jakematt3’s five year old gelding has crossed the finish line first in 3 of his past 4 races, all graded events. He comes from far back and will certainly have to bob and weave his way through traffic, but if he can find his hole, he’ll be coming like a freight train down the lane. A repeat of his last puts him right there.
PP#5 SILVER WITH GOLD (O/T- Correction) 16/1
Owner/Trainer Correction struck both Silver and Gold when picking up this colt in the auction a few months back! While he may lack the class and experience of several of the others here, his 11 wins from 17 starts shows his desire and fortitude. He’ll be coming at the end but may be in a bit over his head today. A nice colt none the less.
PP#6 FB SID (O/T- Chibound2) 7/1
It’s not often you find a Virginia bred amongst a field like these, and even rarer to find him as a co-favorite. Sid’s close to the pace running style can only benefit him in this 20 horse field of primarily closer types. He lacks the graded experience of most here, but of the three he has participated in, he’s performed admirably. Not without a chance.
PP#7 TEX FORCE ONE (O/T- Texasace00) 25/1
Owner/Trainer Texasace00 tries his 3 year old against older, far more experienced horses here. This beautifully bred colt (No Nay Never x Danehill x Dynaformer) has performed well against his fellow 3 year olds, but he’s taking on a whole nuther level of competition against these guys. Back here next year he may shine, but he’s in way over his head against this group.
PP#8 TROJAWI (O/T- 1strule) 12/1
Based on speed ratings, this 5 year old son of Dubawi appears to be a bit on the decline. In his past 2 prep races he’s finished 3rd, both times on this track. He likes to run just off the pace which is a plus in this field, however he must find the same form he possessed late last year/early this year to be considered a contender.
PP#9 ELEMENTAL POWERS (O/T- Xpansion3) 15/1
Owner/Trainer Xpansion3’s son of Kingman reminds me of Forrest Gump… “Ya never know whatcha gonna get”. He appears to have a pattern of running a beauty, sandwiched by a couple of clunkers. If on form today, a repeat of either of his past two wins puts him in the mix.
PP#10 STAR PREFERENCE (O/T- Padrebri5) 60/1
Sometimes when the situation presents itself, ya just gotta say “WTF” and take a chance. That’s what O/T Padrebri5 is doing today with his 3 year old son of Sea The Stars. While having won the Grade 1 Rosehill Classic (at 10 furlongs), he has been distanced in his past 2 Grade 1 events, both against other 3 year olds. He shortens up to a mile today which may help somewhat, but against these I just can’t find a path to victory,
PP#11 BROADWAY TRIANGLE (O/T- Stormboot) 37/1
Stormboot’s 3 year old son of Proisir makes his return to the Breeder’s Bowl where last year he finished a fast closing fifth in the Juvenile Turf. This guy generally comes from the clouds, however has shown the talent to hang close to the pace before unleashing the afterburners in a frenzied dash for home! A beautiful horse with a bright future ahead, however he seems to be biting off a bit much against these.
PP#12 BARON OF BASSETT (O/T- 1strule) 13/1
This French He has put up some last win came way back in January and I unfortunately don’t see that streak coming to an end here. His form has been too inconsistent to win a bill of confidence against these. However, On his best day he could cause a bit of a ruckus for the rest! A longshot at best.
PP#13 FLAGRANT POWER (O/T- Shandon) 17/1
Although having won the Grade 1 Sourball Mile, this son of Mckinzie has struggled even in local minor stakes races, thus making it difficult to endorse him here. Stranger things have happened, but I just can’t see it happening here today.
PP#14 SEA COUNTING STARS (O/T- DDstables42) 12/1
This entry from the DDstables42 barn has only won 1 race in the past 2 years, the Grade 3 Von Bremen Stakes back in October ’24. He has put up some impressive speed figs at times, but has not shown the class or consistency necessary to play ball with these guys. May get up in time to grab the scraps, but not really a factor here.
PP#15 OPERA SINGER (O/T- JAstables25) 13/1
Following a series of clunkers, Opera Singer put on his best Pavaroti impression last time out and pulled away to a 2 ¼ length victory in the Grade 1 Makybe Prima Donna Stakes. If this was a sign of him coming into form, he’s doing so at the right time and could be considered the ‘Dark Horse’. Include in your exotics at the very least. An interesting prospect.
PP#16 BLAZER COUNTRY (O/T- Stormboot) 34/1
This impeccably bred (Frankel x Giant’s Causeway x AP Indy) 3 year old from the Stormboot barn faces older competition for the first time and certainly has his work cut out for him. While yet to win a graded event, he has been runner up in several. This colt has all the talent in the world, and will only get better with age. It would not be surprising to see him back as a favorite next year, but is in over his head this time around.
PP#17 FLAMELOPERS (O/T- Given009) 33/1
Another 3 year old taking on older for the first time. As with the #16 horse, this Given009 trainee is an outstanding sophomore with a bright bright future, but may find himself well schooled by his elders here. My gut tells me that as he matures he may want more ground and this time next year we may see him in the 12 furlong BB Turf.
PP#18 MORNING OF THUNDER (O/T- Anniepower) 42/1
And yet another 3 year old facing older for the first time. Anniepower’s colt has shown great promise having won his last two, both a Grade I and a Grade II vs. 3 year olds. He comes from far off the pace and should excel going beyond a mile once given the chance. Might be the best of the 3 year olds here, but still a very tough spot against these. However, don’t be surprised to hear his name flying down the stretch towards the finish. Very talented and might be deserving as a longshot play in the exotics.
PP#19 PAUL THE BARBER (O/T- Correction) 11/1
Paul The Barber doesn’t just go out and win graded races, but he’ll come back to the barn afterwards and give you a haircut in celebration! He ran brilliantly the end of last year/beginning of this year, winning two graded events in dazzling fashion. After throwing in a clunker in the Grade I Sand Castle Fee Duty, he was turned out and rested for a few months. He returned with a vengeance, winning an allowance race and a Grade 2 with respective speed ratings of 118 and 116. He’s been given 10 weeks off to train up for this and may prove to be the best of the best here. If he can manage to find a clear path and avoid getting caught in a traffic jam, this may be the boy to beat! A solid contender.
PP#20 NOT THIS DARK (O/T- ASRstar7) 42/1
Another very talented 3 year old in the mix. Normally I’m not a fan of 3 year olds going first time against older horses of this quality, but this son of Dark Angel is certainly making a case for himself. A winner of 3 graded races including his most recent, the Grade I Hollywood while going wire to wire and finishing with an impressive 115 speed fig. His front running style is an advantage here and if he can somehow shake off the others and find himself on a clear lead, he may never look back. With only 9 races under his belt, his future upside is unlimited. A Must use in the exotics at the very least. 42/1 odds? The oddsmakers must have been smoking crack!
Socalslew2’s Selections:
1st– #19 PAUL THE BARBER 11/1
2ND– #3 EMBREE 7/1
3RD– #20 NOT THIS DARK 42/1
Dark Horse- #15 OPERA SINGER 13/1