Future Hall of Famer to Win the Prometheus G1 ?
The PROMETHEUS
Grade I
A mile and one half on the Firm Turf Course
$500,000
All horses, 6 years old and up
Stakes record – Premier Event
For those that don’t remember, in Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals for their use. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day. Kind of a gory story but an otherwise really cool name that seems to just roll off of your tongue. It makes for an interesting race here with different conditions as you rarely see GIs for six year olds and it has brought out a very exciting field. So much so that the morning line has seven horses within two points for the favorite. We have some wonderful old horses here that will qualify for the Old Man of the Mountain Series after next year and some at the end of this season. We also have at least one horse that may qualify for the Hall of Fame. I’m excited about the prospects here so let’s take a look:
1 – STRONG BELWAS ODDS STABLE WIN% JOCKEY WIN% TOP SPEED EARNINGS RANK Given Stables 9/2 Asoiaf 22.1% S.Joseph 115 – 17 – 19 – 20 – 15% 114 $ 3,006,585 22
( EMPIRE MAKER x CAERLEON x WOODMAN) This six year old chestnut horse is making his first start of 2009 after trainer Asoiaf and the Given Stables have given him a nice layoff. He deserved it after having a nice 2008 campaign with several Graded second places and some solid SPFs throughout the year. He is still getting it done after a $3 million plus earnings career. It remains to be seen if this nicely bred horse can continue those results but he loves the front of the pack and this post should help that. He has jockey Joseph in the irons and he has been solid this year. If he can come in strong from the layoff he should be tough.
 | 2 – DREAMING EYES(IRE) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belair Stud | 87/1 | Winnett | 6.1% | Ja Davis | 29 – 0 – 2 – 0 – 0% | 93 | $ 135,210 | 243 |
( BLACK SAM BELLAMY (IRE) x LAW SOCIETY (IRE) x DASH FOR CASH) Definitely an interesting story here as this six year old comes in winning nine straight firm turf races and 11 of 14 with the other three finishes being in second. He was recently purchased for $3.5 million in the auction and trainer Winnett wants to see what this old guy can do. Those wins were all in Starter and Allowance races and he has never run faster than a 93 SPF though and has been a claimer for much of his lift. Perhaps he was just never given the chance and jockey Davis, who is looking for his first win of the season can bring home a real story. We will see…
 | 3 – A.P. SOJOURNEY | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ldysecret Stables | 7/1 | Sojourneys | 14.8% | T.Stepnoski | 91 – 5 – 12 – 13 – 5% | 106 | $ 188,045 | 221 |
(A.P. INDY x PALACE MUSIC x DIESIS(GB) out of MUSICAL SOJOURN) Ldysecret Stables always seems to have some interesting horses to bring to the post and this six year old son of A.P.INDY is no exception. He has been mostly an Allowance level horse with solid if unspectacular numbers that is running the best SPFs of his life since stretching out to the longer distances last year. He has now routinely run triple digit SPFs and could be a big surprise here in only his second Graded outing. Jockey Stepnoski is holding the reins and has been spotty this year. He could make his owners quite happy with a Graded win here.
 | 4 – EIGHTYSEVENTH DR(IRE) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lilbitfarm Stables | 13/1 | Irishsired | 13.2% | R.Rickford | 33 – 1 – 0 – 1 – 3% | 106 | $ 767,835 | 37 |
( HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x NUREYEV x BEST TURN) It is very hard for a horse to gather 10 wins in his career and this nicely bred six year old has 12 Stakes wins in his long and illustrious career for trainer Irishred, who’s Lilbitfarm Stables know how to make the best of long careers in champion horses. This horse has never won a Graded race though and would love to add that to the old trophy case. He has already won one Stakes race the beginning of this year and don’t count this old veteran out. He has Rickford up in the saddle and he has really been struggling so far this year with only one win to show for over 30 mounts. That could be a hindrance for this wily veteran horse.
 | 5 – DRAGNIPUR | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galileo Stables | 7/1 | Dormello | 23.1% | L.Molinero | 64 – 12 – 5 – 15 – 19% | 113 | $ 680,294 | 200 |
( SADLER’S WELLS x BLUSHING GROOM(FR) x NEVER SAY DIE) This SADLERS WELLS offspring has a very sold run last year with nice speeds and three Stakes wins in a row but after and off track and a dirt outing, he really threw in a disappointing race earlier this year where he finished nearly 17 lengths back in a GIII. You always have to worry that the older horses have hit the wall when something like that happens and trainer Dormello must wonder as well. This is a coupled entry of the three that the Galileo Stables have in the race and that fine Stables know how to saddle ‘em up. Jockey Molinero is one of the best at the track and will get everything out of this veteran horse. Is there enough left in the tank?
 | 6 – WONDERBOY DIESEL | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsunami | 74/1 | Tsunami04 | 8.0% | McHale | 24 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 4% | 109 | $ 398,740 | 4220 |
( CRAFTY PROSPECTOR x CAPOTE x SHIRLEY HEIGHTS(GB) out of SOFT JUPITER) Lots more questions than answers for this coupled entry from the Tsunami Stables. After being claimed three back, he has tried a couple of Graded outings at different distances and surfaces with nominal results. He is running longer than a mile for the first time and on the turf for only the sixth time after a 14 win career on the clay. I am going to be surprised if jockey McHale can get this vet up in the top half of this field at the end but perhaps he’s been waiting for this distance for his entire racing career.
| 7 – DOWNPLAYING TED | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsunami | 24/1 | PopsNTips | 15.0% | K.Roth | 37 – 2 – 5 – 3 – 5% | 112 | $ 390,976 | 4102 |
( TOUCH GOLD x LEAR FAN x FORMIDABLE) The second part of our Tsunami couple entry will be running on the grass for only the second time in a 55 race career. He is a former Graded winner on the dirt but his one previous dance on the grass, back in 2006 was forgettable at best. Jockey Roth has had a forgettable year so far and it doesn’t bode well for this team. It would be a major surprise if this chestnut six year old can contend and I’m not “downplaying” his chances! He is the 4,102nd ranked horse at this class. Who knew the rankings went that high?!?
 | 8 – REAL BOURBON | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lgbost Stables | 21/1 | Lgbost9a | 9.3% | K.McNickle | 46 – 3 – 9 – 2 – 7% | 102 | $ 183,858 | 1216 |
( TEN MOST WANTED x SHIRLEY HEIGHTS(GB) x CYANE) A long range turfer for his entire career, this six year old has mostly run claimers and starter allowances with just a couple of lackluster Stakes races thrown in. It will be his Graded entry in his 38 race career and he looks to be a bit outmatched although he has always been competitive at the levels he has run. Trainer Lgbost9a couldn’t have found a better spot for his first Graded race though. Jockey McNickle is struggling a bit this year and it would be quite a story if this team could bring home the win.
 | 9 – SWORD SONG | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Rock Stables | 49/1 | Deeprock3 | 2.0% | A.Quezada | 21 – 0 – 2 – 2 – 0% | 96 | $ 184,847 | 1254 |
( CRUSADER SWORD x KRIS S. x THE MINSTREL) The fact that this seven year old horse has 17 wins under his belt is quite impressive. However, when you notice that all but one of those wins have either been in Claimers or Starter Allowances and that his three Stakes entries have all been disasters you have to wonder if he is up to his first Graded outing. Trainer Deeprock3 has decided that it is now or never with this older condition and it will at least be a good story for the old guy to tell back at the barn. Jockey Quezada is still looking for his first win of the season and it is doubtful that he will gain it here.
| 10 – LEX LUTHOR | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galileo Stables | 5/1 | Galileo | 19.3% | E.Seifort | 134 – 43 – 15 – 19 – 32% | 113 | $ 8,057,666 | 47 |
( EMPIRE MAKER x THEATRICAL(IRE) x SEEKING THE GOLD) It is amazing just looking back over the record of this two time Eclipse winner’s career. His eight Graded wins is more than most horses have any type of wins in their lifetime. He has won more than half of his forty races against stiff competition and has won over $8 million for the Galileo Stables. He is surely a future Hall of Famer and although it’s been since the 2007 Breeder’s Bowl that he gathered his last Graded win, he has won three other Stakes competition since then. The conditions appear favorable that he will add to that Graded record and the fact that the tracks best jockey in Siefort is in the leather may insure that. This should be your winner.
| 11 – STERNWOOD FOREST | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reddog Stables | 7/1 | Reddog | 15.7% | G.Wolfe | 37 – 2 – 4 – 4 – 5% | 109 | $ 487,085 | 278 |
( LEAR FAN x DARSHAAN(ENG) x VAL DE L’ORNE(FR) This seven year old could be the horse that ruins the party for decorated vet LEX LUTHOR here. He is still running solid races at an elevated age and won a Stakes outing last time out. Trainer Reddog has done a nice job of keeping him at peak condition for a long stretch. There are a couple of things going against this horse though. First, it might be just a bit out of his comfort zone distance-wise. He likes his races just a bit shorter. He also has jockey Wolfe in the saddle who has proven more of an anchor than a guide so far this year. All in all, there are possibilities here if those problems can be overcome.
 | 12 – BAND SEEKER | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topicount Stables | 11/1 | B4rca | 15.5% | M.Binder | 32 – 0 – 2 – 6 – 0% | 110 | $ 189,442 | 2479 |
( DIXIELAND BAND x SEEKING THE GOLD x DEPUTY MINISTER) Having never won on the grass, you have to wonder about the chances of this six year old. Trainer B4rca is taking a shot against the elder field here and his breeding certainly looks like he might like the turf but history shows otherwise. Throw in the fact that jockey Binder is still looking for his first win of the year after 32 races and you also wonder what the morning line was thinking with the 11/1 odds for this team. It would be a big surprise with a win here.
 | 13 – CONDEMNATION | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Evil Empire | 6/1 | Lenny14 | 21.7% | P.Miller | 69 – 8 – 6 – 7 – 12% | 112 | $ 635,030 | 40 |
( KINGMAMBO x LYPHARD x BUCKPASSER) Our only female in this group, this six year old nicely bred mare has looked very solid lately and could really surprise here. Trainer Lenny14 and his Evil Empire Stables certainly know how to saddle them up and would like nothing more than to gather a Graded win against the boys here. She tends to like just a bit less distance but has been stretching it out more and more. She had her best SPF ever just four back with a 112 at 10.5 furlongs. Jockey Miller has been solid all year and this could be the team that shocks the whole group.
| 14 – BANE(IRE) | ODDS | STABLE | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galileo Stables | 7/1 | Samurai | 15.4% | C.Hayes | 33 – 4 – 4 – 3 – 12% | 105 | $ 1,043,841 | 766 |
( HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x DANEHILL x PLEASANT COLONY) This nice looking seven year old chestnut horse just doesn’t understand that you are supposed to slow down at this age. He is the third of the three Galileo Stables entries and there is an outside chance that the stable could provide a sweep of the medal stand here. This is a million dollar winning horse that has been solid lately as has jockey Hayes who is in the leather and ready. The race is a bit more distance than this horse normally likes but he has won at this length before. This might be one to put on your trifecta ticket and see what happens.
Morning Line = 1-10-13-3-5-11-14
Paz Picks = 10-1-13-4-14
I love having a Graded race for the elder set like this. I hope there are more down the line. It does make for some tough handicapping thouth. I like EIGHTYSEVENTH DR to finish fourth as this Stable seems to know how to get the best out of the older horses. Our token female in the race, CONDEMNATION could surprise the males here and I think she has enough to finish in the top three. I wish that STRONG BELWAS had one race before this as I worry about the layoff but he is hard to overlook in the race. That leaves the win for LEX LUTHOR who should gather another Grade One win one his way to the Hall of Fame.
Good luck to all runners!
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