General To Take Charge

Is this a sprint race – Yes!

Is it on the turf – Yes!

Is General’s Chariot running – Yes!

So who’s going to finish second!

Yes folks, it’s normally as simple as that except there are a few more pretenders this time around who are aiming to overthrow the General. The number one turf sprinter in the game puts his unbeaten record in sprints on the line – will it go this Saturday?

1.         Be The One                                  johnno                         13/1

All the evidence to date on this fella seems to suggest that he’ll find the 7 furlongs on Saturday, a little too far for his liking, especially in this grade. I’d be more enamored with his chances if it were 5-6 furlongs. Will probably be up there early but may lack a change of gear in the closing stages.

Last year’s turf juvenile Eclipse winner has gone on to cement his reputation this term. Four runs over a mile this season have yielded a stakes win and three other commendable efforts over the distance at Grade 1 level, but at less than a mile, this horse has no peers! His shortest margin of victory in sprints was last time out where he ran out a ½ length winner over a field of older horses in the Cane Toad Stakes-G2. Back to his own age group here, it would be a major surprise if he was turned over.

3.         C’mon                                     hansg                                      10/1

Former top class juvenile who already has two G3 wins on his resume. He needed every inch of the mile to secure victory in the Chantilly Lace Cup-G3 earlier in the season and I would be surprised if he possessed the necessary speed to lay up with this crowd early. His dam preferred a mile and her son seems to follow suit, he will likely be finding his stride when the race is all but over.

4.         Grand Mesa                          babyfilly                                 13/1

Multiple stakes-winning 3yo who has been running with distinction all year, however he does appear to be outmatched at this level. He has yet to break the 100 speed-barrier and will do well to replicate his 2^nd place finish in the Roasting Weanies Stakes-G3 at the beginning of the year.

5.            Wildebeest                             lenny12                                  10/1

A change of surface 3 runs back has given this son of Wild Again a new lease of life. He comes into this race with an unblemished record on turf of 3 wins in 3 runs, all over 6 furlongs, and as a warning shot to his opponents on Saturday, he is probably better over 7 furlongs! Connections are that confident, they have dispensed with trying him in a listed event and go straight for a Grade 2. A dark horse who could be anything at this moment.

6.            Seeking The Time                 all4nuttin                                8/1

Out of the mare, Granny Haunted, whose granddaughter, Palamon, currently resides in one of my stables (useless bit of information!) Amazing what a change of surface can do! 3 from 4 on the lawn and he looks awesome with a bit of cut. We certainly haven’t seen the best of this colt and it’s difficult to predict how he’ll fare on Saturday, we’ll certainly know more about him after the race.

7.         Once Haunted                      loubrown                                6/1

Ranked 4 in the division this former top-class juvenile ended last year rated only a few pounds behind the favorite. He has been plying his trade in ungraded stakes this year and has won 5 of 12 races contested in 2005. In spite of those victories he doesn’t appear to have made enough improvement to beat the favorite but should certainly be there or thereabouts at the finish.

8.         Day Vision                          pg45                                        10/1

This son of middle-distance champion Daylami has run virtually all his races in turf sprints except for a mile G3 race where he was a fast-finishing 6^th. He has run very well over Saturday’s distance of 7 furlongs in stakes races but for my money could be even better when put over further. Will be finishing fast for the minor money but is definitely one to note if put over more ground.

9.         Rockin’ Pneumonia                pikachu                                  5/1

This son of Rock Of Gibraltar has been gradually improving all year and turned in his best display yet in his penultimate race, the Firebreather-G3, where he led from pillar-to-post for a comfortable 1.5 length victory. He ran behind the General in the Never Ready Sprint-G1, finishing a well-beaten 9^th of 14, 7 lengths behind, however he is now over his most effective distance and should give a better account of himself. Not one to leave out of calculations.

10.       Drunken Lullabies                blinkers                                  9/1

Ranked 8^th in the division, this G3 winner over 6.5 furlongs was inexplicably tried over 12 furlongs last time out in a G1 race, connections probably tempted by sire, Daylami’s record over the distance. With their curiosity satisfied, the horse is dropped back to a trip where he has shown himself to be very effective in the past and will certainly give a good account of himself on Saturday.

11.       Ruby Ridge                          clk2000                                  16/1

One stakes try this season resulted in a last of 5 over 6 furlongs on turf. He has recently been switched to the dirt and to my eyes looks more effective on that surface, so it’s a surprise to me for connections to switch him back to the turf, and in a graded race. He will do well to avoid the placing of his last stakes attempt.

My picks:

1. General’s Chariot
2. Rockin’ Pneumonia
3. Seeking The Time
4. Once Haunted