The Double M Memorial

The Double M Memorial
Grade II
A mile and one eighth
Yielding Turf
$500,000
All horses, 4 years old and up

Race ID:3882.0510

This is not that strong a race for a graded race. This probably at present reflects the lack of high class turf horses in the sim. The interesting factor will be the off track that could throw a strange result.

BIG BAD N NOW (KY) CRYPTOCLEARANCE x MISWAKI x UNBRIDLED’S SONG

This guy has been running over trip in excess of 10f. His form has also dropped off since early last year when he was running well. His only try on an off track was a third out of four in a low speed figure. Looking at the balance of his current form the off track and trip it is fair to say his chances are slim in this race.

WELLS GHOST TED (WV) GHOSTLY MINISTER x SADLER’S WELLS x RED RANSOM

You know in real life a horse bred like this would finish around 3 furlongs behind a graded field. The facts are this is a good horse. He is a grade 1 winner over a mile last year. Recent form is slipping even though speed figures remain decent. The trip seems beyond his best the off track is an added worry and wear and tear appears to be raising its ugly head. The balance of this is it would be a surprise if this horse was to make the frame.

PUSH OF A BUTTON (AUS) ELVSTROEM (AUS) x TREMPOLINO x GREY DAWN II

His sire was a one paced plodder and out of a Trempolino mare speed does not appear to be something this horse would be blessed with. He is on the upgrade though and is improving. His speed figures and results are showing a nice upward curve. He also seems to really like the trip. His only off track run was a second place, but the speed figure was low. If he handles the off track ok in a poor field like this he could sneak into the frame.

FOUR DAYS LATER (KY) BERNARDINI x KINGMAMBO x BLUSHING GROOM (FR)

There is a reason why there are no sons of A P Indy at stud in Europe they hate turf. This horse has been slowly getting better with racing. Recent speed figures are good and he was graded placed recently. His off track for is good as well which has to be seen as an added bonus. The negative appears to be the trip it would appear that 8f is his best trip and as horses get older it appear in the sim the majority get more fussy about the trip. This is probably down to greater competition. If he handles the trip he has a good chance my gut instinct it is a furlong to far.

CLICKIT OR TICKET (KY) KING CUGAT x DANEHILL x A.P. INDY

This fellow like so many horses in the sim has found a new year a total loss of form occurs. I am ot sure why this happens as it is not always wear and tear some horses after about 9 months come back to form and do really well for another year. The conspiracy theory tells me it is because the horse is now five so can easily be bred over. This horse likes off tracks goes well over the trip and if able to overcome recent poor results would have a reasonable chance in this race.

STRAIGHTNOSHOOTER (KY) UNBRIDLED’S SONG x A.P. INDY x DANZIG

This horse is lightly raced. He has taken to the turf well although breeding would suggest otherwise. His speed figures are good as well. He has no off track form so we have to guess on his likelihood of acting on the surface. What appears to be a fact is he is a straight mile horse. His dirt run over further suggested he did not stay. This horse has the profile of an improver for this year but this does not appear the ideal spot for a break through.

S R AWARENESS (IRE) TIROL (IRE) x HARD WORK x PHARLY (FR)

The sire stands in India though was a classic winner but a disappointment at stud. This is an interesting horse in this race. His best form now dates back to 2007 and was over 12f. That being said he has been running well of late in better races than this. If he can transmit that form to this race he has placed chances. He handles the off track better than the stats suggest he was twice forth in graded company so overall is one of the more interesting runners in the race.
EIGHT STRAIGHT (KY) SMARTY JONES x PULPIT x DANZIG

This horse is two for two on an off track. Picked up well for a $10,000 claim considering three runs prior he had been beaten a head in a grade 3 race. He should therefore like the going has the class to handle this kind of field. His main issue is that 9f may just be a bit short for him. This could be overcome by the off track making things more testing,. He has to have very good chances of making the frame.

RAGSPOINT DEPUTY (KY) DYNAFORMER x DEPUTY MINISTER x STORM BIRD

Deputy Minister is going to be an interesting horse to follow when Mike introduces chances on how sires are rated. In the USA he is outstanding in Europe he is outstandingly bad (260th on the broodmare sires list 2008). This horse seems to have seen better days his last four graded runs have seen two last place finishes. His last start did not inspire confidence when unplaced in a stakes race. It is very easy to pass this horse over in this race.

DRACO SADLER’S WELLS x A.P. INDY x UNBRIDLED

This horse is now six. The positive factor is that he likes 9f. the negative factors appear to be that he struggles in graded races, mind this will be a weaker race than the ones he has run in before and more importantly does not really like an off track on the limited evidence at hand. It would have to be seen as a major surprise if he can trouble the judge even with his ability over the trip.

CYBERGHOST (ENG) DANSILI (GB) x ALZAO x SHERNAZAR (IRE)

This horse has a real turf pedigree. This may be a sign of things to come especially with the planned changes to how sires will be rated. This horse has a good chance in this race. He is improving a graded winner and has been posting some really good speed figures as well. He is a winner of his only start on an off track as well another added bonus. The negative is the trip at the moment his best form has been at trips shorter than 9f. He is a better horse now than at that time so may well be able to overcome this. If he does he can win.

My selections are as follows:-

1 Cyberghost – if he can stay the 9f has been placed well and has a very good chance of winning.
2 Eight Straight – a very good claim who makes a lot of appeal in this race
3 S R Awareness – soft race which he can exploit to gain a place