Who’s Got a Little Irish in ‘Em?
Who’s Got a Little Irish in ‘Em?
8 Lovely Lassies Do It on the Turf
Welcome to the Emerald Isle! And it being St. Pat’s Week, where else would we be? We are drawn to the cool green hills and dales of Ireland for the running of “The Park Place Express”, a Grade III Stakes race, 8 furlongs on the firm turf, where 8 fillies and mares will compete for a share of the $150,000 prize pool. This race will be the final of 3 stakes races here in Ireland this week, and man, is this one a doozy. At first glance, the saying that comes to mind immediately is usually reserved for American Football, with just a slight alteration, “On any given Saturday….”. This is one heck of a tight bunch here folks, and I can see why the handicappers have no real long shot. However, we’ll try to break it down a bit for ya, and see what picture emerges.
The early morning line favorite, going off at 5/2 and starting from the post position is Clifden Castle, a 6 year old homebred mare out of Sadler’s Wells x Thatching (IRE) x Halo. She is trained by stable Mav1763, and has earned over $600K in her illustrious career. I can see why the handicappers have settled on her as the favorite, as she has posted Beyer Speed Figures of over 100 in her last 7 starts. She is also coming off a win in her last start, although that was at the allowance level. Never fear though, this young lady has plenty of experience at the Graded Stakes, having run at all three levels during her life. She has only won at the Grade II level in the past, but her consistency definitely makes her the horse to beat here. Look for her to settle back in the middle of the pack and look to make a late run for the wire.
Behind her are 3 horse, all at 5-1, yes, 3 out of 8 (did I mentioned these horses were tightly bunched?). We’ll take a look first at Culinary Cutie (IRE), coming out of the second hole, a 5 year old homebred mare out of El Prado (IRE) x Gone West x Seattle Slew. This mare’s “step-papa” was a Sim horse called West Of Slew, who earned over a million on the turf in his career. She has followed well in West Of Slew’s footsteps, and even passed him, as she has earned over 2 million on the turf for her stable Buzz. She is coming off back to back wins, albeit at the allowance level, after a disappointing finish to her 2008 season. In her last start she looked to have regained the form that characterized the beginning of 2008, and we will have to see if she can continue that success here. This girl likes to run from the front, so look for her to be one of the early pacesetters in this race.
Next is Al Godon De Azucar (KY), coming out of the 4 hole, out of Tapit x Woodman x Lyphard, a 4 year old mare, trained by stable Otto, whose game dam was Boris The Doris. Boris The Doris has had great success as a broodmare, with 3 of 4 offspring all earning over 100K, but Al Godon De Azucar is by far her best offspring, earning over half a mil in 16 career starts. She has also posted Beyer Speed Figures over 100 in her last 6 races, spanning the end of her 2008 season till today, although she is coming off a disappointing 7th place finish in her last start. If she can rebound today, she should pose quite a challenge for Clifden Castle. She will like to settle just off the pace, and make a good run for it down the stretch.
Last of the 5-1 horses is Graduate Unskilled (KY), starting from the 7 position, and out of Gone West x Danzig x Seattle Slew, trained by stable Kaif099. This 4 year old mare’s game dam is Knockin’ Em Back. At the moment, Graduate Unskilled is her only offspring. She is coming off 3 wins in her last 3 starts, two of which were at the stakes level, which seems to suggest that maybe she is the best ready to take on this challenge. She has also won at this distance twice before. Look for her to push the pace if it is too slow for her liking, or stalk the pace if an early speed duel develops.
Behind her at 6-1 are 2 more horses. The first is Brabasong (KY), out of Unbridled’s Song x Sadler’s Wells x Mill Reef, trained by stable Brabant. Her game dam is Brabata, who has foaled 6 horses, although Brabasong is by far her most successful offspring. Brabata herself earned almost a million, but her foal has out earned her by 200K or so. Brabasong started at the Stakes level as a 2 year old, and save for a short stint at the allowance level, has run nearly all her races at Stakes level, including her last 5 starts. This mare certainly has the experience to take this race, however, lately she has been a bit inconsistent. Despite that, she should be one of the early pacesetters here, and I would look to see her be a factor at the finish.
The other 6-1 is Miss Sullivan (KY), out of the 8 hole. This 4 year old homebred mare is out of A.P. Indy x Unbridled x Secretariat, and is trained by stable Paulson. She is coming off a big win in her last outing in the Grade I “The Zipperhead Special”. As a matter of fact, she has won at every Graded level except Grade III, and she will look to take care of that here today. Miss Sullivan has shown the ability to win both on dirt and turf, although her lifetime earnings on turf far outweigh her dirt earnings. It is a rare horse, however, who can win at both, and that puts this versatile mare in a very special category. We’ll see if she can add to her growing legend today. She is another horse who likes to duel for the early lead, and will definitely be up there with the front runners.
Behind her at 8-1, and rounding out the field are our last 2 mares. The first is Angel Cadet, out of Royal Academy x Sonny’s Halo x Alleged. She is trained by stable Stryke03, and is starting in the 3 position. The 7 year old hombred mare also has a “step-papa”, Halo Boomer, who never did quite as well as his offspring. She is coming off a dominating gate to wire win in her last outing, although it was at the allowance level, posting her best Beyer Speed Figure ever. She will need to repeat that to win in this company, and as she is also an early rabbit, she will have to avoid burning out too quickly here.
Our final mare (last but not least…), also at 8-1, and starting in the 6 position, is Best There Is (IRE). This 4 year old homebred mare is out of King’s Best (IRE) x Diesis (GB) x Sadler’s Wells, and is trained by stable Desperado5. Her game dam Sdfsa (GB) has had great success as a broodmare, producing 2 Stakes winners in four foals. Best There Is is the best of the four. She also has a lot of experience at the Graded Stakes level, but has only won 1 time before, the Grade II “Roberto Clemente Handicap”. That win was indeed over a mile on the firm turf, but she will definitely have to return to that form to have a chance here. In her favor is the tendency she has of having a good race after a poor one, and her last outing was a bit disappointing, so she could very well make some noise here. She will look to give Clifden Castle some company early, and hang back for a stretch run.
Well, now is the time everyone has been waiting for with bated breath…that’s right, it’s time for Buster’s Upset Special (although I’m not really sure who the long shots are here…). Anyway, I’m gonna take my spanking new 2009 0-2 record and lay it all on the line with one of the Slew babies. I like Graduate Unskilled (KY) to stalk the pace early and charge down the homestretch to bring “The Park Place Express” trophy home to Kaif099. As always, remember the Upset Special is just for fun, and is not intended to be a condemnation of any horse in the race. I wish the very best of luck to all the owners and horses in the race.