Breeders Bowl Classic – Another in the Making (Written by Hladun)

Once again California plays host to theBreeders Bowl, the biggest day on the global thoroughbred calendar, as it did in 2008 and 2003. Last year in the Breeders Bowl Classic, it was the terrific three year old colt DEMECO owned by fatattack who took top honours and he’s back here again to defend his title in hopes of accomplishing the double and thus making his mark in SIM racing history. Though many have tried and failed, that rare feat was accomplished by squirrel4 is SOLAR SONG in 2006-2007 over two very different race surfaces in Kentucky and New Jersey. Awinner of nine Grade 1’s and $16M banked, Solar Song attempted the unfathomable triple in 2008 but at the age of six the task proved too much.

The BB Classic has provided us with many racing thrills over the years. Who can forget the first BB Classic here on the west coast in which BRASS WOOD owned by endo came screaming through the stretch from the back of the pack, overtwelve lengths in arrears, to miss by a scant head to the three year oldSilverwore. In 1999, the dominating three year old GATLING PROSPECTOR trained by billg51 was able to slow the pace down to wire a sleepy field … the only time in the Classic’s history a horse has won in such fashion.

As we celebrate the very best in what racing brings to us this weekend, let’s reflect upon the many events this season has brought us. The excitement of the triple crown series for the three year old division was incredibly entertaining and this exciting crop is well represented here today. The concept of ‘lock’ races added an fresh twist to the strategy of race planning. Many in here today whose connections have designs on divisional honours will be looking to gain valuable Eclipse Award votes with strong performances. We have seasoned foes and multi-millionaires looking to cap off stellar careers with the BIG win before heading to the breeding shed. HOY honours will no doubt be on the line as many anxious owners having diligently prepared their horses for this one single event. The 2009 BB Classic has all the earmarks of another highly competitive edition and one that no doubt will honour the legacy of others before it.

BREEDERSBOWL CLASSIC: RACE PREVIEW

POST: 1 37121 HAIL THE EMPIRE(KY) simsters7 (14/1)

Fusaichi Pegasus x Lyphard x Hail toReason

3 Year Old Brown Colt

ROUTE RANK: (316 PTS)

G1 WINS:1 10F WINS: 0

BANK: $1,405,110

WEEKS REST: 5

A well seasoned sort for a three year old, this improving son of Fusaichi Pegasus has competed at the stakes levelfor all but two of his lifetime starts. After winning the Grade 2 Felipe Alou Cap early in the season he tackled the Grade 1 Corkscrew Stakes – Derby Lock Prep next winning handily just three weeks before the Derby itself. Having taken its toll, he simply was not himself in the Grade 1Bluegrass Derby and wasnever a factor though he finished a respectable sixth. In the Grade 1 The Travelers Stakes over a sloppy track he ran strong completing the ten furlongs in 2:01 flat while finishing a close second behind JEEPSTER after closing seven lengths through the stretch. He parlayed that effort into his latest, the 10F Grade 1 Windy City Gold Cup, in which he made a bold middle move to get within a few lengths of the lead only to fade late and finish third beaten less than four. Jockey N. Lawton, who won the 2005 BB Classic aboard CALL OF THE WILDII gripper8, takes over here and has wonwith this one earlier this summer in a non-graded event.

Hladun says … He has yet to prove himself over this distance in three previous attempts and that is a concern here against this group of which manyare at the top of their game. He would need to take a major step forward to make his presence felt on this day.

POST: 2 145353 SILVERGORE(KY) bigarnie (7/1)

Silver Deputy x Nureyev x Carson City

4 Year Old Brown Colt

ROUTE RANK: (198 PTS)

G1 WINS:1 10F WINS: 2

BANK: $1,671,964

WEEKS REST: 5

After a successful three year old campaign, this son of Silver Deputy looks to cap off another great year as a four year old in this spot today. Today marks the 14^th consecutive Graded race on his resume of which he has won four and hit the board in six others. He loves to press the pace but will have company in that regard today so his tactics may change out of necessity. In spite of winning at today’s distance in the past he has come up short of late fading deep in his races at ten furlongs. Most recently he competed in the Grade 1 Jockey Guild Gold Cup in which he accounted himself well. Pressing the pace early, he managed to race forwardly throughout but may have mistimed his move as he faltered only very late to miss by a quarter length. That last one may be a signal that he’s about to pop a big one for us soon and bears watching here today.

Hladun says … I especially like his last one and believe that sets him up nicely for a monstrous effort here today. Everyone had better watch out for this one as we may see another Deputy Minister turn the tables on this group and maintain his string of recent successes here in the BB Classic.

POST: 3 31968 WALKING DISASTER(KY) looneylopo (14/1)

Distorted Humor x Storm Bird xSecretariat

3 Year Old Brown Colt

ROUTE RANK: (331 PTS)

G1 WINS:1 10F WINS: 0

BANK: $1,196,278

WEEKS REST: 5

This three year old son of Distorted Humor has been anything but his namesake as he’s been a model of consistency while carving out a nice campaign in which he’s been off the board only once this season. In addition to allowance victories early in the season, he’s won the Grade 3 The Buccaneer Derby, the Grade 2 Bluegrass Cup Classic as well as the Grade 1 Labatt’s Ontario Oaks. In an attempt to qualify for the Derby, he did race in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby – Derby Lock Prep where he finished a fading fourth after racing forwardly throughout. He did just miss in both the Grade 1 Clerk of the Scales and the Grade 1 The Travelers Stakes. A speedy type, he’s managed to harness his speed over a distance of ground tofinish well in all events since. He comes out of perhaps his most impressive race to date in the Grade 2 Bluegrass Cup Classic where he faced older horses for the first time. In that event, he sat chilly while lying just off a rapid pace and closing in deep stretch to wrestle the lead away and win by almost two lengths covering the nine furlongs in 1:46:3 (117). Last year’s winning BB Classic jockey H. Harzheim gets the assignment and is looking for his record third career BB Classic victory.

Hladun says … Although he has yet to win at today’s distance he has been areliable type this season and is rounding into good form at just the righttime. For as far as he goes.

POST: 4 147280 ROCK HARD KORN(KY) korn (10/1)

Rock Hard Ten x Seattle Slew x NijinskyII

4 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (257 PTS)

G1 WINS:2 10F WINS: 1

BANK: $6,121,096

WEEKS REST: 5

This son of Rock Hard Ten enjoyed a prolific three year old campaign in 2008 culminating with a second place finish in the 2008 BB Classic here in California at a juicy 22-1. Now a four year old, he did win the Grade 1 Sand Castle Classic at today’s distance completed the circuit in 2:00 flat while putting up a 116. He followed that up with a win in the Grade 3 The Antares Stakes in which he stalked from mid-pack and pounced through the stretch. Two starts back in the Grade 1 CA Classic, he never got untracked only to finish a disappointing eighth beaten by fourteen lengths. Most recently he prepped for the Classic by running in a five furlong allowance race in which he finished second and his connections have announced him fit and ready to compete.

Hladun says … He hasn’t quite found the groove he was in back in April and that RHK would be a big threat today. Having said that I wouldn’t count himout just yet … a mild surprise to make them earn it.

POST: 5 144931 GRAVEMENTE(IRE) foxon5 (9/1)

Sadler’s Wells x A.P. Indy X Gone West

4 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (196 PTS)

G1 WINS:1 10F WINS: 3

BANK: $956,177

WEEKS REST: 5

Good but not great may be the best description of this four year old son of Sadler’s Wells. It’s only been recently that he has tackled Graded Stakes company for the first time. His last outing is arguably the best of his career as he mowed down the competition in the Grade 1 Jockey Guild Gold Cup with a furious late kick to win the event by a quarter after being 15 plus lengths back at the mid-point. An in and outer for the most part, he’ll need to bring his best effort to track for this affair if he is to have any chance to make his presence felt.

Hladun says … Perhaps that last outing is a sign that he’s ready to take thenext step. It’s hard to judge this one due to his lack of consistency but I’m betting that we’ll me see more of the same and don’t expect him to be a major factor in the outcome.

POST: 6 135587 ALYDAR AGAIN(KY) texasace04 (9/1)

Awesome Again x Northern Baby x Alydar

4 Year Old Brown Colt

ROUTE RANK: (212 PTS)

G1 WINS:0 10F WINS: 3

BANK: $1,352,010

WEEKS REST: 5

After a tremendous start this season, this four year old son of Awesome Again is rounding back into form of late. Most recently, he competed in the Grade 2 Windy City Gold Cup in which he satpatiently at the rear of a bulky field only to explode on the far turn and run the down the leaders through the stretch to win going away by three. Running the ten furlongs in 1:59:4 (117) he beat HAIL THE EMPIRE who he faces again today. Just prior to that one he started in the Grade 1 Bob Wood Memorial and the Grade 1 Farewell To CryptoZot Stakes only to see his rally fall short of hitting the board in both cases. Although distance should prove of little concern, he has yet to win a Grade 1 in his career and that works against him today as most others in here have won several. The question is can he stay close enough to make his patented late rally effectiveunder today’s conditions.

Hladun says … He has yet to win a Grade 1 in his career and that does notmatch him up well against this quality group If he can stay within reach ofthe leaders to the far turn he could make things interesting with his quickturn of foot.

POST: 7 83877 DAYTONA BEACH(KY) lenny271 (6/1)

Danehill Dancer(IRE) x Machiavellian xCaerleon

5 Year Old Chestnut Horse

ROUTE RANK: (372 PTS)

G1 WINS:2 10F WINS: 0

BANK: $1,567,825

WEEKS REST: 4

 

The BB Classic morning line favourite at 6-1, this five year old son of Danehill Dancer(IRE) despite his success to date has yet to win at today’s distance of one mile and a quarter. He has proven to be versatile runner from six to nine furlongs but is at his best when he can control the pace of a race. He’s enjoyed his most successful racing campaign this season as a five year old in which he has captured the Grade 1 The Barry Foster Stakes and the Grade 1 The Hit Me Handicap both over nine furlongs. Three starts back in the Grade 1 Hit Me Handicap he patiently tracked the leader from just off the pace only to engage him in mid-stretch and prevail by a nose after a furious duel to the wire. That one is in here today as they renew their rivalry. Perhaps his best race of the season came in the non-graded Abraham Lincoln Handicap over an off track at nine furlongs in which he ran an amazing 122 only to finish second to a monster in Illinois. He comes out of the non-graded International Speedway Handicap in which he wired a short field of five over eleven furlongs while putting up a 110. He’s not likely to get his own way on the front end today with the likes of these so his task isformidable and history is not on his side.

Hladun says … An early combatant, he’ll have his work cut out for him oncethe real running begins and he’s more likely than not to be an also ran today as others in here are on a roll.

POST: 8 472 FOLLOW MY SHOES(KY) woodhead (23/1)

Distorted Humor x Sadler’s Wells xGone West

3 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (314 PTS)

G1 WINS:1 10F WINS: 0

BANK: $896,160

WEEKS REST: 5

This three year old son of Distorted Humor has run hot and cold all season and one never knows which horse will show up on race day. He’s had moments in which he looked like a world beater as in the Grade 2 Shiny Gem Stakes and others where he didn’t as in the Grade 1 The Travelers Stakes. He began his three year old campaign on a high by reeling off three consecutive wins including the Grade 3 The Jack Kerouac Merry Pranksters Special and the Grade 1 The Norwegian Jewel Prep. After a solid effort in the Grade 1 Arkansas Juvenile -Derby Lock Prep in which he finished strongly to earn third place honours he competed in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Derby just three weeks later. After a horrible start in the three year old classic, his race continued to unravel early until jockey B. F. Abman finally shut him down sensing that it was just not his day. The good ones always bounce back and after a brief freshening, he captured the Grade 2 Shiny Gem Stakes and finished third in the Grade 1 The Clerk of the Scales Stakes. He comes into this event off of a positive effort in the non-graded Again Find Memorial where he was charging hard until he ran out of real estate.

Hladun says … He has yet to win at today’s distance nor prove he can run well back-to-back. Would be a huge surprise here in this spot.

POST: 9 129630 JEEPSTER(KY) super25 (15/1)

Seeking the Gold x Storm Cat x Danzig

3 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (566 PTS)

G1 WINS:4 10F WINS: 1

BANK: $3,308,695

WEEKS REST: 5

This accomplished three year old son of Seeking the Gold is out of a Storm Cat mare and boasts four Grade 1 victories on his racing resume over a brief fourteen race career. A mixed two year old season laid the foundation for an exciting three year old campaign which began with three consecutive victories. The last of those wins came in the all important $2M Grade 1 Sand Castle Derby – Derby Lock Prep held in Dubai over 9 furlongs five weeks before the Grade 1 Bluegrass Derby. In the Derby Lock, breaking in mid-pack and stalking a moderate pace, he made his move on the far turn to be second at the top of the lane and running down the leader towin by over two lengths while covering the distance in 1:48:2 (104) at odds of11-1. The Grade 1 Bluegrass Derby saw JEEPSTER employ a tactical strategysimilar to that which brought him great success just five weeks earlier. With an additional furlong to navigate on this day the race unfolded as expected and he found himself in striking position entering the stretch just four lengthsbehind. Through no fault of his own he simply could not catch them on this dayand faces the Derby winner again today. He has enjoyed much success since then as he’s won the second jewel in the Triple Crown, The Grade 1 Middle Stakes, aswell as the Grade 1 Eddie Haskell and the Grade 1 Travelers Stakes. He comes out of the Grade 1 GoodyGood Stakes here on this track while facing older foes for the first time just five weeks ago. After a spirited stretch run he missed by just a half in a three horse blanket finish to finish a solid third.

Hladun says … His running profile suits the distance and he would be a strong contender on a repeat of his last … could be sitting on a big one.

POST: 10 153979 DEMECO(KY) fatattack (8/1)

Awesome Again x Broad Brush xSecretariat

4 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (341 PTS)

G1 WINS:4 10F WINS: 8

BANK: $5,388,264

WEEKS REST: 5

As the reigning BB Classic Champion, this four year old son of Awesome Again, like Stella, is looking to get his groove back as he’s not won since the Grade 1 Movieland Shiny Cup here at today’s track back in June. A real ‘horses for courses’ type, his record in California is stellar with three wins and two seconds to show from five career races, two of which were graded including the 2008 edition of the BB Classic in which he crushed a quality field including Rock Hard Korn and Kissin Streetcry both of whom he faces again today. Since his successful three year old run, he’s struggled to regain his winning form though he’s been competitive in both the Grade 2 Manny Ramirez Special and the $1M Grade 1 CA Classic. In the latter, he sat fourth six lengths off the pace and while unleashing a strong drive reminiscent of his old self he found himself to be moving only second fastest at the end being passed late by SILVER STAR ROAD who he faces today among others from that strong field. In hisl atest, the Grade 1 Jockey Guild Gold Cup, he found himself uncharacteristically lagging only to leave himself with too much to do at the end finishing fifth to GRAVEMENTE, SILVERGORE and KISSIN STREETCRY. He is reunited with jockey F. Gossett who also piloted SOLAR SONG to his back-to-back BB Classic wins and has been aboard him this season in California with good success.

Hladun says … Class is king and I believe this proud champion is sitting on a big effort today and though he may fall short he’s sure to be heard from before all’s said and done. A strong contender and excellent value at 8-1.

POST: 11 6003 SILVER STAR ROAD(KY) onyourmark (8/1)

Silver Train x Alydar x Roberto

4 Year Old Brown Colt

ROUTE RANK: (282 PTS)

G1 WINS:2 10F WINS: 2

BANK: $3,387,036

WEEKS REST: 5

This son of Silver Star returns toCalifornia to renew his rivalry with defending Champion DEMECO who he lost toby seven lengths finishing sixth in last year’s BB Classic. As a two year old, he competed on the grass for most of the season only to discover the dirt as a three year old. His reaction to it was immediate as was his rise in thedivision as he quickly captured the Grade 1 Princess Cup. He followed that effort up with a second and two third’s in Grade 1 competition leading to a berth in the 2008 BB Classic. He began his four year old campaign with two tremendous efforts in the Grade 1 California Handicap and Sand Castle Classic over today’s distance finishing second in each beaten only a length. He bounced after those hard efforts and has been looking to regain his good early season form ever since. Two starts back in the Grade 1 CA Classic he crushed a quality field running the 10 furlongs in 1:59:3 after coming from far back with a furious stretch run. He comes out of the Grade 1 Jockey Guild Gold Cup in which he inexplicably ran a clunker finishing far up the track and the big question is which horse will we see on Saturday?

Hladun says … An in and outer this season … when he’s good he’s really good but when he’s off well … My guess is he’s somewhere in the middle and that puts him back in the pack similar to 2008.

POST: 12 64313 SCREAMING FOR(KY) 4gone (9/1)

Bernardini x Forty Niner x Nijinsky II

4 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (320 PTS)

G1 WINS:1 10F WINS: 3

BANK: $817,692

WEEKS REST: 5

A tough luck sort, this four year oldson of Bernardini has been knocking hard all season and deserving of a better fate than that dealt. After breaking his maiden in a $4K claimer as a three year old and changing hands at that time he’s been on an odyssey of improvement ever since. Aside from his outing in the Grade 1 Movieland Shiny Cup over a ‘good’ track in which he failed to hold his speed, he has accounted himselfwell in graded company this season. In both the Grade 1 The Hit Me Handicapand the Grade 1 The GoodyGood over nine furlongs he attempted to wire the field as he’d shook free in mid-stretch only to be caught in both races by a nose and head respectively. Deserving of a better fate, he competed in the Grade1 Bob Woodward Memorial two starts back and wired a bulky field at a juicy10-1. Jockey P. Harzheim who finished third in the BB Classic in both 2008 and2006 gets the mount. Currently in fine form, he looks to press the pace here and employ his usual tactics in an attempt to run away and hide. History is not on his side however but if anyone can break with tradition it could be him.

Hladun says … I don’t think we’ve seen the best of this one and he’s still on the improve. With a little luck he could be riding a three race Grade 1 winstreak. Pace makes the race and if he gets away from these look out. A real threat to steal the show.

POST: 13 52182HOT N SPICY(KY) londoner (28/1)

Awesome Again x A.P. Indy x Kingmambo

3 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (528 PTS)

G1 WINS:4 10F WINS: 3

BANK: $2,416,146

WEEKS REST: 2

A son of Awesome Again, this three year old has enjoyed an incredible campaign in which he has ascended the highest mount in racing and tasted defeat as well when more was expected as a result. Early in his budding career he found himself going through the ring after just three career starts and joining the londoner stable. Never off the board as a two year old he won the Grade 1Eruption Handicap over a mile of ground and was then freshened up for whatwould prove to be a robust three year old campaign. On a sloppy track in Louisiana, he won the Grade 1 All Saints Derby – Derby Lock Prep with astrong stretch and took the interesting route to the Derby by competing on the lawn just four weeks later and wiring a non-descript allowance field. Going into the Derby questions swirled around his route to Kentucky and hisconnections confessed to their steed’s cantankerous disposition while training up to the big race. However, once the gate opened he was all business as he stalked perfectly and pounced with precision in assuming command through the stretch to win in measured fashion running the ten furlongs in 2:01 flat (109). In the Grade 1 Middle Jewel Stakes he simply didn’t have his ‘A’ game on thatday finishing a distant fourth with the Derby having taken its toll on him no doubt. In July, he did win the Grade 1 Clerk of Scales Stakes but then disappointedin the Grade 1 The Travelers and the Grade 1 Their Law Stakes. Interestingly his connections indicate a turf career lies in wait for the 2009 Derby winner as a four year old. He is undefeated on that surface now over four allowance level starts. We’ll watch with great interest!

Hladun says … The campaign has been long and arduous for this colt and though he’s an honest sort I believe his best form is behind him and he’s being wheeled back on just two weeks rest.

POST: 14 85917KISSIN STREETCRY(KY) sherwood (7/1)

Street Cry(IRE) x Sadler’s Wells x GoneWest

4 Year Old Chestnut Colt

ROUTE RANK: (228 PTS)

G1 WINS:4 10F WINS: 3

BANK: $4,641,220

WEEKS REST: 5

This prolific son of Street Cry is looking to cap another great campaign with a win here in the BB Classic. Awinner of the 2008 Grade 1 Bluegrass Derby and the Grade 1 New Yorker, he missed the Triple Crown by a half length in finishing second in the Grade 1Middle Jewel Stakes. After a second place finish in the Grade 1 The Travelers Stakes he ventured to the west coast in search of BB glory in the Classic butfinished a well beaten seventh. In this his four year old season, he’s competed hard by winning the Grade 1 California Handicap and hitting the board in the Grade 1 Sand Castle Classic and the Grade 1 Smackdown 5. In fine format the moment, he comes in here off of a third place finish in the Grade 1Jockey Guild Cold Cup missing by just over one length in 2:00:3 (110).

Hladun says … A model of consistency, this Classic winner has all the makings of a BB Classic Champion. He comes into this event looking to capture top honours and is brimming with confidence at the moment. I expect him to run well and he could be the one to deny last season’s Champion.

THEWIZARD’S CRYSTAL BALL:

1.     9 JEEPSTER … the potential for an upset. Could besitting on a huge effort

2.    10 DEMECO … to be the man you have tobeat the man

3.    12 SCREAMINGFOR … top jockey with BB credentials could steal the show

4.    14 KISSINSTREETCRY … Confident. He could better this placing

5.     4 ROCK HARD KORN … just a hunch that he pulls it all together

AT THE BETTOR’S WINDOW:

Bet to Win: #9, 10, 12

Exacta Box: #9, 10, 12

TriactorBox: # 9, 10, 12 with 4,9, 10, 12, 14 with 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12,14

 

CLASSICFACTS: (1999 – 2008)

• Last years winner DEMECO (fatattack) sports the largest mutual price at 12.90-1 over the last ten years. The shortest mutual price is credited to 2006 winner SOLAR SONG (squirrel4) at a square 5.60-1.
• Winning margins have historically been close with the shortest of all coming in the 2003 edition of the Classic featuring winner SILVERWORE (Hannibal) who headed a game BRASS WOOD (endo) after a stirring stretch duel. The widest of victories came in 2000 where STORMY PROSPECTOR (bertamarin) won going away by four and a quarter.
• Speed has not been rewarded over the years in the BB Classic as only won horse has won in wire-to-wire fashion and that being 1999 winner GATLING PROSPECTOR (billg51). Piloted by R. Haffner, he controlled the pace while winning by one length in a pedestrian 2:01:4 (110).
• The fastest Classic came in 2007 where SOLAR SONG completed the journey in a quick 1:59:3 (118) while making up over ten lengths through the stretch. This also completed an amazing training double for squirrel4 who prepared this horse masterfully to win both the 2006 (KY) & 2007 (NJ) BB Classic editions.
• Two jockeys boast two wins each in the BB Classic. F. Gossett won both the 2006 & 2007 editions aboard SOLAR SONG while H. Harzheim tasted victory in 2004 with TUFF ENUFF (ladysierra1) and 2008 with DEMECO. In addition, F. Gossett finished third in 2001 while H. Harzheim finished second in 2006.
• The jockey brothers Harzheim have made a name for themselves in the BB Classic. In addition to winning brother Hector, Ronan finished second in 2004 while Petr finished third in both 2006 and 2008.
• Over the past ten years we’ve seen four 3 year olds and four 4 year olds claim victory in the Classic. SOLAR SONG won his second BB Classic as a five year old and in 2001 MINE FOREST (kywildcats) captured the event as a six year old.
• History has shown that the optimum rest period going into this highly competitive race is anywhere from two to five weeks. Six of the past ten winners have come into the race off of a four or five week rest including the last five consecutive winners.
• Of the fourteen post positions available over the last ten editions, only two lanes have yet to yield a top three finish: numbers 2 and 3. Only one post has given rise to more than one winner over that period: number 10 with two wins (2002 & 2007). Post 10 also boasts two thirds to make it the most prolific of the starting positions.
• All ten editions (1999-2008) of the BB Classic have been run over a fast track.
• Including the 2003 winner Silverwore, the last three Classic winners (Demeco & Solar Song twice) have shared the Deputy Minister bloodline through either himself or his sons Awesome Again and Silver Deputy. In 2009, Silvergore, Alydar Again, Demeco and Hot N Spicy share this pedigree.