The Pittsburgh Stayer – G2

PP

ID

Horse

Owner

Jockey

Odds

Preview

1

89652

K’S ARAKU

kronus

D Pazjazz

5/1

Hispano Parlante entry – This grand lady has just turned eight and has been to the gate 48 times!  She is a scratch bred sired by the great Sadler’s Wells.  By now most females her age would probably have a few offspring running.  However, why would one want to breed her when she’s actively winning on a very regular basis?  She’s a multiple graded winner at the highest level; and although she hasn’t run in a graded event this year, she has five victories out of seven starts.  She explodes out of the gate and when not pushed usually cruises to the wire at today’s distance.  She appears to have lost a step or two (definitely not a shocker at her age), but still has the heart of a champion.  May surprise here.

2

6362

MCFLY(FR)

bbrs

G Siena

9/2

BBRS entry – 6yo scratch bred mare sired by Numerous.  Looking back at the progeny of the sire, we see he’s middle of the road when it comes to distance.  This mare stretches that a bit.  However, her best efforts have been in the 9-12f range.  Her SP’s reflect her ability to be flexible against allowance and listed stakes competition at those distances.  The mare has never shown the class in graded events to be much of a threat.  It doesn’t imply she’s not a class act of sorts, but more of a realization of the facts.  Since she hasn’t competed in a grade race for awhile, this is an opportunity to do so.

3

145618

MIND BOMB(KY)

asoiaf

U Douglass

3/1

GRsimsters entry – 5yo scratch bred mare sired by Mineshaft (one of the premier sires).  Lightly raced with only 25 starts, she is coming off a three-peat in allowance company.  She’s a multi-listed stakes winner that has a couple of graded starts.  Her graded starts have been non-contending so far.  The unknown factor in her history is distance.  She hasn’t been beyond 10.5f, but that’s not saying she couldn’t compete here.  However, when looking into the past progeny of Mineshaft’s graded winners; we are struck by the low % of marathoners (with a few exceptions).  Until this mare proves she can run effectively in graded company and can get the distance involved here, we must pass.

4

160146

THREE BUCK DOOT(JPN)

jamco

D Doyle

9/1

Non-resident entry – 4yo filly out of an “F” rated mare whose progeny to date have no graded wins.  This is important in evaluating the strength of what she passes on.  This filly has gone through her conditions in a timely manner and now the test will be; at what level can she compete?  Distance probably won’t be a factor in her future.  She’s already a proven allowance winner.  When taking a step above that level she seems to be out of her realm.  Her sire Silver Charm hasn’t given us a graded winner in a couple of years.  It would be hard to see this filly compete at the level this race requires at this time.  She has plenty of time to develop and mature.  As the year goes forward, we will see her settle into her comfort zone.

5

152186

INCREDIBLE SQUALL(KY)

tg

J Piotrowski

6/1

Non-resident entry – 5yo scratch bred mare by War Chant.  She has won at today’s distance in a G1 at Arizona in Sept. of ’09.  That race was on an off-track in which she excels.  Her last out was a nice tune up for this event.  Running an even line throughout G1 Empire State Stayer; she showed that she’s not too far away from a super effort.  It appears she will be close to the pace in this and still have some in the tank to make a nice move in the stretch.  Top jock should keep her within herself to prove troublesome.

6

161161

SONIC DEATH MONKEY(KY)

lenny14

B Morris

61/1

GRsimsters entry – Ryan has bred an impeccable beauty in this 4yo scratch bred filly.  Going in short fields and bid races she has creamed her competition.  Since finding marathon races for F/M is hard to do; and considering the ease at which she hand rides at the distance; this probably isn’t a bad idea.  As for the success that may follow?  Well, let’s just say that her SP’s will have to increase greatly.  She’s never really been tested but it looks like her last five in a row victories have been workouts.  Unknown quality here that shouldn’t be ignored at 61/1 odds.

7

124875

USUSAL SUSPECT(GER)

mickyb

N Bedford

15/1

GRsimsters entry – 4yo filly out of a “G” rated mare and sired by Monsun.  The sire gives us perennial GW’s, although mainly on turf.  This youngster has only 14 starts and looks to be a star in the making.  How could one not admire a filly that finished her conditions with a G1 victory!!  She has won her last two starts very impressively and seems in fine fettle right now.  There is a possibility of a bounce here, which gives us caution; but this gal should be one to be scared of this year when it comes to 14f and beyond.

8

143804

EARLY MORNING RAIN(KY)

spurious

Q Miller

2/1

Vermont entry – 5yo scratch bred mare by Mineshaft.  Not to contradict the above statement about this sire’s ability to get a distance; the favorite in this race has proven her ability to win at this distance in slightly lower class company.  She may take it to the top here as there are so many unknowns as a whole in this event.  Certainly, we can’t overlook the fact that she has proven without a doubt she is just one tick away from overcoming this field.  Her last six or so starts have her coming out on top here.

Picks – ex box 1,7,8