Otto Haack challenges Eight
Saturday’s Gr III $100,000 Sussex Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf course for 4yo’s and up looks to be a race where top ranked Otto Haack finds himself the big fish in a small pond. Eight have entered to try and knock off one of the best turf milers the sim has to offer.
#1 Slewkeptallvows(Ky) – ROMESHOME – O Barrett 6-1… 5yo scracth bred by Broken Vow-Seattle Slew represents WILLIAM13 stables and GR Simsters. 14-5-5-2 record on turf, has yet to cash in a stakes event. Tried a lower level stakes sixteen months ago to no avail. A true pace setter has done extremely well of late and although this is a step up in company, will be mighty dangerous if left alone on the front end. Question is if the other speed lets him alone to do as he pleases.
#2 Final Cause(Ire) – CITYCOWBOY – J Crozier 29-1… 4yo son of Sadler’s Wells- Giant’s Causeway brings a record of 4-2-0-0 and $39,000 to the table. Represents LUCKY stables and the Northwest Racing Circuit. Tried ungraded stakes company last out finishing fourth. Cuts back in distance to try and improve his late running ability and show a better turn of foot for home, hoping the speed comes back to him.
#3 My Tommy Boy – JAYDISS2 – D Ellard 27-1… 8yo Mt. Livermore-Danzig horse is lightly raced to say the least. 6 wins in 19 starts for $100k in earnings for MYSONTIM stables representing Nexis Sim Racing. Rides a two win streak into this event with his last showing a career best speed figure. Will that 100 be enough? Highly unlikely. This aged fellow will need his lifetime best to have a chance to hit the board.
#4 Otto Haack(Ky) – OA HAACK – V Gardner 8-5… Scratch bred 6yo by Seeking The Gold-Nijinsky II, comes into this event ranked #1 by the sim for the turf classic division. Represents OTTO HAACK(VENEZUELA) stables and Hispano Parlante residency. Five time stakes winner includes the Gr I Sourball, Gr I Woody Ford, Gr II Bernie Baruch and Gr II Jabba the Hut, along with strong 2nds in the Gr I BB Mile, Gr I Eddie O Cap and Gr II Sanders. A lifetime mark of 12-7-3-1 and over $2m in earnings. The definite runner the field needs to worry about as they turn for home.
#5 Pocket Jacks(Ky) – IWINALOT – R Maire 8-1… 5yo by Giant’s Causeway-Broad Brush, comes here with a record of 28-4-10-5 on the turf with earnings of $249,000. Finally broke through with a stakes win last out in the NC Mile posting a 107 speed figure. Has tried Gr III company twice before without making a dent. If he can somehow run back to back bang-up races he may just find himself in the thick of it as the late running heads for the finish.
#6 Blazing Wilderness(Ky) – CORRECTION – W Case 10-1… 4yo son by Forestry based on a Grade II and 7 time stakes winner of $1m Gold Inferno. A solid turf record of 18-7-6-2 with $198k in earnings. DIXIEDOTCO RACING from Pastures of Green win with a 26% clip and have to be respected here as they attempt their first graded stakes with this animal. Comes into this winning taking four of his last five including the his latest three in easy fashion against allowance company. Ships south from north Florida to find out how good he is.
#7 Senor Anzio – ELRANCHOTI – L Buchta 5-1… 8yo son of E Dubai- El Gran Senor has had a long career, earning $4.2m on the lawn with a record of 36-11-6-7. Represents SEVEII stables from Terrapin Jockey Club. Two time BB Mile participant has taken down two grade I’s in the past year, Queen Sam and Sand Castle Fee Duty. Been in high company racing Grade I events in seven of last eight. Has shown flashes of brilliance on occasion and needs to show he still has the stuff if he wants to compete with Otto Haack here.
#8 Silent and Smooth(Ire) – FINALFIX2 – A Darling 3-1… 5yo son of Shamdaral-Seattle Slew represents WILMINGTON PARLIAMENTS LLC and Blazing Saddles. Lifetime 24-11-7-2 with $550k in earnings on turf was the runner-up in last years renewal of this event to Enchanters Endgame. He has stayed on with top form all year. Five time stakes winner and two time Gr III winner( Patrick Ewing and Next Episode). Has the gusto to give Otto Haack all he can handle. Should get first jump at the leaders as they turn for home and with his best he just might be able to make this his third Grade III score.
#9 S R Oil Index – HOMEAROAN – W Baumann 16-1… 7yo Cactus Ridge-Tell has a turf record of 37-6-7-4 for stable of THE BIG OIL CONGLOMERATE[FT.LORD PYE] which has an astounding 4,948 career wins from the EWC residency. Has had zero luck or maybe lack of talent to win ungraded stakes in the past. Has only won once in it’s last 21 starts. Is definitely up against it in this spot.
selections.
#4 Otto Haack 8-5
#8 Silent and Smooth 3-1
#6 Blazing Wilderness 10-1
#1 Slewkeptallvows 6-1
Best of luck to all and have a wonderful weekend!