The Young Men’s Mile

The Young Men’s Mile

The Young Men’s Mile is a race that brings together some of the best 3yo horses in the business.  Being run for the second time after being won last year by Pass The Mic (KY) this $1.7m classic is a chance for some of these 3 year olds to earn some serious cash for their owners.  The Young Men’s Mile is a turf race raced over the mile in Japan, this year we see 8 competing for the honours.

1.                  Tonguska  (JPN)  5/2                   (DEEP IMPACT x MR. PROSPECTOR x STORM CAT)

L Fenner ( 69 – 7 – 8 – 10 – 10% )

Tonguska is a locally bred 3yo colt which could give him an edge over his rivals.  By Deep Impact this colt has shown steady improvement over his career with a huge win last time out in the Grade III Dracula Stakes.  He came from 6^th of 9 at the half way mark to destroy his rivals by over 2 lengths with a 110 speed figure, he’s a 3yo with ability and would have to be a good chance in this.

2.         Necrocosm (KY)  14/1                 (A.P. INDY x FORTY NINER x DEPUTY MINISTER) 

D Davis ( 121 – 12 – 9 – 7 – 10% )

                This 3yo colt is bred to be a champion and has shown glimpses of form through his career but is yet to land any big wins.  He has won a restricted stakes race earlier in his career but would need to step up considerably to challenge here.  Not for me.

3.         Guitar  (IRE)  5/1             (DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) x MINESHAFT x DANEHILL)

            R Duffy ( 55 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 15% )

                Guitar is another 3yo colt who has shown above average ability.  He is likely to sit on the pace in this although he has done both and closed with speed when settling back previously.  He was placed in the Grade II Miller Reef Stakes as a 2yo and has since run a 96 over the mile in a stakes race when finishing just behind the leaders.  Has the services of a good jockey and could hit the board.

4.         Bogiantniner (KY)  12/1               (GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x FORTY NINER x NUREYEV)

            N Tippins ( 89 – 10 – 5 – 9 – 11% )

                This lightly raced colt has had a good start to his 3yo campaign and shows above average ability.  By super sire Giant’s Causeway his numbers have continued to improve since switched to turf and stepped up in distance.  Although he only won his maiden 3 back he has since won his first allowance race running a speed figure of 94 over the mile when leading all the way.  Expect him to jump and run and he will be the one they are all chasing late into the straight.

5.         Blackchanter  (KY)  6/1               (WAR CHANT x BLACK MINNALOUSHE x SEATTLE SLEW)

            W Mosebar ( 46 – 1 – 3 – 7 – 2% )

                A War Chant 3yo who ran a huge race last time with a 102 speed figure over the mile.  A repeat of that performance would see him threatening here as he shoots for his 4^th win in only his 8^th start.  Unfortunately he has a struggling jockey engaged and in a tough race could be found wanting at the business end of this one.

6.         Empire Dreamer  (KY)  3/1         (OASIS DREAM (GB) x EMPIRE MAKER x RED RANSOM)

            K Ledwith ( 323 – 80 – 64 – 48 – 25% )

                Last years winning jockey jumps back aboard one of the race favorites here as he aims to make it 2 wins in a row in The Young Men’s Mile.  Empire Dreamer is coming off two big runs winning the Grade I Saskatchewan over this distance with a 106 speed rating and last time placing in a Grade III race with a 105 speed figure.  With Ledwith on his back he is a huge chance.

7.         Bogoesaway (AUS)  6/1   (ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) x KINGMAMBO x SADLER’S WELLS)

            G Arnold ( 312 – 54 – 58 – 52 – 17% )

                Ranked 120 in the division this 3yo colt has finished in the first 2 at 5 of his 7 starts.  He has won two of his last four but is still yet to crack a 100 speed figure and will probably have to here to challenge for the win.

8.         Winged Spirit (AUS)  9/2 (HUSSONET x INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (IRE) x IN THE WINGS(GB))

C Roser ( 242 – 37 – 27 – 29 – 15% )

Winged Spirit has only missed a place once in 10 career starts.  He is another unproven at Grade level but did win a stakes race two back when leading throughout to win over 7.5 furlongs with a 99 speed figure.  He will settle on the pace and is continuing to improve so could be up there at the finish.

Good luck to all.

My Selections.

1.      Empire Dreamer

2.      Tonguska

3.      Winged Spirit