The Kinsho Cho Classic

The Kinsho Cho Classic

The Kinsho Cho Classic Grade looks to be an exciting battle with some real top line horses competing for the very attractive prize purse of $1.2m. The Kinsho Cho Classic will be run over a mile and a quarter or 10 furlongs and after some poor weather it will be run on the yielding turf course. It is shaping up as a super race even though only 7 will be running and the field comprises of multiple group and stakes winners including the amazing Title Defense. Here are the runners.

1. CLUB FORTUNE(KY) 5/1

(MINESHAFT x DANZIG x LYPHARD)

G Arnold ( 360 – 64 – 71 – 59 – 18% )

Club Fortune is a well bred 5 year old chestnut who has performed very well in elite company in the past being a grade I winner over this distance on the turf as a 4 year old. So far he has earned over $1.3m for connections and will be looking to add further to that here today. As a 4 year old he strung together a sequence of 5 straight victories but hasn’t won since although running some good races. He comes into this after a 4th in grade III company last time out and hasn’t broken a 110 speed figure for 10 races. He could challenge but for me he will need to run faster than he has been in this field to win the race.

2. WEOWNTHENIGHT(KY) 9/2

(EMPIRE MAKER x WOODMAN x SUNDAY SILENCE)

D Davis ( 137 – 12 – 11 – 9 – 9% )

Weownthenight comes into this in good form winning 4 of his last 5 starts. He has won 9 of 23 career starts and likes to be up on the pace in his races. Majority of his form has been in allowance company however he just missed in a grade II two starts back running a 109 over this distance. That is the type of performance he will need to produce to be in the money here and with speed coming from some of his competitors I just hope he still has a kick left coming into the straight.

3. STORM KID(KY) 3/1

(STORM CAT x LEMON DROP KID x DANEHILL)

K Ledwith ( 377 – 96 – 71 – 57 – 25% )

From the final crop of Storm Cat this 4 year old colt has performed admirably for the zabeel stable. He has earned over $1.6m and been consistent running first or second in 16 of his 28 starts. He has recently won a grade I race over this surface and distance and has a career high 114 speed figure over 10 furlongs. He usually likes to lead his races and if he can produce his best with a premier jockey sitting on his back he should challenge strongly here.

4. FALLSCHIRMJAGER(KY) 8/1

(ROCK HARD TEN x DIXIELAND BAND x SADLER’S WELLS)

C Roser ( 279 – 38 – 33 – 36 – 14% )

Another 4 year old colt who has mixed his distances a bit lately usually running over slightly longer than this. He is a grade III winner and has a career high speed figure of 106 over this distance. He has placed in 13 of 17 career outings but this is a particularly strong race and he would need to show improvement to win here.

5. TITLE DEFENSE(KY) 9/5

(AWESOME AGAIN x KINGMAMBO x STORM CAT)

L Fenner ( 84 – 9 – 9 – 13 – 11% )

This superstar of the turf has rocked up in Japan and always proves dangerous to opponents in any race he signs up for. He has career earnings of almost $10m which is simply phenomenal and is a real blueblood. He has won no less than 5 grade I races in a stunning career and only ever missed a place in 1 of 17 career turf starts. He produced a 116 speed figure to win last time out over this distance and will be getting back early and storming home at the finish. The only question mark on him could be the jockey on his back but often with Title Defense it’s a matter of jumping on his back and holding on. The deserving favourite.

6. DEVIL’S FLAG(KY) 6/1

(GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x DAMASCUS x HOIST THE FLAG)

E Kennard ( 51 – 1 – 6 – 6 – 2% )

This 4 year old is a dual grade II winner who has won 5 of 18 career starts. Anther who likes to set the pace in his races we can expect him to be jumping quickly and sitting outside Storm Kid and Weownthenight. His form has been mixed of late however he has run a 113 recently and that would challenge in this. A chance at each way odds.

7. FINAL CAUSE(IRE) 15/1

(SADLER’S WELLS x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x PULPIT)

A Hudson ( 173 – 13 – 20 – 26 – 8% )

The real baby of the field with only 5 starts in a short career with 2 victories. This 4 year old has improved at each outing and looks to be a serious horse in the making with a closing 107 last time out over shorter in grade III company. He gets back and rattles home and is improving at each run. Although inexperienced he could be the up and comer in the bunch capable of causing the upset.

It looks like a great race, good luck to all involved.

My tips:

1. Title Defense
2. Storm Kid
3. Final Cause