Gr3 Salisbury Medallion Stakes Juvy
Salisbury Medallion Stakes
Track: South Africa
Purse: $50,000
Gr: 3
Surface: Firm Turf
Age: 2 Yr open
Distance: 6f
Welcome all today to the heart of South Africa. The 2010 World Cup will be played here, but more importantly today it’s the future 2 yr old stars of the Sim that take center stage. Today will be the first test for these turfers as they try their hand at a graded race. Since it is the 1st official graded turf race of the year, one of these colts will emerge as the leader of the early division. We have some of the best trainers the Sim has to offer here today. They all have brought their colts here to start the path that will hopefully lead them to the BB in Oct. Let’s take a look at these future stars from the rail out:
1) Melbourne Blues- Fernando- URC Residency- A son of Delta Blues (22%) who started his career in a MWS $19,000 facing 11 others. Sat 8th until the 2f marker where he unleashed a big kick and won by a measured ¾ of a length. He earned a speed number of 72 for that victory. A son of a D rank mare, he has strong back lines to complete his lineage. A DS Seattle Dancer and a DDS named Secretariat. Capable of more off his nice maiden score and look for this guy to be closing hard late. Threat for Fernando here today. 10-1 and Hardwick (10%)
2) Liberty Ridge- Kevoman- EAAA Residency- A son of Shirocco (28%) that started his career in a local Msw race. Facing a field of 7 others, Liberty Ridge took control from the bell and ran up by 3 ¾ turning for home. He stayed on through the stretch and his final winning bid was 1 ¾ lengths. A horse who finished 4th in that local race, came back to win his maiden in open company. So that’s always a good sign for a maiden local victory. Hard to gauge if he really is a front runner, or that he was just that much better than other local breeds. Sakhee and Indian Ridge complete the lineage lines, and this scratch bred has a chance if he can improve in numbers and open company. 15-1 and Klevenger (9.6%)
3) Gilderman-Tsunami-Fans Of Ace Residency- The #1 rank turf colt steps onto the track here today for Tsunami. He gets that distinction by already having won a Gr3 contest. He is the only graded runner in the field. So with that distinction and advantage, this wise guy is here to dictate his authority. In his first career race, he lined up against 3 others in the Gr3 Knuckleball Challenge in January. He strolled to a 2 ¼ length victory after taking control at the top of the stretch. He then was shockingly put into a claiming race (a move that made front page headlines in Jamaica) and was swiped up by Tsunami. Of course a graded winner would win that; he strolled home a 1 ¾ length victor. He has far superior class edge here and demolishes this field in stakes points. He knows he’s the best here today and his strut on the track show that confidence. His Venezuelan sire Tabaman (100% strike rate) will be watching proudly. (says 99-1, but the board must be flickering; maybe 1/9..not sure what’s going on. Of course gets the leading rider in Loesch (25.8%) today.)
4) Dancing With Kings- Kingab- A son of Danehill Dancer (31.4%) comes here today after a very solid MSW run. In that event, the grandson of Mr.Prospector went off at 8/5 in a 7 horse field. Dancing With Kings would waste no time taking control of the race from the onset. He would go wire to wire and expand his winning margin through the stretch by 1 ¼ length. His solid 72 speed number in that event gives this guy the right to be here today. Solid bloodlines and a front running victory in his maiden make this guy the betting public’s choice today. The Irish scratch bred horse for King looks dangerous from all angles here today. (4-1 m/l fav and gets 10% Lingard for the mount)
5) Condunram- Socalsipe- Pastures of Green Residency- One of the few colts in here with 3 races under his belt. He also has the distinction of a stakes victory. In his maiden race, the son of Strategic Prince (15.4%) lined up against 10 others in a $48,000 MSW event. Taking control early in the race, he just couldn’t find more down the stretch and ran a solid 2nd earning a 68 speed number. He would return for a MSW $19,000 event where he faced 7 others. Going off at 7-1, he used his valuable learning race to his advantage and strolled home a winner by a full length. In his last, that stakes race, he faced 5 others in the Noble Sword Stakes. This time, he would rate a bit better and make a determined run through the stretch where he made a bold run and got up in time to win by a ¼ length on the wire. His speed number of 79 is one of the highest here today. He cuts back to 6f, from the 7 ½ he just ran, but has some pace in here maybe to make up the difference in cut-back. Capable threat here today and get Eusebio (9.4%) and is 12- in the program.
6) San Jacinto- Supers Stables- Del Penn National Residency- 2 for 2 lifetime colt who hasn’t really been tested yet. The son of Giant’s Causeway (43.8%) broke his maiden facing 8 others in Louisiana. Going off at 4/5, he broke near the pack and made a strong move late to win by a hard charging length. He earned a 71 for the impressive debut. Super’s would leave him at the same track and test him again in an allowance nw1x event. Facing 6 others, the 8/5 shot would again break towards the rear. He would sit patient again until the 2f pole where he would again show that amazing turn of foot. As was his last, an impressive performance where he would again drive to the wire a length winner. Lot’s to like here today for this guy as he has won at the distance already and has a powerful closing kick that will serve him beautifully here today. ML 2nd choice at 9/2 and gets the services of 2nd leading rider Eberhard (17.2%) today.
7) Sisson’s Week-Binzaman- Pastures Of Green residency- a son of Special Week (40%) takes to the race today after a solid MSW race where he just couldn’t fight on through the stretch. After taking control at the top of the lane, he just couldn’t hold off the winner in Deptree. The grandson of Johannesburg has many positive angles into today’s race. He ran a solid MSW race effort, and will learn from that experience and move forward off that effort. He faced a field of 10 others in his MSW race, and lost to a maiden winner that had tremendous back lines to support his effort. If that maiden winner was in here today, he would be one of the top 3-4 favorites. So with the learning curve out of the way, and an extra furlong in which he should like, this guy may come home an 18.00 winner. Big upside potential for Binzaman and he taps Beuche for the mount today.
8) Kayseri- Rafa stables- Minnesota Downs- A son of the Duke (22.6%), this colt started his career in a MSW $48,000 event in New Zealand. Facing 7 others, the grandson of Unbridled’s Song came charging hard at the 5f distance and just missed by a closing length. 6 weeks later he would again lineup in a MSW race at NZ, facing 9 others. He would now get the needed 6f, and the 7-1 shot would not disappoint. He would roll through the stretch to win by a widening 2 lengths. Today he gets the 6f preferred distance, a decent pace up front, and he is progressing in the right direction. A very lively 7-1 shot here today and gets the services of Waldron (9.1%) .
9) Midnight Moondance- Next Bonus- Queensland Residency- The trainer of the Middle Jewel winner brings a colt from red hot sire Special Week off a maiden victory on turf last out. In his maiden debut, which was on dirt, the grandson of Giant’s Causeway ran a bang-up 2nd, just missing the win by a give and go ½ length. Next would decide to get him on the green for his next race. In a MSW race in Colorado, Midnight would use his learning curve to his advantage and come out of the box on top. He would stay that way through the stretch and win by a full 1 1/2 lengths. His speed number of 77 told Next that he did in fact make the right decision to try him on the lawn. A horse with natural speed today, that has run 2 very nice young races appears dangerous here today. May not get the lead today, but if can rate off the frontrunner comfortably; he can have an advantageous trip today. 3rd choice at 5-1 and gets 10.5% Grear in the irons.
10) Hushwing High- Hushwing- A 2yr old colt sired by High Chaparral comes here today after a 12 point rise in his first attempt at a MSW race. In his debut, the grandson of Mr.Greeley broke from the outside 14 post, made a mid-pack move, but just tired in the stretch to finish 6th. 4 weeks later, Huswing would enter him in NZ, where he would face only 3 others. As they broke from the gate, it was evident as to who the speed horse was. Hushwing would open up on the field by a quick 5 ¼ lengths. He got a bit leg weary through the lane, but had opened up an insurmountable lead. He came home the victor by a full length. His final speed number jumped to 72 form his debut 60. Today, I expect much of the same. I believe he is the speed in the race, but will be facing much more athletic type horses that can naturally keep up with him. If he is to have a good chance today, he must use his speed more wisely and control the pace for the 1f more than he has gone before. Always dangerous with a horse with that kind of natural speed with these young races. 16-1 and get (8.4%) Squire for the mount.
11) Rockhardcacharela-Trotter- Veteran trainer Trotter brings a 2 yr old colt here today sired by Rock Hard Ten. In his maiden debut, in Australia, the brown colt would face 9 others in a MSW $45,000 event. Going off at 4-1, the grandson of Dansili would make a late charge down the stretch and miss by a closing 1 ¾ lengths to finish 3rd. Trotter waited for a 6f MSW event so the youngin’ could stretch his legs more. 5 weeks later against 9 other rivals. Rockhardcacarela would break in 8th, move into contention early, and draw away powerfully through the stretch to win by 1 ½ lengths. His 70 speed number was 4 points above his first effort. Seems to maybe be a bit slower developer than some others in here, which will serve him very well later in the year. Don’t honestly know if he’s as fast as these guys now, but he gets the help of the 6f and his 3rd start to his career. If he can start his sure upswing today, he’s capable of a huge run and win going away. Scary horse, if not today, he will be in the future. 9-1 today and gets the (10%) Smith today.
12) Monty’s Run- Duchess- Minnesota Downs- 3 start horse here for Duchess, he comes into today after a solid 3rd in the Keenland Stakes event. He started his career with a MSW event where he ran a 57 speed number, but came back to run to Duchess’ expectations next time out. He broke his maiden with a solid 71 speed number (+14) and won by a measure length. In the stakes race, he lined up against 11 others and went off at 9-1. He had the lead turning for home, but just got caught in deep stretch and lost by 2 ½ finishing 3rd. Positives for this guy are: he’s run 6f 3 times now, so he has experience at the distance. He’s been class tested and has performed admirably. Today, he won’t have the lead, and if he can learn to rate a bit better, he can time his jump to get the nod on the stalkers and closers. Son of Montjeu has more to offer than 1st may appear. 11-1 and gets (12.5%) Smith for the irons.
Smoke’s Analysis: Great race we have here today, as the winner of this tight
bunch may emerge the new division leader. Some top trainers in here, and some
blue blood breeds that are bound to show some speed here. Best of luck to all
here today and the turf colt division looks bright with these early stakes performers. Stab at 5 which is almost impossible this early in the year, but…
1) San Jacinto- 2 solid races and victories and don’t think he’s shown his best stuff yet. Capable of running an 80 – 82 today, which I believe is enough to get the job done. Good pace up front makes him more valuable. Has won at the distance already and will be flying late.
2) Dancing With Kings- Scratchbreed who won his maiden in convincing fashion. Grabbed lead and extended that into the stretch. Should get the much needed boost in numbers today with the 2nd start and he will be leading them late into the stretch. Big threat here today.
3) Melbourne Blues- Another in here who only has a maiden win to credit, but he beat 11 others as the favorite. Big closing kick type horse who I believe will go when San Jacinto goes and try to make up ground on Danicng With Kings. Capable with big surge in numbers and running style and breeding suggest he may do that.
4) Midnight Moondance- Versatile horse who performed well on 2 surfaces already. Great first MSW win on the green and will use his natural speed to take them deep. If capable of slight improve off last, and control his speed up front, he may wave bye-bye to field turning for home with the closers not having ample time to get up. Scary speed type horse in this field.
5) Kayseri- Can definitely see winning because I think this guy gets the most advantageous view of the race unfolding. Will be the first to take a shot if the frontrunners do crack, and he may be in full flight at the most critical time. If pace makes this race, he is dangerous from the mid-flight pack.
Longshot: Gilderman- Can’t toss a graded winner out of the mix. Will need to step up numbers just a bit today, but well rested and has the class edge on the field. Is the number 1 rank horse here today and is here to show why. (The board is still flickering; think at 9-1 now…or is that 99-1..hmmm….Has to be 9-1..
Well gang, that’s it from beautiful South Africa, get in your seats and let the graded turf races of the juvenile season begin ‘cause it’s now Post Time!!!!!!!!!