Hunt Turf Cup – Bargain Series Stakes

Welcome to the Hunt Turf Cup a prestigious turf stakes event on the Bargain Series calendar. A solid field of 8 talented bargains take to the gate today including last year’s winner Houndville and talented champion Ten Lost Pyramids. Here is a run down of today’s field in order of odds:

33-1 – CT’S Rocket – Today’s long shot is a three year old by Governor Brown (Kingmambo) who is fresh off a respectable 3^rd place finish in The Bargain Derby where he posted an 88 speed figure. In general he has run better on the main track then the turf, but he does have 2 ITM finishes in 3 lifetime turf races so he has shown some inkling that he can handle the grass. It is always a lot to ask a three year old to face accomplished horses like these but anything can happen and perhaps he will make a leap forward today.

13-1 – Housefullofghosts – Four year old colt by Wharf (Storm Bird) has 3 wins and 4 placings in 13 lifetime races so he has been a consistent earner for trainer lgbost since being claimed for 25k back in July of 2009. Has never finished better then 5^th in 3 previous Bargain Series turf events so its hard to predict a breakthrough here despite wiring the field with a lifetime best 93 speed figure last out.

7-1 – Malakowsky – Plano’s son of Balcony (Danzig) is a bit inconsistent as he can vary from brilliant to rather mediocre. His brilliance was displayed when he posted a 101 with a smashing breakthrough performance in the Bargie Mile in February but most recently he disappointed in both the Death Valley Classic and Silenus Mile events. Could be dangerous if let loose on the front end so other jockeys better not let T Mudgett set too soft of fractions.

5-1 – Houndville – This veteran 7 year old has 43 lifetime races under his belt and he has managed a solid record of 9 wins and banked over 244k in lifetime earnings. Has been a bargain series regular since 2008 when he won the Silenus Mile and he has also appeared in the last two runnings of this race winning last years event by the slimmest of margins. He has really struggled in 2010 but one can always have hope when you have a runner that has a proven ability to fire during the big events.

5-1 – Recon Shop – Another grizzled vet who has tasted Bargain Glory on the biggest stage of all when he one the 2009 Bargain Bowl Cougar Bite Classic in smashing fashion by 4 ¼ lengths. Much like Houndville his form has been awful in 2010 but he always has to be respected because he has beaten the likes of these before and perhaps he can give his connections one more big win today.

4-1 – Ante Meridiem – I absolutely love the name of this Zman trainee and he has been a pretty solid runner as well with a career record of 14-3-3-3. His connections really deserve a lot of credit for picking this guy up in auction back in October of 2009 and really turning him into a runner. Unlike others in this field he is actually peaking at the right time and arguably ran the best race of his career last out in his smashing Silenus Mile win. Gotta love his late running style and he is one of the wise guy picks today.

3-1 – Lot at Steak – You can not have a Bargain Series event with seeing hawkz enter a horse and Lot At Steak keeps that streak in tact today. This 5 year old daughter of Snitzel has been a top flight horse since she was two years old and winning open stakes with the greatest of ease. She won the Vimes Turf Distaff back in 2008 and The Bargain Princess in 2009 so she knows how to win on the big stage and looks well positioned to give the boys some solid competition today. Her recent form is good and her form really gives the appearance that she is sitting on a big race.

5/2 – Ten Lost Pyramids – This 7 year old by Tenpins is one of the most beloved Bargain Breds of all time and it is easy to see why as he has won 11 races in 35 attempts and has earned over 700k in the process. Trainer plano’s living legend has won the 2007 edition of this race and is also a two time Cougar Bite Classic and Arc De Maleleve winner. This grizzled warrior will have most of the Virginia crowd in his corner today and his recent form has to give his connections a strong feeling that his resume will continue to build in 2010. Ignore this champion in your tickets only if your allergic to money.

Outlook:

 There is very little pace in this race so Malakowsky is an intriguing play at 7-1 on both the top and bottom of exotic tickets. That being said I am rooting for Ten Lost Pyramids to add to his Bargain Legacy today and he will be my top pick on the day.

Trifecta: 3-1-7,5

Good luck to all the runners and if you would like to get involved in Bargain racing check out the forum at: http://knightmarebbrs.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general