Breeders’ Bowl Mile Hopefuls Scrimmage in Utah

Horses are firming up their positions for the upcoming Breeders’ Bowl Mile and this weekend’s event is one of their last opportunities.  Some of the best have shown up for their final tune-ups and it should be quite a ride.

Fusaichi Magpie        Punter59         6/1       With only 12 starts under his belt, this upstart is proving to be a runner of substance.  His last two wins have been a second and a first in graded company and he is moving quickly into the top tier of milers.  Never off the board in a turf race or a route, this stalker should figure prominently in the race. 

Artful Victory Scorpion          12/1     Veteran of 38 races has yet to win a route after 7 attempts.  A graded winner in sprints, he’s had trouble when he hits that second turn, even though he’s run some big numbers at this distance.  A terrific colt who I expect to run out of steam in the stretch.

Congo                         Steff                 6/1       Passed by FuMagpie late in the Maudline LTO, this successful colt likes to be on or just off the pace.  Given a firm course, he is almost always in the money.  A super-consistent colt who looks like he’s in great form for this race, I expect him to perform very well.  Decent jock probably won’t hurt or help much.

Jolie’s Song                Catspaw          5/1       #1-ranked turf classic filly consistently takes on the boys and consistently finishes second or third.  It’s been a long time since she’s won a race.  She’s always thrilling to watch in the stretch, coming from way back to mow down and bunch of the boys.  She’s one of several who consistently hit the board and they all can’t do it – I don’t expect her to win, but I give her an edge for second or third based on her terrific jockey. 

PJ Long and Windy    Flyingfinn        13/1     Son of Peintre Celebre has been solid in overnight stakes, but has been off the board when he steps it up to graded company.  I’d expect more of the same – a respectable run, but no winners’ circle for this guy.

Top Jimmy                  Sdmf2              9/1       A really nice colt who looks like he’s making up his mind between the Turf and the Mile.  This race will be a terrific test for him.  He’s run beautifully at 9-11 furlongs, but this will be his first graded attempt at a flat mile.  Success in an overnight stakes at this distance looked promising, now we’ll see what happens when he take on the big boys and girls at a mile.  If he does well, he can try for BB glory without trying the Turf, arguably the toughest race of the year.  Smart placement by the trainer this week.  Comes from outlandishly far back; if he runs well he’ll be lots of fun to see.

Get You Scurry On    Earsronny       15/1     This guy’s taking an awfully big step up.  Successful allowance 3yo bombed in his prior graded attempt.  Certainly a nice runner, but he has a lot to prove before I look at him too seriously for a race of this caliber.  

Peintre Indyman         Milnerton        19/1     A horse who shows that they can really surprise you sometime.  He has bombed in every graded race he has run….except for the Grade I he won last year with a 121 fig.  I don’t see any reason to believe he’s going to repeat that brilliant performance this week given his recent races, but he’s walking proof that longshot can run a surprisingly big race sometimes.

Ed’s Blueview Chn     Funnyfello       15/1     Most interesting longshot in the field.  He tries a variety of distances, but has won his last 3 attempts at a mile, including a Grade II.  Comes from off the pace and will receive the guidance of a decent jockey.  I think he’s overlooked and is well worth a look at this price. 

T Cast Off                  Good               35/1     A nice colt who is just plain overmatched here.  Would prefer to see him back in allowance fields.

Pop Culture                Lenny11          16/1     Colt ran a nice race in the Canada Mile last time out, but it was only good enough for 6^th.  Doesn’t tend to run all that well in stakes fields, so I don’t expect too much of him this week.

Xtremely a Fan          Ejdstable         5/1       Winner of the Canada Mile and #1-ranked turf classic colt, you’d better believe he’s one to look out for, both here and in the BB.   A remarkably consistent horse, he’s been on the board in 12 of 14 turf attempts, many of them graded races.  Comes from way-the-heck back to make an electrifying stretch drive and will have Utah’s best jock to keep him clear of traffic.  Count on him to run a terrific race as he gears up for the BB.

Reflected Glory II     Rokeby                        9/1       A consistent performer in overnight stakes in long sprints, he’s taking a step up here.  Storm Cat colt has picked a very tough race to try tougher company.  He has only routed a few times and hasn’t won any.  He’s a quality horse and has earned a shot, but I don’t think he’s going to be up to taking on these monsters.

Red Theatre               Phillipj            16/1     Solid 4^th in the recent Maudlin Cup, but has otherwise looked like more of an allowance horse.  I think  he’s in a little too deep with this crowd.

Tough call here with several horses quite capable of winning, but I see Xtremely a Fan coming from out of the clouds to take the lead in the race and keep the lead in the division.  Without a ton of speed in the race, I expect Congo to take the lead an hang on for a piece (maybe even steal the race?).   No real daring picks this week, I expect the classy Jolie’s Song to benefit from her very good jock and hang on for third against some other very nice competition.