Forevermore, Stormy Swede, Prison Escape test two-turns
Portugal– Despite the odds, there really isn’t a clear-cut favorite to this week’s featured $40,000 Board Tow Bonanza. The two years olds go for two-turns here — some for the very first time too. The main track is as sloppy as pea soup. Let’s get ready for a messy going……..
The bookies tab grimmie’s Forevermore as the 5/2 chalk. By Forty Niner, the colt has been extremely competitive if not quite-there so far in his young career. Forevermore broke his maiden in his 3rd start, rallied mildly in his next, and then closed fantastically in his last to score a 90 SP#. That runner-up ALW effort came with a 90 SP# — the colt was far, far back, signaling two-turns possibilities. He gets the extra sixteenth and a decent jockey to boot. Will have to handle the off track of course though as well as class leap.
There’s plenty of black type experience in this group. Epic’s Johannesbug colt Prison Escape (9/2) found himself at the stakes level immediately after breaking his maiden on the second try. The colt placed over the dirt and even beat up a short stakes field over the grass. Poor showings at the graded level signalled this guy’s return to the listed ranks. Well-spotted if he can handle the sloppy going. He shouldn’t have any problem with the two-turns from midpack or thereabouts. Great shot to finally break on through.
More stakes level experience:
- Whoami3’s Phoney(AUS) (8/1) makes his 9th outing already. The aussie-bred picked up some fair cheques in turf stakes before switching to the main track LTO. The colt stalked a bit before finishing sixth over 6.5f. the 80 SP# was his career best though — I think he’ll better go-around this time. Wildcard.
- Fifth two back at stakes level, Kepler Bull (9/1) should apprecaite the added yardage — he’s by Holy Bull out of an Irish River(FR) mare. The bobo trainee can compete on the lawn, but seems to fare better over the dirt. Outside chance — he’ll to at least break the 80 SP# barrier for the first time. Talented, but still trying to find his best game. Outside chance for board.
- By Singspiel(IRE), speedy Panther Delta(IRE) (12/1) made the most of two-turns on the turf, placing 2nd in a stakes before coughing it up at the Grade 1 level. Bred for grass, but the colt’s proven at this distance and that’s an added plus. Litmus test then, but not without a shot for imatiger2 stable. Possible.
The rest of the field all make the leap from MSW or ALW levels:
- Kronp stable sends out Stormy Swede (4/1), a royal bred by Storm Cat. The colt won for the first time in his second trip, then rallied for a decent runner-up placing in ALW company over a flat mile. That effort was a marked improvement SP#-wise (79). Should throw a similar run and is more than capable of pulling off a prospective score with this group. Improving colt just starting the game — one to watch.
- Hidden Talent (5/1) makes two-turns debut for 7heaven. The Mining youngster boasts a stamina-laden female family. The colt’s only been tested in sprints so far and displays some talent with 2 wins from 6 starts. Not a lot of speed with this group, so he could try to take this one wire-to-wire. Good outsider if he enjoys the surface.
- At 7/1, super19’s Bizarre Tale(IRE) sure appreciates the distance, but ran kind of even-steven when testing the main track mile LTO. By El Prado(IRE), the colt should be in the hunt from behind the lead. Possible if he can make a step forward in SP#s.
- Finally, Joe’s Boy (22/1) could be an interesting longshot after breaking his maiden in his first dirt try. From the epsom stable, the Silver Ghost son scored a 79 SP# to win going away over a main track mile. Hmmm…. very interesting. One to watch at a superb price.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Win: Prison Escape (though all bets are off over the sloppy surface!)
Place: Stormy Swede or Forevermore
Show: Joe’s Boy
Good luck to all.