Bargain Bred Racing Series: Arc de Maleleve

** Grammar tolerance is advised.

Welcome to the Longchamp. We have a very special race here this time. Many players ignore bargain racing, focus to the small field graded races, but this is real fun and this race especially! 🙂 Bargain Arc or Arc de Maleleve (or Arc of the Illbred) is one of the oldest bargain races in simulation. Knightmare who keeps this tradition alive organized the first Arc in 2005, so we have a 6th edition this year. In previous five races, only three names appear. All of them are kind of legends. In 2005 graded winner and bargain millionaire Pepe’s Pipes won with a big ease. Same horse participated in 2006, but couldn’t compete with famous Ankaline, who set the record of the race 2:02 4/5 in that year. In 2007 it was Ankaline again, who used the absence of Pepe’s Pipes and Ten Lost Pyramids and did it two in row. In 2008 and 2009 Ten Lost Pyramids, who is still active, had an easy job, not threatened by anyone. This year will be different, very probably. 

I will know tell you, why is this Arc so extraordinary. First, we have a biggest field ever. 15 horses is something what we haven’t seen before. It could be compared only to 2006, when Ankaline had to beat 13 participants. That means the long turf bargain division refreshed, we have here many young horses, who are growing to very strong contenders. Then we have an old champion here, 7yo Ten Lost Pyramids who dominated the division until the last year’s Bargain Bowl. This time, he has a chance to win third Arc in a row and be the first one who did it in a bargain history. But this year, it doesn’t look like an easy work. None of the previous winners had to fight hard in their race, the competition of this year suggests that the winner won’t win by more than 2 1/2 lengths (which is the smallest length gap till today).
About the conditions today, we had a rain and the turf track is now good..but wet anyway. That makes race even more interesting. Some horses hate this weather, some not and we can expect some surprises as well.
I think all of that has to attract you to watch this $125,000 bargain race, because it’s worthy to it. May be it could also push you to let all those Kingmambos, A.P. Indys or Galileos sleep for a short while and breed your own bargains. Just look at their bloodlines, it’s not so boring and very worthy too ;).

Let’s look who is going to run these 10 furlongs of bargain glory this time:

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1 TEN LOST PYRAMIDS
7yo colt, Tenpins (Smart Strike) x Pyramid Peak (Mt. Livermore) x Roanoke (Pleasant Colony)
Trainer: curiostud (Planoaxia Stables)
r,w,p,s: (37-12-7-9); earnings: $774,309; best speed: 113.234 (10F); jockey: J Ledwith ; odds: 9/2
Bargain racing successes: (1st) BB Cougar Bite Classic 2007, 2008; Arc de Maleleve 2008, 2009; Hunt Turf Cup 2007, 2010; (2nd) Cougar Bite Classic 2009; (3rd) Hunt Turf Cup 2008

The aging treasure of my stables, multiple bargain racing stakes winner, my first sim stakes winner ever and…my precious :). Ten Lost Pyramids comes to fight for the third win in the bargain Arc, but this time it’s going to be very hard. He had an easy campaign this year, saving his powers for the three important bargain races (Hunt Turf Cup, Arc and the BB Cougar Bite Classic). In only three races, he was able to get bargain Hunt Turf Cup win over 9.5F and two shows from the allowance preparations. He’s sharp and ready to face younger opponents. We have to wait till monday, if it’s enough in his age… 

2 TWAZZO(TX)
5yo mare, Serazzo (Kris S.) x Twining (Forty Niner) x Staff Writer (Northern Dancer)
Trainer: thehofman2 (Hofman Stables)
r,w,p,s: (32-5-5-2); earnings: $180,042; best speed: 97.405 (8.5F); jockey: P Liceman ; odds: 36/1
Bargain racing successes: (1st) The Queens 2008; Ladies Distance Challenge (alw) 2009; (2nd) The Bargain Oaks 2008

Twazzo was claimed from Knightmare’s Stables by Hofman and good for him that he’s trying to continue in her bargain tradition. This mare did some nice results in her 3yo career, however she slowed down little bit since that time. Another problem is, she showed her best on dirt. About her turf results, the most respectable is her 6th place from the Bargain Bowl Vimes Turf Distaff over 9.5F in 2008 edition. Right now, she doesn’t seem to improve this place. But the bargain racing is not only about winning, it’s about participating and representation as well. Good luck to Twazzo and Hofman!

3 MIMBO HILL(IRE)
3yo colt, Right Win (Law Society) x Savoire Vivre (Sadler’s Wells) x Lahint (Woodman)
Trainer: txknight (Knightmare Stables)
r,w,p,s: (12-4-1-0); earnings: $177,858; best speed: 92.378 (9.5F); jockey: B Thedog ; odds: 27/1
Bargain racing successes: (1st) Bargain Derby 2010

First horse from the bargain boss Knightmare is named Mimbo Hill and it is a very interesting participant. After horse was claimed from the previous trainer, he improved rapidly. The biggest reason is switching to turf. He obviously likes that surface more. However, he did a excellent job this may by winning dirt bargain derby. Since derby day, he hasn’t repeated anything like this again. Knightmare decided to stretch the distance to 10 furlongs and may be it’s the key how to improve again. Nevertheless, the 3yo bargains have very difficult task in beating older horses this part of year. Mimbo Hill is probably not going to win, he is going to show to his trainer how big is his future potential.

4 MALAKOWSKY(PR)
4yo colt, Balcony (Danzig) x Boys Nite Out (Cutlass) x Green Dancer (Nijinsky II)
Trainer: rem (Planoaxia Stables)
r,w,p,s: (15-3-3-0); earnings: $56,136; best speed: 101.406 (8F); jockey: P Payne ; odds: 14/1
Bargain racing successes: (1st) Bargie Turf Mile (alw) 2010

Second horse from my stables and one of the biggest disappointments of this season. When I claimed him and he showed perfect winning form in bargain allowance in february (8F), he seemed like a new bargain star of my stables. But that was all unfortunately. He wasn’t successful in Silenus Mile and was 5th out of 8 horses in the Hunt Turf Cup (9.5F). I’m trying right now how he likes 10F. May be, it could help him to show some improvement. On the other hand, he is just ready to go this week, so no ambitions and expectations.

5 HOUSEFULLOFGHOSTS(FL)
4yo colt, Wharf (Storm Bird) x Wilde Rufo (Sharrood) x Wolver Hollow (Sovereign Path)
Trainer: lgbost4 (Lgbost Stables)
r,w,p,s: (17-6-4-1); earnings: $67,026; best speed: 103.783 (10F); jockey: R Howard ; odds: 6/1
Bargain racing successes: (3rd) Hunt Turf Cup 2010

This is very interesting name between all the entries. Housefullofghosts from the ambitious bargain stables of Lgbost is the horse with a life-form. He found his favorite distance (this one) and won 4 out of 5 last races. That only “lost” race was 3rd place in the Hunt Turf Cup, 2 3/4 lengths behind Ten Lost Pyramids. But Housefullofghosts improved since that time and showed three triple digit speed figures, winning starter allowances in a big style. He likes to set the tempo of the race and he really looks he can endure until the very end of the race. Watch him, it’s going to be worthy!

6 CONCOTELLI(IRE)
5yo colt, Le Vie Dei Colori (Efisio) x Star Appeal (Appiani II) x Sadair (Petare)
Trainer: txknight (Knightmare Stables)
r,w,p,s: (41-5-3-8); earnings: $165,240; best speed: 102.920 (6F); jockey: B Wu ; odds: 6/1
Bargain racing successes: (1st) BB Silent Witness Sprint 2009; (3rd) Silenus Mile 2010

Who would expect this horse on the start list of the Bargain Arc? Knightmare brings here the winner of the last year edition of Silent Witness Sprint (over 5.5F). But I’m pretty sure his trainer had bigger ambitions than a pure participation. Why? He showed a nice performance in mile races this year. He has never tried more than 9.5F and that only start suggests that he might run slightly further. The only problem today is an off-track. Concotelli hates it, but that’s the only thing he can do. May be, Concotelli can be really great over 10F, I’m just not sure he can show it today. Let it be our surprise.

7 RECON SHOP(CAN)
6yo colt, Brite Adam (High Brite) x Richman (Bet Big) x Caracolero (Graustark)
Trainer: richmans (Axe Racing Stables)
r,w,p,s: (38-3-3-5); earnings: $201,305; best speed: 100.477 (10F); jockey: W Mercy ; odds: 12/1
Bargain racing successes: (1st) BB Cougar Bite Classic 2009; (3rd) The Everglades 2009

Here comes the shock of the last year Cougar Bite Classic. Recon Shop was absolutely amazing there – horse of the day. He slowed down since that time, but his owner Axe keeps us uncertain. Recon Shop hasn’t run his (probably) favorite 10F distance since that time and focused to be a regular bargain events runner. So, Recon Shop doesn’t seem to be at his best form, but we really can’t know if he holds another ace in his hand. Slight problem could be (similarly as Concotelli) with the wet track. He probably won’t enjoy it, but it doesn’t need to be an unbreakable obstacle.

8 SUMMER STORMS(FL)
3yo mare, Aristocrat (Awesome Again) x Seattle Sleet (Seattle Slew) x Royal Roberto (Roberto)
Trainer: elenalag3 (Elenalag Stables)
r,w,p,s: (12-3-1-0); earnings: $36,208; best speed: 97.713 (12F); jockey: R Savage ; odds: 23/1

Summer Storms from Elenalag Stables looks like very potential bargain runner. She is young and might have great future. Summer Storms won her last two races (allowances) after she was sent over 12F. I can bet, that her owner regrets of the lack of looong races in bargain series. But I believe her time will come in four weeks with the Wombat Cup. Remember her. Today, the race seems to be quiet short for her and I’m afraid she won’t fight with the best. That would be only in the case she loves the wet tracks. But as I said, if she’s not the horse of the present, than she definitely is the horse of the future.

9 QUEENSLAND CAT(IND)
5yo colt, Emerald Cat (Storm Cat) x Gold Legend (Seattle Slew) x Regal and Royal (Vaguely Noble)
Trainer: qnslander1 (Hawkz Racing Stables)
r,w,p,s: (27-3-3-2); earnings: $55,761; best speed: 97.980 (7.5F); jockey: S Jeter ; odds: 38/1

You were probably quiet surprise when you haven’t read the name of the biggest current bargain racing player. Don’t worry, he is here :). I think long turf bargain division is the only one, where Hawkz has to bow to the others. And Queensland Cat probably won’t be the one whom we will celebrate after the race. The horse already tried 10F turf race and was second in state bred claim race with the 78 speed figure. That makes him one of the outsiders of the race, but he’s here to remind us that Hawkz has plenty of bargains…competitive and ready to fight.

10 CELESTIAL KEY(BRZ)
5yo mare, Un Etendard (Blushing Groom) x Key Pilgrim (Pilgrim) x Pharly (Lyphard)
Trainer: knightstc (Axe Racing Stables)
r,w,p,s: (34-4-9-6); earnings: $174,889; best speed: 98.527 (11F); jockey: L Parka ; odds: 10/1
Bargain racing successes: (2nd) The Wombat Cup 2009; (3rd) BB Cougar Bite Classic 2009; Tokyo sprint 2009; Vimes Turf Distaff 2008

Last of the strong Knightmare’s trio here. Celestial Key is a proof bargain participant and pretty tough mare in the Boss’ services. This girl doesn’t really care what the distance of race is. 6 or 16F, it doesn’t matter. That is, what she showed last year. 3rd in the Tokyo Sprint and 2nd in the Wombat Cup – totally unbelievable and unusual. So, the distance is not an issue here. On the other hand, she is not that top class horse, who is used to win. So we can’t forget she is here, but more likely she will fight for the smaller money. But also..we have to admit, she doesn’t have big problems with the wet track and she knows how to win on it. That could be a quality this time.

11 POPGUN(AUS)
4yo mare, Gunpowder (Danehill) x Timber County (Woodman) x Eskimo (Northern Dancer)
Trainer: bargainer (Hawkz Irish Racing)
r,w,p,s: (19-2-7-1); earnings: $105,837; best speed: 99.281 (8F); jockey: R Perloff ; odds: 16/1
Bargain racing successes: (2nd) BBRS Filly Turf (alw) 2008

Hawkz for the second time and it’s starting to be interesting. This mare looks like pretty decent miler and mile is the longest distance she has ever run. That keeps us uncertain. With Danehill’s and Woodman’s blood, the filly looks like she should prefer shorter races, but you can’t be 100% sure until you try all the possibilities. She is a front runner and we can all expect her to be really fast after the very start. As with the other horses, the problem could be with an off-track. She doesn’t seem to enjoy, but almost nobody does. It will be very interesting to watch this filly’s return to the bargain stakes company.

12 ZAMZAM SUNSHINE(JPN)
4yo colt, Sunshine Forever (Roberto) x Carnegie (Sadler’s Wells) x Sort (Nijinsky II)
Trainer: zamzam1 (Hawkz Irish Racing)
r,w,p,s: (15-2-1-3); earnings: $41,979; best speed: 98.296 (8F); jockey: B Gall ; odds: 10/1

And who is here now? Hawkz? What a surprise! From my point of view, this horse has the biggest chances to lift the flag of Hawkz bargain empire high. He is untried over 10F and I still have to remember what Recon Shop showed last year in BB…untried. Zamzan Sunshine ran the longest race (9F) more than a year ago. Since that time he’s decent miler, winning one allowance race for Hawkz. His bloodlines which include Roberto, Sadler’s Wells and Nijinsky suggest that mile really doesn’t need to be the end station. Also his one run on the wet track didn’t mean the significant decrease of speed figure. I’m looking forward to his bargain racing debut.

13 BRILLIANT NOTATION(ARG)
4yo colt, Editor’s Note (Forty Niner) x Accelerator (A.P. Indy) x Desert Wine (Damascus)
Trainer: mtkelite (Shamrock Stables – mtk)
r,w,p,s: (19-2-7-1); earnings: $126,052; best speed: 108.403 (10F); jockey: J Ventura ; odds: 9/2
Bargain racing successes: (3rd) BB Bargain Classic 2009; The Bronx 2009

And finally horse from mtk’s stables. I think his trainer waits on the Monday racing with high expectations. And no wonder. Brilliant Notation looks like a rising star of the bargain racing. At 3, he was decent horse on dirt. The 3rd place from the BB Classic is very worthy. But his surface switch suggests, it could be even better. Two of his last three speed figures (with huge 108) are something extraordinary for the bargain. Only Ten Lost Pyramids in his great form could reach it. So, this horse points high. Anyway, he is untried (like many others) on the bargain turf stakes level and he also looks he’s lazy to win. Still, one of the favorites of Bargain Arc.

14 KEY PARTY(KY)
3yo colt, Purim (Dynaformer) x Johann Quatz (Sadler’s Wells) x Saint Tropez (Riverman)
Trainer: mkbargain (Shamrock Stables – mtk)
r,w,p,s: (10-2-1-1); earnings: $70,900; best speed: 92.730 (10F); jockey: B Lugosi ; odds: 29/1
Bargain racing successes: (2nd) El Joven 2009

Second representative of mtk stables is Key Party, young colt with some experience from the bargain racing. He was regular runner in 2yo campaign. This year, he suggests that 10F could be his optimal distance, may be even more. However, his speed figures are not as high as he needs to success here. He is probably (similarly as the others 3yos here) the future of bargain racing. It is expected that he will start behind the main field and then improve his position in the last furlongs like in the others starts this year.

15 NATIONAL RISK(SAF)
5yo mare, National Assembly (Danzig) x Take Risks (Highest Honor) x Semipalatinsk (Nodouble)
Trainer: safrace5 (The SAF Connection – Dragnil)
r,w,p,s: (33-5-8-5); earnings: $84,762; best speed: 97.569 (8.5F); jockey: J Vale ; odds: 14/1
Bargain racing successes: (2nd) The Bluebonnet 2010; (3rd) BB Vimes Turf Distaff 2009

And finally one name from the Dragnil’s stables – regular participant of bargain racing. National Risk is in a good form. She did her lifetime best result just race before in the Bluebonnet stakes (for the fillies) by 2nd place. She has already run 10F and wasn’t bad at her 3 there (succeed in starter allowances). Nevertheless, it looks like she preferes slightly shorter distances and during her aging she specialized for them. So this time, it doesn’t look really optimistic, but she can surprise somehow. She is finishman and those horses do it time to time. Good luck, Dragnil!

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Pretty nice field, don’t you think? Let’s sort them to the one possible scenario. From my point of view, momentary form is sometimes better than a big generally big potential. That’s why I pick for the first place Housefullofghosts fighting evenly with Brilliant Notation. Both of them have a great chance to become future champs. I believe I couldn’t do more and old experienced Ten Lost Pyramids could complete them on the podium. Then I expect to see Recon Shop, struggling bravely with the conditions and “the iron lady” Celestial Key. Right after them I expect Concotelli, I feel his potential, but the conditions are playing against him and Zamzam Sunshine from the Hawkz’s bargain factory. Then also Popgun and the group of 3yos Summer Storms, Mimbo Hill and Key Party. Their time will come, I just don’t believe in today. I’m skeptical about Malakowsky and see him behind, together with National Risk. Queensland Cat and Twazzo are the outsiders of the race.

As I wrote in the subheading, I feel this is going the be the biggest Bargain Arc ever. It’s very nice to see the big field of runners, they making the race attractive and unpredictable, which is good. But may be, you see it differently. Let’s discuss it on the bargain racing forum, it’s good place for it.
Last thought belongs to trainers, who prepared their horses for the Arc. Good luck to all of you and enjoy the race!
Thanks for reading 😉