Sunnybank Memorial Romps, Breeders’ Bowl Next

So infrequently does the story change that a change would constitute a big story, while the repetition of that story is just business as usual.  Here’s the familiar script: Sunnybank Memorial is the prohibitive favorite.  The connections of several other runners split evenly down the middle, half admitting that they’re running for 2^nd place, and half saying that they may be able to knock off the champion.  But here’s the truth of the matter: unless you train Rain God, you haven’t been able to knock off the champion this calendar year.  Before that, Allied Assault, Ebro, and Alleged Fantastic were the only horses to best this brilliant son of A.P. Indy in the final 12 starts of his sophomore year.  Simply put, beating Sunnybank Memorial is something that just can’t be done right now unless you train an unbelievably talented runner, and even then you’re flipping coins.

Dancin’ In Seattle has learned that the hard way.  Twice.  Although his 2^nd place finish in the Classic Turf Stakes this week represented a seven-spot improvement, and he was ‘only’ beaten 6 ¾ lengths, he must be a little bit frustrated at this point.  Twice, he’s opened up a seemingly insurmountable early lead.  Twice, Sunnybank Memorial has run him down with ferocious determination, and blown right by him without seeing the whip or even seemingly taking a deep breath.  Sunnybank Memorial, for his part, is getting better at this: he won by 2 ½ lengths late in the summer, then 3 ¼ in the Man Of War Stakes, and now an awesome 6 ¾. 

Another 8 ¼ lengths back, the three year old filly Hail To The King turned in a solid run to finish 3^rd, but wasn’t ever a serious threat to the top two. 

Moving to the Breeders’ Bowl, Sunnybank Memorial seems to have overwhelmingly solidified his position as the most likely winner, though those in the Rain God camp are sure to object, on the basis of Rain God’s two defeats of the champion this term.  While those two are on even footing, Allied Assault still has yet to prove that he’s superior to his rival, and is on the losing side of the duo’s head-to-head record, including a loss to Sunnybank Memorial in last year’s turf.  Meanwhile in Europe, as Horseshoe Bay was dealt his first loss in a long time last year, Bristol Rovers reemerged as a top contender for the turf, where he was expected to be a major player last year but was injured in the running of the contest.  Suffice it to say that the next one won’t be so easy, but should he prevail, most would concede the title “Greatest Ever” to Sunnybank Memorial.  There will be a lot more on the line the next time Sunnybank Memorial stares through the starting gates at 12 furlongs of New York turf, and only a fool would miss seeing that race.