The Top 10 Super Stars of The Bargain World

Newsflash, the Bargain Series is thriving. Visit the message board and you will see a lively place with many posts, good natured banter among trainers and activity that would put a lot of residency boards to shame. Bargain racing is a leveled playing field where the small and big spenders can compete in perfect harmony (can we please get the Kaif mile renamed the Obama mile) so no excuses to not get involved or why you can not compete. I can honestly say the only thing I do not currently like about the series is that the turf mile event is named after Kaif, if we could get that rectified it would help restore some balance to the Bargain Force.

Enough of my endless banter here is what you have been waiting for the Top 10 Who’s Who in a particular order (only because I think it is lame when people put things in no particular order)

#10 – Eagle View – The Bargain Series needs young stars for its 3 yr old showcase races and this Dragnil trained son of Counter Action could be the stand out star we are looking for. At first glance he does not give the same illusion of dominance that 2 yr old turf mare Misallocation does but perhaps that is not entirely true.

Eagle View has already won an open stakes, The Amity and also finished a respectable 2^nd in the Ginger Ale last out. That adds up to quite a Bargain resume and if he can break the fillies grip on the Charlie’s Tiger Juvenile on Saturday he could be the future and today all wrapped into one.

#9 – Players Champion – Four year old Hawkz trained colt has had an interesting Bargain Bowl career thus far. Finished 3^rd in his series Bowl debut back in 2008 in the Class Ack Juvy and followed that up with a heartbreaking loss by a head in 2009 in the Silent Witness Turf Sprint. It is redemption that he seeks this year and he looks well positioned to deliver it if his impressive score last out in the Tokyo Sprint is any indication. Expect the 3^rd try in the Bargain Bowl to be the charm for this Texas Bred son of SawGrass (by Storm Bird)

#8 – Humility – Foxon’s four year old son of Host has an impressive break from the gate and legitimate speed which have helped him win the inaugural running of the Gumball Mile posting a 102 speed figure when he cleared the field by 3 ½ lengths. In 2009’s Bargain Bowl, Humility set the pace in the Classic before reluctantly giving way late when he was run down and passed by late running horses. The cut back to a mile has been a just what the doctor ordered and he is well placed to capture the Mile divisional crown in its inaugural season in the Bargain Series with a good showing in the Sir Bear Mile. For you astute past performance watchers you will also find it intriguing that he was plucked from a 2k claim race after just his 3^rd lifetime start, patience people patience.

#7 – Misallocation – The Bargain Series got a little more interesting when trainer Desperado decided to throw himself into the fray in 2010. He has gotten a few good ones out of the gate but non better then this three year old who is 3 for 4 including big wins in the Sanford Park and Winchester Bargain Series races. She is so good she has Rob breeding more Creachadoir’s instead of dating them and that is an accomplishment in and of itself. Expect another big run on Saturday and likely a romp in the Class Ack Juvenile on the way to top 2 yr old honors.

#6 – Roaring Hawkz – You can not run in a Bargain Series race without running into at least one Hawkz trained horse and this is the best he has had in 2010. Four year old colt by Justice Minister has a solid strangle hold on the dirt sprint division because he has captured both the Broadway Sprint and Bargain Dash earlier in the year. Like a few others in this top 10 list he seeks to follow-up his 2009 Bargain Bowl win in the Tale of Two Places Sprint with another victory on Saturday. His form is good so there is no reason to think he won’t sweep the division in 2010. Foes take note he is lightly raced and should be a force for years to come.

#5 – Mimbo Hill – Another Knightmare star another claiming find? Check and Check. This colt was claimed at 2 for 13.5k before ever trying turf but no matter he made good and in a big way in route to becoming a dual surface star. Romped in the Bargain Derby over a talented field of 11 rivals posting a 92 speed figure and drawing clear by 2 ½ lengths. Struggled for 4 races after that but then found himself in a big way winning the Kamikaze Mile posting a 95 speed figure in the process. That win thrust him into contention for top 3yr old and turf mile divisions so a solid showing in the Kaif Mile (ouch who named this) will aid his chances for acquiring those honors.

#4 – Slave to Tradition – Had a Rachel Alexandra like campaign in 2009 where she won the Bargain Oaks, Queens, Bargain Summer Distaff, and Cemetrary Winter Distaff (Bargain Bowl) all by comfortable margins. Her 2010 season as been a respectable one as well winning the Death Valley Distaff in March and the inaugural running of the Big City Mile vs. colts. She is currently tied for the lead in the filly & mare dirt division with rival Meat Cleaver and is leading the Mile division but opted to defend her Bargain Bowl title vs. seeking to win the mile division crown. Perhaps her most impressive stat is that she is 7-2-4 in 14 lifetime Bargain Series races her lone off the board finish in a turf event, a surface which she clearly does not care for.

#3 – Ten Lost Pyramids – Plano’s pride and joy this seven year old son of Tenpins has been a hard knocking legend on the Bargain circuit for years now (if only trainer Lucille knew what she had when she lost him back in 2006 for a measly 10k). Has won two Arc’s and two Hunt Turf Cup’s and narrowly missed his 2^nd Cougar Bite Classic finishing 2^nd in 2009. He has been lightly raced this year with a planned campaign targeting the big races so he has every chance to run a big one once again in the Bargain Bowl. He will definitely be a crowd sentimental favorite along the same lines as Spare Key.

#2 – Concotelli – Knightmare trained colt was an instant bargain sensation winning the 2009 Silent Witness Turf Sprint right off of a 40k claim. I originally dismissed that as a fluke win but that was very premature as this colt was not done making his mark. At five he has had an even stronger campaign finishing third in both the Silenus and Kamikaze mile races. But third place finishes do not get you put on my who’s who of the Bargain Series articles I neglected to mention his smashing 3 ¼ length score in the Arc de Maleleve where he bested a strong field that included sure first ballot HOFer Ten Lost Pyramids. What does this colt have in store for the 2010 Bargain Bowl? He is trying to make history by winning his 2^nd Bargain Bowl event but this time he is going after the Cougar Bite Classic and if he pulls that feat off it would be quite remarkable to have Bowl wins at such different distances.

#1 – Spare Key – 6 year old Bargain Series legend trained by Elenalag has pulled off an amazing feat winning back to back Bargain Classics with speed figures of 107 and 101 which have propelled him to career earnings of nearly 800k. His recent form would suggest he has nothing left in the tank but he faces a likely short field and is a cagey vet so there is hope he can return to his former glory on his favorite stage. Either way you are looking at a Bargain Series Hall of Famer so enjoy watching his shot at history.

Well that’s it my top 10, my who’s who of Bargain racing. If your horse didn’t make this list I apologize I may have missed it (although I doubt it I am pretty thorough) Want to be on this list next year? Breed some bargains or claim your way to a spot either method can be a winning approach if done right. Who is your favorite bargain runner in the top 10 join us at the message board to discuss.

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