Bargain Bowl – Cougar Bite Classic
Eastern Kentucky had no idea what was in store for them as they sought to host the Bargain Bowl. When these trainers get together in one place anything can and will happen. Many horseman when coming to this part of the world visit the many farms that are home to the greats of the past but this crew is far more interested in touring the many bourbon distilleries.
The Cougar Bite Classic is the fourteenth race on the card. The Bargain lore for this race got started early on with Pepe’s Pipes. He won the first Cougar Bite Classic and after that took a grade one race. Despite his graded success he could not repeat as a winner in the Cougar Bite but lead the division for a couple of years. In 2007 the Pepe’s Pipes gave one last strong appearance in the Cougar Bite where he lost to Ten Lost Pyramids. The baton was passed that day as Ten Lost Pyramids has lead the division ever since. Now three years later and Ten Lost Pyramids is still a factor in this division. Will the baton be passed this year or does Ten Lost Pyramids still have some gas left in the tank?
The inside post belongs to my own River Rake. He is a three year old colt by River Squall who stands in Texas. He has been up and down in his young career. He started off running pretty solid races and looked like he might be a factor for some of the three year old races on the bargain series but never really moved forward. Two races back in allowance company at a mile and a half he took a step forward running second earning a 96 speed figure. He tried two miles in the Wombat Cup last time out. He never really seemed to get into the race. He is cutting back in distance here and could show some improvement with an outside shot.
The defending winner of the race is Recon Shop who breaks from the second post. He was a bit of a surprise last year but came into the race off some solid form. His win last year was his first and only win so far in the Bargain Series. He has proven to be a versatile runner being very competitive in sprints, a very solid miler and has the ability to stretch out as he proved last year in this race. This year has not been as solid as Axe would like but he has that intangible. He is plenty capable of hanging around and pouncing making this year a smashing success.
The three hole belongs to a Golan mare named Rewa Palatable. She has come along slowly but is starting to develop into a nice runner. She was ordinary till the end of last year when she started to show signs. In January and February of last year she started to run really nice races at the starter level. She carried that form over to allowance races. She has only won once this year but has shown some flashes of brilliance. She takes on the boys here and could be a factor in the race. Ideally I am sure her connections would have liked to see her come into the races off better form but she is not a runner that should be discounted. Fillies have hit the board in each of the last two years.
The fourth post belongs to one of the top Bargain Bred Racing Series runners of all time. Ten Lost Pyramids shares the lead for most wins in the Bargain Bred Series with six. What makes that more impressive is they came after he turned four. He has been a leader in this division since 2007 winning all three of the major races for older turf runners in this division. He won this race in 2007 and 2008. Last year he was runner up and seems primed for another good run at this race. Despite being seven he has maintained solid form. Earlier this year he won the Hunt Turf Cup. He has only had four races coming into the race and maybe last time out in the Arc he needed race fitness wise. His light racing season should have him in position to make more bargain history. He is the third choice on the morning line and is still king of the division until someone else takes it from him.
Housefullofghosts is a four year old son of Wharf. He hails from the Lgbost stables and comes into the race still looking for his first bargain win. He came onto the bargain series late last year and probably was not quite ready although he earned checks in the Wombat Cup and Kaif Mile. This year he has moved forward with four wins. One was a $100k claimer and the other three were tough starters at that high level. He ran a solid third in the Hunt Turf Cup and looked really strong for the Arc coming off three wins and three 100+ speed figures. His last two runs have been subpar but there is not a lot of speed in this race so he could get things all his own way on the front end. He is a threat on the front end and must be respected.
Concotelli breaks from the six hole and is the second choice on the morning line. He has proven to be quite versatile taking the Silent Witness in last year’s Bargain Bowl at five and a half furlongs. He ran third in the Silenus Mile back in May, and then ran a close up fourth in the Everglades. He went over and scored a nice win at a mile in allowance conditions. It was at this point we decided to try him at a longer distance in the Arc and he delivered. Despite the off surface which he has not liked in the past Concotelli came flying late running a 102 speed figure. He then prepped for this race in the Kamikaze Mile where he ran third. He seems set for a nice run again, in solid form but one might think his 43 career races will catch up to him.
Ctr’s Rainbow holds down the seven hole. He is a long shot and appears a little over his head here. He is still a three year old and yet to break his maiden but his better races have come at longer distances. Will have to outrun his odds to have a chance here.
Brilliant Notation carries the tag of favorite into this race. This son of Editor’s Note breaks from the eight hole. Last year as a three year old he was making some noise on the dirt. He ran third in the Bronx and in last year’s Bargain Bowl ran a nice third in the Classic. All of that while a maiden. He broke his maiden early this year and has been competitive once again. He ran a solid fourth in the mile and a half Stayer on dirt before moving to the turf. In his first turf start he broke out with a 108 speed figure in open allowance company. He has followed that up with a couple of more nice runs in allowance company before going to the Arc. The off surface in the Arc may have prevented us from seeing the real Brilliant Notation who has put up the better speed figures on turf this year. He has not raced since the Arc so should be full of run in this one. He will be flying late and could be the runner that takes the baton from Ten Lost Pyramids.
Summer Storms is a really smart looking three year old filly. She is in some tough company with these grizzled veteran boys but she has already run against most of these recently. She really came into hand over the summer when stretched out in allowance company nailing down two really nice allowance wins. She probably did not care for the off going in the Arc and may not have cared for the two miles of the Wombat. She comes back to a distance she should enjoy and her running style should have her a little ahead of some of the big closers. Even if this is not her weekend she looks to be a force as a four year old.
Three year old Key Party has been making progress this year. As a two year old he was second in the El Joven getting his first taste of stakes action. He had a nice win at a mile and a quarter early as a three year old but that did not carry over to the Bargain Derby or the 100 Guineas. Even though he has not hit the board in his last four races, he has shown improvement. He did run in the Arc against several of these however he seems much better on a firm surface. Three year olds can really take big steps forward this time of year so he should not be discounted. His speed figures fit with past winners so do overlook this guy.
Zamzam Sunshine rounds out our field of eleven runners. He is a four year old son of Sunshine Forever. He did not get his career started until he was a three year old. He made steady progress as a three year old finally breaking his maiden toward the end of the year. This year as a four year he has continued to move forward running solid speed figures at a mile. He made his stakes debut in his last start in the Arc. He pressed the pace and was determined in the stretch to hold on for second. There is still a little of the unknown about this runner with limited runs at this distance. There is not a ton of pace here so he could have a real nice trip sitting off the pace. He could rock the upset.
This field does a really nice job of symbolizing the types of runners one finds in the Bargain Bred Racing Series. Older runners staying competitive, younger runners finding their legs, grizzled starter allowance veterans, and tough fillies and mares. It’s hard to narrow this field down to just a couple of choices, and the story no matter what the order of finish will be a good one. So sit back grab your favorite beverage and enjoy what is sure to be one hell of a race.