Double M Memorial Attracts Full Field
The Double M Memorial is a Grade 2 race set to run in
This year, the 9 furlong race (open to all horses age 4 and over) again has a full field but this time the turf has turned up in good condition. So we’ll try to find a runner in here who will love this condition:
1 K’s Xerxes 12-1
Of all the horses in this race, K’s Xerxes has the highest speed in his last three starts than any other horse in their last three. He ran 114 in the Sussex Handicap (G3, 8.5f) in his most recent race. The race prior to this was a win on a good turf track in the 9f One Orbit Challenge, which he did with a 107. Numbers look good lately supporting sound form. K’s has also won 4 of last 5. Worth a look despite short stake history.
2. Buda Rocks 8-1
Buda Rocks has mixed results on an off track with a second well over a year ago and an eighth this past May. Buda picked up pair of graded wins in October in 9f The Farley and The Usain Bolt with speeds of 115 and 109. In only race this year, Buda was big disappointment in the European Royalty (non-graded) going 9f after a month and half break. Could return to form in this race.
3 Otto Haack 8-1
2010 was a tough year for Otto Haack as this 7 year old just couldn’t find success at the graded level with a third in 5 tries. He did collect a few wins at the allowance level and he’s averaged a speed of 105 over his last four races. Otto makes a return to the graded level for the first time since last July. He is well known for his consistent speed numbers being 100+ for the majority of his career on the grass, but I fear that his age may be catching up to him.
4. Orphan 13-1
Orphan makes his first graded start since last May where he wrapped up a series of 3 starts at this level with a second. Lifetime, Orphan has 10 stake races with one career win which came in January, 2010. Recently, this colt has averaged a speed of 104 and has never raced on a wet track. Risky bet here in my view, but a liking to a wet track could result in an upset.
5 Gutter Dog 13-1
Gutter Dog broke his maiden back in 2009 on a good turf track and this past December finished forth in a six horse field in similar conditions. He has won the Sunny Millions and the Dyna Grade, both 9f, with speeds of 109 and 112 that surround the December race. Gutter will be making his debut in graded racing with this appearance. He looks ready for this level, but his recent race on the off-track concerns me quite a bit.
6 Phantasea 8-1
This 5 year old started racing very late as a 3-year old, in fact, only one race at this age in which he broke his maiden first time out at the end of 2009. 2010 was a very good year for Phantasea who won 6 of 12 races which included the Tropical Grass (G3, 9f) in December with a speed of 113 (career best). He won his last start in early February, the Strange Brew Turf (G3, 9f) with a 112 posted speed, making him 2 for 2 at the graded race level. Horse is in great condition and looks to be a threat, but unproven on wet course.
7. Cozzane Hill 11-1
Getting a graded win has been very elusive to Cozzane Hill. This guy has tried a dozen times and has not yet gained the prize, despite a hitting the board a few times. On the wet track, he’s been in the money 3 times in 6 starts, the three off-the-board races were graded races. He has averaged a speed of 104 over the last 5 starts but his background doesn’t gain a lot of faith that he’ll be able to get that elusive victory this time out.
8. Rare Medal 18-1
Rare Medal went on a three race win streak from March through July last year, which included graded wins in the Derby Lord Challenge (8f) and Turf Invaders (9f) and included a career speed mark of 115. Since this streak, things have not gone well for Rare. He’s been off the board in his last four starts with an average speed below 100. Needs to show some reform before getting my wager.
9. Triton’s Wing 14-1
A winner of his last two, Triton’s Wing has also put in hit top two career speeds of 107 nd 112 with the latter coming in the European Royalty. In grass starts, he’s been on the board 10 of 14 and a wet surface doesn’t seem to be a negative to him. He has one graded start, and was outmatched. He looks much better this time around and bettors might find him attractive.
10. Mr. Jones 8-1
Mr. Jones had nice 2010 season, winning four times in ten efforts, including win in the G3 The Hess Mile, his sole graded victory. Speeds have been consistently over 100 over past year and there shouldn’t be any reason to expect less from him in this race. Factors into the exotic wagers.
11. Big Mountain 16-1
Big Mountain has a win on the wet grass already and has been sporting speeds over 100 since August. He has one second in five graded attempts. He doesn’t stick out much on paper being in the money 7 of 15 races, but with speeds over 100 level, and what appears to be a liking for a wet track, he could pull off a surprise.
12. Silah Nigh 11-1
Silah Nigh won his graded debut in his last outing, taking the Road Rash (9f) with a speed of 109, equaling his career best. He has been on the board in every start since last June, with speeds averaging 106 during this span. Silah has two wins in a row and another could be added to this streak.
13. Tranz Former 7-1
In his last race, Tranz Former finished second over this track, missing by a stride in the G3 Strange Brew Turf with a 111 speed. He’s been on the board three times on off-track races showing that this surface will not be an impediment. Average speed for Tranz in last 5 is 107 and although lightly raced in graded company, is ready to take on this group. Also, being first or second 19 of 24 turf starts is not a bad thing either.
14. Ollie’s Gone 6-1
This 8-year old has been in 45 races on the grass, with a 15-6-8 record and includes 6 graded race wins. It is rare that he puts in a speed below 100, and you have to look way back in the charts to 2008 to find it, and it was a 13f event where the distance was too much. You have to look even further back to 2006 to find his only off-track race where he finished second. This guys a fighter who cannot be ruled out.
I’m stumped on this one as the wet track could have an effect on the outcome. Anything can happen and I’m pretty sure I’ll get this wrong, but here it goes:
Tranz Former looks tough and does well on wet track, getting my top pick.
Big Mountain may put in a big effort and be a big spoiler with big price getting second pick.
Mr. Jones does well on off track surfaces and speeds are good to boot, getting third choice.