March Madness Takes Paris
THE HARDCOURT
Grade II
A mile and one quarter
Firm Turf
$250,000
All Horses, 4 Years Old & Up
Paris may be one of the world’s most popular tourist spots, but this week the city is abuzz with horse racing fever. It’s time for the third running of the Grade II – The Hardcourt over a beautifully trimmed ten furlongs. The largest and most prestigious field to date, we have a fantastic mix of stars, veterans, as well as up and comers. A fantastic chance for a new course record with the amount of class entered. Last year’s race came down to a brilliant stretch run that had favorite Try And Justify catch pace setter Devils Flag at the end to win by a head.
Let’s meet our runners!
Post 1: Portman’s Perfect(KY): (nijinsky4) – ridden by R Ramon 5/1
Pleasantly Perfect x Sadler’s Wells x Irish River(FR)
34: 9-8-8 Lifetime Earnings: $7,022,906
Six year old had five G-1’s on his resume and over $7 million in the bank. Distance is perfect and class is unquestioned. However hasn’t won in his last 11 starts. Capable, but not without question marks.
Post 2: North Ontario(KY): (aldavis) – ridden by I C Posse 10/1
North Light (IRE) Dieses X Mill Reef
12: 5-2-4 Lifetime Earnings: $180,592
Lightly raced four year old has only been out of the money once in 12 starts. Will be making his first start in graded company however, and will need to prove he belongs.
Post 3: Dollis Hill(JPN): (liam) – ridden by M LaRosa 9/1
Afleet x Deputy Minister x Storm Cat
40: 8-11-3 Lifetime Earnings: $696,030
Veteran warrior is coming off three wins in last four starts. However those were in classified allowances and will meet much better in here. Would need to really step it up to make an impact here.
Post 4: The Sporty Life(KY): (kissnsocal) – ridden by R Perloff 5/1
Rock Hard Ten x Summer Squall x Lord At War (ARG)
26: 8-8-1 Lifetime Earnings: $196,115
A fourth in his only graded try, and one win in three listed tries means The Sporty Life is going to have to improve dramatically to pull this off. Good speed figures, but not sure he can contend.
Post 5: Argyle Star(AUS): (breednsell) – ridden by B Gall 7/1
Elusive Quality x Marscay (AUS) x Alydar
14: 4-2-0 Lifetime Earnings: $665,400
Lightly raced four-year-old has been handled quite nicely to reach this point. The 117 speed figure two back would win this if he can repeat it. Not my favorite rider up but can’t fault anyone who likes his chances.
Post 6: High Gold N Bold(IRE): (reigart) -ridden by S Graf 12/1
High Chaparral (IRE) x North Light (IRE) x Seeking The Gold
21: 5-1-4 Lifetime Earnings: $1,033,474
Finally broke through and won his first graded race in January with a career best 112 speed figure. Next graded try less than a month later showed a lack of effort and a disappointing 82 speed figure on an off track. Late bloomer or rock wall … this race should tell the story.
Post 7: IWillMakeUFamous(KY): (legionlurk) -ridden by B Lugossi 10/1
Kingmambo x Rock Hard Ten x Dynaformer
13: 4-4-2 Lifetime Earnings: $156,621
Inconsistent sort who is in a down cycle at the moment. Has run some outstanding races and has fired some numbers that would win almost any race. Hard to tell which horse will show up but can’t be left off any exotic ticket. Possible with his best effort.
Post 8: Light Tripper(IRE): (tripwire) -ridden by B Wu 9/2
Sadler’s Wells x Mr. Prospector x Buckpasser
36: 14-11-1 Lifetime Earnings: $2,311,000
Morning line favorite, Light Tripper had a fantastic 2010 that ended abruptly with a eighth place finish in the King Kong Mile. This prompted an 8 week layoff and an easy win in an allowance to knock the rust off. Will be very hard to beat if he returns to mid 2010 form.
Post 9: Kazimi(KY): (grrm2) -ridden by J Ventura 6/1
Distorted Humor x Deputy Minister x Secretariat
28: 11-4-3 Lifetime Earnings: $1,770,338
Two easy allowance races might have this colt ready to fire a big shot. Can’t ignore because of fine win record but hasn’t performed well at this level of late. A chance with his best.
Post 10: Rainbow’s Ghost G(KY): (citation4) -ridden by P Nine 13/1
Giant’s Causeway x Seattle Slew x Mr. Prospector
20: 4-6-2 Lifetime Earnings: $77,444
Only try above allowance was an 8th place effort for this four year old colt. Has been running races at a brutal pace, seeing the track 20 times in the last 15 months. Has shown good speed and could improve with some extended rest. Hard to see this one contend at this time.
Post 11: King Kajinskyha(JPN): (newastin17) -ridden by J Ledwith 10/1
King Kamehameha (JPN) x Seattle Slew x NijisnkyII
21: 7-7-2 Lifetime Earnings: $1,281,100
This 4 year old colt looks to rebound from a poor allowance effort last time out. Nice looking colt with 7 wins in 21 starts and has a graded victory under his belt at this same distance last summer, and has hit the board on 5 other occasions in graded company. A mid-pack runner that can be a factor here if he finds his best stride. Most capable and dangerous!
As this was such a diverse and difficult field to figure out, I recruited some sim veterans to take a stab at handicapping The Hardwood. I would like to thank trotter1, daniel, frankster and mjbfarms for taking part & putting their prognostication skills to work.
Handicapper trotter1 daniel frankster mjbfarms
Win – Portman’s Perfect King Kamehameha King Kamehameha Light Tripper
Place – Light Tripper Light Tripper Light Tripper The Sporty Life
Show – High Gold N Bold Portman’s Perfect Portman’s Perfect Portman’s Perfect
I would also like to thank kingab & frankster for lending a hand on the write-up portion for some of the entries.
Good luck to all the runners, and let’s see that new speed record!!!