The Oil Rules All Tries for Second Win in 5-Series
This will be the third year that
The Oil Rules All holds the track record with a speed of 115, which was established in 2009. Finishing forth that year was Monte Youn who returned last year to win this race with a speed of 110. Monte Youn retired a handful of races later while The Oil Rules All continues forward with his career and will try to pick up his second win in this race, as he makes a repeat appearance.
The racetrack continues this year with it’s $2 million in purse money and this race is open to all horses age 3 and up.
1.
Game Dam California Emblem has bred five horses and California Loop is the only graded winner of the bunch. During 2010 through the current year, this fellow has posted speeds of 100 or higher in all but one turf race. In 13 graded starts, California Loop boosts a record of 5-2-1. This will be his third start within a month’s time which lends some concern. However, this past fall he did the same thing picking up a win and a pair of seconds. Very capable front runner that will need to keep something in the reserve tank to finish things.
2. Galilayo 6-1
The game dam for Galilayo is No More Options who has four offspring, of which three have become grade winners, a commendable accomplishment. Galilayo became the third by winning the Stayer’s Dash (14f) in his last start, blowing the field away by seven lengths and popping a speed of 111. He has won 3 of his last 4 starts, with all wins exceeding speeds of 110. The one loss during this span was on an off-track, which is a throw-away race. Speeds have been excellent of late and as long as it hasn’t taken anything out of this horse, he will be dangerous.
3. Barn Owl 9-1
This will be Barn Owl’s third attempt to win a graded race. The first try was in November where this front runner relinquished the lead at the three quarter pole but held on to second in the Vicky Derby (13f). In January, Barn got caught up in a three horse speed dual in the Mr. Met Cap (10f), eventually taking the lead at the ¾ pole, but quickly got run down on the yielding surface by the late closers, finishing fifth. Comes off an 11-length destruction of an allowance field with comfy speed of 103. He is able to run over 110, and may be in a very good position to rally here.
4. Crosswinds 10-1
Crosswinds has tried the graded level four times and has performed well each time with a pair of seconds and a pair of thirds. He closed well in his last race, the Second Coming (10f) nearly pulling off the upset at 16-1. In this race, he recorded a speed of 108 which is the best of his career. Interestingly, he does extremely well in full 14-horse fields with a win, 3-places and a show in 5 starts, always on the board. Offers nice price if he can get to the top spot.
5. Late Night Magic 10-1
In ten graded races, Late Night Magic has finished third a total of five times. In non-graded stake races, he has won twice in eight starts. Thus combined, he has two stake races in 18 tries. Late Night is a late closer but has a long history of not getting the late kick going. Not sure if he’s finicky, stubborn or just lazy. Whatever it is, it’s too much risk for me.
6. Bogoesaway 9-1
Winner of his last two races going 12f and 11f respectfully, both in non-graded stakes, Bogoesaway set his career mark of 110 in his last start. In 8 graded starts, Bo has one win which came last August in the Great Volt which was at 12 furlongs. Although he’s been on the board four times at the graded level, the 12 furlongs looks like the ideal distance and Bogoesaway could pick up another graded win here.
7. Gormenghast 11-1
Gormenghast has won two of eleven graded races, however, they were back-to-back victories occurring towards the end of 2009. Since grabbing this pair of wins, Gormenghast has gone winless in his last 14 starts. It isin’t that he has been awful, he has been on the board in 10 of those races. He just doesn’t seem to be able to get the job done. He does go back to 12 furlongs, the same distance that he last won, and this could make a huge difference.
8. Spur’s Dancer 15-1
From October 2009 through August 2010 Spur’s Dancer won ever other race he was entered into, and this included three graded stake victories. Since August, he’s hit the board once in his last four trips. After his Christmas day race, he sat in the stall for a nice break, returning last month to a poor fifth in an non-grade stake race going 11 furlongs. Sometimes you need a race to get things going again, but that last outing is very concerning to me.
9.
In 6 graded starts,
10. Fusaichi Zombie 11-1
Fusaichi Zombie is a five time grade winner with his last coming in July where he won the 12 f French Grand Prix in a speed of 109 roaring off to a 4 length win. Fusaichi went sour after this race, with 5 consecutive graded starts finishing off the board. He did take a much needed rest during the winter, returning in Feburary to win an allowance race relatively easy with a speed of 105. The rest was much needed and the allowance tune-up race shows he’s ready to run again.
11. Leo Emperor 14-1
In December, Leo Emperor won his first graded start with a pounding 5 stride victory in the Waka Waka Cup which was run on a yielding track and Leo sported a speed of 102. This is his sole stakes win as he’s started twice in graded and three times in non-graded stakes. He finished second in the non-grade Start the Music in January equaling his career best speed of 108. He’s been fantastic in allowance races but he still has a learning curve to conquer in the upper class levels.
12. Sir Walter Scott 21-1
Sir Walter Scott has raced twice in high-end claiming races and both times was in another barn by his subsequent race. Trainer Armagedon quickly took this horse into his first graded race in early 2010 winning the 16f Barberville. He was unable to keep things going, finishing well back in the next four graded starts. His last four starts have been in allowance company, hitting the board three times including a win in his last start. Sir Walter Scott returns to the graded level and doesn’t hit speeds over 100 with reliable frequency. His salvation may come in a drop in distance as he goes 12f for first time in about a year and a half.
13. Monchavelli 10-1
In his graded debut last year, Monchavelli won the 12f Carlton Fisk by nearly 4 strides and a 106 speed. He followed this with a lackluster 11th in the more competitive field in the Allied Assault at the end of December. After taking the winter off, Monchavelli breezed to a 4 length victory in an allowance 11f race. This tune-up race showed that this colt is ready to go as he set a career best speed of 108. Could better that in this race.
14. The Oil Rules All 9-1
A very experienced grade runner with 22 starts on the grass and a record of 5-4-2. He returns to this race which he won in 2009 and holds the track record speed of 115 in this event. The Oil Rules All has been a bit off his game lately running four races since December off the board. In late February, he picked up a win on the dirt and his last race, the Victoria Cup (10f) was at this track where he finished third by 4 and a speed of 107. This will be his 6th race of the 2011 campaign, which is a bit on the high end. Still, he is not traveling and has done well at this track which may be the ace card in his hand.
Galilayo has been recording top notch speeds and looks very sharp and by a lot in last. Could repeat.
Barn Owl won very easily in last and could have possible recorded an even higher speed if he weren’t already a dozen strides on the lead. Taking a shot he has something going that will be very good.
The Oil Rules All has outside post but seems to like the track and has won this stakes race before getting third choice.