The Cold Plate (G2): And the story continues…
** Grammar tolerance is advised.
Welcome to Germany! The race we are focusing on today is The Cold Plate, G2 event on turf surface over 13 furlongs for 4yrs and older horses. This graded race started its tradition in 2009. When we look at this modest history, we can find very interesting facts. Simply look at two previous winners. In 2009 – the race was won by legendary Lex Luthor, Breeders Bowl and Arc winner. At the time of winning The Cold Plate, the legend was aging unstoppably. This very same race was the last graded win of this unforgettable guy. In 2010, we could watch kind of shocking win of Bad Magic, former claimer (even clm-2000!) in his lifetime best form. Bad Magic set the record of this race to 2:45 2/5 and probably used all his energy to this win, so he had to return to the claim races soon after that famous triumph. Just for completion, Bad Magic now earns some points to his current owner in low-level local claim races. The sim destinies can be tricky…
So, these are the stories of previous winners. Six horses attended this year’s race and one of them is going to bring own story to the collection. We have reliable stakes and graded runners here as well as newcomers successful in allowance races. Let’s look at them briefly…
1 ULTIMATE FIGHTING(IRE) trainer: takeall3 (Shamrock Stables – Blazing Saddles)
r,w,p,s: (13-4-3-2); earnings: $93,845; best speed: 107.456 (11F), G3; jockey: J Walsh; odds: 5/1
4yo colt; HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x ULTIMATE PREFORMER(IRE) (SHAMARDAL x DYNAFORMER)
The Place number 1 in starting barrier belongs to Ultimate Fighting. The 4yo with young, modern pedigree spent the 3yo career in allowances – improving slightly and constantly. Soon, it was obvious that Ultimate Fighting loves the distance and he proved it definitely in december when he set his speed record in 11F G3 Manatee Cup. At that time, he finished second about three lengths behind the winner. Then he finished fifth in the january stakes race, but in the end of february he won allowance in Ireland sovereignly. Ultimate Fighting definitely has the potential to win big races. Only question is if that time comes right now or he needs to wait couple more weeks or months. On the other hand, the field is small today so he can grab nice purse here. It doesn’t look as the win though.
2 BLANC DE NOIRS(KY) trainer: widest (Fastnfirm Stablesl)
r,w,p,s: (32-8-11-4); earnings: $1,759,067; best speed: 110.417 (13F) A; jockey: T Small; odds: 4/1
7yo colt; RAHY x CHAMPAGNE POPPING(NZ) (ZABEEL(NZ) x SHERGAR(GB))
The richest horse on the start is Blanc De Noirs. 7yo chestnut has won one graded race in his career. It was last year’s The Nikki Show (G2) in Japan, which earned him a big part to his money account. Besides this victory, he earned some other graded successes in his 2010 campaign – includes 2nd place from Coffeefields cup (G1), Yorkshire Plate (G2) or 3rd from Coalminer Cup (G1). In his last starts, he was slightly disappointing. May be Millwood Cup was too long for him, may be Kelso Handicap was on wrong surface, but the defense of his win in The Nikki Show three weeks ago was a big failure. Blanc de Noirs was on the last spot there. Although he was bred as a 3yo and he was late maturing horse, it seems he started to age. It’s justifiable and unavoidable. Anyway, we’ve seen many unforgettable moments in sim, made by older horses. They can be a bit inconsistent, but still ready to do the great things. So, we have to count with Blanc De Noirs to final calculations.
3 BEEZAL(NZ) trainer: kela (Tees (Whisper) Stables – Universal Racing Club)
r,w,p,s: (25-7-2-4); earnings: $1,077,836; best speed: 107.278 (9.5F) A; jockey: BJ Ball; odds: 7/2
5yo colt; ZABEEL(NZ) x CLUB WONDERING (SADLER’S WELLS x EXPLOSIVE BID)
And here comes Beezal from the former RacingWhisper’s stables. He is now in the services of Tees (Will), who took over the biggest part of the Whisper’s stables last summer, after this great player decided to leave the sim. Beezal is second millionaire on the start, very successful especially as a 3yo when he got The Vicky Derby (G1) and 3rd place in Sydney Derby (G1). He unfortunately started to slow down as a 4yo and now he is even one year older. He is still able to show nice speed marks in allowances. However, on the stakes level he usually loses a couple of lengths behind the winner. It’s funny that his best speed mark comes from his last start in A-NW3y where he catched the 2nd spot. I am afraid this time, he won’t repeat it. Last year, he finished 5 out of 6 in this very same race and that is what I think he can repeat.
4 GHOST DANCERS(KY) trainer: super22 (Simply……..SUPER! – DelPenn National)
r,w,p,s: (36-5-10-6); earnings: $744,424; best speed: 113.873 (10F) G3; jockey: E Bernstein; odds: 6/5
5yo colt; GHOSTZAPPER x DANCE OF THE DANES (KINGMAMBO x DANEHILL)
The oddmaker sees the clear favorite of this race in 5yo Ghost Dancers. I see no big reason why to disagree with him. Ghost Dancers from one of the best stables in sim has many qualities which put him to the role of favorite. Mainly, it’s his reliability. Although he has won “just” two graded races (The Roberto Clemente(G1) and Chaucer Gold Cup(G3)), he easily repeats 100’s without any oscillations. He is not used to win often, but keeps collecting 2nds and 3rds. Today in smaller field, it can change to the very desired victory. Small disadvantage and may be problem can be the distance. He hasn’t tried 13F yet. 11.5F was the longest portion he took. But, on the long routes 1.5F usually isn’t such difference as on the shorter distances. So – Ghost Dancers is solid and experienced horse and by rights the favorite of the race.
5 SPIRIT DUET(KY) trainer: lgbost2yop (Lgbost Stables)
r,w,p,s: (32-12-4-4); earnings: $181,414; best speed: 98.852 (14F) A; jockey: C Strehl; odds: 15/1
5yo colt; LEMON DROP KID x GRANNY JESS(IRE) (ELA-MANA-MOU(IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS)
This race is a big test for Spirit Duet. Lgbost definitely did a nice job with the horse. He bought him in a claim race and slowly let him improve in turf marathons (as I call 16F races). It’s not such a surprising thing, considering the amount of stamina in his bloodlines. He spent practically all the career in allowances with exceptions in the “claiming beginning” and one stakes try last june. And that experience seems to be slightly discouraging for those of you who consider to place your bets to number 5. Spirit Duet finished last in The HER BOWS Memorial. May be you can argue by relatively short distance of the race (11F), which doesn’t need to correspond with his stamina abilities. May be it’s true. But I still think, there is a lack of class here. So, in spite of my respect and admiration of the owner’s care and managing, I have to say that this is the outsider of the race.
6 ROYAL DRAKON(IRE) trainer: sabbath (Sabbath Stables – Ireland)
r,w,p,s: (11-4-3-0); earnings: $102,701; best speed: 113.149 (12F) A; jockey: M Strahlman; odds: 9/2
4yo colt; AUTHORIZED x TETE FOR STORM (ROYAL ACADEMY x STORM CAT)
We started the presentation of the participants with 4yo and we also end in that way. Royal Drakon from the stables of proud Swedish owner, is another example of the young and perspective. Son of Authorized looked almost like lame in the beginning of his career…but just till that time, when his trainer realized that Drakon needs turf and the distance. At the end of 3yo campaign, he had just maiden and allowance win. As a 4yo he is just impressive. He has hit triple speed mark three times since he turned to four years of age. Moreover, his last two allowance wins were very easy, when the last one meant excellent 113 speed. If he will continue improvement in that way, we can see really big things from him. The problem for him could be the lack of experience. And we know that this game doesn’t forgive you early graded debuts. We’ve also seen many speed marks, which were hardly reached again. But, nothing is written to the stone. Although, I don’t think Royal Drakon is not ready to win the graded race. Not yet…
So, that is what we can expect this saturday in The Cold Plate. During the introduction of the participants, I suggested the possible roles of favorites and outsiders. But just to put things to order, this paragraph is to summarize it all. I see a quite clear favorite in Ghost Dancers. This horse has all he needs to complete Lex Luthor and Bad Magic in the list of winners. The fight for the 2nd place should be much more dramatic. Blanc De Noirs is experienced runner and this could be his bright day, but the “youngsters” are always pretty cheeky and they don’t care about olds who try to build their honor and immortality in the time left. Although, I put Ultimate Fighting and Royal Drakon just a bit behind Blanc De Noirs. Beezal and Spirit Duet were not named yet, as I expect to see them in the back of the field in the order given. I’d surely like to be mistaken about them, but their results don’t give me optimism I need.
So, that’s how I see The Cold Plate this saturday. For sure, it will be interesting race. For sure, it will be another interesting story to the collection. Let’s look which of these six will write its happy ending. Good luck to all participants and thanks for reading the preview!
