Half Dozen Vie For Half Million
The Delta Republic
Grade II
A mile and one quarter
Firm Turf
$500,000
All horses, 4 years old and up
Italy is famous for its history, architecture, art, and most definitely its food (as my waistline can attest). But my editor in chief didn’t send me here to write about any of that. Instead I am here to cover the third running of Grade II ‘The Delta Republic’. With some glorious weather and firm turf, we should be expecting some very fast speeds from our field of six fine older horses. With only one horse posting double digit odds (and that only 11/1) this should be a closely contested affair. Let’s take a look at our field, and see if we can’t pick a winner.
Gate 1: Bluegrass Country (KY) – megaman42 – Z Gootee rides – 11/1
4yo homebred: Bluegrass Cat x Roberto x Alydar
Career Record: 16: 3-3-4 $126,764
The longest odds in this year’s race, this stakes placed homebred colt from Bluegrass Cat has shown a liking for the distance and surface. Last out finished fourth in his only graded attempted at 14 furlongs with a 98 speed. Shorter distance should prove beneficial, and could surprise.
Gate 2: Vinton La (KY) – azyoucanc – M Calhoun rides – 2/1
5yo homebred: Unbridled’s Song x Deputy Minister x Dynaformer
Career Record: 21: 9-5-2 $916,217
Vinton La will enter the race as this year’s favorite, and the horse to beat. He is graded placed and has won multiple times in listed company. Can get the distance with ease, and his 117 speed figure two back is easily the best of the field. This is however his first ever attempt on the grass, and that could derail his hopes of a graded victory this time out
Gate 3: Deep Lake CH (AUS) – chevry – G Moss rides – 5/1
4yo from G-rated mare Achtung CH: Encosta De Lago x Monsun x Vice Regent
Career Record: 23: 4-5-4 $116,191
This son of Encosta De Lago is stakes placed at a mile. Last out failed to hit the board in first graded attempt over 8 furlongs. As a three year old had multiple allowance runs at 10 furlongs and longer and was able to place in a couple. Showed a lot of improvement with the reduction to a mile as a four year old, and may be better suited to that distance.
Gate 4: Ricciarelli (GB) – catspaw2 – J Jubel rides – 9/2
4yo from G-rated mare Montzoom: Pivotal x Montjeu x Peintre Celebre
Career Record: 14: 5-2-4 $846,250
The connections for Ricciarelli have got to be wondering what it will take to get their Pivotal colt a graded victory. Having hit the board in 4 of 6 graded attempts, Ricciarelli has failed to fire when it matters most. Won a listed two back with a 108 speed rating at 10.5 furlongs, but followed that up with a poor trip in the GIII The Sanka High at 10 furlongs.
Gate 5: Tudor Manor (ENG) – arminarm -L Twyman – 5/2
6yo homebred: Doyen x Strawberry Road x Tudor Minstrel
Career Record: 30: 10-6-4 $268,408
The oldest entry in this year’s race, Tudor Manor is multiple graded placed. He is also in search of that elusive first graded win, though he has proven a capable runner. He runs his best at 9 to 10 furlongs, so this race plays to his strengths. This son of Doyen should be in the mix, and a definite threat to win as the odds makers’ second favorite.
Gate 6: Meeting Abandoned (IRE) – foxon – N Lebreche – 3/1
5yo homebred: Montjeu x Green Dancer x L’enjoleur
Career record: 34: 9-7-3 $638,370
The most versatile entry in the race, Meeting Abandoned has had success on both turf and dirt. He also has the distinction of being the only entrant that has a graded win to his name. That graded was at 10 furlongs over firm turf. Has 34 races in last 32 months, and could probably do with a break. But owner/trainer foxon has had success, and it’s hard to question success.
To date I have been extremely lousy at picking winners. In fact my prognostication skills have produced exactly ZERO winners in articles I have written. With that said I will continue to swing away and see if I can’t turn it around.
I won’t go into a huge explanation that probably wouldn’t make much sense, but suffice it to say that I am not picking Vinton La to win because of his lack of turf experience. With that said:
1st: Meeting Abandoned
2nd: Tudor Manor
3rd: Vinton La
Best of luck to all of our fine runners!