G1-placed Kepler Berzerk leads nine freshmen turfers at Spain
Spain– The Spainish course saw some rain this past week and so Saturday’s featured $75,000 Pharryder Memorial will be over a turf surface rated as ‘good.’ Nine freshmen tackle 8.5f in a splendid test of youthful stamina…….
The bookies like dual graded stakes-placed Kepler Berzerk (5/2). The Woodman son reeled off his first three starts in victorious fashion before closing well to take third place in both the Tiny Toes(G3) and High Flyer(G1) at a mile. Ranked 11th in his division, it’s urious that his trainer chose this race with only two weeks to the Breeders Bowl. Maybe the come-from-the-clouds colt will bypass the big event in hopes of saving his best stuff for next year’s sophomore classics.
Kepler Berzerk will have to chase the likely pacesetter, Raising Hell (9/2), who finished a tired 7th in the High Flyer(G1). Lazyriver’s Lemon Drop Kid youngster also got off to a fantastic start, winning his first two outings before faring pretty well in graded sprints over dirt and turf. Some decent speed here might push the colt to a duel and he doesn’t enjoy that very much so far. Dangerous though if he can skip out to an easy uncontested lead.
The Ecton Park colt Kirby’s Gone (4/1) has a lot of karma, breaking from post 2 in search of his 2nd career victory and 2nd turf triumph. He’s also is the #2 choice in the field too. 🙂 Trained by kirby55, the colt enjoys plenty of experience with 8 starts in the bank. He missed the photo in his solo turf outing: a 7.5f test. Should run well here and must be a factor for the board.
Eonian(IRE) (7/1) takes a his two-race unbeaten turf streak into Saturday. By Fasilyev(IRE), the stalker nailed a 7.5f stakes LTO in fine marching fashion. Talented and improving too. Can easily see this guy in the winner’s circle for trainer odubhghail. Top jockey M Zeus in the irons is an added plus. One to seriously watch.
It took five starts for trainer tinkers to finally place their royal bred Dolimi (7/1) on the grass. The Rahy x Theatrical pedigree sure begs the green stuff and the stable was rewarded with a beautiful off pace 8f ALW win in a full field. Though he hasn’t broken the 80 SP# barrier yet, Dolimi could be one of those surprising outsiders ready to spoil the fave’s show. Good chance for at least a confidence-building board-placing.
The rest of the field:
- Larrydoyle’s Conscience(IRE) (9/1) is the 2nd Fasliyev(IRE) sired colt of the group. The youngster fuddled over the dirt before breaking his maiden in his second trip over the lawn. A dominating pacesetter ALW score afterwards merits strong consideration here. Interesting, but must pass pace pressure test. Improving sort has a chance with an excellent jockey aboard.
- The Forty Niner colt White Silence (9/1) has an outside shot as well with two wins from two outings on the grass. This guy’s a brash pacesetter, but can sit back from the lead. Has yet to break 80 SP# barrier, but no reason to suspect that he won’t do so here. Another colt with a bright future. Dark horse for trainer hadagal.
- At 11/1, Northern Mesa boasts two scores from two turf routes. The jockeymax2 trainee stalked the lead both times in as good a victory as can be. By Sky Mesa, he’s just getting better and better should break 80 SP# barrier at long last. He’s an overlay at a great price. Decent chance.
- From the rail, oddbreeds’ PJ Yippeeyaeyei(IRE) (11/1) almost broke my keyboard trying to spell his name correctly. The Saddler’s Hall(IRE) colt is 2-for-2 in turf routes too. As long as he can steer clear of a rabid pace duel, then this stalker has a shot at the prize. Good jockey helps too. Must pass stakes level test.
Snowchief’s Picks:
An evenly-matched field all-around with the faves not that far sperated from these up-and-oming ALWers. Every colt has a chance if he can step up with the best race of his career so far!
Win: Eonian(IRE)
Place: Kepler Berzerk
Show: Kirby’s Gone, White Silence, Dolimi or Northern Mesa
Special thoughts go out to Spain beat reporter Colors and her family. 🙂
Good luck to all.