Legends of Rock Looks for Seventh Straight in Singapore Cup

The Singapore Cup is in it’s third year of racing and sports a lucrative $2 million dollar purse.  In 2009, we saw Spartiate play the role of stalker, lunging from forth to roll out to a near 2 stride victory in a speed of 109.   Last year, Cozy Bend ran second, well off the pace to finish the race winning by the same margin and same speed.

This year, the field will compete at a distance of a mile and a quarter and will be on a firm turf course.  This G1 race is open to all horses age 3 and older and is the featured race on the sim-circuit this weekend based on it’s rich purse.  A field of 12 will be going to the gate and now a look at the contenders:

1.  Synchronization   11-1

Synchronization won his last graded race in December 2007 and had a long gap before winning the non-graded Green Valley Special in January, 2011.  Although this was a three-year gap, he only had 11 races in between those dates, mostly poor outings.  Since returning in October, 2010 he has been doing well in the allowance and non-graded levels, recordinga a record of 2-2-1 in his last 5 starts, two of which were speeds over 110.  At 7 years of age, he’s the oldest in the field and makes his first graded start in nearly three years.  He’s likely to set the pace in this race and has been racing well, but I’d like to see how competitive he can be in returning to this level before supporting.

2.  Gimlet Chilled    8-1

Just over a year ago, Gimlet Chilled won his sole graded victory in the Manatee Classic.  He followed this four more attempts at this level without much fanfare before dropping to the allowance level.  He performed  very well at this level and in March scored a nice win with a 112 speed which earned Gimlet a promotion into the G3 The Ambrosia.  He nearly picked up his second graded win, but ran out of ground finishing 2^nd by a half length and pegging a career best speed of 115.  He’s showing lots of promise lately and could pull off a surprise.

 3.  Stormin Jones   9-1

Stormin Jones had a nice run on the grass which started in September 2009 and continued through October 2010, finishing on the board in 13 straight races which included 7 victories. This included four graded stake wins in the Brigadier, Chicago Handiap, I Can’t Rhyme Stakes and Eclipse Stakes.   Stormin was able to eclipse the 110 speed threshold three times in these graded wins.  Since October, he has tailed off, finishing off the board in 4 straight grade races.  In early April, he dipped down to the non-graded Key Quest Turf Route, finishing a strong second on a yielding track with a much improved 111 speed.  Could be the making of a turnaround.

4.  Ghost Dancers  9-1

In October, Ghost Dancers ran a very nice race in the Roberto Clemente, winning by over three lengths with a speed of 111.   Since then, this son of Ghostzapper hasn’t been able to find his way back to the winner’s circle.  Not that he hasn’t tried, as he has finished second in his last three starts ranging in distance from 11 to 13 furlongs.  He takes a little drop in distance but honestly, will need to be in perfect form and get a perfect trip from his jockey in order to revisit the winner’s circle

5.   Consumed by Chaos    19-1

While Consumed by Chaos has not won a graded race in five starts, he certainly has tried.  During last summer, he finished third in the Irish Derby, and second in both the Guilaume and Early Months Stakes.  Since October, he’s performed well in allowance races but in two recent starts in stakes & graded, he hasn’t been able to pull off the same results.  Stake races have been a challenge of late for this guy and until he can prove to be competitive at this level again, I’m taking a pass.

6.    Iwillmakeufamous   10-1

In his very first start in a graded race this past November, Iwillmakeufamous put in a stunning victory in the Allison Stakes, winning by over 2 lengths at 12-1 and charting a very high speed of 119.   This may have wore him a bit, as he could only muster a 103 speed in the Nikkan Sport and finished eighth.  He followed that with a 105 and finished third in an allowance.  Just as it looked like he might not score another big win, he came through in the G2 Hardcourt with a 113 speed at 10-1.  If he hasn’t been worn down coming into this race, he could be a spoiler yet again

7.  Outer Haven    6-1

Outer Haven has won his last two graded starts, collecting victories in the Victoria Cup (speed of 111) and the Ambrosia where he can boast about setting his career high speed of 116.  He likes to set the pace and will make a bid to be on the lead.  The last two races were monsters, but he ran four high speed races in a row last year at about this time.  He’s fully capable of getting his share of the pie, and maybe a large slice at that.

8.    Legends of Rock   7-1

This colt has been on an impressive role, winning his last six in a row, which include the graded Queen’s Spring Cup, Grand Prix, Nothern Beer Cap and Los Angeles Derby.   During this span, Legends of Rock posted speeds exceeding 110 three times.  An impressive 4-year old who has won 13 of 20 turf starts looks dangerous and could extend this impressive win streak.

9.  What’s the Dyllio   14-1

In mid February, What’s the Dyllio established his career best speed of 112 when winning the non-grade Red Light Cup by surprising the field at 11-1.  He followed that up with a win in his first graded start in March taking the Awa Pooie Gold Cup coasting to a two length win and a lower speed of 103.  Since he handled the field so easily, there was no reason to push the speed number.  As such, he may turn out to be better than how he looks an longshot player may love the opportunity he has.

 10.   Devilworship    7-1

Devilworship had an easy time in his recent allowance race, winning as the 3-5 favorite going a 8.5f in a 104 wiring job.  It’s easy to see how he was such a strong favorite as he rolled into the allowance after finishing second in the 10f  Sand Castle Classic (10f) with an excellent 115 speed.  Unfortunately, this speedy front runner blew a nine length advantage in this race that he had at the ¾-pole.  Most of Deveilworship’s best speeds have been at 10 furlongs, however, he hasn’t won a graded race in 10 tries.  A lot of front runners in this race and this one will have a fight on his hands.

 11.   Don’t Play Me   6 -1

Don’t Play Me has won 11 of 22 grass starts, but in graded races, that works out to 2 of 12, both occurring on wet tracks.  Obviously, this guy has done much better at the non-graded and allowance levels.  His last graded win was in October, taking the De La Fore (7f) by a mere stride on a yielding track with an eye-popping speed of 120.  He loves the track wet track, but won’t have it in this race.   He will be running more than a mile for the first time and breeding supports routes.  If the track was wet, I’d give him a shot with the extra distance, but it’s not, so I’m taking a pass.

 12   Mount Samson  6-1

Mount Samson has been racing in peek form lately, winning three of his last four graded race starts which include the Good Day,  Mr. Met Cap and King Kong Cup. Two of the three were speeds of 111 and 115 with the Mr. Met Cap charted at 105 on a yielding surface.  This powerhouse has won 6 graded races since last May in 10 starts.  He earns a lot of respect from his foes in this race.

Legends of Rock has been figuring out how to win each race of late and I’m rooting for his seventh in a row.  At 7-1, why not?

Mount Samson has a collection of graded wins and is always a threat.  Not gonna count him out at all, gets second pick.

Outer Haven put up two high speeds in most recent trips.  Capable of keeping that going a bit longer and gets third selection.