Hunt Turf Cup (Bargain Series)
The 2011 edition of the Hunt Turf Cup is absolutely loaded. We have a full field of 14 today including living legend Ten Lost Pyramid, 2010 Cougar Bite Classic winner Brilliant Notation, and precocious speed ball HOUSEFULLOFGHOST’s. Nearly every name in this race is recognizable and many of them have Bargain Bowl or other series wins to their credit. Simply put this is an amazing field that I am thrilled to write about.
1. Vatican Army – Plano’s 4 yr old daughter by Concerto has 10 ITM finishes in 17 lifetime races. That is pretty nice consistency and she nearly accomplished her Bargain Series breakthrough in the Vimes Turf Distaff but alas her hard charge was not enough to run down Celestial Key. Has never broken a 100 speed figure and that is a big concern because she will need to do that and more to take the top prize today.
2. Brilliant Notation – 3rd in the Bargain Classic in 2009 and won the Cougar Bite Classic in a thrilling blanket finish in 2010 this son of Editor’s Note is clearly a dual surface talent with a preference for the grass. Ran a strong 2nd last out in the Silenus Mile but that distance did not allow sufficient distance for his closing run to take effect. Expect a huge run at today’s distance and he is a deserving 6-1 co-favorite.
3. Concotelli – Made Bargain Series history when he won the Silent Witness turf sprint off an astute 40k claim by knightmare. To show his versatility he won at 10 furlongs taking down the prestigious Bargain Arc vs. man y in today’s race. We know he is class enough and his two most recent races of 100+ speed figures show his form is good enough to find the winner’s circle again today. Another of the 6-1 co-favorites and he is dangerous here today.
4. Summer Storms – Elenalag’s 4 yr old FL bred has INSANE recent form. She has won 3 in a row in smashing fashion and 2 of those events were open stakes races going long on the grass. She has really improved since a disappointing 8th in the Cougar Classic my only concern is today’s distance may be a little short for her tastes and since she is yet to break through the Bargain ranks I will take a wait and see approach.
5. NZED Thrill – Sired by Thrilling Sunday this mare has shown ability on both surfaces but clearly prefers the lawn. Posted a lifetime best speed figure last out when she just got up against alw n2x company so it is going to take that kind of run and more to win the day today. Have a feeling her time will come but not sure it’s today.
6. HOUSEFULLOFGHOSTS – Your 5-1 morning line favorite is fast and everyone knows what he is going to try to do and that’s Precious Passion the field. He nearly did just that in the 2010 Cougar Classic but reluctantly gave way and settled for 2nd on that day. I love his chances will a little less distance and his recent 105 speed alw win show he’s primed and ready to go. If no others can offer a pace challenge I think today is his day.
7. Al Centaine – The connections of the #6 must hate to see this speedball directly to their outside as he almost guarantees and honest pace. This 4 yr old colt can fly and his 106 last out shows he is fit and ready to challenge for the early lead. Whether he has the class of speed that HOUSEFULLOFGHOSTS’ has will be the big question.
8. Exalted Warrior – Four year old mare finished a hard closing 4th in the 2010 Turf Vimes Distaff and a strong 2nd in the 2011 Bargie Turf alw prep event. Her most recent outing was a disaster where she was eased a well beaten 23 lengths from the leader. Not the kind of last outing you’d want to see so I will be favoring others here today.
9. Key Party – Bargain Series vet finished 2nd in the El Joven at 2, 4th in the Cougar Bite at 3 and seeks a real breakthrough at 4 here today. He has plodded along in the claiming ranks lately and never has run faster than a 95 so it appears unlikely for a major breakthrough today.
10. Lana’s Imp – 68-1 longshot has tried both surfaces admirably but just doesn’t seem to have the will to run anymore. If lifeline does not show some mercy on this 6 yr old mare soon he may have the simulated SPCA knocking at his barn door.
11. Celestial Key – Knightmare’s 6 yr old mare scored her signature win 3 back when she won on the biggest bargie day of the year winning the Turf Vimes Distaff by a solid 1 ½ lengths. She is a frontrunner in a field with some other legit speed so I expect her to fare better when she only faces her own sex again later on in the year.
12. Ante Meridiem – This colt was bought back at auction long ago by Zman and he has experienced nice success in the Bargain Series. He won the 2010 Silenus Mile with a massive closing move and also won the Bargie turf alw in February. Failed to fire last out in the 2011 Silenus Mile so was unable to repeat and although he is talented I am going to look in other places for my top picks.
13. River Rake – Four year old colt has been a solid earner with many ITM finishes but has not experienced any bargain series success despite several attempts. He is coming off a nice alw win at 12f but that run is not enough for me to feel overly confident about his chances today.
14. Ten Lost Pyramids – The apple of trainer plano’s eye this 8 year old Bargain Series warrior has 6 huge bargain stakes wins on his resume including two each of the Cougar Bite and Arc. Broke his connections hearts by just missing his 3rd Cougar Bite in the 2010 blanket finish but he still is not done yet so will give it a go again in 2011. Even though he has drawn the far outside post never count a proven vet and Bargain Series first ballot Hall of Famer out. He will be the sentimental fan’s pick to take the day today.
Outlook:
Real tough race to handicap because there are 3-4 legit early speed horses along with a ton of massive closers. Its going to depend who fires the biggest and my hunch is that will be #14 Ten Lost Pyramids. He may not be posting the fastest speed figures of this bunch but something tells me it will be his day yet again. #2 Brilliant Notation will also be closing hard and round out the exacta with HOUSEFULLOFGHOSTS having enough class to hold on to 3rd.
Wager
14/2 ex box
14 win
Good luck to everyone with a runner in today’s race and check out the bargain series if you are reading this article and not yet involved.