The Queen Sam Grade I
The Queen Sam Grade I
This weekend we have the The Queen Sam Grade I, a race run over the mile on a firm turf track in
It should be a great race, let’s have a good look at the runners.
- OUTBACK ANDY(KY) 7/2 (STREET CRY (IRE) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x
M Day ( 378 – 80 – 68 – 61 – 21% )
This beautifully bred 4 year old colt is a son of Street Cry who has been in outstanding form of late. He has a top jockey on his back and is a deserving equal favourite. Outback Andy has had 10 career starts on turf and has an impressive strike rate winning 6 of them. He loves the mile trip and has run some huge races at his last five outings with an incredible average speed of 113.6 during that time. Last time out he settled just behind the speed before overtaking the leaders late to win the Grade I Champions Mile with a career best 117 speed figure, a repeat of that should see him winning again.
- CALLHEADSORTAILS(KY) 8/1 (HARD SPUN x DEPUTY MINISTER x STORM BIRD)
P Norton ( 36 – 1 – 3 – 5 – 3% )
This 5 year old has an impressive career record winning 11 of 26 starts so far with some big runs over the mile previously. He won a stakes race 5 back when coming from well off the pace and his speed of 112 was good. His form has tapered off at his last couple but last time out he was first up from a break so we can expect improvement here. Expect him to once again be settled back in the field and running on at the end.
- DOOTY DA DOO(JPN) 7/2 (T. M. OPERA O x
A Adler ( 39 – 2 – 3 – 8 – 5% )
Dooty Da Doo is a 4 year old T.M. Opera O Colt who has a very good career record winning 7 of 19 career outings with 9 minor placings, he has earned over $2.7m for connections. He only debuted as a late 2 year old and has always shown he has ability winning two of his first four starts. During his 3 year old season he matured into a consistent top performer winning the Grade I Jean Brat, Grade II Big Europe Mile and finally taking the rich Grade I Breeders Bowl Mile in devastating fashion. On that occasion he settled just behind the leaders before charging to the front in the straight to win with a 116 speed figure. His form has tapered off slightly but still must be considered a good chance in this.
- DON’T PLAY ME(KY) 6/1 (THEATRICAL(IRE) x
J Wesselman ( 173 – 13 – 26 – 14 – 8% )
Don’t Play Me is a 4 year old colt out of outstanding producer Upper Crust which makes him a half brother to sim legend Basketball Jones, a winner of 15 races and over $5.5m in stakes money. Upper Crust, after being a modest performer on the track, has produced 5 foals with all but her recent two year old foal already graded winners. This 4 year old son of Theatrical has shown his best form over a sprint journey and last time out faded over an unsuitable journey to finish well off the pace. He should enjoy the drop back in distance and could figure in the finish here.
5. STRIKE MACHINE(KY) 7/2 (SMART STRIKE x
P Harzheim ( 414 – 112 – 74 – 60 – 27% )
Another regally bred 5 year old who is a son of Smart Strike out of a Seattle Slew mare. Strike Machine has placed in 21 of 29 career starts so far and looks suited over this journey. As a late 3 year old he ran a career best 119 speed over 8.5 furlongs in an allowance race, not many have been quicker than that. He comes into this with good form winning 2 of his last 3 races including the Grade III April Showers Cap when coming from off the speed to win with a 114 speed. He has a top jockey engaged to take the ride and looks a good chance.
- KING VS THE WORLD(SAF) 17/1 (KING OF KINGS (IRE) x KRIS(GB) x RIBOT)
P Perren ( 48 – 5 – 2 – 6 – 10% )
This 5 year old faces a huge task in this race stepping up from modest allowance form to take on some real top liners here. He has won 6 of 36 career starts with earnings of only $126 000 and although a winner at two of his last three he would need to improve sharply to challenge here. He won an allowance race last time out with a speed of 103 but I can’t see him winning this.
- WHAT’S THE DYLLIO(IRE) 7/1 (DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) x MONTJEU (IRE) x NUREYEV)
Ja White ( 53 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 6% )
A lightly raced 4 year old What’s The Dyllio has won 5 of 11 career starts so far including two of his last three starts. He is bred to get over ground and majority of his wins have been over slightly longer than this but his form is good so he must be considered. Three back he won impressively in stakes company over 10 furlongs with a 112 speed figure. He likes to set the pace so expect to see him around the place early and attempting to cling on in the straight.
- GAVOTTE(KY) 9/2 (GRAND SLAM x SINGSPIEL(IRE) x BE MY GUEST)
R Williams ( 282 – 52 – 43 – 41 – 18% )
A 5 year old son of Grand Slam Gavotte has been in good form recently running some big races. Although he has only won one of his last five his times have been good and he did win a stakes race over 8.5 furlongs three back with a 115 speed figure. He likes to settle back and run on late and in this small field he could easily fill a place or challenge for the win. He has raced against top company for most of his career and placed in 19 of 27 starts so should perform well.
It looks like being an interesting race but I’m pretty keen on Outback Andy winning again here.
My Selections
1. Outback Andy
2. Strike Machine
3. Dooty Da Doo