Mr Hissy Fit stakes his claim for Horse Of The Year in Woodward

Race ID:4792.7814
Bob Woodward Memorial
Grade I
A mile and one eighth
Fast Dirt
$500,000
All horses, 3 years old and up

 

Hello race fans and welcome to Upper New York. We have perfect weather for one of the biggest days of racing on the calendar. The card is highlighted by the Grade 1 BOB WOODWARD MEMORIAL STAKES. With the half a million dollar purse and the distance of one and one eighth miles over the main track, this is one of the premier races to see if a horse has Breeders Bowl potential. Let’s take a look at this marvelous thirteen horse field as they begin the stretch run to a possible year end championship:

 

On the rail we have DRAGO D’ORO. Trainer Galileo sends out this impressive 4yo son of Medaglia D’Oro who has been first or second in fifteen of twenty career starts. His resume’ includes a Grade 1 win in the “Goodygood” and Grade 2 wins in the “Winchester Park Derby”, “Oaktree Handicap”, and the “West Coaster”. DRAGO D’ORO has run eleven straight speed figures over 100 on the dirt including eight at 110+. His high of 117 is the high in the field and he is looking to move forward again off his 111 last out. DRAGO D’ORO does his best running from the back and will be charging hard down the lane.

 

From post number two DJ’S GOLDEN RIVER going for Zap’s DJ’s stables. A 3yo taking on older horse for the first time, seconditis has been the story of his young career. This son of Tiznow has three wins and six seconds in just twelve career starts and has yet to win routing. His second place finishes include races the Grade 1 “Eddie Haskell”, the Grade 1 “Corkscrew”, the Grade 2 “Lands End”, and the Grade 3 “Scam”.  DJ’S GOLDEN RIVER keeps showing up and keeps running big and now tackles even tougher. His top number of 111 last out makes him a serious contender if able to move forward again.

 

Jrogue’s ATLANTIC BOLT goes forward as the number four. A Grade 1 winning millionaire sired by Stormy Atlantic, ATLANTIC BOLT has not been seen much recently. He won the Grade 1 “Glenn Handicap” in January, finished a respectable sixth in the “Sand Castle Classic” in March and then last out finished a strong third in the “Barry Foster” in June. Now again he is coming off a layoff which makes him very tough to gauge. ATLANTIC BOLT has run speed figures good enough to be competitive and can sit a nice stalking trip behind the front runner. He will have his work cut out but it looks as though this is just a beginning step to get him in top form for a breeders Bowl run. He is a solid contender on best but looks like he may just be a bit short.

 

In the four hole is PRECIZIONIST for Snyder stables. A multiple Grade 3 placed 5yo son of Distorted Humor, PRECIZIONIST will be trying to get that elusive graded win in one of the premier races for older horses. He has run speed figures of over 100 in a remarkable fifteen straight races and his best numbers do put him in the mix. PRECIZIONIST looks to be improving with his in the money finishes in the, “Washington Drive” and “Day Of Dominion” both grade 3 events. He tries hard, he is in top form, improving numbers, and has a bit of tactical speed make this one very capable of running a big race. PRECIZIONIST shouldbe coming along for a share.

 

Going in post five MR HISSY FIT. Trainer Corza sends out this multiple Grade 1 winning 5yo by Hussonet.  MR HISSY FIT has won seven of his twelve starts including three in a row with the Grade 1 “Baggio Special” and the Grade 1 “Barry Foster” his last two. He hasn’t just won his starts, he has dominated his opponents and those opponents were top class. MR HISSY FIT has run giant speed figures and will be the controlling speed in this contest. The only possible downfall may be himself. If he were to regress off a top performance or just does not take to the track he would have an excuse, otherwise he looks the one to beat on current form.

 

STYGIOPHOBIA trained by Right At Home stables will load in the sixth stall. This 4yo by Unbridled’s Song is nearing the $1 million earnings mark and has a shot to get there today. He is a five time winner which includes the Grade 1 “Big Apple” at 1 3/4 miles, STYGIOPHOBIA  has primarily raced at distances much longer than today’s contest. He does have an affinity for this race track as he has run on it four times and has two wins and two seconds to show for it. His best speed figure came at ten furlongs and the last two times he cut back from a two mile marathon his number increased next out. He will be rating near the back and making one big run late. STYGIOPHOBIA is a very interesting candidate for top honors

 

CURLY Q steps in line for Lgbost stable in post seven. A Grade 1 winner as a 3yo when winning the “California Derby”, this now 4yo son of Curlin has nine career wins and earnings nearing the $1.2 million mark. CURLY Q has yet to live up to the expectations of a “California Derby” winner as he is only three of eleven since and those wins were an allowance, a listed stake and a Grade 3. He has been showing signs of waking up and becoming a force in the handicap division but must now find a way to put it all together. Being a Grade 1 winner and having run as fast as a 116 makes CURLY Q a logical contender for top honors but there are question marks. He hasn’t run his best over this surface and he is tackling much tougher than he has recently. He will sit near the back and try to make a big run late. He is good enough on his best day.

 

In the eight hole we have SPEEDY PROCTOR for trainer Otto Haack. A six time winner and earner of almost $100k, this 4yo son of Statue Of Liberty makes his second attempt at winning a Grade 1. He was a dismal eigth of ten in the local “Hit Me Up” last out and will need to run much better today to make an impact. SPEEDY PROCTOR did get a stakes win two races back in the”Green Felt Dirt Route” at Nebraska and will need a similar effort to have a say here. He will be rating at or near the back of the pack before trying to unleash one giant run late and hopefully his last is not a preview of today’s effort.

 

Next, in post number nine is billy2shoe’s PLATINUM REWARDS. This former claimer turned Grade 1 placed son of Belong To Me has been in career best form as of late. In for a tag back in December, responded since by winning twice against allowance foes and placing in two stakes including a third place finish the local prep for today’s affair, the Grade 1 “Hit Me Up”. Even though his numbers have regressed his last couple races and he looks to have distance limitations   did earn a spot in this lineup with the effort last out. He will try to rate in the middle of the pack before trying to unleash his rally but he just may not be good enough to get the top spot.

 

Number ten is CAR TUNE. Right At Home stables sends out this 4yo son Of Unbridled’s Song looking for his first stakes win. While he has won four of his nineteen starts and is Grade 2 placed with a fine second in the “Sluggers Breeders Bowl” in Kentucky back in May, this spot does look like a reach. In his only Grade 1 try to date, CAR TUNE ran a dismal thirteenth in the “Barry Foster”. The distance may be an issue as this one may be better suited to a mile or so. CAR TUNE will try to make a late charge but even with a repeat of his best, he may only be good enough for a mid pack finish.

 

The Evil Empire sends out today’s post time favorite TROPHY OF TRIUMPH from post eleven. This 6yo son of A.P. Indy has won fourteen races and earned over $1.2 million in his thirty eight race career including two Grade 2 scores but they were a long time ago. TROPHY OF TRIUMPH has been in great form winning three straight races with giant numbers of 116-114-116  all at this nine furlong distance but against much lesser foes than he tackles here today. A concern is the 0/3 record in Grade 1 company including beat downs his last two attempts but that was again a long time ago. While his form says he is ready for the step up in class I will have to disagree with the odds makers on this one. I believe he is a major contender but thee are a few questions that need to be answered on class. This is the Graveyard of Favorites and TROPHY OF TRIUMPH better bring his best for this matchup.

 

In the twelfth spot we have THIS COLD BLACK. This millionaire mare takes her shot against the boys over the strip of her greatest triumph. This 5yo mare trained by sdmf5 shipped here last year and won the Grade 1 “Personal Sign” at the distance of one and a quarter miles almost a year to the day from this race.  She followed that up with Grade 1 placings in the “Great Dame” and “Breeders Bowl Distaff”. THIS COLD BLACK has attempted to tackle the boys three times in the past and failed all three times with the last being an eleventh place finish in the “Sand Castle Classic”. back in March. She has been in very good form with five straight exacta finishes but against much lesser than she tackles today. This is a very difficult spot for her but maybe just maybe she remembers where she was one year ago.

 

And finally on the far outside HOT AND SPICY steps into line for trainer Kevoman. This multiple Grade 1 winner and Bluegrass Derby winner of 2009 has held his form remarkably well. A 5yo son of Awesome Again, he comes in here off a very smart win in the Grade 2 “Gotta Fix The Sprinklers” at Arizona race track. He has run five straight speed figures of 109 or better and tends to fire almost every time out. HOT AND SPICY has won eighteen of his forty career races and earned over $3.6 million. He hasn’t run well over this main track in his two prior attempts which may be cause for concern. HOT AND SPICY must still be respected and should make his presence felt late.

 

 

I am going to give the edge to MR HISSY FIT on the lone speed and sharp current form. He has dominated his last few starts and looks to peak today. He should set a slow pace up front and have plenty in the tank for the stretch run. 7-1 is a very generous price on this one.

DRAGO D’ORO will be absolutely flying late and will make the top one run every step of the way. Can turn the tables and at 8-1 is worth more than just a saver bet. His best may yet be a race or two away but he always makes a run.

STYGIOPHOBIA at a hefty 20-1 is a very tempting longshot and my pick to round out the tri on his fondness for the racetrack and I see him getting better at the cut back in distance.

HOT AND SPICY is very consistent and will be around the wire at the finish.