It’s that time of the year…<\/p>\n
This is when hopeful racehorse owners, both here in the Sim and in “real life” (whatever THAT is!), begin to get those funny feelings… Derby Fever strikes! Bunches of folks have a promising young colt that they think just might be “the one”, so they send them up against top runners to test their mettle. Some have already shown themselves to be stars and want to make that next step to superstar status; some have little experience but plenty of talent… Some will find out that they just “don’t have it”, at least not yet.<\/p>\n
Here in the Sim, we have seven “Derby Lock” races that reward the winner such a high number of rating points that they can’t miss getting into the Bluegrass Derby on the first Saturday in May.<\/p>\n
The “Derby Lock” race covered here, the nine-furlong $2 million Sand Castle Derby, is one of six Grade 1 races at Dubai, where the kind folks there have thrown a total of $22 million schmackers out in hopes of drawing superstars from all over the world to compete.<\/p>\n
So… Which runner is going to punch himself a “Golden Ticket” to Bluegrass Country? At whose barn will the champagne be flowing? Here’s who came to try:<\/p>\n
1 TIME FOR BUDA juju M Kidder 11\/1<\/p>\n
2 WINDPROUD lenny12 P Kinchen 9\/1<\/p>\n
3 SACRAMENTAL WINE depark G Harmon 9\/1<\/p>\n
4 LAST STOP adschus06 S L Ledwith 13\/1<\/p>\n
5 OVERINDULGENCE udhens P Chute 11\/1<\/p>\n
6 SHOT SHERIFF CH chevry D Lakencher 11\/1<\/p>\n
7 CHIEF RAINMAKER lasthope1 Q Cassell 8\/1<\/p>\n
8 FROZEN MALLET eliteteam2 G Ayso 10\/1<\/p>\n
9 TWIN OF QUEENSLAND graywolf6 C Wiedner 19\/1<\/p>\n
10 LYRICAL GANGSTER mtkplaz M Perez 5\/1<\/p>\n
11 DUBAI NAVIGATOR blankpoin7 A Cross 10\/1<\/p>\n
12 MTK ALCHEMIST mtk76hold Z Edwards 13\/1<\/p>\n
13 SYMBOLIC PRIZE steepljill H Eisen 9\/1<\/p>\n
14 PROUST bobilo H Harzheim 11\/1<\/p>\n
Already On Derby Watch List: These two might hop a flyer to Louisville after the race even if they have a bad day here, though rankings earned from other races around the Sim could have a say in things.<\/p>\n
CHIEF RAINMAKER<\/b> is currently #11 on the 3yo rankings, and has done just about everything right in his 8-race career, and seems to be getting even better the longer he goes. The Indian Charlie colt took home the trophy in the G2 Moises Alou last time out, drawing away from a good field with apparent ease. Should be right in the thick of things here.<\/p>\n
PROUST<\/b> is ranked #5 after pulling off at 16\/1 upset win in the G1 Winter Is Coming Stakes just three weeks ago. The Zensational colt had been going the wrong way before that, with a pair of ugly losses. Which PROUST<\/b> will we see today? The good one could get the job done…<\/p>\n
On The Verge: Members of this group have shown at least some of the ability needed to make noise in the Classics, but will need to win here to be able to make the Derby field.<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTAL WINE<\/b> hasn’t yet won a Graded race, but showed promise in the 7-furlong G2 Saint Vincent last time out. The Indian Charlie colt has won 2-turning, and he’s been freshened a bit in anticipation of this run.<\/p>\n
LAST STOP<\/b> hits the track after just a 2-week break. He’s been to the Graded wars five times, and has placed once. This son of Tiznow will need his lifetime best to make a mark here.<\/p>\n
OVERINDULGENCE<\/b> has a nice turn of speed, but needs to show more “stick”. The Smart Strike colt led to midstretch in the G2 Moises Alou last time out, and should be on or near the pace here.<\/p>\n
FROZEN MALLET<\/b> has been a monster since he was stretched out to 2-turn racing, and could very well be “the one” who breaks into the Derby picture here. Pulled off a nice 12\/1 upset in a Grade 3 at this track last time out, and this Zensational colt has a good chance here.<\/p>\n
LYRICAL GANGSTER<\/b> is an interesting one. Usually a frontrunner, he laid off the pace two starts ago in the G3 Good Cow and won convincingly with the best dirt speed figure by a 2012 3yo. When the Street Cry colt returned to his frontrunning ways in the nine-furlong G1 Immense Derby Challenge, he regressed, fading late for the only off-the-board finish of his career. Which one will it be today? Hard to say…<\/p>\n
DUBAI NAVIGATOR<\/b> looked really good on the turf last year, grabbing a Grade 2 win. In his first dirt try, the Henrythenavigator colt looked like he might be even better there, with a nose loss in the G3 Sam’s Town Delta Jackpot Stakes. Unfortunately, he has been unable to show that form as a 3yo. Needs a major form reversal to be a factor here.<\/p>\n
MTK ALCHEMIST<\/b> is an Afleet Alex colt who has tried the Graded wars three times and managed one 3rd-place finish; will need his very best and then some to make a mark here.<\/p>\n
Looking For “That Magic Moment”: This group has some good runners in it, but this is a big class rise… However, everyone’s new at the game once…<\/p>\n
TIME FOR BUDA<\/b> has only two lifetime dirt starts, one impressive minor-stakes win followed by a very bad day in the G3 Rebel Yell Stakes. Can this Dansili colt catch lightning-in-a-bottle here? Not impossible, but he’ll have to be at his best.<\/p>\n
WINDPROUD<\/b> has only six lifetime starts, but is yet to miss the tote board. This Sea The Stars colt has tried minor-stakes company twice and has competed well, but hasn’t gotten that black type yet. This is a tough spot for him.<\/p>\n
SHOT SHERIFF CH<\/b> has been brought along carefully, staying away from the Graded types as of yet. The French Deputy colt’s big win in a restricted stakes last time could be a signal that he’s ready to try the Big Boys.<\/p>\n
TWIN OF QUEENSLAND<\/b> has plenty of experience, with 14 career starts. The Twining colt just raced in Graded races two weeks in a row, and may need a rest more than anything. Showed promise in his January win, and will need to beat that effort to compete in this bunch.<\/p>\n
SYMBOLIC PRIZE<\/b> seems to be coming together at the right time, but the Symboli Kris colt has much to prove in his graded-stakes debut.<\/p>\n
Crystal-ball time…<\/p>\n
CHIEF RAINMAKER<\/b> is consistent and proven. The one to beat.<\/p>\n
FROZEN MALLET<\/b> needs this win, and could very well get it… I’ll pick him for the place spot.<\/p>\n
PROUST<\/b> has things back on track, should be right in it.<\/p>\n
Good luck all!<\/p>\n
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