Equinics Gold. The name implies a Who’s Who in Equinics history, horses which have taken part in the Sim’s marquee event, come home victorious, and had their names respectfully engraved on Sim history’s hallowed halls. And for once, I’m not aiming for irony.<\/p>\n
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A look at the list of winners on the entry page for the Equinics Gold gives a new Sim player a sense of wonder, a sense of achievement that should inspire one for strive for equal greatness. The names include some of the game’s best over the last 14 years. Echo Pass. Pinchingdale. Tatsu. Kissin Streetcry. Basketball Jones. Ermington Pegasus. Ray Of Pye. Bristol Rovers. Those names, and dozens of others, are part of a Sim event bringing teams of trainers together, competing for a common goal of supremacy for their residency versus the Sim’s finest. An Equinics gold medal might be the only awesome achievement that many of these horses reach in their careers, but your horse still needs to be fantastic in order to win. Each residency selects their best horse within a division, and in each event, some residencies are stronger than others. Winning against other residency’s best horses is an achievement in itself, because of the sheer power of the residencies and trainers involved.<\/p>\n
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The Equinics Gold, a key Equinics race, is a seven-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares on the grass, and it’s a division I’m actually, humbly, more than a little familiar with. I have a lot of fillies who sprint on the turf, I (very humbly) sponsor a graded turf sprint at the end of the spring, and I know a few things about what a quality grass sprinter needs to succeed. Speed helps, sure, but finesse is definitely in the mix as well, the ability to use speed tactically or close into a hot pace as needed.<\/p>\n
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Conditions are ideal for the Equinics, with the turf labeled firm, and a level playing field awaiting this $1,000,000 Grade I race, and there are no shortage of legitimate contenders amongst the field.\u00a0 We invited some (in)famous chatters to share their comments on the field. Here we go:<\/p>\n
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EMPIRE STATE RACING (ESR)<\/p>\n
Joplin Wails<\/p>\n
Street Cry-Joplin, by Storm Cat<\/p>\n
Trained by frontnine for BALATA Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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She won five of her seven \u201913 starts, including a pair of stakes at the end of the season, one of which was at a mile, earning her a pair of career-best speed figures of 111 for seven furlongs and 112 at a mile on the grass, respectively.<\/p>\n
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Balata \u2013 I think she is pretty she won at 7f 2 races ago if she wins it was part of the master plan\u2026.if she flops\u2026.assistant trainer error\u2026.feel she is a miler<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 has a ton of upside, not a lot of speed in the race so she should find the lead with not a lot of trouble<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 has a lot of talent and should enjoy the cut back in distance but her class is in question with no graded form<\/p>\n
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MINNESOTA TESTBARN<\/p>\n
Ranaroo Scadoo<\/p>\n
Rock Hard Ten x Capote<\/p>\n
Trained by rencaponjr for RENCAPONE Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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This filly makes her 2014 debut, and marks her return to graded stakes action following a fourth-place finish in an inappropriately-named Turkey Grade II last fall. In fact, both of her graded stakes attempts came last year, with just the one decent autumn result standing out. The troubles with graded action aside, she was kept busy in \u201913, with four wins in ten races, but her speed figures have not kept pace with the standards for graded company.<\/p>\n
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Masterm \u2013 She\u2019s a dirt sprinter, inconsistant form at turf sprints, best form is 2f shorter than the trip today<\/p>\n
Spinround \u2013 never won at seven furlongs or beyond<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 a consistent listed stakes turf sprinter but has not run fast enough or well enough in graded to merit a chance against this field<\/p>\n
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SIM HISPANO<\/p>\n
K\u2019s Out Of Context<\/p>\n
Distorted Humor-Slew Ledwith, by Seattle Slew<\/p>\n
Trained by Killester for KILLESTER Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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K\u2019s Out Of Context, she\u2019s about a mover. Her grass starts, with a pair of exceptions, have all been long sprints, seven or seven and a half furlongs, and she\u2019s been very consistent, with eight wins in sixteen turf sprint outings.<\/p>\n
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Masterm \u2013 trained by a sim giant so have to show respect on that merit alone looks at first sight to be a touch below the elite fillies in this division<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 extremely consistent stakes contender who on her best day is fast enough to win this race but lack of graded form gives pause<\/p>\n
Spinround \u2013 have to go back to july 2012 to find a speed lower than 100<\/p>\n
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NORTH WEST RACING CIRCUIT (NWRC)<\/p>\n
Sensensensibility<\/p>\n
Street Sense-Ya Gotta Believe, by Speightstown<\/p>\n
Trained by kobras5 for KOBRAS Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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She has the best last-time-out speed figure in here, a 116, and she earned that just a couple weeks ago, on January 18. She\u2019s entered right back off that effort, a listed win at this distance. That was a significant improvement over her lone graded stakes at the end of last year, a tenth-place finish in November that earned a 100 in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
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Spinround – has found a home in turf sprints, monster race last out<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 this 4yo looks to have matured into herself at the turn of the year prep race before this was world class.\u00a0 Has to be major player if she continues to do it in graded company.<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 I agree with masterm.<\/p>\n
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MIDAS<\/p>\n
URC Zig<\/p>\n
Memento \u2013 Sister Meter, by Danzig<\/p>\n
Trained by jungleboy for DAVARTO Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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URC Zig enters off six consecutive triple digit speeds.\u00a0 Last out she finished third in a listed at seven and a half furlongs.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 looking for first stakes win in super tough spot.\u00a0 12 of 13 ITM in sprints<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 nice consistent allowance performer but not classy enough or fast enough to rate a top shot in this spot<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 too inconsistent looks to be grinding home I think may want further<\/p>\n
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EAST-WEST CONNECTION (EWC)<\/p>\n
Focus on the Prize<\/p>\n
Tiznow \u2013 Oliver Springs, by Elusive Quality<\/p>\n
Trained by chorwon for ATTHEWIRE Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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This filly is a grade three winner going a mile but also has multiple listed stakes wins in turf sprints.\u00a0 She\u2019s made her last two starts on the dirt and switches back to the grass for the big day.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 comes in off two decent allowances on dirt.\u00a0 Will have to show much more here<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 interesting contender.\u00a0 Ran well in turf sprints previously, showed g1 form at a mile, tried a few dirt races, eligible to run big at a nice price, although must show the ability to run faster numbers<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 interesting filly I tend to agree with Given.<\/p>\n
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SOUTH AFRICAN RACING ASSOCIATION (SARA)<\/p>\n
Falbrav Chosen<\/p>\n
Falbrav x Caerleon x Habitat<\/p>\n
Trained by teamatc1 for TEAMATC1 Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Falbrav Chosen is a listed winner in turf sprints but two starts back she ran a bang up race in the Grade Two New Zealand 1000 Dark Beers where she ran a 109 speed and finished second by a head.<\/p>\n
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Spinround – Last time this filly dropped from 8f to sprint she ran 113 speed.\u00a0 Doing that again in this spot, could be a danger<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 I don\u2019t think the shorten up to 7f will suit.\u00a0 Respectable form all last year, could surprise if everything clicks.<\/p>\n
Desperado \u2013 has speed but this is a big class check.\u00a0 Is fast though<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 has run fast enough to win this race, but also has been inconsistent and the distance is a real question mark.<\/p>\n
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EAA RACING<\/p>\n
Classical Song<\/p>\n
Unbridled\u2019s Song x Mr. Prospector x Roberto<\/p>\n
Trained by kevoman5 for COOLK Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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This filly switched to the grass last July and has won five of her six starts since while finishing third in the other race.\u00a0 She\u2019s stakes placed on the dirt but has run back to back 106 speeds in her last two starts and is making her grass stakes debut.<\/p>\n
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Desperado \u2013 great form but huge class check<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 major class check for Classical Song, and has distance questions, will take a real shocker<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 outstandingly bred filly, hard to tell what it will do in a g1.\u00a0 I agree with Given, if it wins ill swim to America.<\/p>\n
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COMEDY CENTRAL<\/p>\n
Xfinity Live<\/p>\n
Street Cry \u2013 Ronnie Lott, by Forty Niner<\/p>\n
Trained by phillysun5 for PSYDUCK215 Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Listed stakes winner at five furlongs on the grass last Sepember.\u00a0 This filly has run twice at today\u2019s distance\/surface finishing second both times but running 109 and 106 speeds.<\/p>\n
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Desperado \u2013 she isn\u2019t impossible, big class test, has not shown that it can compete at this level<\/p>\n
Spinround \u2013 has been found wanting in previous graded attempts<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 last two allowance runs at the distance have resulted in losses and has class question in general plus looks off form in the last three<\/p>\n
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PASTURES OF GREEN<\/p>\n
Shezagoodgirl<\/p>\n
Galileo \u2013 Dancing Queeny, by Kingmambo<\/p>\n
Trained by seekgold for FLAGDOWN Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Won five consecutive turf sprint stakes starting in May of 2013.\u00a0 That streak was broken when she finished second in the Grade One Fujimoto Turf Sprint at six furlongs last November.<\/p>\n
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Masterm\u2013 I like this filly and will be top 3 this filly is the filly to beat in my mind I think if the rest has done her good she is a huge player<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 I totally disagree her form going up to 6.5f is much different than her form 7f+, if the race was at 6f I would like her more, as she has excellent g1 form at 6f.\u00a0 she can win but the distance is a question mark.<\/p>\n
Balata \u2013 I think she isn\u2019t impossible<\/p>\n
Desperado \u2013 good form but long layoff \u2013 pretty big class test, horse has been able to dominate listed fields but has never won a graded race despite 14 career win<\/p>\n
Gowans \u2013 capable of competing in this when at her best, but I don\u2019t like her coming into this one off a subpar race more than 2 months ago<\/p>\n
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QUEENSLAND RACECOURSE<\/p>\n
Welcome Present<\/p>\n
Indian Charlie \u2013 Dreams in Dixie, by Seeking the Gold<\/p>\n
Trained by doontown for KIWILAD Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Welcome Present has two stakes wins in turf sprints.\u00a0 At this distance she has finished worse than second only once when fifth in the Grade Three Ackland Lovers Stakes in November.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 hey I bred this horse!<\/p>\n
Gowans \u2013 solid runner, but couldn\u2019t manage to crack the top 3 in her only graded effort<\/p>\n
Desperado \u2013 I think it is live, Spin.\u00a0 Good form, like many horses needs to show it can compete at this level.<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 nice stakes win at the distance three back, but then struggled class wise in her graded attempt.\u00a0 Very nice prep for this race, though and if she can find graded form she rates a shot to win.<\/p>\n
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GR SIMSTERS<\/p>\n
Fight to Survive<\/p>\n
Unbridled\u2019s Song \u2013 Kumite, by Distorted Humor<\/p>\n
Trained by given for GIVEN Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Listed stakes winner at both sprints and routes on turf.\u00a0 Last out ran a bang up third, beaten less than a length in the Grade Three Range Rover Handicap.<\/p>\n
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Desperado \u2013 horse is very live I don\u2019t know why it has not sprinted more has class form and the efforts at the distance have been good.\u00a0 I think it can win<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 because breeder\/owner is not smart<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 has not taken to graded so far in a weak race it has some hopes, but I prefer others<\/p>\n
Gowans \u2013 very nice horse, made it the favorite in my odds for a reason<\/p>\n
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CITY-RACE RHEIN-MAIN TURF CLUB<\/p>\n
Valses Poeticos<\/p>\n
Shamardal \u2013 Cape Dyna, by Cape Cross<\/p>\n
Trained by trapper07 for TRAPPER07 Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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This filly is stakes placed at seven and one half furlongs on the grass but only has four wins from twenty starts.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 inconsistent filly looking for first stakes win\u2026may be better on dirt<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 no demonstrated the class or the speed to compete with the other fillies in this race would be a huge surprise<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 looks to be a dirt router also, so very tough to like in turf sprints<\/p>\n
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ALL-STARS RACING<\/p>\n
Fernando More<\/p>\n
Tapit \u2013 Zoom by Seeking the Gold<\/p>\n
Trained by fersara for FERNANDO Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Impressive dual stakes winner in two stakes starts at turf sprints.\u00a0\u00a0 She ran a 111 and 109 speed in those two races.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 huge run at distance last out<\/p>\n
Masterm \u2013 in my opinion the one to beat best form at distance<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 this filly is the one to beat, listed stakes under a mile are very impressive but class questions remain<\/p>\n
Gowans \u2013 will be her first start as a 4yo will be interesting to see if she can get the lead, and if she doesn\u2019t if she can pass horses<\/p>\n
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BLAZING SADDLES<\/p>\n
Legal Drinking Age<\/p>\n
Monsun \u2013 Memnoc , by Gone West<\/p>\n
Trained by zenyatta10 for GOWANS Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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This multiple graded stakes winner is a specialist at the seven furlong distance.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 g3 winner at distance has most experience in graded races<\/p>\n
Gowans \u2013 model of inconsistency<\/p>\n
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DELPENN NATIONAL<\/p>\n
Ms. Ivory<\/p>\n
Grave Digger \u2013 Madam Ivor, by Galileo<\/p>\n
Trained by cjwalker for REVELATION Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Stakes placed filly has hit the board in eight of nine sprint starts.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 why hasn\u2019t she run more than once on dirt<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 and who is grave digger?<\/p>\n
Gowans \u2013 a sire standing in Texas by Red Ransom out of a Woodman mare<\/p>\n
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UNIVERSAL RACING CLUB<\/p>\n
Barbarroja<\/p>\n
Bahamian Bounty x Lode x Pivotal<\/p>\n
Trained by magnier for NEWMARKET Racing Stables<\/p>\n
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Filly is a stakes winner at seven and a half furlongs but enters this start off of two straight one mile races.<\/p>\n
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Spinround \u2013 first or second in nine sprint starts<\/p>\n
Gowans \u2013 nice horse has a big shot may run out of ground in the stretch though<\/p>\n
Given \u2013 has nice stakes form at 7f and 7.5f clearly loves turf sprinting, if she can take to graded company she rates a chance to post a nice upset<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Equinics Gold. The name implies a Who’s Who in Equinics history, horses which have taken part in the Sim’s marquee<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-18817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews","tag-equinics-2014"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18817"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18836,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18817\/revisions\/18836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}