{"id":2167,"date":"2006-04-14T21:57:27","date_gmt":"2006-04-14T21:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=2167"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","slug":"oldbtb_1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=2167","title":{"rendered":"General’s Chariot, Digging The Grave, more kick off KY Horsemen’s Spirits Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

California<\/STRONG>–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0So, there’s these two Sim gamers waxing poetic about what the Sim means to them.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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The first gamer sighs (all warm and fuzzy!): \u00a0<\/FONT>“Ya know, t<\/FONT>he Sim is like\u00a0Chicken Soup<\/EM> for us restless horse racing fans’ souls.\u00a0 From week’s beginning to week’s end, always a sweet comfort food feast.”<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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The second gamer though shakes his head, disagreeing:\u00a0 “Nahh, the Sim is\u00a0the before-and-after of a drinkin’ night out on the town.\u00a0 It’s the phone call rounds to your friends on the message boards, the dress-up and musky cologne of\u00a0stats-hunting and the\u00a0BTB.\u00a0 Partytime commences on Saturday afternoon with\u00a0grades, stakes, allowances, and claimers standing in for\u00a0liquor, beer, coffee, and pop.\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, once all your nags run backwards, it’s\u00a0the bad hangover\u00a0on Sunday aftenoon…. and it all sets up for another party week!”<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Ha!\u00a0\u00a0No doubt\u00a0the latter line of thought follows the good-n-wily folks at the Kentucky Horsemen<\/A><\/STRONG> website.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/FONT>T<\/FONT>heir inaugural Spirits Series<\/STRONG><\/A>\u00a0kicks off this week showcasing the best sprinters on both turf and dirt here at California and Kentucky.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/FONT>And the\u00a0<\/FONT>Series<\/FONT> promises to be a whopper akin to the GSR Series:\u00a0 it consists of 16 Grade 1 races spread out from now till late December (Week 3077).\u00a0<\/FONT><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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From 6 furlongs to two miles,\u00a0most of the races are named after “spirits”:\u00a0\u00a0 there’s the Moonshine Mile (don’t want to drink too much of that!) and the marathon Bourbon Cup (hopefully\u00a0top-notch bourbon over the rocks).\u00a0 <\/FONT>\u00a0And of course the “twin Elixirs” for the rocketin’ sprinters, twin-tonic dashes\u00a0between Sim immortals and we’ll profile here the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Elixir\u00a0Turf Sprint<\/EM>……….<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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THE HERO AND THE CHAMP<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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What a story!\u00a0 You got one of the new heroes of the Sim, Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> (that\u00a0horse with such a memorable name!), matched again with the amazing General’s Chariot<\/STRONG>, 2004 2YO Turf Colt and 2005 Sprint champion.\u00a0\u00a0 That speedster Digging The Grave all alone out front, daring the late-closing ‘General to track him on down.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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And that was the scenario in February’s Equinics Walter Swinburn(G1)<\/EM>…..\u00a0this reporter has to say that NO ONE was gonna beat the ‘Grave that afternoon.\u00a0\u00a0 Zewango2’s Silver Ghost son was just so on the money, it was like “See ya, ‘General who?!!?”\u00a0 Wow, coming-out party for the colt who positively blossomed late last season, winning the Japan Sprint(G1)<\/EM> in December.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0General’s Chariot wound up 4th in another race that same December afternoon, but he still had the record to win the Sprint championship.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Still, Digging The Grave (9\/2) was the one to watch ever since — he reeled off three straight ’06 victories including the Equinics as a ferocious turf sprint pacesetter.\u00a0 Sdmf (zewango2) brought his 5YO horse’s right stuff into Sand Castle<\/EM> day three weeks ago and tested the dirt for the first time.\u00a0 Unfortunately, ‘Grave got pressured into a speed duel and weakened a spell down the lane.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT>Did that race take anything out of him?\u00a0\u00a0Always beware of the ol’ turf-to-dirt switcheroo — the Sim’s very forgiving and even turbocharges horses when placed back on their best surface and distance.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Instead, I’d be more keen on the ‘Grave getting into a speed duel.\u00a0 Kiki’s Solid Rock upset General’s Chariot LTO and he can provide challenging speed pressure.\u00a0 Kiki’s got question marks though (more on that later), but suffice to say, that this is gonna be a huge test for Digging The Grave.\u00a0 If he gets outgunned and weakens late, he’s got some excuses.\u00a0 But if he rockets out there… watch out!!!<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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As for General’s Chariot (3\/1), he’s my own horse (LOL!), so not necessary to yammer on.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 I’ll say though that I was a bit disappointed in his last race — it was a good effort and only his 2nd start of the year.\u00a0 Shortening up here to 4 weeks rest should help him fire a higher SP#.\u00a0 *Knock on wood* hopefully he hasn’t lost a step this season, but I intended to race him lite earlier in ’06 because he’s getting up there in starts for a Gone West x Storm Cat and stuff.\u00a0\u00a0 LOL.\u00a0\u00a0 Hopefully, the two speedsters will hook up in a duel, thus providing ‘General with a perfect scenario for his late kick.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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SOLID RESPECT<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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And to the “other” pacesetter ready to convince the doubters:\u00a0 Kiki’s Solid Rock<\/STRONG> (11\/1).\u00a0 OK, first this Forty Niner 5YO positively walloped the Generals Pals Sprint Show(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0 Talk about guts!\u00a0 The ‘Rock chippered on through there, duking it out on the lead enroute to a furious 3\/4 length score with a 107 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0 Gorgeous upseting the General’s own race!\u00a0\u00a0 Ha!\u00a0\u00a0 Superb 8-for-15 sprint lifetime record adds plenty of merit to this “longshot.”\u00a0 And tons of back class too — this guy hit the board in the million-dollar Canada Mile(G1) <\/EM>last year in fine time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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So, whats up with the odds?\u00a0 Well, the bookies didn’t like that “distanced” 65 SP# marathon effort LTO.\u00a0 16 furlongs on the dirt after becoming a Grade 1 winner in turf sprints?!!?\u00a0 Talk about unorthodox.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 But Gdfarms’ tried this before recently and the colt\u00a0sharpened up well\u00a0when cutback in distance (albeit he didn’t like the off track in that Buddy Boy Mile<\/EM> last year).<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Hmmm… this smacks of yesteryear Sim training styles.\u00a0 Problem is that you can only go so many times to the well — the Sim’s forgiving, but the numbers, deviations, and algorithms catch up to ya eventually.\u00a0 Will Kiki’s Solid Rock’s last\u00a0race (only two weeks ago!) catch up with him?\u00a0 Lots of question marks!<\/FONT>\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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NEW\u00a0PUNK IN TOWN<\/STRONG>\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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And, boy, is he a punk!\u00a0 Scandalous<\/STRONG> (5\/1) is his name only recently returned to the turf sprints.\u00a0\u00a0 And he’s been on an assaulting terror too with a 4-straight win streak in allowances and listed stakes.\u00a0\u00a0 Mouth-watering SP#s topped with a determined 109<\/STRONG> midpack rush LTO.\u00a0 Gattaca’s got this Fusaichi Pegasus royal bred finally running to his bloodlines.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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He’s ready and I agree opting for the Grade 1 here instead of those 5.5 furlong Grade 3’s elsewhere this week.\u00a0 Danger, danger, danger….. optimum 4 weeks rest, but the wolves are at the gate.\u00a0 Gotta try ’em sometime though.\u00a0 Good gutsy entry — great shot.\u00a0 Hopefully the pace sets up for him and he’ll have to outrun a number of fellow fine top notch closers.\u00a0\u00a0 Does this punk have the goods to take down the ‘General?\u00a0\u00a0 Ha!\u00a0 Great chance.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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UNDERDOG IS HERE<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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I believe Once Haunted<\/STRONG> (8\/1) is one of the most underrated horses in the game…. and especially\u00a0by his own trainer!\u00a0\u00a0 Ha!\u00a0 Loubrown aka Vegasjef\u00a0from the Northwest Racing Circuit opted Once Haunted out of the Equinics and I’m eternally grateful (General’s Chariot represented the NWRC in his place).\u00a0 This Silver Ghost colt was wonderful last year — he won 7 listed stakes last season in a tough schedule.\u00a0\u00a0 Jef races him hard and often.\u00a0 <\/DIV>
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But Once Haunted delivers.\u00a0 Ten lifetime stakes wins is nothing to sneeze at (that’s only two less than champion General!) — and this horse’s been at the stakes level his entire career too.\u00a0 He’s a classic stalker.\u00a0 Probably shocked the heck out of his trainer with a sweet runnerup performance in the Generals Pals Sprint Show(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0 Just missed that race too!\u00a0\u00a0\ud83d\ude42\u00a0 \u00a0<\/DIV>
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There’s something to be said about the “due” factor.\u00a0 This guy’s overdue for\u00a0his first graded stakes victory.\u00a0 If the pacesetters take it easy, but\u00a0weaken due to their erratic schedules, then keep an eye on\u00a0stalker-n-underdog Once Haunted to overpower and outlast them all as fresh as a fiddle at the wire.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/DIV>
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MARVELOUS MARES<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Three fillies and mares tackle the boys for the rich purse and honors……..<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Texasace’s exciting Red Tejas<\/STRONG> (6\/1) overwhelmingly specializes in turf sprints.\u00a0 The 5YO Red Ransom mare upset champion Elsinore late last season and presents a classy record, earning over $2-million dollars.\u00a0 She’s ranked #2 in the Filly & Mare Turf Sprint division and I believe Elsinore opted for some other spot this week.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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An eternal closer, Red Tejas missed the photo in her ’06 opener before fuddling over the yielding surface on Equinics day.\u00a0 She’s been a fast-closing bridesmaid in two starts since.\u00a0\u00a0 Her running style from way back compromises her chances every now and then and it looks like she also suffers from soundness problems.\u00a0\u00a0 Fit this year though — she makes her 37th lifetime start and, gosh, this would be a gorgeous tiara to crown a wonderful career.\u00a0 Can’t dismiss her nor her Sim Eclipse winning champion trainer.\u00a0 Classy gal — only\u00a0two weeks rest though.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Another female $2-million earner breaks from post 1.\u00a0 Jolie’s Song<\/STRONG> (7\/1) was the token tomboy on last year’s turf miler circuit.\u00a0\u00a0 She competed admirably with every now and then success versus the boys.\u00a0 The 5YO daughter of Buddha boasts a fun pedigree for mid-level Sim breeders — she presents very modest Buddha x Belong To Me x Jolie’s Halo lines.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Trainer catspaw sends\u00a0their prized mare to her 35th call to the post.\u00a0\u00a0 Winless with average SP#s this year, Jolie’s Song is an interesting “longshot.”\u00a0 She earned near half of her career bankroll in sprints, winning or hitting the board in 11 of 17 starts.\u00a0 Could the cutback in distance be just the ticket for this ol’\u00a0tomboy?\u00a0 Possible and maybe you can discount her sprint on DelPenn day to\u00a0the long season\u00a0…. she needed a break.\u00a0\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0\u00a0I’d say that’s a bit of a longshot though\u00a0and wager that she’s slowing down at least enough for her not to be much of a closing factor here.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Bigtate02 sends out a 25\/1 longshot filly in Storming Tate<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 4YO bargain baby doesn’t have much of a chance versus this group.\u00a0\u00a0 She’s hit the board at the listed level versus males and might figure into the minor share mix from off pace.\u00a0 Still eligible for a NW3L — this is a bit of a stretch.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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THE REST OF THE FIELD<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Playshack sends out recently Grade\u00a03-placed PJ Nordic Dawn(FR)<\/STRONG> (8\/1).\u00a0\u00a0 He was sencond to Digging The Grave himself in that G3 race!\u00a0\u00a0 The 5YO son of Val Royal(FR) has since won at the listed level.\u00a0 A solid turf sprint closer who keeps knocking on the door.\u00a0\u00a0 Hard to gauge whether or not he’ll fire big at this level, but certainly possible.\u00a0\u00a0 Matter of fact, he’s a closer and you can certainly argue that he just needs the right race scenario set up for him to fire big.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Good threat, but lousy winless jockey doesn’t help.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude41\u00a0 Outside chance on 5 weeks rest.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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In post 9, the Selkirk 4YO colt House For Sale<\/STRONG> (11\/1) paid his dues a few times, finishing behind General’s Chariot in turf sprint grades last year.\u00a0 Another solid runner, but he couldn’t manage to beat listed stakes level this season.\u00a0 Competitive big time closer.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His SP#s though kind of turn you off in hopes of an upset.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe in the hunt for a minor piece of purse at best.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Snowchief’s Picks<\/U>:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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10 colts, horses, fillies and mares.\u00a0 Excellent lineup and I think it all boils down to what the pacesetters do (Digging The Grave and Kiki’s Solid Rock).\u00a0 They’re the only speed with Once Haunted stalking them.\u00a0\u00a0General’s Chariot might find himself a bit closer than recently to the lead.\u00a0\u00a0 Red Tejas and Jolie’s Song too.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT>But I like the newcomer Scandalous a lot to tread a tad behind Once Haunted.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Feel uncomfortable choosing a winner (LOL!), but I’ll give my heartstrings picks:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Win:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Once Haunted\u00a0 (stalker holding off closer in career best run!)<\/FONT><\/DIV>
Place:\u00a0\u00a0 General’s Chariot\u00a0\u00a0(great SP#s but just misses!)<\/FONT><\/DIV>
Show:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Red Tejas (closes for a beautiful trip, nudging out Digging The Grave at the wire)\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Good luck to all and thanks to the good folks at the Kentucky Horsemen Website!\u00a0 What a awesome series for the Sim!!!\u00a0 Don’t drink too much.\u00a0 ;^)<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/DIV>
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<\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Colossal turf titan matchup in million-dollar Elixir Sprint(G1)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":396,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167","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\/396"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}