{"id":2233,"date":"2006-04-21T17:28:01","date_gmt":"2006-04-21T17:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=2233"},"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=2233","title":{"rendered":"Otto O, Digging The Grave, Digital Overture eye $1-million Sydney Sprint prize"},"content":{"rendered":"

New South Wales-<\/STRONG>\u00a0\u00a0 Talk about drama!\u00a0 The year’s 4th Grade 1 event for older horse turf sprinters reeks of ups-and-downs, gutsy gambling and courageous mystery.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
<\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
In one corner, we have the Equinics(G1)<\/EM> champ, Digging The Grave<\/STRONG>, an excitingly explosive pacesetter who rolls\u00a0the dice here on one week’s rest.\u00a0 In another corner, there’s Otto\u00a0O<\/STRONG>, hero of\u00a0the late-season Penn Dash(G1)<\/EM> and solid\u00a0perfomer who’s overdue for an ’06 score.\u00a0 Toss in impressive late bloomer Digital Overture<\/STRONG> who’s coming off injury and you’ve got a mighty trio of favorites threatening to blanket finish at the wire.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
\u00a0<\/DIV>
And that’s not even considering the nine other starters for the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Sydney Sprint<\/EM>.\u00a0 Allowance winners, listed stakes victors and a couple sophomore glory-seekers add to the rabble set for 5.5 furlongs on the grass.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
\u00a0<\/DIV>
Instead of looking at the trio of faves closely, let’s set the storyline stage and go for a\u00a0<\/FONT>little<\/EM> (LOL!) recap of this division’s past several months:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
<\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
November ’05:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
  • Sophomore phenom General’s Chariot successfully transformed from springtime miler prospect into a sprinting powerhouse during the summer of ’05.\u00a0 He beat both Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> (then a late-blooming 4YO colt climbing the graded ladder) and Otto O<\/STRONG> (predominantly a dirt sprint specialist who finally found his way over the grass) in November’s Because I Said So Stakes(G1),<\/EM> a traditional stepping stone to December’s “twin” million-dollar sprint finales.\u00a0 Also-ran in the Because I Said So(G1)<\/EM>:\u00a0\u00a0“green” 3YO colt Danz Song Bird<\/STRONG>.<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
    December ’05:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    These “twin” Grade 1 events for grass sprinters are both held on the same weekend.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    • Otto O<\/STRONG> handed General’s Chariot his first defeat around one-turn in the richly dramatic\u00a0Penn Dash(G1)<\/EM> (part of DelPenn Champions Day).\u00a0 It was a fantastic win for Otto O’s trainer, Epic, who honestly struggled finding his horse’s best surface, class level,\u00a0and distance.\u00a0 The race included a host of superb runners including Tete Not Galileo and Xtremely Gold. <\/FONT><\/LI>
    • Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> opted for the 2nd half of the “twin”:\u00a0 the Sim-carded Japan Sprint(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0It was a coming-out party for the speedster, gate-to-post in his first G1 victory.\u00a0\u00a0 He won over\u00a0very good listed stakes winner Once Haunted, but especially over\u00a0impressive Movieland Turf Express(G3)<\/EM> winner Digital Overture<\/STRONG> in a battle of pacesetters.\u00a0\u00a0 Offstage(GB) among also rans.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
      Despite his season-ending loss, General’s Chariot took the Champion Sprinter title, becoming the first turf specialist to win the championship.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
      <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
      S<\/FONT>o, it was a big late-season flurry and this drama carried over heavy into 2006…………….\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
      <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
      January ’06:\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
      • January saw Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> turning many heads with a gorgeous wire-to-wire romp in the player-sponsored\u00a0Black Label Sprint(G3).<\/EM>\u00a0 Late-closer Otto O<\/STRONG> couldn’t catch him — the ‘Grave was well on his way to winning many Sim fans.<\/FONT><\/LI>
      • A week later, Digital Overture<\/STRONG> took the Sim’s traditional earlybird turf grade: \u00a0the Everclear Handicap(G2)<\/EM> at Spain.\u00a0\u00a0 A splendid nose-to-nose duel that displayed Digital Overture’s gritty heart.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/LI>
      • General’s Chariot opted to sit out January racing.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
        Early February:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        • All this set up for February’s Sim Equinics Walter Swinburn(G1),<\/EM> the 1st Grade 1 event of the year for the turfers.\u00a0\u00a0 And ker-POW!\u00a0\u00a0 What a showstopper it was with Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> much the best.\u00a0\u00a0 No one was gonna beat Sdmf’s 5YO — ‘Grave had his lightning shoes on, soaking up the yielding surface.\u00a0 \u00a0General’s Chariot could only hoof it home in 2nd, with Otto O<\/STRONG> 4th.\u00a0 Digital Overture<\/STRONG> unfortunately suffered unconfirmed injury and remained sidelined afterwards.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
          Are ya still with me?\u00a0\u00a0 Ha!\u00a0 Because now these top guns and their trainers get a wee bit zany in their campaigns.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
          <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
          Late February:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
          • On\u00a02 weeks rest after his awesome Equinics<\/EM> score, odds-on Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> outclasses a listed turf sprint field.\u00a0 Guess Sdmf wanted to litmus test a 2-week “sharp”?<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
            Early March:\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
            • Otto O<\/STRONG> switches back to the dirt and the closer runs well, finishing 5th in the Toboggan Handicap(G3)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 He was only beaten 2 lengths and had to make up oodles of ground.\u00a0\u00a0 Great SP# too!\u00a0\u00a0Hmm…..<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
              Late March:\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
              • Mild longshot Kiki’s Solid Rock, an excellent miler last year, upsets both General’s Chariot and Otto O<\/STRONG> in the sponsored Generals Pals Sprint Show(G1).<\/EM>\u00a0 Otto O displays marked versatility, just missing the win on 2 weeks rest.\u00a0 Once Haunted delights his trainer with a fine 2nd in his return to the graded ranks.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/LI>
              • Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> sets pace, but gets passed late in the Sand Castle Sprint(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 It was his 1st start over the dirt.<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
                Mid April (Week 2825):<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                • General’s Chariot frisky-n-focused in his 3rd start of the season, winning\u00a0the KY Horsemen’s Elixir Turf Sprint(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0Once Haunted gamely plays\u00a0bridesmaid again.\u00a0 Kiki’s Solid Rock recovers well from a dirt marathon debacle two weeks prior, pushing fellow speedster Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> early.\u00a0\u00a0 The pacesetting duo finishes 3rd and 4th (beaten only a few lengths) respectively.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Ha!\u00a0 So, that leads us all to Week 2832 action here at New South Wales.\u00a0 Otto O has an extra week of rest while Digital Overture comes off of a long layoff.\u00a0\u00a0 Digging The Grave\u00a0runs right back to his 4th-place finish last week…. can he overcome his tough schedule?\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Let’s take a look at the rest of the\u00a0Sydney Sprint(G1)<\/EM> field:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  6\/1 – Danz Song Bird<\/STRONG> (ongaurdrac):\u00a0\u00a0 Here’s a live one!\u00a0\u00a0 If Digital Overture “needs a race,”\u00a0Digging The Grave flops, and closer Otto O plain runs out of ground or sours over the 5.5f distance, then\u00a0‘Song Bird is your fella!\u00a0 A late-blooming 3YO last year, Danz Song Bird\u00a0finished well (7th, beaten only 4 1\/4 lengths) to General’s Chariot and the top guns in November’s Because I Said\u00a0So<\/EM>.\u00a0 \u00a0The Unbridled’s Song royal bred returned to the listed ranks, hitting the board a number of times.\u00a0 He flopped in the Mr Anderson(G3)<\/EM> over 7 panels on Equinics Day February though.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Gritty speedster has yet to try dirt or flat mile.\u00a0\u00a0 Hmmm… lots of “upside” to this colt.\u00a0 Great SP#s, but needs to break on through and come of age.\u00a0 Definitely a piece of the purse at least.\u00a0 Mild “sleeper” with a decent jockey in the irons. <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  9\/1 – Don’tpassthebux G<\/STRONG> (buxpasser):\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decent sleeper here with this Carson City 4YO who recently tested the grass after specializing over the dirt for 20 starts.\u00a0\u00a0 In great form winning two-in-a-row including a hot 103 SP#<\/STRONG> from open ALW company LTO.\u00a0 Very nice and love his stalker-style too with major pace here.\u00a0\u00a0 Style might play well over 5.5f (as opposed to a bigtime late closer).\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Lousy winless jockey doesn’t help, but if ‘Bux G is fit after 4 weeks rest….\u00a0 possible.\u00a0 I like him as a\u00a0fair longshot.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  11\/1 – Offstage(GB)<\/STRONG> (clmstable):\u00a0 Diesis(GB) 4YO colt finished second to Digital Overture in the Movieland Express(G3)<\/EM> over this distance last season.\u00a0 <\/FONT>\u00a0The closer\/midpacker had a horrible trip in the Japan Sprint(G1)<\/EM> and took a couple starts to subsequently recover.\u00a0 Average performances for 3 starts since — maybe due to lack of pace to run at?\u00a0 Well,\u00a0he’ll get mucho pace scrambling here to set up his running style.\u00a0 Good horse and flashes some serious talent every now and then.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe not\u00a0at the level of the top faves, but just needs to catch a break.\u00a0\u00a0 Outside chance.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  12\/1 – Belorado<\/STRONG> (bossross):\u00a0\u00a0 Cat Thief 5YO makes his 44th trip to the post.\u00a0\u00a0 Earning over $600k lifetime, Belorado’s sure won his share was a graded contender last season.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His SP#s though have been off in ’06, dipping down to lower 90s and upper 80s.\u00a0 Won over short 4.5f\u00a0ALW field as odds-on fave LTO.\u00a0 \u00a0 Closer should shadow Otto O in the back of the pack.\u00a0 Ranked 11th in the division.\u00a0 A bit of a reach in hopes of the faves falling over the ultra-short 5.5f distance.\u00a0 Doubtful.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  14\/1 – Scintillating Ruby<\/STRONG> (trauma92):\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Summer Squall 4YO pays his dues in turf sprint ALW company.\u00a0 Pace presser hasn’t made much of a dent though at the black type level.\u00a0 \u00a0Faces thorough speed scramble.\u00a0 Maybe a minor share of purse realistically.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  15\/1 – Soulbuster<\/STRONG> (mapastable):\u00a0 Winning 2 of his last 3, this Johannesburg son has a difficult time finding that extra something that’ll put him into the black type winners column.\u00a0 Midpacker returns to races after 4 week breather.\u00a0 Quite a difficult spot.\u00a0 He’s not used to this caliber of horses.\u00a0\u00a0 Reaching for minor share at best or maybe a show spot.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  22\/1 – Dane Of Kings<\/STRONG> (gd):\u00a0 \u00a0Atticus 5YO horse won a pair of ALWs over this distance recently.\u00a0\u00a0 Gritty stalker needs that extra something to break on through.\u00a0\u00a0 Raced last week, well and distanced over 9f dirt… yuck.\u00a0\u00a0 Will the effort turbocharge him?\u00a0\u00a0 Needs help (faves to fall over 5.5f!).\u00a0 Good jockey.\u00a0\u00a0 ‘Kings’ PPs pretty dry in black type ink and that doesn’t bode tremndously well for winners circle trip, but if he can catch a break…..\u00a0 very<\/EM> outside chance though.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  51\/1 – SJ’s Yieldtonone<\/STRONG> (popsntips):\u00a0\u00a0 Another sophomore colt reaching for the older horses’ speeds.\u00a0 High Yield pacesetter wins some and loses some.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The colt pow-wowed\u00a0a short listed stakes field with a 93 SP# LTO.\u00a0 Classy speed in this field.\u00a0\u00a0 Reaching as odds indicate.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  99\/1 – Bigbadvododancer<\/STRONG> (kid8):\u00a0\u00a0 Another sophomore colt reaching for the universe.\u00a0\u00a0 Pulpit son has yet to break 80 SP#.\u00a0 Sorry, but he’s got no chance here.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude41\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Snowchief’s Picks<\/U>:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  On paper, I think this race sets up perfectly for epic’s Storm Cat son, Otto O (3\/1).\u00a0 The closer even hit the board a half-furlong less (5f) last season!\u00a0 The anticipated speed duel between Digging The Grave, pressed by Digital Overture and joined by newcomer Danz Song Bird sets up Otto O’s stretch run\u00a0tremendously.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Then again, spelunker’s Digital Overture (5\/1), by Rahy, has run big with lots of dueling heart off of long layoffs before.\u00a0 If Digging The Grave bows out\u00a0in time and Danz Song Bird doesn’t put up much of a superior fight, then you can very well see Digital Overture in the clear, holding off Otto O.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  As for sdmf’s Digging The Grave (3\/1), by Silver Ghost — he can very well make me eat my words!\u00a0\u00a0 LOL!\u00a0 However, I’m gonna play the odds and say that maybe 3 out of every 4 horses (who race back within one week) don’t fire big.\u00a0 Matter of fact,\u00a0I think Sdmf greatly increased the odds here that ‘Grave will come back injured.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt’s had a rough-n-challenging schedule for the past\u00a0few months.\u00a0 There’s only so many times you can go to the well.\u00a0 \u00a0I don’t know, but just disagree with this training method (especially considering\u00a0this is the first year for a Breeders Bowl Turf Sprint race!\u00a0 Gotta save some horse for it :)).<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  If all of these favorites flop and Danz Song Bird suffers from a speed duel, then look at a stalker upset in Dontpassthebux G or closer Offstage(GB) to upstage late at the wire.\u00a0\u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/FONT>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Win:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Otto O<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  Place:\u00a0\u00a0 Digital Overture<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  Show:\u00a0\u00a0 Offstage(GB) or Danz Song Bird<\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  Good luck to all!\u00a0\u00a0 These top sprinters shall all gather again hopefully in Week 2763 (May 13th): <\/FONT><\/DIV>
                  <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
                  –> Race<\/FONT><\/STRONG> : Rising Sun Spring Cup<\/B> – Grade I – $1,000,000
                  Track : Japan
                  Restrictions : All horses, 4 years old and up
                  Distance : Seven furlongs on the Turf<\/FONT><\/FONT><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Top-ranked turf sprinters over 5.5 furlongs<\/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-2233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2233","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=2233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2233\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}