Welcome to Breeders\u2019 Bowl weekend all you Simulated racing fans!\u00a0 You get the absolute privilege of reading my perspective on the Breeders\u2019 Bowl Juvenile Turf Mile.\u00a0 For free.\u00a0 Aren\u2019t you lucky?\u00a0 The last one of these articles I did was so long ago that my current computer can\u2019t open the file.\u00a0 Seriously.\u00a0 I believe it was sometime back in 2012.\u00a0 Breeders\u2019 Bowl weekend is one of my favorite times in the Sim each year.\u00a0 Right up there with Equinics weekend.\u00a0 Until I watch the races that is.\u00a0 Then, more often than not, it is the worst weekend of the year.\u00a0 Being a trainer of a BB runner is very similar, I would think, to being a Cubs fan.\u00a0 Every year you look forward to it, believe that the impossible is possible, and seemingly do everything right.\u00a0 And every year, no matter how good things look, no matter how many angles you have going for you, your hopes get positively crushed.\u00a0\u00a0 At the wire or at the half – It makes no difference.<\/p>\n
At least the new viewer makes the process of watching a little more enjoyable.\u00a0 As long as your horse makes any sort of movement you feel like there is still a chance until nearly the end of the race.\u00a0 You still have hope.\u00a0 The old viewer was a different animal.\u00a0 There is nothing sadder than watching your horse actually go backwards after they hit the half in the old viewer, and then forcefully and angrily clicking off that program almost instantly.\u00a0 Still, somehow, after that horror show, you then quickly get pumped up for your next BB runner. \u00a0\u2018This one is live\u2019 you think.\u00a0 \u2018It\u2019ll be better for sure.\u2019\u00a0 You eagerly, against what you know to be true, watch the next race.\u00a0 To the halfway point.\u00a0 And then click.\u00a0 Same song and dance.\u00a0 And after you\u2019re done watching a bunch of half-races you realize all of that work and planning and luck turned into a big fat zero in less five minutes.<\/p>\n
All of a sudden your would-be champion is a rat that deserves to be bred over.\u00a0 Or just retired.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had that nasty, silent conversation with more than a few of my simulated under-performers after they made me click off the old viewer right after the half.\u00a0 \u2018After that performance I am just retiring you.\u00a0 No breeding.\u00a0 After the crap you just pulled, you can just sit in my barns until Mike pulls the plug and think about how poor your showing was.\u00a0 You are the The Green Monkey of my simulated operation.\u00a0 To think I set my alarm to get up at 3AM to click and refresh for 58 minutes to breed you and then you treat me like this?\u00a0 No stud for you.\u00a0 Just thank your lucky stars Mike hasn\u2019t invented a simulated Ferdinand option or that\u2019d be the exact button I\u2019d be pressing now.\u2019\u00a0 Good times.<\/p>\n
Wow.\u00a0 Writing is therapeutic.\u00a0 Thanks for listening.\u00a0 Anyway, back to this race.\u00a0 Here are some interesting facts about the Breeders\u2019 Bowl Juvenile Turf:<\/p>\n
The data pretty much says unless your guy is a future member of the HOF, be sure to enjoy your win as it will more than likely be your horse\u2019s career highlight.\u00a0 Oh, and start preparing some farm space for him because you have a year before you can he-mare him.\u00a0 That too.<\/p>\n
So, let\u2019s take a look at this year\u2019s field:<\/p>\n
PP1 \u2013 DECLARE LOYALTY<\/a> \u2013 10\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Declaration of War x Nureyev x Gone West<\/p>\n Owner\/Trainer \u2013 Snowchief Racing Stables What I like about Declare Loyalty \u2013 his bottom.\u00a0 He has been trained along nicely this year.\u00a0 He has gotten generally faster as the year has gone on and as the competition has gotten tougher.\u00a0 Good signs.\u00a0 Needs to run a career race to take this down, as most do, but might be primed to do just that.\u00a0 Chance.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Declare Loyalty \u2013 wear & tear.\u00a0 Stretching here, but this will make it 5 graded races in a row for this guy.\u00a0 Usually a 2YO no-no.\u00a0 Also not sure about his ability to route.\u00a0 He has closed nicely in all of his races, but his mare\u2019s best runners have been sprinter types.<\/p>\n PP2 \u2013 TRICK ME ONCE<\/a> \u2013 16\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Courageous Cat x Dynaformer x Phone Trick What I like about Trick Me Once \u2013 his home state.\u00a0 Who doesn\u2019t love NY?\u00a0 He\u2019s been brought along very professionally and should be poised to run a career best race if he likes the added distance.\u00a0 Mom was a GI winner sprinting, but a few of her other offspring could get a mile.\u00a0 Definitely in with a chance, and distance is the biggest question.\u00a0 Solid.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Trick Me Once \u2013 mile distance.\u00a0 Like I said above, the distance is the question.\u00a0 Is one of a few that seems to want to go right to the front.\u00a0 Might not be quite fast enough to grab the lead, so another question mark is his ability to rate at a mile if he\u2019s off the pace a length or two.<\/p>\n PP3 \u2013 SEATTLELEMONDROP<\/a> \u2013 7\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Lemon Drop Kid x Seattle Slew x Nijinsky What I like about Seattlelemondrop \u2013 I like his name.\u00a0 I did many Lemon Drops while I lived in Seattle.\u00a0 I love his first, and only, route race.\u00a0 Produced a G2 win and lifetime high SF.\u00a0 He had tested graded and not done as well sprinting, so his route might truly indicate a desired distance.\u00a0 In with a real shot.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Seattlelemondrop \u2013 again, not a lot to pick on about any of these nice looking juveniles.\u00a0 Maybe his lack of a second route?\u00a0 The G2 win could be one of those time and place wins and we\u2019ll find out he really doesn\u2019t like the distance.\u00a0 I doubt that though.<\/p>\n PP4 \u2013 RED\u2019S RAVEN<\/a> \u2013 13\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Raven\u2019s Pass x Redoute\u2019s Choice x Storm Cat What I like about Red\u2019s Raven \u2013 his connections.\u00a0 Jockeymax has been here before.\u00a0 His previous winner of this race, Mambo Wildcat, went on to become a member of the HOF.\u00a0 Although he hasn\u2019t been longer than 6F, Red\u2019s Raven can most likely handle the distance.\u00a0 His mom was a GI winner at 8.5F as a 2YO and a few of his siblings (both by Raven\u2019s Pass also) are at least route Stakes winners.\u00a0 His speed figures are a bit light, but I think Red\u2019s Raven is primed to post a huge effort.\u00a0 Place your bets.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Red\u2019s Raven \u2013 timing.\u00a0 Stretching a bit, but based on his most recent siblings this race may be too short for Red\u2019s Raven.\u00a0 He could still be good enough to take this down, but 9-10F might be a better fit.\u00a0 Whatever the outcome, look for this guy on the Arlington Million undercard next summer.<\/p>\n PP5 \u2013 RIPPING STAR<\/a> \u2013 9\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Sea The Stars x Redoute\u2019s Choice x Galileo What I like about Ripping Star \u2013 his versatility.\u00a0 He\u2019s won on the lead.\u00a0 He\u2019s won off the pack.\u00a0 He looked very sharp in The Golden Shoe last time out, closing for a nice second at a distance probably too short for him.\u00a0 His he-mare was a monster, especially at 7F, but only tried routing twice in his life.\u00a0 This guy has a great shot to contend and is fast enough to take the whole thing.\u00a0 Nice!<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Ripping Star \u2013 not much.\u00a0 Tough to compare too closely to his he-mare, as I have had horses win at 14F out of he-mares that couldn\u2019t get 7F.\u00a0 If he goes to the front, and he\u2019s fast enough to get the lead, I\u2019m not sure he\u2019ll have the gas to hold off the late chargers.<\/p>\n PP6 \u2013 SANSFOY<\/a> \u2013 13\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Soldier Hollow x Oasis Dream x Fappiano What I like about Sansfoy \u2013 his running style.\u00a0 Especially in the new viewer, there is nothing better than watching a horse come from 10+ lengths back.\u00a0 Granted, you have time to shave and shower once they start moving, but it\u2019s legit fun.\u00a0 Sansfoy has closed like a train in back to back GII races at 8F.\u00a0 He has yet to get his picture taken at 8F, but his running style, and potential pace scenario, set him up well to be charging towards the wire in contention when this race gets settled.\u00a0 Contender.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Sansfoy \u2013 the distance.\u00a0 In addition to Sansfoy, neither his mare nor any of his siblings has ever won a route race.\u00a0 Tough stat to overcome.\u00a0 He\u2019s fast enough to do it, but I have had a lot of horses that put up huge numbers when placing but never could cross the wire first.<\/p>\n PP7 \u2013 CHI TOWN SAUSAGE <\/a>\u2013 10\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Lonhro x Deputy Minister x Seeking The Gold What I like about Chi Town Sausage \u2013 his name.\u00a0 Obviously.\u00a0 Everyone loves sausage, right?\u00a0 Even if it does cause cancer, how can you not get excited about meat stuffed into intestine?\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t fit Sausage King of Chicago as his name, so this had to do.\u00a0 No actual shot in the race.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Chi Town Sausage \u2013 his owner.\u00a0 He\u2019s a tool.\u00a0 His nickname must be Stanley.\u00a0 Good luck with that.<\/p>\n PP8 \u2013 HOUDINI LOVE<\/a> \u2013 9\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Dubawi x Galileo x Blushing Groom What I like about Houdini Love \u2013 his first route.\u00a0 Although he didn\u2019t hold on, Houdini Love ran a very nice race in his first attempt at 8F last time out in the GII The Royal Dodge.\u00a0 His mare was a graded winner at a mile on the turf, and I think this guy has the ability to follow in her footsteps.\u00a0 Did you know Houdini\u2019s brother went by the name Dash?\u00a0 Who doesn\u2019t love a good dash?\u00a0 I know I do.\u00a0 A dash of salt.\u00a0 A dash of steak.\u00a0 A dash to the finish. \u00a0Very dashing.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Houdini Love \u2013 another one without much to dislike.\u00a0 His running style might be problematic as this field may end up with about seven going right to the front at the break.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t have a route win.\u00a0 Yet.\u00a0 Everything, from his pedigree to his mare and siblings screams distance so not a real scare.<\/p>\n PP9 – JUST BEFORE DAWN<\/a> \u2013 13\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Dawn Approach x Mr. Prospector x Nijinsky What I like about Just Before Dawn \u2013 He has two wins at 8F.\u00a0 Love the fact that he stepped up as he tested graded and ran a career best speed figure in doing so.\u00a0 Very live for this race.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Just Before Dawn \u2013 his owner is a huge putz.\u00a0 That is his biggest drawback.\u00a0 If anyone can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory it is this guy.<\/p>\n PP10 \u2013 REDOUTE\u2019S DAWN<\/a> \u2013 6\/1*<\/b><\/p>\n Dawn Approach x Redoute\u2019s Choice x Fappiano What I like about Redoute\u2019s Dawn \u2013 Lots.\u00a0 Eye-popping prep at the mile distance was very salty.\u00a0 2-for-2 at 8F in his short career.\u00a0 Love the fact that the two route wins have been career high SF\u2019s, and that when he tested graded company he really thrived.\u00a0 Can run near the lead or come from 10+ back \u2013 versatile.\u00a0 Look out!<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Redoute\u2019s Dawn \u2013 not a lot to choose from.\u00a0 I think the only scenario I can see where this guy doesn\u2019t seriously contend to get his picture taken is a race that has zero pace and he finds himself on the lead.\u00a0 And that\u2019s a stretch worry at best.<\/p>\n PP11 – BRON Y AUR<\/a> \u2013 13\/1<\/b><\/p>\n Sepoy x Awesome Again x Dynaformer What I like about Bron Y Aur \u2013 his owner group.\u00a0 Super stables have been simply that in this race \u2013 Super.\u00a0 They own two previous wins, in 2008 and 2010.\u00a0 Both at a mile.\u00a0 And you have to love any horse with a connection to Led Zeppelin.\u00a0 Bron Y Aur is two for two routing, and stepped up nicely when facing graded company for the first time last time out winning The Wooden Reserve.\u00a0 Lots to like.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Bron Y Aur \u2013 his owner group.\u00a0 They used to be the Evil Empire\u2019s Evil Empire.\u00a0 Not anymore.\u00a0 Seeing them now is like when you see a cat playing with a dead mouse.\u00a0 It\u2019d be much more sporting if the mouse was still alive.<\/p>\n PP12 \u2013 ORPHEUS CADET<\/a> \u2013 6\/1*<\/b><\/p>\n Redoute\u2019s Choice x Forty Niner x Seattle Slew What I like about Orpheus Cadet \u2013 his mare.\u00a0 She\u2019s a HOF member based on her offspring.\u00a0 As classy as you can get in this game.\u00a0 Three other GI winners out of this mare won those GI\u2019s routing, so distance not as big a question mark as you may think.\u00a0 Undefeated.\u00a0 The Pick.\u00a0 Bet your simulated Cadet-house.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like about Orpheus Cadet \u2013 where do I begin?\u00a0 Cadet is a huge Larry Fishburne fan.\u00a0 Huge.\u00a0 But he also has a huge fear of the letter M.\u00a0 It\u2019s just sad.\u00a0 All that therapy money wasted.\u00a0 Just wasted.\u00a0 Donny let me know about Cadet\u2019s ultimate plan to win the BB Juvy Turf \u2013 Wood Memorial \u2013 Irish St. Legend triple with Orpheus Cadet.\u00a0 It just shows how Sim-crazy Cadet has become.\u00a0 It\u2019s no secret Robby – we can all see it.\u00a0 Plus, the fact that Cadet basically stole this share of Redoute\u2019s Choice off of Matty in an all-too-typical chat room wager is just sad.\u00a0 Betting on how many times (14) Given can offend the room in 90 seconds is borderline cheating.\u00a0 Karma Cadet.<\/p>\n
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 94
\nLifetime High SF at 8F:\u00a0 N\/A
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 BigRick Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 94
\nLifetime High SF at 8F:\u00a0 N\/A
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Stockswami Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF: 97
\nLifetime High SF at 8F: 97
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Jockeymax Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 89
\nLifetime High at 8F:\u00a0 N\/A
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Punter34 Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 95
\nLifetime High SF at 8F:\u00a0 N\/A
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Tees Racing Stable
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 95
\nLifetime High SF at 8F:\u00a0 95
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Yours Truly
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 97
\nLifetime High SF at 8F:\u00a0 97
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Silversun Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 95
\nLifetime High SF at 8F:\u00a0 95
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 The Sometimes almost Evil Empire.
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 97
\nLifetime High at 8F:\u00a0 97
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Stockswami Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF: 102
\nLifetime High SF at 8F: 102
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Super Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 93
\nLifetime High SF at 8F:\u00a0 90
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n
\nOwner\/Trainer \u2013 Cadet Racing Stables
\n2YO Bay Colt
\nLifetime High SF:\u00a0 94
\nLifetime High at 8F:\u00a0 N\/A
\nNotable Wins:<\/p>\n\n