Now in its fifth year, the Delaware Mile has emerged as perhaps the biggest single race for dirt milers in the sim. Carrying a rich purse of $2 million, this event, in a short four year, has attracted some of the fastest milers, ever. Western Groom won the first running by three lengths over Black Jack Shellac, sizzling his way to a 1:33 3\/5 mile (126 SF). The following year, Eruption emerged the 2 \u00bd length victor, with Black Jack Shellac once again in the runner-up position and Western Groom a distant third, again with a final time of 1:33 3\/5 for the mile (125 SF). The next, it was a changing of the guard, with High Otto who won over a track rated good, with a time of 1:34 3\/5, holding off Carson and Dane. Last year, Taking Risks posted a mild upset over the filly Swift Kick, with a time of 1:34 1\/5. On Saturday, a top caliber field of 14 runners has gathered in the quest for glory and riches, 13 of whom are looking to topple Journeyman, who has had an amazing season at this distance:
PP1: Sissonhill<\/B> (4 yo colt, Danzig x His Majesty x Buckpasser).
This anzstable<\/I> homebred sparkled earlier this year at 7 \u00bd furlongs when winning the G2 Fast and Furious Stakes (110 SF), but has otherwise struggled for most of the summer and fall. Also won the San Valenzuela Breeders\u2019 Bowl Stakes at 1 1\/16 miles, but for the most part has been fading in the stretch, and with an honest early pace guaranteed, is going to need a change in riding tactics or something to get the job done in a race of this magnitude.
PP2: Otto History<\/B> (4yo filly, Deputy Minister x Fappiano x Buckpasser)
Capsized<\/I> homebred tempted the main message board just before the Sterile Mile and came up just a half-length short over an off track. Filly takes on the boys, but don\u2019t let that fool you – that last race proved she can handle the \u201ctougher\u201d sex, and her speed figures all along have been competitive with this bunch. With so much early speed in this race, the main knock against her is that she\u2019s going to have to fight for the lead every step of the way, and have something left in reserve, but certainly has the class to get it done. Already a multiple G1 winner at this distance.
PP3: Half A World Away<\/B> (3yo colt, Belong To Me x Gone West x Verbatim)
Last year\u2019s top juvenile colt has had a rough transition at three, winning only the G2 Mountainous Derby at 9 furlongs since capturing the G3 Silver Fence way back in January. Didn\u2019t care for the off track in the Morrison Mile, so toss that race out, but still, most of this year he\u2019s been battling on or near the lead in each of his races, so, like the two entries before him, will be engaged in a pitched battle early that cannot help his chances. Had one of his better outings last time out in the Lewis & Clark, against older, where he finished third, and if he can step forward off of that effort, combined with the dropback in distance, may be capable of pulling off the Christmas surprise for owner\/breeder foxvbullet<\/I>.
PP4: Zygote<\/B> (4yo colt, A.P. Indy x Storm Cat x Seeking the Gold)
Isisbabe\u2019s<\/I> beautifully bred colt has been on a tear this year at this distance, winning the G2 Breeders\u2019 Bowl Prep (111 SF), and made up ground to finish second in the G2 It\u2019s All Your Fault Stakes last time out, as well as two other graded stakes over an off-track. This guy comes from off the pace, and his running style can only be helped by this. In sharp form, should be flying in the lane, and with his speed figures, is a serious contender at 4\/1.
PP5: Toxissuperfreakout<\/B> (3yo colt, Orientate x Thunder Gulch x Sword Dance)
Former Derby runner, this guy has been muddling around since, showing flashes of brilliance while not quite getting the job done. Has been setting the pace and tiring in sprints; a return to longer may help this darycal<\/I> colt relax on the lead as he did so successfully at the beginning of this year. Unfortunately, this is probably not the race to get an accurate gauge of it with the combination of the best milers in the sim and the rapid pace scenario. Still, had a good run last out and is eligible to improve.
PP6: Gathering Momentum<\/B>, (4yo colt, Storm Cat x Gone West x Caerleon)
Third in the Sterile Mile last time out, and winner of the Brokeback Mountain, both over an off-track, this rascal<\/I> homebred hopes to parlay that form into a victory here. Was a competitive third in the Moonshine Mile over a fast track, and also won the G1 Gary Carter at 7 furlongs. Versatile sort has won from 6 to 8 furlongs, and while his best performances have come leading from wire to wire, he can also come from off the pace, which may prove to be critical on Saturday. Lots to like at 6\/1.
PP7: Rhibus<\/B> (3yo colt, Kingmambo x Pleasant Colony x Nijinsky II)
Like some of the other sophomores in the field, the gradetwo<\/I> colt is trying to get back on track after an uneven year. After a disappointing Triple Crown outing and a pair of turf tries, the colt exploded in the G2 Winchester Park Derby, winning with a 112 SF. However, he has disappointed in three starts since, but was starting to make up ground in his one mile prep for this event. Closing style should be helped by the rapid pace, but will need to recover his Winchester form if he hopes to finish out the season in style.
PP8: Breeding Empire(IRE)<\/B> (3yo colt, Empire Maker x Seattle Slew x Nureyev)
Rhibus\u2019 stablemate, also trained by gradetwo<\/I>, is next to him in the starting gate. Another former Derby starter, this colt returns to stakes competition after a series confidence building allowance wins, and carries a three race streak into this race. Takes a step up in class, and his speed figures will need to be more in line with the 106 he tossed out three starts back, but is eligible to do so.
PP9: Arno Hollandia<\/B> (4yo colt, Lycius x Storm Bird x Darby Creek Road)
Winner of the Sterile Mile, second in the Middle Ground Mile, both over a good track, Arno looks to show that he can experience the same level of success over a fast surface. The talented tote<\/I> charge has made a splash this year since leaving the allowance ranks, and also sports a G3 placing at nine furlongs, but appears to be best at this distance. Should be stalking the early leaders just behind the first flight, and will have a jump on the closers, which tactically, gives him a huge shot here at generous odds of 7\/1.
PP10: Rainbow Phyl<\/B> (3yo colt, Rainbow Quest x Danzig x Storm Cat)
Sam\u2019s<\/I> wellbred colt has struggled since finishing second in a trio of 9 furlong Derby preps earlier this year. Won an allowance four starts back with a sharp 106 SF, but has failed to hit the board in four starts since, although he did break the 100 SF mark in his last two.
PP11: Privileged<\/B> (3yo colt, Gone West x Danzig x Buckpasser)
Saver\u2019s<\/I> handsome colt won the G1 Morrison Mile over a good track with a 107 SF for the mile, and posted another 107 when winning the Hudson Hawk. Couldn\u2019t handle the 10 furlongs in the BB Classic, and looks primed to rebound with the cutback in distance. Closer should be flying late, and at these odds, is a live longshot.
PP12: Ab Fab<\/B> (3yo colt, Awesome Again x A.P. Indy x Mr. Prospector)
Dolphinman\u2019s<\/I> successful colt meets back up with Privileged in a rematch of the Morrison Mile. Ab Fab came up a \u00bd length short that day, and since then, has been running successfully in sprints, winning the G3 JFK Street last time out. Since being distanced, Ab Fab has been on a tear. The main question mark here is the distance, as this guy has always been better at distances of less than a mile, although he certainly gave a game performance in the Morrison. Like rival Privileged, will be closing late, and for those that think he can get the mile, you\u2019ll get a good price.
PP13: Quiet Glory<\/B> (4yo filly, Buddha x Miswaki x Dixieland Band)
Ottos History may be getting all the hype, but there\u2019s another 4yo filly in the field. The filly with the fitting name of Quiet Glory is also taking part in the Delaware Mile, and she has put in some fine performances for kobras3<\/I> while earning just shy of $1 million. Has not run at a mile this year, but has won three graded events at 1 1\/16 miles (108 SF – twice, 107 SF), and finished second in another three (107 SF, 105 SF, 104 SF). Her speed figures put her in the thick of the chase, and the cutback in distance should help. Main question marks are the pace scenario, and her first try against males. Still, at 10\/1, definitely a value play.
PP14: Journeyman<\/B> (6yo horse, Seeking the Gold x A.P. Indy x Deputy Minister)
Journeyman by name, but this kiri<\/I> is a veteran at age six, and enjoying a masterful season, as evidenced by wins in the Cosmopolitan Handicap-G1, Moonshine Mile-G1, Prims Memorial-G2, Middle Ground Mile-G2 and It\u2019s All Your Fault Handicap-G2, all at this distance, and all with speed figures of 109 SF. He should be the favorite, and instead, he\u2019s a gift at 5\/1. The only explanation I can figure is the low percentage jock, but I think this guy is in such hot form right now, he could win with just about everyone. If he brings his A game, he\u2019ll be tough to beat, but in this field, he has to bring that A game.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Journeyman Seeks Finale to Masterful Season<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":438,"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-3425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3425","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\/438"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3425\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}