{"id":3599,"date":"2007-02-08T02:06:19","date_gmt":"2007-02-08T02:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=3599"},"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=3599","title":{"rendered":"The Grade 3 Sussex Handicap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sussex Handicap – G3<\/FONT><\/H1>

1 1\/16 miles TURF $125,000<\/P>

Dry conditions over the past few days are expected to leave beautiful Epsom turf course firm for Saturday’s card, hi-lighted by the Grade 3 Sussex Handicap.\u00a0 It’s an affair for 4 year olds and upward, and the entrybox overfilled for this one, so we have a full gate of 14 starters.\u00a0 We’ll go over the field starter by starter, followed by the three keys of the race.<\/P>

#1 SCOOBIS ZIG<\/STRONG> (Jump Start) illrunbyu<\/EM><\/P>

\u00a0He was last seen in the Grade 3 Laffit Handicap, a race in which he stalked the pace and faded.\u00a0 Prior to that, he won going away in the Grade 2 NC Mile, leading on to the possible conclusion that he may have bounced in the Laffit.\u00a0 He gets a good inside draw in an attempt to flash some of that early speed.<\/P>

#2 DRACO<\/STRONG> (Sadler’s Wells) spqr<\/EM><\/P>

Has struggled in two starts since a score in the Haw Haw Derby vs. 3 year olds last year.\u00a0 The drop to a Grade 3, and decent early pace scenario may help this guy’s potentially lethal late kick.<\/P>

#3 BEYER BEWARE<\/STRONG> (Dayjur) lenny271<\/EM><\/P>

Bred for speed, this guys has anything but.\u00a0 He takes a step up into graded stakes company after posting two decent allowance races, the most recent in which he was the victor.\u00a0 His previous graded stakes experience leaves a lot left to wonder about.\u00a0 You have to go back to week 2888 to see a graded stakes placing.<\/P>

#4 ANDY’S CHOICE<\/STRONG> (Rainbow Quest) gunsynd<\/EM><\/P>

Last year’s 2000 Guineas winner has not visited the circle since.\u00a0 That’s a seven race drought in which he has only mustered\u00a0four 3rd place finishes.\u00a0 Three of those were in minor stakes, and his most recent graded efforts seem a bit lackluster.\u00a0 Will need to pick it up a notch, even with the services of a good rider.<\/P>

#5 SILVER COURT <\/STRONG>(Silver Ghost) ts1442<\/EM><\/P>

Was a sneaky winner of the Grade 2 Geegee Turf two starts back.\u00a0 Sandwiched between those two efforts after a a pair of 11th place finishes in similar spots.\u00a0 One has to wonder which Silver Court will show up.\u00a0 Gets the services of a 14% rider, which could make his task a bit easier.\u00a0He’ll be stalking a decent early pace.<\/P>

#6 CAMPILLO <\/STRONG>(Storm Cat) rafita<\/EM><\/P>

Tries a graded stake for the first time as a four year old.\u00a0 He had some success in races restricted to 3 year olds last year, finishing second to the afforementioned DRACO in the Haw Haw Derby.\u00a0 This one is yet another that will assure a decent early pace.\u00a0 His recent longer efforts may help his stamina a bit.<\/P>

#7 DIGGING THE GRAVE <\/STRONG>(Silver Ghost) zewango2<\/EM><\/P>

Old pro has racked up seven straight triple digit SP #’s.\u00a0 All of those came in sprints, however, which guarantees that this guy will be fresh and a pace threat.\u00a0 However, a wire job could be a tough task in a race in which half of the field has good early speed.\u00a0 Lifetime record of 16 for 31 is out of this world.\u00a0 He’s 2 for 4 going long, but has only earned $15K at a mile or over.\u00a0 Definitely a red flag there.\u00a0 Potentially a bad favorite.<\/P>

#8\u00a0DREAMING OF LAUREN<\/STRONG> (Lear Fan) capncoke<\/EM><\/P>

Late runner was a closing 4th in the Laffit ‘Cap going a flat mile.\u00a0 Prior to that, he won a couple of conditioned allowance races.\u00a0 Despite the positive setup here, this guy’s numbers look a bit low to stack up with these boys.\u00a0 Worth watching, but needs to improve to get the job done.<\/P>

#9 FANTASY DREAMS<\/STRONG> (Flatter) puke<\/EM><\/P>

Horse by a son of A.P. Indy, Flatter, who had many problems throughout his short racing career, makes his venture into graded stakes company off of a pair of good efforts in minor stake company.\u00a0 He gets an extra sixteenth of a mile to work his magic, and he’s another closer in this field of speed.\u00a0 Shows improvement at the right time, so if he continues to do so, he will be dangerous at a price.<\/P>

#10 ANSKAR(IRE) <\/STRONG>(Sinndar(IRE)) naturesway<\/EM><\/P>

An allowance winner in his last start against 3 year olds, this newly turned four year old steps up to the older age group for the first time.\u00a0 Adding to that is the fact that this is a grade 3, a level at which he was a distant 5th in the Haw Haw Derby.\u00a0 Not sure if he is ready for this, especially in his first start of ’07.<\/P>

#11 UNPREDICTABLY T <\/STRONG>(Western Fame) xtchamps<\/EM><\/P>

Another who likes to be forwardly placed, this one makes his first foray into graded company since being a well beaten 9th in the Grade 1 Smackdown last year.\u00a0 His starts since show three wins.\u00a0 However, they were against 3 year olds, and his most recent effort against 4 & up isn’t so pretty.\u00a0<\/P>

#12 OTTO ALEXANDER<\/STRONG> (Pulpit) erendira<\/EM><\/P>

Speedy miler stretches it out just a bit to 1 1\/16 miles.\u00a0 In each of his\u00a0recent starts, he has been on or near the lead.\u00a0 If he can work out a stalking trip from a bit farther off the pace, we may see this one still alive down the lane.\u00a0 Dangerous combination of speed, class, and stamina\u00a0make him tougher than other\u00a0“need the lead” types in here.<\/P>

#13 MANIFEST DESTINY<\/STRONG> (Storm Cat) tigerman<\/EM><\/P>

Went gate to wire in a minor stake last time out.\u00a0 However, that may not be what we see out of this guy today.\u00a0\u00a0He has shown the ability to sit a few lengths off the pace and pick off some rivals late.\u00a0 If that pace backs up to him, he will be the one fending off the closers late.\u00a0 Must give this one at least a chance in here.\u00a0 A respectable 6th in the Breeders’ Bowl Mile\u00a0doesn’t hurt his class resume, either.<\/P>

#14 OLLIE’S GONE<\/STRONG> (Gone West) beamnreasn<\/EM><\/P>

The most dangerous late runner in the field, he will surely be running them down late.\u00a0 He’s fresh off a win in the Grade 2 Sanders Stakes, in which he passed 12 horses to get up and win by three parts of a length.\u00a0 He has improved steadily over his last five efforts, and shows no signs of slowing down.\u00a0 Look out inside the 1\/8 pole for this one.<\/P>

THREE KEYS TO THE RACE<\/STRONG><\/P>