{"id":4256,"date":"2007-05-25T18:45:21","date_gmt":"2007-05-25T18:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=4256"},"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=4256","title":{"rendered":"Cronus(IRE), Conspirator, Andy’s Choice get Hyperactive(G3)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maine<\/STRONG>–\u00a0 The older horse turf sprint division rocks this week with a pair of Grade 3’s.\u00a0\u00a0 Minnesota hosts one and the other is here at Maine with the Grade 3 $125,000 Hyperactive Handicap<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 And we’ve got a pretty nice little field too with the two higly-regarded commodities from chilcoat and super stables:\u00a0\u00a0 Cronus(IRE)<\/STRONG> and Conspirator<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0 They’re both 4yo colts who’ve made some recent splashes in the division.\u00a0\u00a0 This reporter though is sky-high over bigkev’s Andy’s Choice<\/STRONG> — he’s the ’06 2,000 Guineas<\/EM> hero who recently returned to grass sprints.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt’s a perfect 4-for-4 around one-turn — been waiting to see Andy’s Choice challenge this division for a long time.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Eight other horses (including racemare Follow The Path<\/STRONG>) tackle the Hyperactive’s<\/EM> seven mighty furlongs.\u00a0 \u00a0Gonna be an explaosive matchup, so batten down the hatches, hold onto your butts, and get ready for sprint spectacularism!<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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The Faves<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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The bookies mark chilcoat’s Cronus(IRE)<\/STRONG> at 4-and-a-half on the dollar for his 24th carrer start.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We saw Cronus(IRE) of course take a whip-rousing runner-up spot in the Generals Pals(G1) <\/EM>last February.\u00a0\u00a0 Sprint fab\u00a0Northern Pirate outran Cronus(IRE) to the wire, but Chilcoat still had to have been\u00a0tickled pink with her colt’s 111 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0Mmhmm.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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The Giant’s Causeway(IRE) son was one of the hot belly-boys in that test of titans — Cronus cruised in there on a two-race win streak, including a Grade 2 prior.\u00a0\u00a0 The General’s Pals<\/EM> was a smokin’ hot final time and the effort in hindsight took a bit out of poor Cronus.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He tossed a clinker when asked to run back three weeks later in Night’s Desire’s Mr Anderson Special(G3)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chilcoat then gave Cronus a 5 week skipper — she brought him back to a 4th place jumpup in a listed Newmarket stakes.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT>No worries, folks.\u00a0\u00a0 Cronus should be fit as a fiddle on 5 weeks again.\u00a0 He loves the 7f\u00a0trail but of course needs pace up front to zero in on.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hotsy-totsy for your exotics and dangerous for the score.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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And rival Conspirator<\/STRONG> (5\/1) is in the same\u00a0the boat.\u00a0\u00a0 A Grade 2 winner versus sophomore sprinter last season,\u00a0Conspirator looked much the part for a break-on-through 4yo season.\u00a0\u00a0 The Supers got the Lemon Drop Kid colt started out right.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Conspirator snazzily decorated the Florida Turf Express in his ’07 opener with a midpack 105 SP#<\/STRONG> thunder rumble. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The colt measured slickly alongside Cronus in the General’s Pals(G1)<\/EM> starting gate.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, while Cronus showed up, Conspirator was nowhere to be found, chugalugging home a hot-n-dirty 12th of 14.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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But you can’t keep conspiracies under wraps for long\u00a0and Conspirator\u00a0has been edging very close to the winner’s circle since.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s got a pair of 4ths, including a 104 SP# LTO in the Simon\u00a0& Simon(G3)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0Could he be rounding back into graceful form?\u00a0\u00a0 This guy’s due for a big race — something to prove that his Grade 2 Snowphantm Appreciation(G2) <\/EM>score last year was no fluke.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wheel him from midpack.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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And now we come to the Guineas<\/EM> eye-catcher.\u00a0\u00a0Andy’s Choice<\/STRONG> (5\/1)\u00a0has been ever so talented throughout his career.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I recall that the Rainbow\u00a0Quest son was in a bit of a funk prior to the Guineas last season, but\u00a0surprisingly ran big, turning his\u00a0year around in the big race.\u00a0 He’s kept to those Monster Miles<\/EM> ever since, perppering in an extra furlong or so every now and then.\u00a0\u00a0 While he throws his\u00a0fair share of solid speed figures, the colt just hasn’t been able to sizzle over the top, presenting just 2 wins from 17 route tries.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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But, low and behold, Andy’s Choice shortened up late last month to 7.5f.\u00a0\u00a0 He was a perfect 3-for-3\u00a0around one-turn previously (dating back to his freshman days).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The closer perked right up in that Illinois listed — he\u00a0seized the winner’s circle sensationally with a late rallying 105 SP#<\/STRONG> score.\u00a0\u00a0 Undefeated around one-turn.\u00a0\u00a0 Yeah!\u00a0\u00a0 Boy, if Andy’s Choice does well with a score or board finish here, I’m gonna hit Bigkev over the head if he enters the colt back over a mile!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Try to best in the sprint division next!!!\u00a0\u00a0My pick to break on through.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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In The Wings<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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What a grand ol’ mare we have here in Follow The Path<\/STRONG> (6\/1)!\u00a0 She’s won her share of races and has really blossomed recently, picking up one-turn stakes events.\u00a0\u00a0Ordinarily a stalker,\u00a0Follow The Path was full of run versus the boys in last month’s\u00a0Simon & Simon Cap(G3)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0She\u00a0ran as brave as can be too, making\u00a0papa Sadler’s Wells proud, with a 3rd place finish by just a half-length.\u00a0\u00a0 Trainer woodhead must’ve been esctatic over Follow The Path’s bold 107 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Follow The Path was a decent 4th back versus listed company LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 She can sure kick up her feet when the going gets\u00a0tough.\u00a0\u00a0 The mare faces competitiion for the pace, but if she can relax a bit, we just might find her with a lioness’ share of the purse.\u00a0\u00a0 Filly liberation!\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Lowlands Loft<\/STRONG> (7\/1) breaks from the far outside for\u00a0lieut60.\u00a0\u00a0The Cryptoclearance 5yo has won or placed in 17 of\u00a027 lifetime outings.\u00a0\u00a0 He apprecaites\u00a0one-turn over the green most of all and brings 4 victories from his past 7 sprint starts to the table.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The big boy\u00a0enjoys\u00a0a pacesetters fight as much as an off pace\u00a0charge.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Lowlands Loft\u00a0faces much toougher competition this time around than normal ALW fare.\u00a0\u00a0 Still, don’t discount this old boy — he brings solid speed figures to the bruhaha and oddsmakers seemed to appreciate that plenty.\u00a0\u00a0 Factor for a minor share and if the faves fall, just might be spoiling for a ripe upset.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Out of post 10, johnno4 sends out Mr.Spur(AUS)<\/STRONG> (8\/1).\u00a0\u00a0 While many of our contenders today bring plenty of experience, MR.Spur is still a little guy learning the ropes.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s got 16 starts in the bank though and, boy, he sure fired up thensome in the Simon & Simon(G3)<\/EM> LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 The Flying Spur son made the most of his late break, passing horses to pocket a 3rd-place cheque.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Mr. Spur had exhausted his conditions previously with a win in listed stakes company over Saturday’s distance.\u00a0\u00a0Rallying from the back of the pack, the 4yo colt made up ground in due time, posting a catchy 103 SP# with room to spare under the wire.\u00a0\u00a0 I think he’s well-spotted here and, now that he has a grade under his belt, should improve off the effort.\u00a0\u00a0As fresh as a\u00a0summer breeze too with 6 weeks rest.\u00a0\u00a0 Keep an eye on him.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Our pacesetter Saturday should be Cheese<\/STRONG> (8\/1).\u00a0\u00a0 No recent starts at Wisconsin for this 5yo, but he sure tours around the states and Canada too earning his breakfast feed.\u00a0\u00a0 The modestly-bred Alysheba horse specializes in this division’s listed level.\u00a0\u00a0 He was smokin’ hot with peppery spunk LTO in a 7.5f stakes contest.\u00a0\u00a0 The big boy munched up the field with hunger, recording a 105 SP# wire-to-wire.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Cheese makes his benchmark 40th career call to the post.\u00a0\u00a0 What a\u00a0memorable\u00a0race it would be indeed too if he could steal this one on the lead for hoofbeats stable.\u00a0\u00a0 Possible since this group is loaded with closers for the most part.\u00a0\u00a0 Jockey N Matthews must crawl early and save the best Cheese for the final drive.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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The Longshots<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Lost Empire<\/STRONG> (9\/1) hasn’t won in quite a spell for sallygee stable.\u00a0\u00a0 The Cape Town son has won over a half-million sprinting over the dirt.\u00a0\u00a0 Indeed, the\u00a04yo colt has never even attempted a route experiment through 29 starts.\u00a0\u00a0 Recently, Lost Empire galloped over the green stuff.\u00a0\u00a0 He was pretty good too with fine speed figures, earning some ALW dough.\u00a0\u00a0 The midpacker relaly didn’t handle a short field stakes LTO though.\u00a0 \u00a0Worth a try at the lesser grade, but he’s in for a rough time perhaps.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Topicount invokes the forces of Arthurian legend with Tintagel<\/STRONG> (10\/1).\u00a0 By Came Home, Tintagel spent his first 12 lifetime starts over the main track where he was pretty good, exhausting his ALW conditions promisingly.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lots of talent in this sassy 4yo colt — he switched over to the turf and won 2 of 4, including a short field stakes race.\u00a0\u00a0 Sometimes a speedster, and sometimes a stalker, Tintagel needs to build his numbers in a hurry.\u00a0\u00a0 We’ll probably see him press Cheese and Follow The Path.\u00a0\u00a0 Good spot, but maybe a cut below these at this point.\u00a0\u00a0 Would prefer to see him throw greater speed figs, before selecting him in this kind of race.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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An Arch 4yo colt come sout of the\u00a02-hole.\u00a0\u00a0 TJ Jesse<\/STRONG> (12\/1) sure has been around a block or two — Saturday will be his\u00a030th lifetime trip.\u00a0\u00a0 Lebori stable got a stakes victory out of this guy three back.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a handy 101 SP# score around six panels.\u00a0\u00a0The colt’s consistent and at times ferocious in numbers.\u00a0\u00a0 He’ll likely sit a bit forward Saturday, maybe about 4th 5th in the early going.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, TJ Jesse’s a bit “off and on” to warant much of factor-status here.\u00a0\u00a0 Worth a shot though, because he’s so solid and experienced at the listed level.\u00a0\u00a0 We’ll see if she shows up with his running shoes on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Finally, Moonlight Mile<\/STRONG> (24\/1) from the 1i2 stable steps up in class.\u00a0\u00a0 The E Dubai 4yo has 18 lifetime starts in the bank — he’s only won 3 of them though and, frankly, he looks a bit mismatched.\u00a0 \u00a0He specializes in 7f of late though and manges\u00a0some minor shares.\u00a0\u00a0 Talented colt, but there are much\u00a0flashier and proven closers in this group.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Outside chance at best.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Snowchief’s Picks<\/U>:<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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This is a pretty wide-open contest.\u00a0\u00a0 The top 3 choices are evenly matched.\u00a0\u00a0 But even the in the wings<\/EM> runners have merit to play spoilers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I love Andy’s Choice a lot though around one-turn and think this will be his moment to convince his trainer!\u00a0\u00a0 Ha!\u00a0\u00a0 I’m gonna take him outrunning fellow closer\u00a0Cronus.\u00a0\u00a0 Follow The Path, Cheese, and Tintagel\u00a0could easily pick up the show spot or money positions.\u00a0\u00a0 I’ll toss in another closer in Mr.Spur for the show.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Win:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Andy’s Choic<\/FONT>e<\/FONT><\/DIV>
Place:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cronus<\/FONT><\/DIV>
Show:\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. Spur<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Good luck to all!<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eleven set for older horse turf sprint at Maine<\/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-4256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4256","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=4256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4256\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}