{"id":44948,"date":"2018-03-29T21:08:29","date_gmt":"2018-03-30T01:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=44948"},"modified":"2018-03-29T21:08:29","modified_gmt":"2018-03-30T01:08:29","slug":"highly-decorated-dariel-takes-on-thirteen-tough-foes-in-sand-castle-golden-turf-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=44948","title":{"rendered":"Highly decorated DARIEL takes on thirteen tough foes in Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

-SAND CASTLE GOLDEN TURF CLASSIC-<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A highly competitive field of 14 square off in Dubai in the $3,000,000 Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic. \u00a0One can make a case for just about any of these horses landing in the winning circle. \u00a0This field boasts 13 grade 1 winners, a filly who is proven against the boys, and a horse who has already won his connections $10 Million plus. \u00a0Let’s take a look, shall we?<\/p>\n

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1) PASS THE DRO \u00a0– 11\/1 – silversun26<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

PASS THE DRO is back for more after finishing a competitive 4th in this race a year ago. After a disappointing finish to a solid 2017 campaign, the connections decided to geld this two-time G1 champion in advance of the 2018 campaign. Took the lead late to win in a restricted allowance tune-up on February 10 – his only other race this season. \u00a0Hasn’t seen his best form since finishing 2nd in the Ark De ComicDog back in October. \u00a0Perhaps the recent operation and time off will prove to be the recipe for returned success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

2) DARIEL – 6\/1 – drogonrider7<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Not a whole lot more left to prove for this SIM superstar. \u00a0With earnings at $10 million and counting, DARIEL tries to snag his sixth G1 victory in a race in which he finished 3rd a year ago. \u00a0Took the 2017 Breeder’s Bowl Turf gate to wire before faltering in his 2017 finale. \u00a0Won easily in his allowance tune-up a month ago. \u00a0If he’s on the lead early, that’s usually a good sign for his supporters. \u00a0Hard to bet against here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

3) PROJECT SPACE – 15\/1 – muninn240<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After struggling in a few tries against older competition as a 3YO, PROJECT SPACE looks to repeat or improve on his recent form. This Sea The Stars colt began his 4 year old campaign by coming from way off the pace to finish 2nd in the New Zealand Derby earlier this month. \u00a0The two straight 114 speeds at this distance heading into this race are noteworthy. \u00a0Should be gaining on the leaders late and could very well catch them all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

4) REY DEL LLANO – 7\/1 – castillo<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This colt is always competitive – having finished outside the money just twice in 21 starts and has never finished worse than fifth. \u00a0Finished strong to snag 2nd behind DARIEL in the Breeder’s Bowl Turf back in November. \u00a0Looks to have maintained strong form since then. \u00a0REY DEL LLANO likely will be coming from off the pace – looking to win his 2nd G1 race. Definitely a player in this race.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5) THE NEVER LANDS – 34\/1 – whoami1<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Either Feast or Famine, it seems, with this 4YO colt by Dutch Art. \u00a0Another late runner – he won the Irish Derby back in June and has been competing at the Grade 1 level ever since. \u00a0Since his Irish Derby win, he has posted four duds and two 2nd place finishes – including his most recent start in the San Francisco Capitan Handicap in early February in which he went off at 30\/1. \u00a0In that one he was beaten only by RUNING ON EVIL, a fellow competitor in this race. \u00a0Hard to like (and hard to hate) his chances here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

6) NO CHANCE CADET – 5\/1 – cadetdegen<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Well supported by the betting public and goes off as favorite with A Jolly aboard. \u00a0Looking to score his 4th Grade 1 victory. \u00a0Took home bronze in the Equinics at this distance last time out. \u00a0His last win came last October in the G1 Canada Turf – also at this distance. \u00a0A model of consistency and should be prominent in this race. \u00a0Will need his best to win against this field.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7) TETE CIRYAHER – 33\/1 – racelord3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking to improve in second time out after a 4 month layoff for TETE CIRYAHER. \u00a0Scored in three straight graded stakes during his 3 year old season. Doesn’t have the speed figures to boast that many of his challengers do, but he lightly race and is a candidate for improvement early in his 4 year old campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

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8) YOU WERE ON FIRE – 13\/1 – willyam13<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This 6 year old has fallen out of favor the handicappers coming off of 3 straight races in which he posed no threat. \u00a0Will be seeking his 4th Grade 1 win in this tough test. \u00a0After a very successful 2016 campaign, YOU WERE ON FIRE won just one race in 2017 – the G1 Coffeefields Cup – at this distance. His connections will be hoping that he can catch fire once more….<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

9) O WHAT A NIGHT – 15\/1 – socalman<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Some may say this 4 year old is not getting the respect he deserves from handicappers entering this contest. \u00a0Last time out, he took gold in the Equinics. \u00a0He was one better than the favorite NO CHANCE CADET in that race and beaten only by hall-of-famer SPICED TURTLE. \u00a0Has shown good speed and we probably haven’t seen the best this horse has to offer quite yet. \u00a0Possibly the best value bet in this field.<\/p>\n

\n

10) STABBING SCIENCE – 7\/1 – lenny19<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This 5 year old gelding seemed to find his stride once his connections switched to turf. \u00a0Another competitor looking to regain top form after winning three straight graded stakes last year. \u00a0STABBING SCIENCE certainly has shown he is capable of competing strongly in this race. \u00a0Will need his best to take home the victory here.<\/p>\n

\n

11) SADLER’S MAN KING – 7\/1 – mvillebabe<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The only competitor without a Grade 1 victory on his resume. \u00a0That doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong. \u00a0Won the Grade 2 Kyoto Handicap in his only start this year and finished just behind O WHAT A NIGHT in the start before that in the KING KONG VASE while finishing 3rd. \u00a0Competitive speed numbers and no signs of slowing down keep this one in the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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12) SHADY CAMEL – 10\/1 – plunk<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Had disappointing finishes his last two starts, including coming 11th in the Equinics last time out. \u00a0However, the bulk of his 2017 season was very impressive and on par with much of this field. \u00a0Needs to regain that form to be competitive here.<\/p>\n

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13) KOKO’S KITTEN – 9\/1 – givenfinal<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

She’s the only filly in this field has been nearly perfect the last 6 months. \u00a0The only blemish being a silver medal in the Equinics against the ladies. \u00a0She beat the boys in the G1 Los Angeles Turf Cup in December. \u00a0She certainly has the goods to do it again in Dubai.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

14) RUNNING ON EVIL – 13\/1 – simsters8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Absolutely stunning performance last time out, taking home his first G1 title in the San Francisco Capitan Handicap by 6 lengths. \u00a0Has never missed the board in 9 tries and appears to be hitting his peak in time for this race. \u00a0Would be foolish to leave this Frankel gelding off of your ticket. \u00a0If he replicates is performance last time out, he is the winner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

WRITER’S PICKS<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

RUNNING ON EVIL<\/span><\/p>\n

O WHAT A NIGHT<\/p>\n

DARIEL<\/p>\n

If all else fails, throw darts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

-SAND CASTLE GOLDEN TURF CLASSIC- A highly competitive field of 14 square off in Dubai in the $3,000,000 Sand Castle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67985,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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-44948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44948","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\/67985"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44948"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44970,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44948\/revisions\/44970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}