The Group 1 “Queen Sam” at 1600 meters will be one of the headline races in Berkshire this weekend marking what some in Europe feel is the first weekend of summer stakes racing.\u00a0 The weather in Berkshire has been holding well and is looking to be just fabulous for the entire weekend.\u00a0\u00a0Bookmakers are salivating with anticipation as record crowds have been in the forecast.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0“Queen Sam”<\/strong> pits thirteen well meant horses traveling 1600 meters to claim the 750,000 purse.<\/p>\n Line makers have established Gr2 winner Jetnikoff as the\u00a05-1 favorite<\/strong> after a solid outing in finishing 3rd in the” Sydney Mile”in Victoria\u00a0 , preceded with a win in the Gr 2 Futility Stakes in Queensland.\u00a0 \u00a0This will be\u00a0Jetn<\/strong>ikoff’s<\/strong>\u00a0first race back in England after starting his career slowly at 3 , requiring 5 starts before breaking his maiden at a mile.\u00a0 The five year old Son of\u00a0Sepoy,\u00a0<\/strong> from the\u00a0manoroflad\u00a0<\/strong>connections has seen a steady improvement in his last three races.<\/p>\n After being gelded in the fall of his three year old season,\u00a0 Cidaris <\/strong>went from a goofy teenager who was always looking for a little action, to a more business like animal who wanted to train rather than frolic with the other horses.\u00a0 \u00a0Twenty-two starts and 1.8 million later he’s still on his game with a recent start that found him battling down the stretch with\u00a0Sup Bro\u00a0<\/strong>in the\u00a0Champions mile, Gr 1<\/strong>\u00a0 in\u00a0Hong Kong,\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>where he missed by two lengths after a tough stretch run.\u00a0 The four year old son\u00a0(Lonhro) Sup Bro\u00a0<\/strong>(nuthouse)\u00a0<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/strong> is also entered today and the line makers made him 15-1.<\/p>\n Line makers and punters alike are excited for this race because of the fat lines that are sure to set off huge celebrations for those that are keen enough to make them work to their favor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1.) Union Pacific West (Distorted Humor X Gone West)\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a016 starts\u00a0 (4-5-1)\u00a0 415,478 GR 2 winner “Adam Gene” out of the mare (Pacific Railroad).\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0This lightly race four yr old has been a 10 panel specialist with a win and a second against group stakes competition at said distance.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Cutting back to 8 panels may be a little short for this one to find a good stalking position and still have enough kick to finish.\u00a0\u00a0Union Pacific\u00a0<\/strong>has been set at 15-1 which seems about right.\u00a0 He’s game and he’s on form so you got to like him even if the distance may be a little short.\u00a0\u00a0The connections of\u00a0sweetfilly stables\u00a0<\/strong>are not tipping their hat as to whether they are using this race for a prep or if he was well meant for the race.\u00a0 Sometimes races don’t fall where you like so you must make adjustment so things fall into place down the road.\u00a0 I’ll pass today on “Union Pacific West”.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2.) Take Care Of Me (Medicean (GB) X Danehill Dancer) 23 starts (6-6-4) 649,320,\u00a0 Gr 2 winner “Ralweigh Stakes” scratch bred.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>This five year old has developed rather slowly, finally finding his stride in the fall of his four year old season.\u00a0 He ran tow big Gr 2 races “back to back ”\u00a0 in the\u00a0Gr2 Ralweigh<\/strong>\u00a0stakes<\/strong>\u00a0and the Gas Station Mile,\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0the latter resulted in a\u00a0<\/strong>win on a track listed as yielding.\u00a0 The Gas Station stakes on firm ground resulted in a tough lost after clearing the group by four and one half furlongs only to be caught at the wire by\u00a0“Last Hurrah Barb”\u00a0<\/strong>losing by a neck in a good race horse time of of 1:33 and 3\/5 seconds.\u00a0\u00a0Take Care Of Me, of galileorock connections\u00a0<\/strong>has been posted at 8-1 odds which I think are a little low for my liking.\u00a0 \u00a0He’s struggled a bit in his last three which may indicate that he went over the top and may need a little freshening.\u00a0 I’ll pass on this one also.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3.) Houlihan\u00a0 (Shamardal X Dubawi (Ire) 18 starts (6-4-4) winner of 1,515,792,\u00a0 Gr 2 winner “Homelick Challenger” placing in multiple gr 1 races.\u00a0<\/strong>Talking with the connections\u00a0epitome stables,\u00a0<\/strong>I was told that they feel this tough well put together 5 yr old colt can run against graded competition at all levels at distances of 8f to 9F.\u00a0 \u00a0Looking at his form I would agree that he is very honest at those distances but I would be hoping for a real heated pace at the 8F distance.\u00a0 Hoilihan is a gamer,\u00a0<\/strong>but at 6-1 and needing a little racing luck i’ll again look for another with a little more meat on the bone.\u00a0 Very good chance of hitting the board.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4.) Caloocan\u00a0 (Kingman X Kingmambo) 22 starts (10-5-1) 1,253,105,\u00a0 \u00a0multiple G2 winner,\u00a0 “The Celebration and The Premium Stakes” out of the gr stakes placed mare (Goldbug).\u00a0<\/strong>After a tough campaign in 2017 culminating in a 8th place finish in the breeders bowl.\u00a0 The connection,\u00a0theduke106\u00a0<\/strong>gave the son of Kingman a much needed rest.\u00a0 \u00a0The 2018 has seen\u00a0Calcoocan\u00a0<\/strong>go to post twice taken a overnight alw race and finishing a distant 6th in the\u00a0G1 Sydney.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>It’s possible that his third race off a lay-off may result in a very strong effort.\u00a0 He also may just be nearing the end of his career.\u00a0 The odds of 8-1\u00a0 should increase if the book makers want any action.\u00a0 Tough horse in his day would not be a surprise if he bounces back.\u00a0 Watch the post parade closely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5.) Fastnet Eagle (Fastnet Rock (IRE)\u00a0 X Housebuster)\u00a0 17 starts (5-2-4) 288,605, G1 Placed son of , Virgies Eagle Gr 2 winner.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>After 17 races where the connections of\u00a0Fastnet Eagle\u00a0<\/strong>had him at or near the lead\u00a0bezza1975\u00a0<\/strong>decided to try something new.\u00a0 They drop him back and let him him make one run.\u00a0 He exploded when jockey\u00a0M Day<\/strong> finally cut him loose.\u00a0 His move was impressive but it was only good for 3rd but it really excited the connections.\u00a0\u00a0bezza1975\u00a0<\/strong>stated that he always knew he had the talent to compete at this level,\u00a0 it just took us a while to figure it out.\u00a0 He always been so head strong that I thought by impeding his progress would result in a sour horse, either sulking or refusing to run.\u00a0 I’ll just say it took guts to make that call in that big of a race but it worked out.\u00a0 The odds are set at 23-1 which is worth a flyer.\u00a0 He may get the dream trip if M Day\u00a0<\/strong>moves on him at the right time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6.) Sup Bro (Lonhro X Kingmambo) 15 starts (5-3-5) 2,165,655, Winner of the Gr Champions Mile and Golden Shoe,\u00a0 scratch bred\u00a0 four yr old.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>After fifteen starts the connection of\u00a0Sup Bro (nuthouse stable)\u00a0<\/strong>decided to shorten him up and it paid off in a big way.\u00a0 Scoring going away in the\u00a0Gr 1 Champion stakes in Hong Kong,<\/strong>\u00a0with a speed rating of 120<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Talking to people who have been watching him train, they are saying that nobody is looking better in the stable area.\u00a0 Look for a late run from\u00a0Sup Bro\u00a0<\/strong>as the stable says they will not be changing a thing in the approach to this race.\u00a0 The odds of\u00a015-1<\/strong> are very generous and I’ll be betting with both hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 7.)<\/strong>\u00a0Wester\u00a0 (Hold Me Back X Broken Vow) 16 starts (5-4-1) 739,979, winner of the Gr 2 What The Who stake, son of GP and stakes winner,\u00a0 Your In My Space.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Another who’s last start was in the\u00a0Gr1 Champions stakes in Hong Kong <\/strong>and resulted in a strong fourth after tracking mid pack for most of the race.\u00a0 Talking with the connection\u00a0sremel\u00a0<\/strong> they felt that\u00a0Wester\u00a0<\/strong> deserved another shot at the elusive grade 1 win.\u00a0 \u00a0 sremel\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>stated that they all better bring their A games as\u00a0Wester\u00a0<\/strong>is on the muscle….. The odds of\u00a014-1\u00a0<\/strong> seem to be about right but I still think he could play a part in the Tri and supers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 8.) Cidaris\u00a0 ( Darci Brahma X Monsun) 22 starts (12-1-3) 1,827,874,\u00a0 winner of the 2017 gr 1 Sydney mile, scratch bred…….. Cidaris\u00a0<\/strong>has been a solid stakes performer through his career scoring wins in over half of his races.\u00a0 Speed or pressing type with proven Gr1 talent.\u00a0 I don’t believe\u00a0fairhaven4 stables\u00a0<\/strong>will change a thing about how this horse attacks a race.\u00a0 You can’t mess with success.\u00a0 Serious player who gets his regular rider in\u00a0Radzinski<\/strong> who will place him where is comfortable.\u00a0 Odds of 9\/2 are a little short but I’ll still use him because he’s the speed in here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 9.) What’s The Price\u00a0 (Marchfield X Johannesburg) 12 starts (5-4-2) 1,180,160,\u00a0 winner of the 2018 g1 Sydney Mile, out of Stakes Placed mare Hammer Price.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The four year colt from the dayzey stable\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0really seems to be hitting his stride as of late scoring his first Gr 1\u00a0 victory at\u00a017-1\u00a0<\/strong> in the\u00a0G1 Sydney mile in Victoria.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The race was his first in 2018 after a 4 month lay-off .\u00a0 In November of 2017\u00a0” What’s The Game”<\/strong>\u00a0ran a game 2nd in the\u00a0Gr2 Emirates Mile.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Talking to the connection they were pretty sure that the race would have a honest pace which will hopefully set it up nicely for their colt to show his best stuff.\u00a0 \u00a0It had been reported that\u00a0“What’s The Price”\u00a0<\/strong>Turned up with a little nick in left foot when he was stepped on during the running of the\u00a0“Sydney Mile”.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Spokesman for\u00a0dayzey stables\u00a0<\/strong>stated that it was really just a slight nick but they wanted it to heal up before entering another race of this caliber. The horse has to be at 100% to win against horses Grade 1 competition.\u00a0 Looking for a solid effort in this race as the connections have done everything right about this horse.\u00a0 Posted at a healthy\u00a014-1 odds ,\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>those willing to shell out a few pounds just might be rewarded nicely.\u00a0 I feel he has a outside chance with another jump in his performance.\u00a0 Minor placing<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 10.) Rogue I\u00a0 (Frankel X Red Ransom) 13 starts (7-2-1) 710,444, Grade 1 winner of “The Locksmith” .\u00a0 Scratch bred\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Another 4 yr old colt coming off his first\u00a0Gr 1 win,\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0Locksmith Grade 1 .\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>This well balanced son of\u00a0Frankel\u00a0<\/strong> likes to lead the pack around the track from start to finish but with so many speed types in the race the pace could come up a bit hot.\u00a0 Talking with the connection of\u00a0Rogue I,\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>it was stated that he don’t need the lead if it’s a little hot up front.\u00a0\u00a0mtk76 stables\u00a0<\/strong>have the utmost confidence in the riding of\u00a0M Kelly\u00a0<\/strong>who they think will judge the pace and make changes in on the fly.\u00a0 If the race is slow we’ll engage the lead but if turns up the pace is unreasonably fast we can take him off.\u00a0 We have total confidence in the riding of\u00a0M Kelly<\/strong>.\u00a0 Another horse with things pointing in the right direction.\u00a0 This lightly raced horse will be right in the thick of it early in my opinion and I’m wondering if he’ll relax off he lead if it turns in a bit hot.\u00a0 The outside post could hinder this colt if he can’t settle in and relax.\u00a0 I will pass today because of the post position and the fact that he’s been on the lead in his last several races.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 11.) Jetnikoff ( Sepoy X Montjeu) 16 starts (8-3-1) 643,902, Grade 2 winner “Futility Stakes” Scratch bred<\/strong><\/p>\n Lightly race 5 yr old colt of\u00a0manoroflad stables\u00a0<\/strong>who will be looking for his first grade 1 win has been instilled as the\u00a05-1 favorite.\u00a0<\/strong> I’m not really sure why the line makers have taken a shine to this colt.\u00a0 He has been a solid performer in his recent efforts but is not as accomplished as some of the other entries. Jetnikoff<\/b>\u00a0has versatility that will allow his connection to attack the race from where they feel he has his best chance.\u00a0 I’m still thinking this group is a little tough for him.\u00a0 I’ll pass on\u00a0Jetnikoff at 5-1 odds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 12.)\u00a0 Savoury\u00a0 (High Chaparral (IRE) X Machiavellian ) 24 starts (5-3-4) 1,328,660, Grade 1 winner of the DiCaprio Handicap,\u00a0 Scratch Bred<\/strong><\/p>\n Since the start of 2018\u00a0Savoury\u00a0<\/strong>has struggled immensely, soundly defeated in three straight graded races.\u00a0\u00a0Savoury’s\u00a0<\/strong>connections have really been squeezing everything out of this Six year old colt to the point of no return.\u00a0 I’ve seen some strange things happen in the sim but I’m willing to put a line through this horse without even seeking an opinion from the connections.\u00a0 Horse needs a rest and easier competition.\u00a0 I would try a few alw races to get his confidence headed in the right direction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 13.) Galicier (Cape Cross X Galileo (IRE) )\u00a0 22 starts (7-4-4) 549,455, Grade 3 winner of the 8F Desmond Stk, out of the Gr3 winning mare “Galicio” .\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Galicier\u00a0<\/strong>has struggled the past 9 months trying to find a spot that he fits into.\u00a0 Today’s race would have work well if it turned up soft but the connection’s\u00a0(stalfred)\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>rain dance was not answered.\u00a0 The horse having a 9 month drought and only having a Grade 3 win on his credentials leaves him on the outside looking in.\u00a0 My opinion is he needs a race to build a little confidence… Grade 3 or less would be perfect.\u00a0 I’ll pass on this horse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0Picks 6-8-7-5<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lonshot #5 Fastnet Eagle<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Group 1 “Queen Sam” at 1600 meters will be one of the headline races in Berkshire this weekend marking<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":153,"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-45710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45710","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\/153"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45710"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45748,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45710\/revisions\/45748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}