{"id":4587,"date":"2007-08-17T15:38:32","date_gmt":"2007-08-17T15:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=4587"},"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=4587","title":{"rendered":"General’s Chariot, Digging The Grave, I Make Stuff Up in Battle Of Saratoga(G2)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Upstate New York<\/STRONG>–\u00a0\u00a0Here come the greencoats!\u00a0 Turf Sprint Monster<\/EM> greencoats, that is.\u00a0\u00a0 They’re set for a pitched three-quarters battle here at the mighty SPA in the Grade 2 $250,000 Battle Of Saratoga<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 The race is part of\u00a0the DelPenn Residency’s Saratoga\u00a0mirror meet — lots of residency-racing action this month with specially-carded graded events for the entire Sim too.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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And the Battle<\/EM> is the grade we’ve all been waiting for.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Champion minutemen General’s Chariot<\/STRONG> and I Make Stuff Up<\/STRONG> don their Sunday best and shouldered muskets for another go at 2007 graded glory.\u00a0\u00a0 The prized duo (Sim Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter & Champion Turf Sprinter in ’05 and ’06 respectively) have not yet won at the topmost level this season and are hungry to turn the tide in their favor.\u00a0 They face their rival Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> who hi<\/FONT>mself has captured the graded flag this year — the ‘Grave won\u00a0his second-straight Golden Jamboree(G1)<\/EM> a couple months ago and continues to display tremendous heart and speed at age 6.\u00a0 Toss in\u00a0wondermare World Of Trouble<\/STRONG>, and up-and-comer handicapers Raktavija, Known Sky<\/STRONG>, and Flushing Wa<\/STRONG>ters, and we got the thunder and lightning of a notorious epic.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Nine test the Battle Of Saratoga(G2)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 Let’s meet them……\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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General Orders, Chariot Karma<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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General’s Chariot<\/STRONG> (3\/1; proudtruth<\/EM>)\u00a0reports for duty after losing a heartbreaker to divisional leader Northern Pirate LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 It was Smackdown Day and, by gosh, the General had the race won.\u00a0\u00a0 He looked a winner rallying in deep Smackdown stretch, but the ‘Pirate came out of nowhere to just snatch victory.\u00a0\u00a0 It was an awesome performance regardless by the General.\u00a0\u00a0 He struggled early on this season and so I dropped him back to the listed stakes level for an easy win prior to the Smackdown.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Totally happy with\u00a0his 109 SP#<\/STRONG> in the Smackdown race.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s lost a bit o’ step though and has slid down the rankings to #11 in the division.\u00a0\u00a0 He’ll also\u00a0have his hooves full trying to chase down a loose DTG.\u00a0\u00a0 But ya know, this race’s name fits\u00a0the 5yo Gone West son\u00a0to a “T” — gosh, I want him to win this one!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gooooo, General, on karma, Goooooo!!!!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Pretend Or Defend Your Honor<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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I Make Stuff Up<\/STRONG> (7\/2; lenny3<\/EM>) had a breat going late in the Smackdown race.\u00a0\u00a0 But, while Northern Pirate accelerated, I Make Stuff Up fell a bit flat, finishing an honest 4th about 2 lengths from ‘Pirate.\u00a0\u00a0 And that’s pretty much been the story this year for the 4yo son of Mineshaft — ‘Stuff just can’t seem to seize the luckof a fast rally down the lane.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s been 4th a couple\u00a0times and his best grade finish was a 3rd in the Sydney Sprint(G1).<\/EM>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He too has only one win this year at the listed stakes level.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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However, count this guy out at your own peril.\u00a0\u00a0 ‘Stuff has the goods on the speed figs with a 109 <\/STRONG>in the Rising Sun(G1)<\/EM> and a 104<\/STRONG> in the Smackdown race.\u00a0 He’s still ranked # 3 in the division too.\u00a0 Hmmm…. maybe he just has trouble with traffic and needs a bit of help.\u00a0\u00a0 I talked to Lenny and he was pretty puzzled bu ‘Stuff ’07 efforts too.\u00a0\u00a0 Regardless, this colt’s way overdue for a graded victory.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s gonna break through in one of these races and when he does, look out.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He’s no way a pretender — time to defend his honor!<\/FONT>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Grave To My Enemies<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Sdmf floated the idea about retiring DTG on the DelPenn message board recently.\u00a0 Of course, I was happy to offer\u00a0sire-match advice (LOL), but Sdmf didn’t take the bait!\u00a0\u00a0 Shucks.\u00a0 =)\u00a0 ‘Coz\u00a0Digging The Grave<\/STRONG> (9\/2; zewango2<\/EM>)\u00a0is still in action, ready to foil his foes from on the hot pace.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He’s a cannonball 6yo by Silver Ghost, and, boy, can he fly.\u00a0\u00a0 I was so impressed after he sizzled to a\u00a0repeat score in the Golden Jamboree(G1)<\/EM>, because he had just run a 112 SP#<\/STRONG> in a runnerup Rising Sun Cup(G1)<\/EM> performance.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Yow!\u00a0\u00a0 If ‘Grave keeps up the tempo, he’s\u00a0got a good shot at\u00a0the sprint title this year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Of course, that is *if* his trainer doesn’t screw it up — Ha!\u00a0\u00a0 DTG ran 2nd in a floppy 6yo-only grade LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 He got into a nose-to-nose duel early on and weakened, picking up 2nd on class.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Perhaps sneaky Sdmf took it easy on him in that race, preparing for the Battle<\/EM>.\u00a0 Uh huh, methinks so.\u00a0\u00a0 Uggh!\u00a0\u00a0 What a horse — the one to beat.\u00a0 F’ARSE de ARSE!<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Raka-Taka, Boom, BOOM<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Scribbledejibit!\u00a0\u00a0 It just wouldn’t be a\u00a0DelPenn\u00a0race without a Super stable horse.\u00a0\u00a0 Raktavija<\/STRONG> (6\/1; super16<\/EM>)\u00a0\u00a0was pretty late last season in the turf sprint grades — he’s steered clear though of the big guns this year.\u00a0\u00a0 Instead, the 4yo Awesome Again son in Grade 3s as well as the listed level.\u00a0\u00a0 And, doggone it, ‘Raka just hasn’t racked up some desperately needed luck\u00a0either.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt won his ’07 debut well enough, but has only hit the board once in six starts since.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Blah!\u00a0\u00a0 It’s not like the midpacker has been totally off — he presents some solid low 100s and upper 90 speed figs as credentials.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s just in that “bid and hung” type of form where he just can’t find the best groove down the lane.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Supers place their horses to win — it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if they got this colt to a surprise winner’s circle trip in this spot.\u00a0\u00a0 Possible if faves fall and ‘Raka shows up with\u00a0his best\u00a0fireworks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Go, Super, BEAT F’ARSE!\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Prepare For A\u00a0World Of Hurt<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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If a DelPenn resident stable wins this race, then they get a smacky 10 points added to their DelPenn @ SPA meet contest total.\u00a0\u00a0 Sdmf won the token grade last week and he’s pulled out all stops with a “B” horse here in case DTG falls.\u00a0\u00a0 That is, a “B” mare and a wondermare at that named World Of Trouble(IRE)<\/STRONG> (7\/1; zwylde<\/EM>).\u00a0 The 5yo Giant’s Causeway(IRE) daughter has won or hit the board in 24 of 37 lifetime starts.\u00a0\u00a0 She’s just on precipice of becoming a millionairess too, ranking # 4 in the older mare turf sprint division.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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World Of Trouble races hard and often.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She won a 5f Grade 3 two back in her 2nd start back to one-turn running (she had a hiatus there running in routes for a spell).\u00a0\u00a0 Then ‘Trouble ran magnificently in the Smackdown Ladies Sprint(G1)<\/EM> — from last 3rd by a half-length — wow!\u00a0\u00a0This gal still can pick up her feet and bring home the bacon.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If DTG gets all crazy with a fast pace up front, then Sdmf might have a winner here in ‘Trouble from the back of the pack.\u00a0\u00a0 No traffic, clear sailing —\u00a0a world of hurt for these foes!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Testing These Waters<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Lightly raced Flushing Waters(IRE)<\/STRONG> (7\/1; pm<\/EM>) checks in his only his 17th lifetime start.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 4yo High Chaparral(IRE) colt was Grade 1-placed over 10f turf three back.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt’s pretty much stayed\u00a0 over the routes according to pedigree this season.\u00a0\u00a0 Mixed success though saw him finally return to the sprint ranks LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a 6.5f turf ALW and Flushing Waters won impressively after dueling on the lead.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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The 103 SP#<\/STRONG> victory was only the colt’s 2nd lifetime start around one-turn.\u00a0\u00a0 I agree with the race-spotting here — it’s a shorter field and the faves have their pros and cons, suffering from inconsistency.\u00a0\u00a0 This just might be a great spot to pull of a surprise victory\u00a0with an unknown contender.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Additionally, the colt has proven class at route graded level.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Very interesting.\u00a0\u00a0 Can go either way though since he’s barely out of his NW4x.\u00a0 I’d keep this colt in your exotics.\u00a0\u00a0If\u00a0he doesn’t challenge DTG too much early, then it’s possible he could wear down the fave late and try to hold off the closers!<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Under An Explosive Sky<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Known Sky<\/STRONG> (8\/1, karen<\/EM>) was an unlikely Grade 1 winner earlier this season.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I believe the 4yo Sky Calssic son was a former claimer who went from rags-to-riches in the 4yo-only Look To The Heavens(G1),<\/EM> winning from behind the pace.\u00a0 The little guy folloed up the victory with a bang-up 5th place versus the best turf sprinters in the Sim in the KY Horsemen Elixir Sprint(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Since then, Known Sky hasn’t been all that consistent in 5 starts.\u00a0\u00a0 He does ride high though after finally turning it around at the listed stakes level.\u00a0\u00a0 It was 6f California turf sprint and he gamely drew away to a 1 1\/2 length 101 SP#<\/STRONG> score.\u00a0\u00a0 If DTG has an off day and sets a mild pace, then Known Sky has an outside shot of rallying in time for all the marbles.\u00a0\u00a0 We got to see if he’s a true contender though —\u00a0does he have an over-the-top and knock ’em off your feet<\/EM> power punch rally in him?\u00a0\u00a0 Other wise, he’s just in the hunt for minor money again.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Show us what you got, Known Sky!\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Eye On The Prize<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Dubeye<\/STRONG> (9\/1; daedalus<\/EM>) challenges Digging The Grave for the pace.\u00a0\u00a0 The 5yo Dubai Destination son was a pretty good horse in his yesteryears, earning over\u00a0$700k lifetime.\u00a0 However, he’s mostly been restricted to\u00a0ALW races this season.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s got a couple\u00a0consistent 100 SP# <\/STRONG>scores going 7\/8ths.\u00a0\u00a0 Saturday is Dubeye’s 40th career call to the post.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Anything can and will happen in these shorter fields.\u00a0 Dubeye certainly deserves a second look with his wonderful backclass, solid consistency,\u00a0and pedigree.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT>\u00a0Good form too — ya never know if he’ll elevate his game versus the faster horses.\u00a0 He could throw a big race for some dough.\u00a0\u00a0But it’s kind of flip the coin and cross your fingers.\u00a0\u00a0 This could be his swan song in hopes for\u00a0fabulous prize money that would make him that much close to millionaire status.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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A Delectable Dish<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Trainer Sopark17 won the $30k claimer shake for Baelish(IRE)<\/STRONG> (17\/1; sopark17<\/EM>) earlier this season.\u00a0\u00a0 The 4yo El Prado(IRE) colt proceeded to pick up some minor moeny in a short field listed turf sprint as well as some dough in Starter ALW events.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s a stalker for the most part, throwing mid-range 90 speed figures.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He brings a 4-for-20 lifetime record to the table.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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On paper, Baelish has nowhere near the speed numbers or class level spproaching the other horses in this race.\u00a0 He might be in the run for a minor\u00a0cheque payday though.\u00a0\u00a0With a little luck, this spot might be well worth the effort and you get him at a tasty price too.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
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Snowchief’s Picks<\/U>:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Alrighty!\u00a0\u00a0 Digging The Grave on the lead with Dubeye, Flushing Waters, and Known Sky right at his throat.\u00a0 \u00a0Baelish and\u00a0Rakatavija around midpack.\u00a0\u00a0 General’s Chariot, I Make Stuff Up, and World Of\u00a0Trouble trailing.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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I believe everything here swings on which DTG shows up.\u00a0\u00a0 Will the spot-on speedball ferocious DTG appear, and, if so, can he hold off World Of Trouble, I Make Stuff Up, and\u00a0the General’s late charges?\u00a0\u00a0 Or will DTG kind of\u00a0dilly-dally out of the gate, enabling Dubeye and Flushing Waters to kind of wear him\u00a0down after a slow\u00a0opening quarter?\u00a0\u00a0 If the latter, then we might see an upset with Flushing Waters or Rakatavija on top.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0If I Make Stuff Up sits up around midpack, then he might like that scenario too best of all, coming home at long last for a 2007 graded score.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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But if Digging The Grave brings his best (which I think he will), then look General’s Chariot to chase him home and try to nudge him out at the wire.\u00a0 I\u00a0Make Stuff Up grabs 3rd over\u00a0World Of Trouble and\u00a0a game Flushing Waters.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Win:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Digging The Grave<\/FONT><\/DIV>
Place:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 General’s Chariot<\/FONT><\/DIV>
Show:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I Make Stuff Up<\/FONT><\/DIV>
Longshot:\u00a0\u00a0 Flushing Waters<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Good luck to all and thanks to Tony (afc) for sponsoring the Battle<\/EM>!\u00a0\u00a0 Luv ya, Tony.\u00a0 =)\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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It’s the General’s Revolution!!!!<\/FONT><\/DIV>
<\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

World Of Trouble, Raktavija, Known Sky, more challenge in turf sprint battle-royale<\/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-4587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4587","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=4587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4587\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}