Toss in the fresh\u00a0up-and-comer
Alina Dancer<\/STRONG>, who’s won marathon grades this season (as well as played bridesmaid to SuperPeg here at California of all places earlier this season), as well as seven other horses, and we got ourselves one sizzling horse race.\u00a0\u00a0 Crank up the A\/C — I don’t know if I’ll be able to get through this preview without passing out from the heat!<\/DIV>\u00a0<\/DIV>
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<\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>I Wanna Fly Like SuperPeg<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Well hell’s bells!\u00a0\u00a0 The Sim devil went down to Georgia and\u00a0brought back the monstrous Ermington Pegusus<\/STRONG> (5\/2) for all to fear in the game.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0No doubt about it — the Sky Mesa colt’s name might conjure up\u00a0Greek\u00a0mythology images and\u00a0Captain America comics to the casual observer, but not to serious Sim fans!\u00a0\u00a0 His fine chestnut coat might remind you of the superhero red, white, and blue, but no way, Jose!\u00a0\u00a0 There’s a bit o’ the fiery\u00a0crimson demon in pigeon3’s SuperPeg (Superman + Pegusus + ethereal demon from way down yonder).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>He won at Michigan, he won here at California, he won at Dubai!\u00a0\u00a0 The 4yo colt took the time-honored Maryland Special Handicap(G1)<\/EM> with ease, then trounced the history-laden Michael Strike(G1)<\/EM> at Kentucky for kicks (rival Solar Song in both races too).\u00a0\u00a0 Gadzooky!\u00a0 All part of a six-graded-race win streak dating back to December of last year.\u00a0\u00a0 Folks talked about SuperPeg possibly breaking Elsinore and Xtremely Gold’s graded win streak record.\u00a0\u00a0 B<\/FONT>ut it was not meant to be — SuperPeg came back down to earth when foiled by Lordpye’s longshot speedster Intenttodistribute<\/STRONG> in the Movieland Shiny Cup(G1)<\/EM> here at California a month ago.\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>No worries though.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0SuperPeg\u00a0merely missed by a half-length (demons have to fall every now and then).\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, and if you’re\u00a0keeping count, it’s Solar Song = 1 to SuperPeg’s 3 in head-to-head matchups.\u00a0 Legendary Cal jockey F.\u00a0Gossett rides SuperPeg for the very first time Saturday.\u00a0 You got the demon off a six-week breather\u00a0and the Gossett rocket — what a match made in heaven.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>A Solar Flare For Smokey The Bear<\/STRONG>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>But ya know, don’t count Solar Song<\/STRONG> (3\/1) out.\u00a0\u00a0Sure, the 5yo champion could only a muster one runner-up spot to Ermington Pegusus from three tries this year.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Deputy Minister son also had to drop\u00a0down a notch, picking a listed level score a ways back too.\u00a0\u00a0 But look closer at Solar Song’s unbelievable romp last time out in the owner-restricted Smackdown III — he ran the 1 1\/4 miles in 1:59 3\/5<\/STRONG>, that’s one-fifth of a second faster than\u00a0SuperPeg’s lifetime best earlier this season.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Holy moly, guacomole!\u00a0 In his\u00a0<\/FONT>36th career start, squirrel4’s Solar Song\u00a0scored a 118 SP#<\/STRONG>, totally smokin’.\u00a0 He’s still got the goods.\u00a0\u00a0 Can he recapture some momentum versus rival Ermington Pegusus?\u00a0\u00a0 A win here would be awesome\u00a0vindication for Tracy’s superstar.\u00a0 Even though Solar Song stables at GR Simsters residency, jockey M Billig from the NWRC jumped at the opportunity to extend lucky karma to Solar Song.\u00a0\u00a0 The duo would be the talk of the Northwest Racing Circuit if they find themselves in the winner’s circle.\u00a0\u00a0 Calling, Smokey The Bear!\u00a0\u00a0 A solar flare descends\u00a0upon the Cal track this week.\u00a0 Only\u00a0SuperPeg can prevent Solar Song’s\u00a0main track\u00a0fire!\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Otto’s Symphony In Search Of History<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Ha Ha!\u00a0\u00a0 Top handicap racemare Otto History<\/STRONG> (7\/1)\u00a0tackles the boys again.\u00a0\u00a0 Sim fans remember this minstrel-like Deputy Minister daughter last year as a late-blooming powerhouse going into the Breeders Bowl.\u00a0\u00a0 She racked up the grades, but stumbled a bit at the big show, finishing 4th in the BB Distaff.<\/EM>\u00a0\u00a0 But you can’t keep this operatic vixen out of the races for long — trainer Capsized boldly went after the two top season-ending main track mile races:\u00a0\u00a0 the Sterile Mile(G1)<\/EM> and Delaware Mile(G1).<\/EM>\u00a0\u00a0 Both races of course were against males and Otto History didn’t bat an eyelash.\u00a0 Instead, she\u00a0bushwhacked the boys to a runner-up effort in the Sterile Mile<\/EM> and plain roasted them to a\u00a0ferocious 113 SP#<\/STRONG>\u00a0victory in the rich\u00a0Delaware<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What a performer!<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Mmhmm.\u00a0 We haven’t seen this caliber of Monster Miler Mare<\/EM> in a long time.\u00a0 However in ’07, Otto History’s been yinning and yanging all over the place, no doubt due to trainer Capsized’s Sim hiatus.\u00a0 The 5yo mare began the year with an ALW test over the grass and she then tried to take on the very best sprint males in the Sand Castle Golden Sprint(G1).\u00a0<\/EM>\u00a0 It just didn’t add up and she was well beaten.\u00a0 The subsequently erratic training regimen saw her falter to 6th when returned to a graded mile versus females.\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, she got her\u00a0mojo back in the distaffer\u00a0Go For the Gold(G1)<\/EM> late last month.\u00a0\u00a0 The speedster plan bolted out of the gate and never looked, soaking up the sloppy nine furlongs with a 113 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Best known as a miler, Otto History was a graded winner\u00a0over 10f last season.\u00a0\u00a0 The way she just kept on galloping\u00a0LTO too lends some credence to a bold entry against the best males here.\u00a0\u00a0 If she wins, it’s gonna be a heckuva story.\u00a0\u00a0 If she fades on the lead, she’ll fight another day.\u00a0\u00a0 Go, go, History!\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>A Simba Samba, Alina\u00a0Llama (Tonga Tonga!)<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>A show-stopping tango, please, from\u00a0Alina Dancer<\/STRONG> (7\/1)!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wow!\u00a0\u00a0 Jakematt brings us an exciting newcomer with just a 6-for-16 lifetime record.\u00a0 But, boy, this Gone West 4yo colt sure has done a lot.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt finished off his 3yo season with a fine owner-restricted victory on DelPenn Champions Day.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a promising 110 SP#<\/STRONG> for 10f and signaled greater things to come.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Alina Dancer opened up ’07 with a little mish-mash versus Ermington Pegusus.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt finished 5th in the Toiletscrubbers(G2)<\/EM> over 9.5f,\u00a0and improved to 2nd in the California Handicap(G1)<\/EM> over 10f.\u00a0\u00a0 Very interesting considering that the two races were Alina Dancer’s 11th and 12th lifetime starts!\u00a0\u00a0 Gosh, most graded level horses are still exhausting their ALW conditions or listed ranks at that time.\u00a0 \u00a0Granted, Alina Dancer would later finsih 6th to SuperPeg and Solar Song in the Maryland Special<\/EM>, \u00a0but the colt did pick up two very impressive marathon\u00a0races as well.\u00a0 He won the 12f division of the Rock’s Texas Cooking Series<\/EM> (always super-competitive)\u00a0and bagged the 13f Grumpy Old Man Marathon(G2)<\/EM> LTO with a brazen 112 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>\u00a0<\/DIV>
I think this colt has great chances to pull off the upset after the confience-boosting victory LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 Problem is, he does have the same running style as Solar Song and SuperPeg for that matter, so he has to outrace those to the wire\u00a0and hope for a strong pace up front from a liekly solo Otto History.\u00a0 Could be yet another minor moeny effort, but, regardless, Alina Dancer is one to watch.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Arrow Over My\u00a0Golden Sunset<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Listed ranked performer Like An Arrow<\/STRONG> (9\/1) posts some excellent numbers.\u00a0\u00a0 The veteran 5yo\u00a0by Green Desert hasn’t won in a spell, but pays his dues in short-to-classic route overniters.\u00a0\u00a0 The midpacker\/closer scored a 107 SP# LTO, just missing the winner’s circle.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe he just needs some big speed up front and hopes to get that from Otto History.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>It could go either way with cjjonesz’s Like An Arrow.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s leaping up in class and sometimes horses fire\u00a0an unexpected\u00a0big race when doing so.\u00a0\u00a0 Chances are though, he’ll need the faves to fall flat.\u00a0\u00a0 Hopefully he brings his lifetime best, but he’s shoooting for a minor share of the $1-million purse\u00a0at best.<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>The Key To Forbidden City<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Game guru Billgulch saw Forbidden Treasure<\/STRONG> (10\/1) win the Grade 3 Star Athlete Handicap<\/EM> three back.\u00a0\u00a0 It was the 5yo Empire Maker horse’s return trip to the main track — he mostly raced in grass short routes prior.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The victory was a surprise over the 8.5f dirt.\u00a0\u00a0 The closer rallied since in a couple of grades over an extra sixteenth.\u00a0\u00a0 Forbidden Treasure could only beat half the field though in those two races.<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>I guess it’s a worth a shot — he’s got the numbers and seems to want more ground.\u00a0\u00a0 If I venture a\u00a0guess though, I’d say this is a bit of a reach.\u00a0\u00a0 Definitely in the hunt for minor money.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT>\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>King For A Day, Then King’s Gonna Stay<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>King Of The Wind<\/STRONG> (11\/1) must’ve surprised trainer Topicount with a fine 3rd place effort in the Movieland Shiny Cup(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 The veteran 5yo by Deputy Minister stalked the lead and got to within one length at the wire, almost\u00a0outgaining runner-up SuperPeg.\u00a0\u00a0 King of the Wind had previously been an ALW and listed performer this season.\u00a0 He very much specializes in 10f though and can get solid 100+ SP#s, so he was well within his range.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>We’ll see if the stalker can move forward after the splendid effort.\u00a0\u00a0 He chase Otto History on the lead and we could just see\u00a0King of the Wind inherit the pace if the mare fades over the added yardage.\u00a0\u00a0Can go either way, but should run his race if the pace isn’t too monstrous where the closers come flying.<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Oh Oh!\u00a0 It’s A Mambo Italiano<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Brooke Lynn(G2)<\/EM> winner Mambo Bones<\/STRONG> (11\/1) brings a 4-for-11 lifetime record to the table.\u00a0\u00a0 Jrogue5’s ligthly raced Kingmambo 5yo proceeded to pick up 4th and 5th repectively in\u00a0the Out of the City(G1)<\/EM> and Gotta Fix Sprinkers(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 Both efforts were pretty good rallies — the Out of the City<\/EM> wound up to be a pretty fast race too with Mambo Bones recording a 109 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0 He’s a bit green, but sure coming around.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>This guy’s possible for an upset\u00a0if he can suddenly put it all together and step up here.\u00a0\u00a0He’s\u00a0got the speed figures and solid consistency\u00a0for the most part (toss out Cosmopolitan <\/EM>debacle).\u00a0\u00a0 Definite possiblities even for the board at a sweet price.\u00a0\u00a0Sleeper.<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Way Down South In Dixie<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Woo!\u00a0\u00a0 Speedstick’s Shaft Dixie<\/STRONG> (13\/1) sure has been coming around of late.\u00a0\u00a0 The 5yo Mineshaft son worked his way ourt of the ALW ranks earlier this season and finished an honest 3rd to Mambo Bones in the nine furlong Brooke Lynn(G2)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Things looked pretty sharp with Shaft Dixie, but he kind of hit the\u00a0wall when asked to go 10f against the very best in the Movieland Shiny Cup(G1)<\/EM> last month.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shaft Dixie managed a decent 5th, but was near a dozen lengths behind the winner.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It appears he flattened out or just bounced.<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>I’d expect Shaft Dixie to pick up some minor money again.\u00a0\u00a0 I don’t see him suddenly surprising the faves for a victory.\u00a0 The faves are just running much higher speed figures and Shaft Dixie appears to be still trying to pinpoint his best distance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT>\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Canuck’s One For\u00a0The Books<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Silver Canuck<\/STRONG> (13\/1) makes his milestone 40th career call to the post Saturday.\u00a0\u00a0 Pher stable saw the 6yo horse run 6th in the California Handicap(G1)<\/EM> after the setting the early pace.\u00a0\u00a0 The Silver Deputy son hasn’t seen much racing action and, matter of fact, last year’s CA Classic(G1)<\/EM> appears on his recent PPs (Silver Canuck finished a very nice 4th in this race last year).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Silver Canuck did pick up a 10f ALW since, but\u00a0weakened a tad down the lane in a 9.5f listed stakes overniter\u00a0LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s a bit long in the tooth and really doesn’t fit in the faves’ and even other longshots’ speed figures.\u00a0\u00a0 I don’t\u00a0think he has much of a chance this year and should be at higher odds, but hopefully makes a good show of it.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Wanted! \u00a0Magical Skills To Pay The Bills<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Peeps’ Skills In Magic<\/STRONG> (22\/1) tries the dirt for the very first time in his career.\u00a0\u00a0 The 4yo son of Denon was nominated for the 3yo Turf Colt championship last season.\u00a0\u00a0 He was a solid Grade 1 winner specializing in a turfy 10f.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, the downtown closer has shown much this season and has only manage a 3rd in a Grade 2 from three graded outings.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Skills In Magic has to recover some old magic in order to get back into the ball game.\u00a0\u00a0 Could he indeed be a dirt runner?\u00a0\u00a0 Could he prove that he’s a dirt runner when thrown to the wolves in a million-dollar Grade 1?\u00a0\u00a0 Got his work cut out for him.\u00a0\u00a0 Classy individual, but on a wing and a prayer in this spot.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>\u00a0<\/DIV>
Snowchief’s Picks<\/U>:<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Otto History likely snares the pace easily over King Of The Wind and Silver Canuck.\u00a0 Like An Arrow, Shaft Dixie, and Ermington Pegusus somewhere around midpack.\u00a0\u00a0 Solar Song, Mambo Bones, and\u00a0Alina Dancer should be roundabouts.\u00a0\u00a0Skills In Magic and Forbidden Treasure should be downtown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>If you like longshots, consider Alina Dancer and Mambo Bones — both have extreme talent, with the former being one to watch.\u00a0\u00a0 Like An Arrow could surprise for a minor share and so could Shaft Dixie.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Skills In Magic, Silver Canuck, Forbidden Treasure — I don’t like them in this spot.\u00a0\u00a0 King Of The Wind should be in the hunt if he runs back to his last, but he’s gotta prove he can do so consistently at this level to me.<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Otto History could steal this one if she shows up big time.\u00a0\u00a0 SuperPeg got beat LTO by a solo pacesetter.\u00a0 I don’t think this time though — that extra furlong will see the big boys flying against the mare.<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>Solar Song would be a great recap story, but he’s\u00a0a bit inconsistent.\u00a0\u00a0 Chances are, he might bounce after that big number LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 I’m gonna select SuperPeg in a\u00a0classy effort over Alina Dancer and Otto History.\u00a0\u00a0 Solar Song or Mambo Bones somewheres could spoil my tri.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>