The twelfth race on the card here on Saturday afternoon in Kentucky is the prestigious Grade I World Cup Mile, one of the many World Cup races lined up across the world this weekend. The weather here in Kentucky promises to be fair on World Cup Day, and through conditions might turn overcast on race day, the threat of any rain should stay at bay. Look for the dirt track to be listed as fast at post time. This race is open to a large field of twenty horses, but has only attracted a total of twelve entrants.
Drawing the rail is longshot Adhesive<\/b> (Cozzene x Woodman x Miswaki), who is owned by thebaker2<\/i>, owner of Corza Stables. The dark gray Kentucky-bred has been lightly raced with a total of just seventeen lifetime starts, six of which have been wins. The colts most recent start came last month in Louisiana during the Grade III, mile long Supertoys Raceout Classic where there colt set out of the gate in seventh and began picking off other horses immediately out of the gate, going on to win the race narrowly by three-fourths of a length while setting a speed figure of one hundred thirteen under jockey H. Fernandez. The colts most recent Grade I start came in the six furlong DPCD V Juvenile Sprint Championship as a two year old where he finished sixth.
In the second post is The Green Felt<\/b> (Rainbow Quest x Roberto x Caerleon), who is trained by talented<\/i>, owner of Team DOZA Racing Stables. The four year old bay colt has had a total of twenty-six career starts with a total of eight wins. Of the colts eight wins, seven have come on the dirt track. His most recent start came in the eight and a half furlong ungraded Mango Godzilla Challenge in Missouri where the colt broke at the back of the field in twelfth from post position five and began making a move in the stretch but only rallied enough to finish tenth, nine and one-fourth lengths behind the winner, and while posting a speed figure of one hundred. His most recent win came in early June during the Grade I New Hampshire Handicap, where the colt broke mid pack in eighth and moved up to fourth just before the stretch, eventually going on to win by three and one-fourth lengths. In an early Wednesday morning interview with owner talented<\/i>, we asked what she thought about her horses conditioning and chances in the World Cup Mile. She responded with a slight cringe saying, \u201cHis form is horrible right now. Three races ago he was in top form coming off a Grade I victory and then he didn\u2019t run a step in his next start on an off track. In the past, he\u2019s always done ok on an off track. He just hasn\u2019t really run the same after that start. His next start was a nine and a half furlong Grade I. He faded in the final furlong, he just couldn\u2019t go the distance. I gave him six weeks off and ran him in a minor stakes race last time out. He just didn\u2019t run. I expected him to win that start, so I\u2019m a little concerned, but I think he may be ready to fire big here in the Wold Cup Mile. My only worry is that a mile might just be a little too short for him.\u201d
At odds of 15\/1 is Fussy Emblem<\/b> (Macanal x Switch Partners x Fabulous Dancer), who is trained and owned by beefcake10<\/i>, owner of Beefcake Stables. The four year old bay colt has had a total of nineteen lifetime starts, four of which have been wins for the colt. The colts most recent start came in Ontario during the nine furlong Colonial Elk (IRE) Challenge where he broke out of the gate in sixth from his post position on the rail. In the stretch he had made his way up into fourth, but with the closers charging at the rest of the field now, he fell back to finish the race in sixth with a speed figure of ninety-nine. His most recent win came in the ungraded Colonel Prospector Challenge in Maryland where he broke out of the gate an went on third behind the two dueling front runners. When they tired in the stretch, the bay colt took control and won the race by one-fourth of a length with a lifetime best speed figure of one hundred sixteen. Saturday will mark the colts first attempt at graded stakes competition.
Next is Pridenprejudice<\/b> (Fusaichi Pegasus x Seattle Slew x Forty Niner), out of the stakes-placed dam Slewperfecta, who is owned and trained by gwyneth<\/i>, owner of Chilcoat Stables. The three year old bay colt of royal pedigree has been lightly raced with a total of twelve lifetime starts, including six career wins, all but one coming on the dirt track. The colts most recent start came in New Jersey during the nine furlong Eddie Haskell Stakes (G1) where the colt broke at the back of the field in thirteenth from his outside post position and slowly gained on the rest of the field as the race played out. The colt eventually went on to cross the wire in second with a speed figure of one hundred six. The colts most recent win came in late June during the Trial By Night Stakes (G2) where he again set out of the gate towards the rear of the field but had moved up into fourth just before the stretch. The spectacular colt went on to win the start by a length and a half.
Following will be Thunder Punch<\/b> (Thunder Gulch x Storm Cat x Secretariat), out of the stakes-winning dam Opeanoya, who is trained by cream<\/i>, owner of Toplight Stables. The bay three year old has been very lightly raced with a total of eighteen lifetime starts, of which seven were wins, four were places and two were shows. His most recent start came in Rhode Island over seven and a half furlongs in the ungraded Driftaway Special where he was sent out of the gate in ninth and began to pick up the pace in the stretch, ultimately crossing the wire just three-fourth lengths back in second with a speed figure of one hundred eight. His most recent win came early last month during the ungraded Finger Lakes Mile Stakes where the colt broke in tenth and found himself cruising in fourth in the stretch, then went on to win the mile long race by a length and a half. His most recent graded start came in early April during the Chicago Derby (G1) where the colt finished seventh.
In the middle of the pack is Wooden Minister<\/b> (Hennessy x Woodman x Deputy Minister), who is trained by pogs1<\/i>, owner of Pogo Racing. The three year old bay colt has been very lightly raced with only a total of seven career starts. However, of these seven lifetime starts, the colt has never finished off the board in any of his races. His most recent start came last month in the mile long Supertoys Raceout Classic (G3) where he broke out of the gate in thirteenth, trailing the field early, and began to make a forward move just before the stretch, and crossing the wire in second, a mere three-fourths of a length behind the eventual winner. The colt set a speed figure of one hundred twelve, a lifetime best, in this race. His most recent win came in July during the ungraded eight and a half furlong Juan\u2019s Road Special where the colt was held closer to the front running pace in seventh and began to make his move, once again, in the stretch, this time flying by other horses to win going away by three and a half lengths.
In at morning line odds of 6\/1 is Tempest<\/b> (A.P. Indy x Storm Cat x Kris S.), out of the stakes-winning dam Miss Mama, who is owned and trained by oscar<\/i>, owner of Chilcoat Stables. The five year old chestnut horse has career earnings of $1,465,140 and a total of thirty-five lifetime starts, of which twelve of them have resulted in victories for the stunning horse. His most recent start came in the eight and a half furlong, ungrade Devil\u2019s Rancom Bonanza, held over a sloppy dirt track, where he broke out of the gate last and only began to rally slightly pre-stretch. But from out of nowhere at the back of the field the horse came flying, however, only enough to cross the wire fourth with a valiant speed figure of one hundred seven. His most recent victory was just the previous start, in the ungraded Eighty Nine Hill Bonanza where he broke mid pack in ninth and began o make a steady move in the stretch, eventually going on to win the race by three lengths. The horses most recent graded start came in the Grade II Oowa Cornhusker BB Classic on a good dirt track where the horse finished sixth.
In the eight slot will be Festive Fifty<\/b> (Sadler\u2019s Wells x Gone West x A.P. Indy), who is trained and owned by stormcat55<\/i>, owner of Foxon Stables. The four year old chestnut has had a total of twenty-six lifetime starts with an impressive twelve victories, all of which have come over the dirt surface. The colts career earnings amount to an impressive $1,063,051. The colts most recent start came in South Dakota during the six furlong Middle Of Nowhere Sprint (G3) where the chestnut broke from the far outside post into tenth and trailed the field until they reached the stretch where the colt began to make his move on the tiring field that lay in front of him. However, the colt ran out of ground and finished fifth, just two and three-fourth lengths off the winner, while setting a speed figure of one hundred one. His most recent win came in late May during the Grade I Cosmopolitan Handicap where he broke mid pack this time in eighth and began to make his move on the field again in the stretch, this time going by horses to win by one and one-fourth lengths. Other notable races of late for this colt include the Bluegrass Sprint (G2) and the Sand Castle Godolfin Mile (G3), in both of which the colt emerged victorious.
Favorite Zygote<\/b> (A.P. Indy x Storm Cat x Seeking The Gold), who is owned by isisbabe<\/i>, owner of Dentition Stables is next. The five year old spectacuralry-bred bay horse has been lightly raced with a total of twenty-five lifetime starts, of which an impressive number of ten starts have resulted in wins. The horse is quickly catching up to the one million dollar mark in lifetime money earnings. His most recent start came in Upper New York over the mile long Teeny Weenie Stakes (G3) where the horse set out of the gate stalking the front runners in fourth and making his move in the stretch, going on to finish second, just back by one-fourth of a length with a speed figure of one hundred thirteen. The horses most recent win came in March during the Winchester Cap (G3) where he was set further off the pace back in ninth, but was sent to go after horses early on in the race and went on to win the start by a length. The horses most recent Grade I start came this past May in the Cosmopolitan Handicap where he finished one and three-fourth lengths back in third.
Next is Canungra Folly<\/b> (Danzig x Storm Cat x Forty Niner), out of the race-winning dam Forty Nine Storms, who is owned by bigkev<\/i>, owner of Bigkev and Bjbandit Farms. The five year old bay horse has had a total of thirty-six lifetime starts with eight wins, ten places and five shows to his credit. His most recent start came in Indiana on the sloppy dirt course of the Devil\u2019s Ransom Bonanza where he broke out of the gate in second and took the lead briefly in the stretch by a head, but then faded in the late stretch to finish third with a speed figure of one hundred nine. His most recent win came in the ungraded seven and a half furlong Muskrat Ghost Special where he broke out of the far outside post and into third, taking control of the race before the stretch and going on to win by one and three-fourth lengths. His most recent graded stakes start came in the form of the Grade III Catch Ivanyamil\u2019s Geezer Stakes where the horse finished twelfth.
Following will be King Of Dance<\/b> (Kingmambo x Seattle Slew x Nureyev), who is owned and trained by coolk<\/i>, owner of Coolk Stables. The five year old chestnut horse has had a total of thirty-four career starts, including twelve lifetime wins. His most recent start came in an allowance caliber race over eight furlongs in Dubai where he broke out of the gate stalking the front running pace in third, and took command of the race in the stretch when the dueling pace setters faded, allowing the horse to breeze by them and win the race by one and a half lengths with a speed figure of one hundred nine. His most recent graded start came in Sweden during the Prims Memorial (G2) where the horse looked to be going wire to wire but faded at the end to finish second. We caught up with trainer coolk<\/i> on Tuesday to inquire about his thoughts on his horse running in the World Cup Mile. Coolk<\/i> stated calmly, \u201cKing Of Dance<\/b> has always been a wonderful horse, but never quite ran up to expectations when he was younger. He\u2019s really begun to blossom this season though and has turned out to be more what I expected.\u201d When asked about his horses\u2019 chances in the Cup, coolk<\/i> replied with, \u201cHe likes to run on the lead and try to go wire to wire in his races. His running style will make the race pretty tough for him. I\u2019m hoping his most recent start has brought him into the World Cup Mile in peak form, but there\u2019s no doubt he\u2019ll need to perform at the top of his game to win on Saturday.\u201d
Breaking from the far outside post will be Depravity<\/b> (Red Bullet x Deputy Minister x Mr. Prospector), out of the stakes-placed dam Ministerial, who is trained and owned by funster<\/i>, owner of Theatrical Stables. The bay four year old is one of the most experienced horses in this field with a total of forty career starts, eleven of which have resulted in wins. The colts most recent start came in Indiana on a sloppy dirt track of the ungraded Devil\u2019s Ransom Bonanza where the colt, who had drawn the rail, broke thirteenth in the field and slowly began to gain ground on the struggling horses in the stretch. The bay horse went on to finish second while setting a speed figure of one hundred twelve. His most recent win came in Colorado just last month during an allowance caliber start which also came up on a sloppy dirt track. The colt broke in sixth and stayed up in that position until the stretch where he began to take down other horses struggling through the mud. The colt went on to win the race narrowly by three-fourths of a length. The colts most recent graded start came in the Grade III Like You Stole Something Special, on the fast dirt, where he finished twelfth. Other recent notable starts include the Bluegrass Sprint (G2) where the colt finished seventh and the Sand Castle Godolfin Mile (G3), where he finished second.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Zygote Goes Off As Favorite<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"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-4753","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4753","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\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4753"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4753\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4753"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4753"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}