{"id":4794,"date":"2007-09-22T01:15:04","date_gmt":"2007-09-22T01:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=4794"},"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=4794","title":{"rendered":"Heroes light up three-quarters in powerhouse World Cup Turf Sprint"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas<\/STRONG>–\u00a0\u00a0 Gotta love it!\u00a0\u00a0 Turf sprint fans, you’re in for a real treat on Sim World Cup day.\u00a0 Our favorite division hits the primetime in a gorgeous double-feature — we’ve got *TWO* seriously wicked sprint Grade 1s over 6f and 7f for our heroic green guzzlers.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Both are absolutely fantastic fields and we lead off here of course with the three-quarters group in the Grade 1 $500,000 World Cup Turf Sprint<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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In this battle, we got\u00a0multi-champion and fan favorite\u00a0General’s Chariot<\/STRONG>, fresh off of a well-deserved victory in the Battle Of Saratoga(G2<\/EM>).\u00a0\u00a0 And don’t forget Golden Jamboree(G1)<\/EM> legend Digging The Grave<\/STRONG>, the old man who just won’t quit.\u00a0\u00a0 We got newcomer A Saints Day<\/STRONG>, one explosively quick titan who positively whipped\u00a0the Firey Hooves Sprint(G2)<\/EM>.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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And whoa nellie!\u00a0\u00a0 Don’t miss that fiendishly fast handsome hunk Night’s Desire<\/STRONG> and furiously feisty troubadour Omerta Code<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How ’bout that fascinating sophomore with a memorable name Credit Addiction<\/STRONG>?\u00a0 He’s really rounded into his own of late.\u00a0 We’ve got familiar graded faces like Known Sky<\/STRONG> and Givelovetheboot <\/STRONG>and fresh upstarts like Tete Drakon<\/STRONG> and\u00a0Muadib<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0 Longshots Jenna’s Deputy<\/STRONG> and World War III<\/STRONG> should make a show of it.\u00a0\u00a0 Wow!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
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Bottom line, this group would make up a very swift graded contest any Sim Saturday, but, of course, this week ain’t just any Sim day at the races.\u00a0 It’s World Cup day and these horses represent their trainers’ respective teams.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT>\u00a0There are points to be won, so without further ado, let’s meet the teams:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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TEAM NASA<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
  • General’s Chariot (4\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
  • Night’s Desire (5\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
  • Digging The Grave (7\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
  • Omerta Code (8\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
    The North & South America Team got the goods at least on paper in this race.\u00a0\u00a0 The Team brings a mighty quartet of our well-known sprint division stars.\u00a0 General’s Chariot<\/STRONG> of course trumpets the way as our slight racetime fave.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s age 5 now and looks fondly back at his Sim Eclipse championships at age 2 and 3.\u00a0\u00a0 But, ya know, the General ain’t no slouch in his elder years — he won the Battle Of Saratoga(G2)<\/EM> last month over longtime rival Digging The Grave\u00a0with a handy dandy 108 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That ain’t chicken feed, folks!\u00a0 Sure,\u00a0the Gone West son didn’t start out the year anywhere in the ball park, but, boy, give him an easypeasy listed score and he’s\u00a0back to his ole nasty self.\u00a0\u00a0 Hey, Northern Pirate plain robbed the General of a glorious Smackdown<\/EM> win!\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    Well, at least my old man (yeah, I’m the proprietor of proudtruth stable!) came roaring back after that heartbreaking loss to win the Saratoga<\/EM>.\u00a0 \u00a0The midpacker figures to get some likety-split speed up front — hopefully he still has the goods to run the banshees down.\u00a0 C’mon, General!\u00a0\u00a0 Make the World Cup a Grade 1 win for 4 years in a row!\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    But, ya know, if the General can’t win the day Saturday, then I’d want Kbsweet’s Night’s Desire<\/STRONG> to capture the prize.\u00a0\u00a0 Keely’s handsome hunk has yet to triumph in a Grade 1 event and I’d gladly trade General’s record to see Night’s Desire in the winner’s circle.\u00a0 He’s a streetcar of a hunk by Night Shift and he counts the years oh so casually.\u00a0 At age 6, Night’s Desire can still just explode on the racetrack.\u00a0 Remember him running the Mr Anderson(G3)<\/EM> earlier this season?\u00a0\u00a0 My oh my, what a shot and what a rally to score a 108 SP#<\/STRONG> half-length trophy.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mmhmm.\u00a0 Bring on the ‘Night.\u00a0\u00a0 He picked up his feet and ran a huge number in Mr Devious ethereal Rising Sun Spring Cup(G1)<\/EM> back in June — 6th place was none too shabby with a brite 107 in your back pocket.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    I just plain adored how he just missed Digging The Grave — granted, I wanted to see ‘Desire win, but you gotta give props to such\u00a0heart down the lane.\u00a0 Those were two great horses seperated by a half-length at the wire.\u00a0\u00a0 And if you’re kind of worried about Night’s Desire’s subpar effort in the Sharon & Roys Gold Cup(G1)<\/EM> last month,\u00a0don’t give it a second thought.\u00a0\u00a0 Keely gave ‘Night a nice breather prior to the race.\u00a0\u00a0 This horse doesn’t run swiftly after layoffs.\u00a0 I like him a lot here.\u00a0\u00a0 Hopefully, he won’t sit too close to an expected hot pace.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    Two great studs for Team NASA and we actually arrive now at the #1-ranked horse in the division, Digging The Grave<\/STRONG>!\u00a0\u00a0 Whoa, did SDMF\u00a0get caught working some voodoo on the oddsmakers or something, because, boy, DTG goes off as a bit of a longshot.\u00a0\u00a0 We all know the 6yo Silver Ghost horse from our divisional stories.\u00a0\u00a0 Even though he didn’t bag the Sim Eclipse, he was my pick last year as the best turf sprinter\u00a0of ’06.\u00a0\u00a0 And like his dreaded rival General’s Chariot, Digging The Grave also began this year in nowheresville, finishing up the track until June came around in the Rising Sun Spring Cup(G1).\u00a0 <\/EM>Famous for his wildly wicked pacesetting style, the ‘Grave got loose on the lead in that race and almost nailed it.\u00a0\u00a0 Mr Devious got the victory, but DTG recorded a turnaround 112 SP#.\u00a0\u00a0 What a season saver!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    To prove that race was no fluke and that this old dog DTG still had a few tricks to run by, the horse won the Golden Jamboree(G1)<\/EM> in his next start.\u00a0 That was quite a pacestting feet over a flying Night’s Desire — Digging The Grave of course won the same race in 2006.\u00a0\u00a0 Quite a fantastic victory.\u00a0\u00a0 The horse however proceeded to lose a 6yo-only laugher and faded to 7th in the Battle Of Saratoga(G2)<\/EM> after having dueled on the early lead.\u00a0\u00a0DTG makes his 40th benchmark call to the post Saturday — is he over the hill or will he recover his old spirit on the big raceday?\u00a0\u00a0 Always respect this horse!<\/FONT><\/DIV>
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    Finally, the Supers finish out the Team NASA ticket with Omerta Code<\/STRONG>, winner of last year’s Japan Sprint(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0At the Grade 1 level this year, Omerta Code’s been mixed.\u00a0\u00a0 He finished a splendid 3rd by 3\/4-length in DTG\/Night’s Desire’s Golden Jamboree(G1), but was somewhere next to Jupiter in the Generals Pals Sprint Show II(G1)<\/EM> and KY Horsemen Elixir Sprint(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 The Super subsequently\u00a0slid Omerta Code down to the Grad 3 level and the 4yo colt by Sadler’s Wells won both the Full Speed Ahead(G3) <\/EM>and Otter Dash(G3)<\/EM> over 5.5f and 4.5f respectively.\u00a0\u00a0 You’d think he’d have fared better in the Firey Hooves(G2) over 5f LTO but was well beaten by A Saints Day.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    Bottom line, Omerta Code suffers from inconsistency and a kind of promise unfulfilled.\u00a0\u00a0 Personally, I loked forward to this horse’s 4yo season and have been shocked at the way he hasn’t moved forward to claim his rightful place near the top of the division according to his talent.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s a bit of a puzzle then, but 6f is defintely his cup of tea.\u00a0\u00a0 As a midpacker, he’s gonna have to outrun General’s Chariot if the two get some fading speedsters up front.\u00a0\u00a0 Will the real Omerta Code please step up?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If so, watch out.<\/FONT>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
    TEAM EURO<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
    • A Saints Day (6\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
    • Tete Drakon(GB) (7\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
    • Givelovetheboot (9\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
    • Known Sky (14\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
      Team Europe\/Scandinavia has an A-list stud and a few middle-type shots who might make a splash.\u00a0\u00a0 Their heavy hitter\u00a0is trainer Irt’s AP Indy 4yo named A Saints Day<\/STRONG>.\u00a0\u00a0I gotta say this colt’s quite a rising star in the division.\u00a0 He’s got a\u00a0fresh 10-for-19 lifetime record.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s got oodles of consistency with tons of listed level wins to boot.\u00a0 And A Saints Day is just loaded with mucho macho speed.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt rides a two-race win streak with 104 <\/STRONG>and 107 SP#s<\/STRONG> respectively.\u00a0\u00a0 The latter came over Omerta Code in the Firey Hooves(G2)<\/EM> over 5f.\u00a0 \u00a0A Saints Day was\u00a0never threatened\u00a0in that race.\u00a0\u00a0 Quite a fine victory.\u00a0 <\/DIV>
      \u00a0<\/DIV>
      But Saturday will be A Saints Day’s big test versus the big boys.\u00a0\u00a0 Will he fold under fellow pacestting pressure?\u00a0\u00a0 He’s got Digging The Grave here, Night’s Desire will be close up, and possibly a 3yo or two will go after a Saints Day early as well.\u00a0 \u00a0What kind of grit is this colt made of?\u00a0\u00a0 We shall see.\u00a0\u00a0 He can handle this field if on target.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/DIV>
      \u00a0<\/DIV>
      Team captain Sabbath enters Tete Drakon(GB)<\/STRONG>, a 4yo son of Diesis(GB).\u00a0 Sabbath knows the Sim like the back of his hand.\u00a0\u00a0 He switched Tete Drakon over from the dirt three starts ago\u00a0and the colt responded with an ALW score and a couple of stakes placings.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You gotta note the consistent 100+ SP#s with Tete Drakon.\u00a0\u00a0 The downtown closer isn’t going to win every given Saturday, but he can snare his share.\u00a0\u00a0 I think this colt’s a live sleeper in this spot.\u00a0 Imagine a speed duel up front gone wild and the old midpackers\u00a0kind of stunned.\u00a0\u00a0 Tete Drakon could pick up the pieces from far back.\u00a0 It would be a stunner, but possible for this wildcard.<\/DIV>
      \u00a0<\/DIV>
      We saw Dragnil’s Givelovetheboot<\/STRONG> in turf sprint graded action earlier this season.\u00a0\u00a0 The veteran 5yo by Storm Boot didn’t make any waves though and re-entered the listed stakes ranks.\u00a0\u00a0 He posted some honest and even surpreme there for a spell.\u00a0\u00a0 Recently though, the stalker’s been a bit average and was pretty much outclassed in the Capital Spring Sprint(G3)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 If he brings his A-game to the table, then he might be able to snare a minor share.\u00a0\u00a0 Honest little modest bred who’s won his value many times over\u00a0through 42 starts.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/DIV>
      \u00a0<\/DIV>
      Known Sky<\/STRONG> is another familiar face.\u00a0\u00a0The Sky Classic 4yo colt from karen stables\u00a0surprised the Look To The Heavens(G1)<\/EM> very early in ’07.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was a player-sponsored 4yo-only turf sprint and Known Sky proved to be now slouch, finishing 5th with the same 102 SP# in April’s KY Horsemen Elixir Sprint(G1)<\/EM>.\u00a0\u00a0 Quite a little trooper of a colt — he hasn’t done a heckuva lot in six starts since then though.\u00a0 \u00a0He did win a listed stakes and finished 3rd in one of Omerta Code’s Grade 3s.\u00a0 But that’s about it.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I feel Known Sky will have antoher bad\u00a0day if he gets himself into a\u00a0duel with A Saints Day and Digging The Grave.\u00a0 Perhaps his best chance\u00a0is to hope for a slow pace and hang on for some minor money.\u00a0 Good little horse, I like him.\u00a0 =)<\/DIV>
      \u00a0<\/DIV><\/FONT>
      <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
      TEAM FENZA<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/DIV>
      • Muadib (11\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
      • Credit Addiction(IRE) (12\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
      • Jenna’s Deputy(JPN) (26\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI>
      • World War III (26\/1)<\/FONT><\/LI><\/UL>
        The Aussie\/Kiwi\/Far Easters have an eye-catching 3yo colt and a trio of modest longshots.\u00a0\u00a0 And Deyoto’s Credit Addiction(IRE)<\/STRONG> is that sophomore star in the making.\u00a0 The High Chaparral son just adores one-turn and reeled off three straight stakes victories over the summertime versus his age group.\u00a0 The final victory in that string came with a 101 SP#.\u00a0\u00a0 That time signaled a start in the Smackdown III(G1) <\/EM>turf sprint\u00a0race for fellow sophomores and Credit Addiction ran a decent 3rd.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        But just stop the presses right there, because Credit Addiction sure came into his own in his very next outing.\u00a0\u00a0 The colt hit the tires and lit the fires in a full field listed contest at NoCal.\u00a0 The midpacker sailed to a dominant victory with a gorgeous 109 SP#<\/STRONG>.\u00a0 Wow!\u00a0\u00a0 Could he be the next I Make Stuff Up?\u00a0\u00a0 Will\u00a0Saturday be Credit Addiction’s coming-out party?\u00a0\u00a0 Ya gotta love those 3yos with the flashy numbers entering the Grade 1 older horses.\u00a0 Deyoto has a very live longshot at a fabulous price.\u00a0\u00a0 Mmhmm.<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        Eddieboo is next up\u00a0on the FENZA Team with an older horse longshot named Muadib<\/STRONG>.\u00a0 This guy’s a 5yo by War Chant and ranked #141 in the division.\u00a0 Muadib\u00a0won at the listed level earlier in the year and snagged a 5th place cheque in the Simon & Simon Cap(G3)<\/EM>.\u00a0 \u00a0He’s been up and down since with a couple of stakes placings.\u00a0\u00a0 Kind of a mixed bag of a runner who can vie for off the pace or sit up\u00a0close to it if necessary.\u00a0\u00a0 I don’t think he has much of any chance here at the board, but ya never know for some minor money.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        Dowelly continues the Down Under lineup with Jenna’s Deputy(JPN)<\/STRONG>, a French Deptuy sophomore colt.\u00a0\u00a0 This little guy finished 4th in one of the two premier 3yo turf sprints:\u00a0\u00a0 the After Shave Sprint(G2)<\/EM> back in May.\u00a0\u00a0 Jenna’s Deputy hasn’t won a stakes race in a spell, but did pocket a nice ALW LTO.\u00a0\u00a0 He also finished 6th in that Smackdown(G1)<\/EM> race after setting the early lead.\u00a0\u00a0 He’s a speedball out of the gate and could match stride for stride with Digging The Grave and A Saints Day.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Will he improve on those upper 90 speed figures\u00a0in this spot?\u00a0 I don’t think he’s ready just yet, but should make a show of it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        World War III<\/STRONG> from Vettori’s stables rounds out the FENZA contingent.\u00a0\u00a0He’s a 4yo colt by Spinning World and brings a 6-for-32 lifetime record to the table.\u00a0 At best, this guy might battle for the early lead for a spell.\u00a0 He’s got some sprinter black type in his background.\u00a0\u00a0 Not the greatest speed figures though and he doesn’t much of a hope for anything in this spot.\u00a0\u00a0 Still, World War III\u00a0proudly carries the colors of the FENZA team.\u00a0\u00a0 =)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        Snowchief’s Picks<\/U>:<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        FENZA’s Credit Addiction and Team EURO’s A Saints Day are the ones to watch in this race.\u00a0\u00a0 Tete Drakon will need his lifetime best, but is an interesting outsider.\u00a0\u00a0 Bottom line though, the\u00a0Team NASA has the goods on this race.\u00a0 On the down side though, those NASA horses are oldtimers so to speak.\u00a0 Could young blood like midpacker Credit Addiction outrally pacesetter A Saints Day and totally spoil the Team Americas hopes?<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        \u00a0<\/DIV>
        Highly possible.\u00a0\u00a0 But I think General’s Chariot, Night’s Desire, and Omerta Code should mix it\u00a0up on the board.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Box them and toss in Credit Addiction for a spoiler.\u00a0<\/FONT>\u00a0I think the pacesetters will get cooked.\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        Hate to jinx anyone by picking a winner — well, I’ll jinx the Supers, it’s their turn to receive the dreaded Snowchief BTB jinx!\u00a0 LOL!\u00a0 =)<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        Win:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Omerta Code\u00a0\u00a0 <\/FONT><\/DIV>
        Place:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 General’s Chariot<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        Show:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Night’s Desire<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        Longshot:\u00a0\u00a0 Credit Addiction<\/FONT><\/DIV>
        <\/FONT>\u00a0<\/DIV>
        Celebrate the Sim’s internationality!\u00a0 Good luck to all on World Cup Day!<\/FONT><\/DIV><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        General’s Chariot, Night’s Desire, A Saints Day faves in 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-4794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4794","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=4794"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4794\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}