{"id":5234,"date":"2007-12-22T00:25:36","date_gmt":"2007-12-22T00:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=5234"},"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=5234","title":{"rendered":"Special field in the G1 Topicount"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional\/\/EN\"\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/html4\/loose.dtd\"><html><head><title>Untitled Document<\/title><meta http-equiv=\"Content-Type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=iso-8859-1\"><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><!--.style1 {color: #000000}--><\/style>\n<p><\/head><body><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>G1 Topicount Special<\/strong> has drawn the deepest field I can  remember in the history of the race. That&#8217;s saying something, as some truly  talented horses have come through this annual DelPenn Champions Day event.  It is fitting, then, that the purse has been doubled to $2million, and  this fifth renewal of the race will likely play a big role in determining end  of year accolades for the entrants. The 10f race on the Delaware dirt track  should be a memorable one. <\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Special first ran in 2003, and was won by <strong>Tiz Vegas<\/strong> (owned  by <em>kidvegas<\/em>).  Top horses <strong>I Seek U<\/strong> and <strong>Silverwore<\/strong> entered  but were unable to come up with the big races each needed after long hard   campaigns. That was the only time the race was restricted to 3yos. Since then,  it has been open to 3+. 2004 saw the big boys fail again as <strong>Tuff  Enuff<\/strong> and <strong>Wonderboy  Cougar<\/strong> again failed. <strong>Masterofyourdomain<\/strong>  (owned by <em>madesq<\/em>)  took top honors that year. <strong>Wonderboy Cougar <\/strong>(owned by <em>karlch<\/em>)  turned it around in 2005 as he held off a furious late charge by <strong>Obispo  Town<\/strong>; <strong>Solar  Song<\/strong> came in third. Last year, the race was run at 12. Former claimer <strong>Kowboy<\/strong> (owned  by <em>Pedroza<\/em>)  beat <strong>Virtuoso<\/strong>, and <strong>Awegustus<\/strong> finished third. <\/p>\n<p>\u00a0 <\/p>\n<table width=\"100%\"  border=\"0\">\n<tr>\n<th width=\"4%\" rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">1<\/th>\n<th width=\"26%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">\n<p class=\"style1\">MAMBO BONES<br \/>        (5yo H by Kingmambo)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th width=\"11%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th width=\"13%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th width=\"8%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th width=\"10%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th width=\"12%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th width=\"7%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th width=\"9%\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">(no silks &#8211; <br \/>      common ownership<br \/>       of Irish        Quest)<\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">jrogue5<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">N Armstrong <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">115<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">17:5-6-2<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$659,035<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">7-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">10<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">When you look at Bones&#8217; record,        you wonder what he might have accomplished had he started running at        a 2 or 3yo. The horse debuted just over a year ago at the grand old age        of 4. After posting seconds on turf and off dirt, he met the main track        and has not looked back, vaulting up to grades very quickly. H took the        G2 Brooke Lynn and nearly stole the CA Classic with a hard closing run.        Unlike nearly every other horse here he did not go in the Breeders Bowl,        but he did notch a G3 last out in fine fashion. The 115 he earned in        the Queen of the County is his best ever and may signal he&#8217;s ready to        earn his first G1. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">2<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">\n<p>INTENTTODISTRIBUTE<br \/>        (5yo M by Red Ransom) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/pye.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">lordpye2<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">T J Cox <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">106<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">30:7-5-2<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$993,993<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">29-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">It&#8217;s rare to have the #1-ranked horses from multiple divisions        in the same race, but we get that here with the presence of both Intenttodistribute        and Ermington Pegusus. Intent actually has the rare distinction of being        one of the few horses to ever beat SuperPeg during his reign of greatness.        She took on the boys in the G1 Movieland Shiny Cup and came out top mare,        wiring the field by a half-length. Her top speed isn&#8217;t up to the best        of the boys, but she&#8217;s shown she can handle the challenge, and her natural        speed must be considered a strong threat. Downside is her lack of wins        since that Movieland shocker &#8211; has she started her career downslide?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">3<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">IRISH QUEST<br \/>      (6yo H by Rainbow Quest) <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">\n<p>(no silks &#8211; <br \/>        common ownership <br \/>        of Mambo Bones) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">xanderman<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">P Haynes <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">110<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">32:10-5-5<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$367,530<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">17-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">31<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\"><span class=\"style1\">Quest has really only been competing at the top ranks since      June when he started running in the grades against the big boys. Since      then he&#8217;s struggled in getting a paycheck, but a third in the G1 Out Of      The City and a win in the G2 Upstate BB show the horse does have an upside.      He needs to be right up front to have a prayer, but there aren&#8217;t a ton      of speed horses here so he has a real chance. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">4<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">A.P. GANGSTER <br \/>      (3yo C by A.P. Valentine)<\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/stoners.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">runabout<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">C Shoemaker <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">110<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">10:5-1-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$462,961<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">25-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">18<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">The Gangster is the newest horse in this field to the        graded scene with just four stakes (three of those grades) on his record.        He wowed in his stakes debut with a huge 110, then settled for fourth        in his graded debut (the Travelers). Second try was the charm as the        LA Derby was Gangster&#8217;s G1 triumph. He rolled to a 2-length win over        A Vow To Be A Slew. The colt must have needed some time off as he took        a 2-month break and came back for the G2 Lewis &#038; Clark, but the return        trip was lackluster, as he failed to hit the board for the first time        since March. He should be in better shape this time around. Another horse        that likes to come from way back. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">5<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">SOLAR SONG<br \/>      (5yo H by Deputy Minister)    <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/derby\/squirrel.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">squirrel4<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">A Rolling <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">118<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">40:20-6-4<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$13,453,450<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">5-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">2<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">After struggling through the first half of the year, the        old boy finally relearned how to win in Smackdown in July         with that huge 118SP courtesy of a major challenge by Awegustus. A second        straight Breeders Bowl Classic win put him within striking distance of        breaking the all-time sim earnings record held by the legendary Joe        Cayenne. Solar Song needs a fourth or better to hit the mark in this        race. He ran in the Topicount Special back in 2005, but had to settle        for third. Would thrill me to get this win, but he won&#8217;t have an easy        time of it. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">6<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">\n<p>FORMULATED RISK<br \/>        (5yo H by Beat Hollow)      <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">(no silks) <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">karen<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">B F Abman <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">112<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">40:11-8-7<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$1,258,389<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">12-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">4<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">While many in this field have gone the conservative route        since the Breeders Bowl by taking the time off, this horse comes in with        two races since the big dance. From those two starts he&#8217;s got two lovely        wins at 10.5f , each earning a 104SP. Risk can often be counted on to        play a factor in graded races, but he rarely wins. Still, 8 graded placings        (including seconds in the Jockey Guild Gold Cup and Gotta Fix The Sprinklers)        is pretty darn good. Hard to imagine him stepping up for the win, but        don&#8217;t count Risk sneaking in a placing. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">7<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">ERMINGTON PEGUSUS<br \/>      (4yo C by Sky Mesa) <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">(no silks) <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">pigeon4<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">R Foster <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">118<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">23:12-4-4<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$9,932,980<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">9-2<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">SuperPeg looked a cinch to round out 2007 undefeated until        he ran into Intenttodistribute in The Movieland Shiny. Still, the half-length        loss was no great shame, and he trained well heading to the CA Classic.        Inexplicably he ran third, running well but missing that special spark.        The trainer was completely unfazed and sent the prize colt on to the        Sim World Cup, where he returned to the winner&#8217;s circle with a dazzling        2-length score (for that impressive 118SP) over Passing Stone. It certainly        put him in great position to avenge his 2006 Breeders Bowl loss, but        alas, the colt got moving way too late to be effective and finished out        of the money for the first time since July 2006. He&#8217;s been resting since        October and rumor has it SuperPeg is back and ready to close out the        year with a big race. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">8<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">PASSING STONE<br \/>      (3yo C by Vindication)    <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/lenny.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">jimcougar<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">N Lawton <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">116<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">13:6-3-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$1,893,740<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">9-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">3<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"style1\">Passing Stone has developed form a wunderkind        of the young 3yo crew into a mature and polished classic division contender.        He took the G1 Travelers in fine style, nearly pulled off the Sim World        Cup upset in his first start against elders, and was fourth in the fastest        running of the Breeders Bowl Classic ever. The 116 he earned on SWC day        stands as one of the highest speed figures ever posted by    a 3yo. If Stone is sitting in the first three at the half, he&#8217;s got a great    chance to pull off his second G1 win. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">9<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">KING OF THE WIND<br \/>      (5yo H by Deputy Minister)      <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/topicount.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">topicount4<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">F Duffy <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">114<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">38:9-4-5<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$917,517<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">9-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">13<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"style1\">The King was a handy allowance runner through        his 4yo season, but at the grand old age of 5 he finally started putting        it all together. Oh, sure, he was stakes placed at 3 and 4, but that&#8217;s        small potatoes in comparison to his sole graded victory, the G1 CA Classic,        or his third in the Movieland Shiny. He&#8217;s suddenly getting good, and        that 113 last out, despite being earned in a 4-horse listed field, says    this race is right up his alley. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">10<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">CORNFIELD COUNTY<br \/>      (5yo H by Brahms) <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">(no silks) <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">geewhiz<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">M Wallace <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">113<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">23:7-4-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$728,820<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">13-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">69<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">By now I know most of the likely classic runners at least        by name, but this horse was a new one for me. He&#8217;s been running almost        exclusively in stakes since 2005. In grades he earned two wins in spring        2006, both at 9f. Since then he&#8217;s placed in one grade, the Maryland Special        this May, and placed in a few listeds. He&#8217;s been rather inconsistent        this year, popping SPs all over the board. His last race says maybe he&#8217;s        back in business. the 2+ length win at 9.5 earned him a 111SP, quite        competitive in this field. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">11<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">A VOW TO BE A SLEW<br \/>      (3yo C by Broken Vow)      <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/willyam.jpg\" height=\"125\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">willyam37<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">J White <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">109<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">15:6-3-2<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$1,250,936<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">20-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">38<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"style1\">AVTBAS is slowly making a name for himself        in the big leagues after showing off in GR Simsters-restricted races.    His record includes a  2-length GR Simsters Derby win, second in the Simsters        Belmont, and a win in Smackdown at 10f over fellow Simster Passing Stone        (who ran third). His G1 debut in the Travelers was a letdown with a tenth-place        finish, but the colt made up for it with a lovely second in the LA derby        behind A.P. Gangster. The trainer wisely gave him a confidence-restoring        win in the GR Simsters Classic on Breeders Bowl day. The 109SP was his        best ever, but it came on a muddy track &#8211; can he duplicate the huge effort    against these excellent  horses on a dry track? <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">12<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">GRACEPOINTE PRAYER<br \/>      (4yo C by Cryptoclearance)      <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/paz.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">pazfour<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">O Osbourne <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">115<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">24:9-4-4<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$508,753<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">7-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">3<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">Prayer is already a multiple graded winner, but he&#8217;s not        yet won any of the premier dirt classic division races. He&#8217;s come close,        however, with a place in Sim World Cup and he&#8217;s  posted some huge        speed figures of the 110+ variety several times this year. There are        so many deep closers in this race, Prayer should have lots of room to        settle in towards the front and try to steal the race. Also been resting        since the Breeders Bowl. He&#8217;s definitely due for his turn in the        spotlight. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">13<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">IF YOU DARE<br \/>      (3yo C by Touch Gold)      <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Trainer<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Jockey<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Top SP <\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Earnings<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Odds<\/span><\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"style1\">Div Rank <\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/derby\/squirrel.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">bigmoose3<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">V Gardner <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">109<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">13:4-2-3<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$198,300<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">18-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">37<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">If You Dare        is a clone of the excellent racemare Xtremely Gold. Like many of those        clones, IYD likes dirt and can run pretty fast. He&#8217;s graded-placed a        couple times but has yet to win anything of note. In his favor is a perfect        record against older horses at 10f. Odds might actually be shorter        than he really deserves. He&#8217;s my horse, and thus I must support him,        but it&#8217;ll be a shock if he hits the board in this crowd of top runners. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"3\" bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"row\">14<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">AWEGUSTUS<br \/>      (4yo C by Awesome Again)    <\/div>\n<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">Trainer<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">Jockey<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">Top SP <\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">Record<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">Earnings<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">Odds<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#BBBBEE\" scope=\"col\">Div Rank <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/home.myuw.net\/tlaxson\/btb\/galileo.gif\"><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">theagakhan<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">D Givins <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">117<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">25:7-7-5<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">$2,438,970<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">8-1<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"style1\">7<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"7\">\n<p class=\"style1\">Awegustus may just be the best horse that no one knows        about. His owner kept him in 11-12f races for much of his career, but        finally back down to the 10 range in June and the horse has really improved.        His true talent level was exposed in Smackdown when he hit a huge 117SP.        The Jockey Guild Gold Cup was really Awe&#8217;s first big win, and the 112SP        set a new stake record. He turned around for the Breeders Bowl Classic        and nearly nailed Solar Song at the wire, falling short by just a half        length with another 117. Awe does very well when prepped two weeks out,        so keep a close eye on this horse. He could        well steal the show here. Was third in last year&#8217;s Special, though it        was run at 12f rather than 10. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Often one can handicap a race and say that horse A or B simply has no chance,  but this race is not the typical one. All of these horses have legitimate chances  to win. So rather than embarrass myself as usual with bad handicapping, I&#8217;ll  simply say thanks to <strong>DelPenn<\/strong> for yet another fine day of racing. <\/p>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Untitled Document The G1 Topicount Special has drawn the deepest field I can remember in the history of the race.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"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-5234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5234","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\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5234\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}