{"id":5351,"date":"2008-01-25T17:13:58","date_gmt":"2008-01-25T17:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=5351"},"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=5351","title":{"rendered":"A Great Race if You Love Mud Wrestling!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wicker Sofa Stakes<\/strong>
Grade II
Six furlongson the Sloppy Dirt Course
$225,000
All horses, 3 years old and up
Stakes record \u2013 2007 \u2013 Delegence, 1:08 3\/5, SPF 113.073<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

We have a really interesting field here with lots of nicely ranked horses. One of the amazing things that I found when researching the race was how the vast majority of these horses have run their best SPF in the last four races. It appears that there are an awful lot in this field that are really peaking or moving to the next level right now. With that in mind, there is a huge equalizer as it has been raining all week in Taiwan and the weatherman is promising more of the same so we are looking at a mud wrestling event here. Quite of few of these guys have run on off tracks before some with real success but it can certainly throw a wrench into a trainers plans when he has set his horse up for a fast course for weeks and weeks. Regardless, it looks like a very even race and should be a truly exciting test so let\u2019s take a look:<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\t\t\t
1 – BLACK BLAZER(KY)<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
14\/1<\/TH><\/font> Simsters7 <\/TH><\/font>18.3%<\/TH><\/font> T.Cambell<\/TH><\/font> 15 – 2 – 0 – 0 – 13%<\/TH><\/font> 113.82<\/TH><\/font> $532,420<\/T><\/font>93<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
(PINE BLUFF x WOODMAN x RAISE A NATIVE) After trainer Simsters7 and the Evil Empire Stables moved this big chestnut colt to the clay sprints he really upped his SPFs at the end of his three year old campaign. He has a bit of experience in the rain as well with a record of three times in the top three in three races. They have Campbell holding the reins and he has a couple of wins already in this young season. This is a top 100 ranked horse with over a half a million in earnings so don\u2019t overlook him at generous morning line odds. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
2 – SESTRIERE(KY)<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
12\/1<\/TH><\/font>SanSebas<\/TH><\/font>14.1%<\/TH><\/font> J.Carden<\/TH><\/font> 10 – 0 – 0 – 1 – 0%<\/TH><\/font> 112.09<\/TH><\/font> $605,555<\/T><\/font>13<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
(AWESOME AGAIN x ALYDAR x ROBERTO) In the middle of last summer, trainer SanSebas of the Rafa Stables moved him back to the dirt sprints and it was like a light went on over this chestnut colts head. He suddenly started hitting triple digits in his speed figures and won a Grade I before competing in the World Cup and the Breeders Bowl. This will be his first outing of this year but he looks like he is matured and ready to go. Carden is in the leather and looking for his first win of the season as well but has a nice ride here. This will be the first outing on an off track for the colt so it\u2019s a bit hard to tell how he will respond to the muck.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
3 – SMOULDERING STREET<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
10\/1<\/TH><\/font>Magoo2912<\/TH><\/font>14.6%<\/TH><\/font> M.Scott<\/TH><\/font> 52 – 15 – 9 – 11 – 29%<\/TH><\/font> 111.06<\/TH><\/font> $930,789<\/T><\/font>4<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
(FOOL’S PLEASURE x GRAUSTARK x NEARCTIC) How about and eight year old that had his fastest SPF ever last time out with a 111? He finished a close second in the DelPenn Sprint Championships and looks like there is plenty of life left in those old legs. A win here would put him over $1 million in earnings so he knows how to get there with fourteen lifetime wins. The cream colored horse has a nice record in the mud as well with two wins and a second in four outings in the rain. They have one of the tracks best jockeys guiding in Scott so I expect that 10\/1 moring line being moved down by post time. He has a chance at the million dollar mark here. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
4 – PULPIT’S PRINCE(KY)<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
12\/1<\/TH><\/font>Tmaria<\/TH><\/font>13.8%<\/TH><\/font> T.Auzenne<\/TH><\/font> 10 – 0 – 1 – 3 – 0%<\/TH><\/font> 113.01<\/TH><\/font> $ 181,392<\/T><\/font>105<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( PULPIT x STORM BOOT x KRIS S.) Another four year old that looks as if he is just starting to hit his stride here. Tmaria and the Boogie Woogie Stables have to believe that they have something special in this young horse. He won his first Grades race last time out with a hard charge down the stretch and a sizzling 113 SPF. He has also finished on the board in all three of his off track races so everything seems to be lined up here except for the fact that they Auzenne in the irons and he is looking for his first win of the season. He\u2019s got twelve years of experience and a 10% win percentage lifetime but you have to wonder if he is finally on the downhill side of his career. Perhaps an exciting young horse under him will wake him up.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
5 – LANNISTER GOLD(KY)<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
10\/1<\/TH><\/font>GRRM<\/TH><\/font>22.5%<\/TH><\/font> P.O\u2019Neil<\/TH><\/font> 10 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 10%<\/TH><\/font> 112.78<\/TH><\/font> $ 216,888<\/T><\/font>143<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( FORESTRY x SEEKING THE GOLD x DANZIG) A two race win streak coming into this race with his best SPF to date in his last race (112) has to put a smile on the face of trainer GRRM and the Given Stables. That was his first Stakes win and a great way to close out his three year old season. He loves to sit way back and charge late but that may be a bit tougher here with all of that mud in his face. He has a first and an third in two muddy starts though and it shouldn\u2019t really affect him. O\u2019Neil is up and has been solid so far this year and knows how to guide them home. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
6 – MADE MYSELF(KY)<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
7\/1<\/TH><\/font>Epcotlen3<\/TH><\/font>14.0%<\/TH><\/font> D.Brock<\/TH><\/font> 35 – 5 – 6 – 1 – 14%<\/TH><\/font> 114.07<\/TH><\/font> $324,925<\/T><\/font>35<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( PLEASANTLY PERFECT x MT. LIVERMORE x ROAR out of BLACK MOUNTAIN RUN) Trainer and owner Epcotlen3 moved this four year old home bred colt to the dirt sprints last May and he has done nothing but continue to improve ever since. His last six races have been in triple figures and he has a plus 110 SPF in the last three including a personal best of 114 last time out where he won the MATT WHITEY STAKES holding on with a wire to wire win. He has early speed which may help him here with the mud and the inside half of the field. He has one win in two attempts in the mud. He also has Brock in the saddle and he has been pretty hot this year with five wins on the young season. This could be a formidable team if he can beat the track as well as the competitors.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
7 – FUSAICHI PHANTOM<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
12\/1<\/TH><\/font>2ToTango<\/TH><\/font>17.3%<\/TH><\/font> S.McNeil<\/TH><\/font> 15 – 2 – 1 – 1 – 13%<\/TH><\/font> 109.31<\/TH><\/font> $207,820<\/T><\/font>140<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( FUSAICHI PEGASUS x NORTHERN DANCER x HOIST THE FLAG) Trainer 2ToTango has to believe that this seven year old with the flashing copper sides is just hitting his peak as hard as that is to believe. In his past six races he has a streak of six straight triple digit SPFs and three Allowance wins in there as well. He looks to be taking a big step up to the Graded circuit but this will be his third in a row and he has been competitive so far. He is fairly lightly races with only 36 races so far and twelve wins so he should have plenty left to continue this streak. He has McNeil riding and he has been solid so far this year as well as over his eight years in the saddle. Two seconds in three races on off tracks should keep him competitive here as well. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
8 – STARK RAVING OIL(CA)<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
11\/1<\/TH><\/font>BillN<\/TH><\/font>8.6%<\/TH><\/font> R.Dzurilla<\/TH><\/font> 11 – 0 – 5 – 1 – 0% <\/TH><\/font> 110.27<\/TH><\/font> $ 162,569<\/T><\/font>157<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( ROAR x RAHY x BE MY GUEST out of BEATEN AVENGER) This four year old chestnut colt finished off last year and started this year with twin 110 SPFs while finishing third in two straight Grade IIIs. He won his last outing on an off track which was his second try in the mud. Trainer BillN and the Big Oil Conlomerate Stables of Lord Pye have to be wishing for a fast course here but it looks like that won\u2019t happen. They also have Dzurilla holding the whip and he hasn\u2019t found the winners circle yet this year and less than 10% lifetime in a 15 year career. That doesn\u2019t bode well for this team in a very competitive race. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
9 – UNAVAILABLE<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
8\/1<\/TH><\/font>Lenny6<\/TH><\/font>19.4%<\/TH><\/font> B.Baxter<\/TH><\/font> 12 – 2 – 1 – 0 – 17%<\/TH><\/font> 111.93<\/TH><\/font> $ 545,087<\/T><\/font>41<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( BROAD BRUSH x FORTY NINER x UNBRIDLED out of NINER MAGIC) Two wins in two tries on the sticky off tracks and a strong finish to last years five year old season have to make Trainer Lenny6 and the Evil Empire Stables believe that they will still get plenty of race from this nice looking brown horse for a while yet. They actually have two entries in the race and both have a shot here. Baxter will be be guiding this old guy for all of the guidance that he needs at this point in his career. He has eleven wins and over a half a mil in earnings so don\u2019t count this guy out. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
10 – PEDRO MAXIMUS<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
91<\/TH><\/font>MattsBest<\/TH><\/font>17.5%<\/TH><\/font> S.Ray<\/TH><\/font> 26 – 2 – 2 – 3 – 8%<\/TH><\/font> 113.47<\/TH><\/font> $ 225,476<\/T><\/font>89<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( CAPOTE x BROAD BRUSH x KEY TO THE MINT) There was one trainer and Stable that was praying for rain this week and it was MattsBest and the Pedro\u2019s Racing Empire because this six year old horse just loves to play in the mud. His momma must have never taught him to come in from the rain because he is a perfect four for four on off tracks. That doesn\u2019t bode well for the rest of this field because he just had his personal best two races back with a 113 SPF on a sloppy track. That should be hard to beat here and he has Ray holding the reins and he is looking for his third win of this young season. This team may be walking to the circle after the race while brushing off the mud for a photo.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
11 – GRAND ARBITER(JPN)<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
10\/1<\/TH><\/font>Lender2<\/TH><\/font>13.9%<\/TH><\/font> C.Meads<\/TH><\/font> 48 – 7 – 7 – 11 – 15%<\/TH><\/font> 112.91<\/TH><\/font> $ 442,940<\/T><\/font>17<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( AGNES WORLD x GONE WEST x DEPUTY MINISTER) Another four year old that had a really strong finish to a super three year old season last year. He was competitive in his Graded outings although it has been ten months since his last win. He also won his only off track outing in the SUPER BOWL G III Stakes last February for his only Graded win. One big plus is the addition of Meads and his hot hand holding the reins here so trainer Lender2 and the Deadinthelane Stables have to believe that they have a realistic shot here. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
12 – HENNESSY TITANS<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
8\/1<\/TH><\/font>SlewBethcha<\/TH><\/font>14.1%<\/TH><\/font> D.Adder<\/TH><\/font> 11 – 1 – 0 – 0 – 9%<\/TH><\/font> 110.82<\/TH><\/font> $ 436,750<\/T><\/font>185<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
( HENNESSY x MR. PROSPECTOR x NODOUBLE out of MS PROSPECTOR) My favorite name in the race belongs to this six year old horse but what do you expect from a Tennessee boy from the Music City? He has only 24 races under his belt and that ain\u2019t many for a six year old horse. He looks to have plenty of tread left on those tires and he finished last year strong with ten of eleven races finishing in triple digit SPFs. The only one that wasn\u2019t was a disappointing race on a good track especially after he had won his two previous outings on off tracks. Is that last one an analomy or has he developed a dislike for the mud? Trainer SlewBetcha and the Irisharse Stables hopes that it is the former. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
13 – WONDERBOY DJ<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS <\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
7\/1<\/TH><\/font>Wonder2<\/TH><\/font>20.0%<\/TH><\/font> D.Fishback<\/TH><\/font> 28 – 1 – 7 – 5 – 4%<\/TH><\/font> 111.04<\/TH><\/font> $1,739,664<\/T><\/font>98<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
(CARSON CITY x SEATTLE SLEW x MR. PROSPECTOR) Here is a six year old with an amazing streak of sixteen straight races of SPFs over 100. A veteran of the World Cup and a couple of Breeders Bowls, this guy knows how to get it done which is proven by his earnings of over $1.7 million. Trainer Wonder2 and the Zeco Stables Belgium have had a great run with this champion but you have to wonder how much longer he can keep it up. Is this the season for the dropoff? He hasn\u2019t had a lot of experience on off tracks but has a win and a third in those two outings. He also has Fishback on his back and he has been struggling a bit this year with thirteen mounts in the money but only a solitary win this year. I\u2019m going to be surprised is this morning line favorite hits the board here. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t
14 – CATAPULTED(MD)<\/<\/font><\/TH>\t \tODDS<\/TH><\/font> OWNER<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> JOCKEY<\/TH><\/font> WIN%<\/TH><\/font> TOP SPEED<\/TH><\/font> EARNINGS<\/TH><\/font>RANK<\/TH><\/font>\t<\/TR>\t
20\/1<\/TH><\/font>Theatrical<\/TH><\/font>19.7%<\/TH><\/font> M.Woolford<\/TH><\/font> 16 – 4 – 0 – 3 – 25%<\/TH><\/font> 108.54<\/TH><\/font> $ 284,130<\/T><\/font>67<\/T><\/font><\/TR><\/TABLE>
(FANTASTICAT x PULPIT x MUJADIL out of PULAJA) Parked way on the outside, this four year old struggled a bit at the end of a solid if unspectacular three year old campaign. Trainer and owner Theatrical tried him at the mile in a few races in an experiment that turned out badly. He responded well on a return to the shorter distance earlier this year but finished second in an Allowance outing. He doesn\u2019t seem quite ready to take on all of the strong horses here but you just never know, especially with a young four year old. They have Woolford in the irons and he is one of the hottest jocks at the track this year. It will be the first time on an off track for this team so who really knows here?<\/p>\n

Morning Line = 6-13-9-12-10<\/strong>
Paz Picks = 10-6-9<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

I for one would have really rather seen this race run on a warm and sunny day. Part of that of course, is selfish because in my advanced age I am not really partial to standing around in cold, rainy weather while talking to trainers and owners that don\u2019t really want to tell me anything anyway! The other reason is that we really have a whole bunch of fine race horses here that are on top of their games and it should have been a tremendous race. Because of the muddy conditions you can basically throw this entire field into the hat and draw one out. Several have run well in the muck but they were all at different levels and at different times in their careers. There is one horse that stands out in the rainy crown though. I like PEDRO MAXIMUS <\/b> here based on his perfect win streak in four straight off track races. That is a guy that loves to mud wrestle and actually has his best times in the muck. I pick him for first and after that it is anyone\u2019s guess. If you disagree, look for me trackside, I\u2019ll be the one trying to balance my binoculars, steno pad and umbrella all at the same time!<\/p>\n

Good luck to all runners!<\/p>\n

Email your comments to pazjazz.btb@gmail.com<\/font><\/a>I love to hear from you!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We have a true MUDDER in this race!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":321,"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-5351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5351","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\/321"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5351"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5351\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}