Why wait until after Saratoga to star gaze. As we approach the 4th of July weekend I feel now is as good as ever to start looking at what could shape up to be a deep WTC day. Here we go:
Distaff- Smuggler; Improving daughter of Inside Information looked good winning M. Goose and the Phipps gang has a way of champs begetting champs. P.Ensign/My Flag/SSF ring a bell?
Mile- Artie Schiller; Currently the 2000 version of King Cugat in that he can win everything that isn't a Grade I. Something tells me he gets the money on racing's biggest day.
Sprint- Madcap Escapade; Filles always have always been part of the mix in the 3 Sprints at Belmont. Speed holds up because it's hard to run sub 22 first 1/4 going around a turn. She'll be tough going 3/4.
F&M Turf- Divine Proportions; Niarchos clan have never won a race other than the Mile(5X). This year they look good in the other 2 grass events. Another Banks Hill performance is possible. Undefeated, well bred and classy. Keep in mind that she might go in the Mile, but Kingmambo out of Sadler's Wells looks more like 10f to me than 8f. Time will tell.
Turf- Bago; Son of Nashwan should love Belmont and is trying to be the first to win the Arc and the Turf.
Classic- Rock Hard Ten; Hard to go against Afleet Alex, but something tellls me that RHT is fully matured and if he's healthy his humongous stride should really take to Big Sandy.
Juvy and Juvy Fillies aren't ready for consumption just yet.
Peril, shmeril, the sprinting filly isn't nominated. Only one Auzzie bred horse has ever ventured to the BC, I seriously doubt they'll try with this one.
I'm w/ you CB...why wait, lets get the festivities rolling...
Distaff: Always a great race, the 3yo I've seen with the most ability is Round Pond, but I think one of her elders will step up to the plate and win this race...that filly is Andujar. Undefeated and untested on the main track, I'm not sure if she heads to Belmont for the Breeders Cup, but she has intense early speed and could run huge if she continues her progression on the main track.
Mile - Artie Schiller. Loved him last year, and we now know that he is a mile to mile and an eighth horse for his best distance. He has a devastating late move at shorter route distances.
Sprint - Lost in the Fog is as good of a sprinter as we've seen. I don't think 3yo's have been very successful in this race, but this colt is an exception. A natural top class sprinter. You seldom see them as good as this guy, out runs them early and out kicks them late.
F&M turf - Wide open, not sure who the Euro shippers are, but they will be the ones to beat.
Turf - Kittens Joy wins the Arc across the pond and BC in his back yard? hmmm....
Classic - Certainly no Ghostzappers, but theres a tough little colt named Afleet Alex, he's pretty game and pretty good I've heard. Maybe him and Bago in a heart pounding, pulsating stretch drive...or does Jay Robbins get Indian Ocean ready Tiznow style? Very interesting "what if's" in this race.
Juvi divisions - Let's talk after Toga' and Del Mar.
Sayin' this once. Don't be surprised to watch John Shireffs pull another Giacomo in the turf with Stanley Park. You know what to look for now. Keep watch.
Fillies and Mares - Alexander Goldrun would be my idea of the right type of European to win this. She is a tough, seasoned campaigner who won the Hong Kong Cup last December. She runs today in the UK. The downside is she needs to be supplemented but everything about the race would suit her.
Turf - Not sure if I could side with Bago as he seems to be an extremely busy horse this year and connections are currently contemplating the King George and have also mentioned the Classic as a target in the past. I think Grey Swallow may be the one though Azamour is another who could come over.
Sprint - Lost In The Fog is currently 5-2 in Vegas which is really absurd. Much prefer a horse such as Pico Central despite Tanaka's predicament.
Distaff - It will be very interesting to see if Frankel and get the best out of Sis City.
Mile - Much too early. Always a lottery. Maybe Oratorio, Saturday's big winner in the UK, but he may head to the Classic.
Classic - My 2 against the Field would be Bellamy Road and Dont Get Mad. Afleet Alex is clearly the horse to beat but represents no value at around 5-1.
I think she is the ideal type for the race especially as the F and M can often turn out to be a soft race.
I did mention the nomination problem.
I think far more European owners will consider supplementing their horses for races at Belmont. If they baulk away they seriously need their heads examined.
It was stated several times during the showing of the Irish Derby on ESPN this weekend. I've been wrong many times before, but it sounded like the connections had no interest in coming across the pond, although they liked moving her around from place to place.
Alinghi.. 16 starts, 10 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds.
3 starts at a mile for 2 wins and a second.
BTW the wins were in a Gr1 and Gr2 and the second in a Gr1.
I would hardly call her a "sprinting filly" She is proven over 5 furlongs to a mile and her racing style suggests that she will easily cope with 10 furlongs.. Especially in the States on smaller tracks with fast pace.. A few NZ mares have been serving it up to them at Hollywood Park in some good class fields.. Believe me when I say Alinghi would eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She is a super racehorse who will step up to the plate in everything that she contests..
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This message has been edited by DarrenTyquin on Jul 6, 2005 3:49 AM
