Calling All Sprinters

re: Calling All Sprinters

LAZMANNICK — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:19:19 GMT

Majesticperfection.....117 Beyer in the Iowa Sprint Handicap and he beat some good ones. Ran tough throughout and drew away without the whip. WOW. His last three Beyers......117, 102, 106. This division gets deeper as we speak.

re: Calling All Sprinters

Footlick — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:34:27 GMT

marko1- especially since Mike Smith said he should have ridden him differently. Was really closing at the end.

re: Calling All Sprinters

marko1 — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:42:31 GMT

Scenic Blast will blow them away. Oustanding first up run the other day

re: Calling All Sprinters

GunBow — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:54:28 GMT

Tough group.

I'll comment on the Cali sprinters since I've seen them run in person.

I anticipate Kinsale King having little difficulty running on dirt, if they choose to go that route. This horse will simply run on anything. He won the Underwood at Hollywood wire to wire back in late fall, something which strongly suggests he should get dirt. If he was a late-running Pro-Ride/turf sprinter, I would say no way on dirt. But Kinsale has great speed, speed that can translate to different surfaces, and his strong performance on the dirt-like Cushion track is a very positive signal. Along with Vineyard Haven, Kinsale is the class of the division.

Cost of Freedom is the best Cali sprinter with Kinsale in Europe and Bob Black Jack retired. Like Kinsale, I have alot of confidence that Cost of Freedom can translate his synth form to dirt given his success at Hollywood Park. In the recent Los Angeles Cap, Cost of Freedom simply ran a good field off their feet, earning a solid 106 Beyer. As with Kinsale, given Cost of Freedom has been winning synth races on the lead and owns sharp performances over Hollywood's Cushion Track, I expect him to get dirt. The real question for me is whether he will be good enough. Based purely on Beyers, he fits.

Thanks SPLITS OF 12 for mentioning Uncle Don. Uncle Don still has alot to prove class-wise, but he has some talent and I love Soviet Problem in his pedigree. Soviet Problem is one of a small group of recent horses who can claim to have won 2 match races.

I think Concord Point, recent winner of the Iowa Derby, could make a dangerous sprinter.

re: Calling All Sprinters

SPLITS OF 12 — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:51:00 GMT

A horse that was failed to be mentioned who I feel will have a big impact in the next 4 months is Uncle Don. The son of Lemon Drop Kid (Belmont Stakes Winner) out of the mare Soviet Problem (1994 Breeders Cup Sprint Runner-Up)by Moscow Ballet, has yet to face graded company, but will soon get the class test and I feel he will respond in a big time way. This 5 year old missed his first two seasons of racing at 3 & 4, due to a tendon injury. But now he is sound and healthy, and displays the athletic ability, heart, and determination needed to be a Graded Stakes winner. His first two starts were runner-up finishes, followed up by four straight wins including victories at 6F, 6 & 1/2 F, 7F, and most recently 6F on the Turf. His mom was a versatile runner who would win on Turf or Dirt, as well. I remember as a 22 year old watching Soviet Problem, dismantle local Bay Meadows horse and overnight stakes star, Lazor, in a match race. He was never the same after that grueling defeat, where she ran him off his feet that day. It was 16 years ago at Churchill Downs where Soviet Problem was beaten by Cherokee Run, at the last jump. For all you history buffs, don't be surpised if Uncle Don, turns the tables and wins the one his momma should have. It doesn't hurt that he is piloted by the best young jockey in the country, Joel Rosario. Go Uncle Don!

re: Calling All Sprinters

RiverCitySmitty — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:24:43 GMT

Agree with The Rock on Majesticperfection. I saw him break his maiden at the FG, but he has really blossomed of late. He had a half in 43-2 enroute to breaking the 6f track record @ PM in 107-1. He didn`t make his first start until Jan. as a 4yo and since being 3rd in that has reeled off 4 straight. Would like to see Asmussen take him along for the `Toga meet. It`s hard to go with a frontrunner in the BC Sprint since they invariably run suicide fractions, but he could be very tough.

re: Calling All Sprinters

The Rock — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 03:32:39 GMT

I think we just saw the sprinter who could be anything later on this year as he handled Cash Refund and Atta Boy Roy at Prairie tonight. MajesticPerfection had really good form coming into the Iowa Sprint although this was his debut in a stakes race against some real quality horses. In the end, he shrugged off Cash Refund & left Atta Boy Roy in the dust while barely taking a deep breath. This one reminds me a lot of Reraise, the BC Sprint winner in 08' @ CD. Personally, he'd be #1 in my book , despite lacking a graded stakes victory.

re: Calling All Sprinters

sherpa — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:44:07 GMT

We probably shouldn't forget about Scenic Blast. We don't know, yet, how he'll come back for JS, but he has the history to be a huge factor. IIRC, he's running in an alw this weekend?

re: Calling All Sprinters

Bill C — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:11:29 GMT

Hollywood Hit is loaded with speed Musket Man is loaded with heart and finally watch out for Conveyance he's a monster of a sprinter. I think it's a very intresting division.

re: Calling All Sprinters

papillon — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:10:09 GMT

The Rock 22 Jun 2010 10:53 PM: "It'll be interesting to see how the sprint division is affected by the Mile this year since its a one-turn race. Warrior's Reward would seem to benefit from that more than the sprint. Calvin had him way to close to the pace in the Met Mile."

i agree. the met mile outcome is deceiving for warrior's reward. both because, as you say, he was way too close to the pace too early (julian wouldn't have made that mistake i don't think), but also because he's just better suited to the sprint distance. even at one turn, the mile is little long for him.

i think musket man will head for the classic, not the sprint, despite the fact he's been sprinting lately--especially if quality road runs in the BC mile, and not the classic (which i think will be the case--another furlong and musket man could have caught him in the met mile).

quality road is an exceptional miler...not really sure why everyone insists that he's a lock for the classic. i thinks its possible, but the mile just looks more probable too me--esp. should he loose the whitney.

re: Calling All Sprinters

HappyFeet — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:09:34 GMT

D'Funnybone without a doubt. He's calm,cool & red hot. Prado can rate him, something very important for these speed monsters. Another factor, he is so strong in the hind quarters which helps keep him sound in front. How many racehorses have an (almost) over-stride at the walk?

I like 85/50 too but something tells me he's a runnin' Quarter Horse in T-Bred PJs.<VBG>

re: Calling All Sprinters

Rachel — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:02:59 GMT

Did you see where Breeder's Cup expanded the list of "win and you're in" races?

65 qualifying races...6 of them UNGRADED (unbelievable), 11 GR III, 11 GR II, 14 Overseas...

re: Calling All Sprinters

SPLITS OF 12 — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:41:39 GMT

There's a horse in here, that has failed to be mentioned and his name is Uncle Don. He hasn't faced graded company yet, but let me tell you something about this horse. He is a late-developing 5 year old son of Lemon Drop Kid (Belmont Stakes Winner) out of the (1994 Breeders Cup Sprint, runner-up) Soviet Problem, bred by Harris Farms, Uncle Don runs a 1:08 & change, in his sleep. He is steadfastly improving in rapid proportions. He missed his first two years of racing due to some tendon injuries, but now is healthy, and has put together quite a campaign, in just his first year of racing. He's 4 of 6 lifetime, so far, with two runner-up finishes. He is piloted by one of the best young jockeys in the country, Joel Rosario, who had quite a card, at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day. His mother was one of the best sprinters, I've ever witnessed on the track, regardless of sex type. She dominated the Northern and Southern California cicuits in the early nineties. She lost the BC Sprint to Cherokee Run in 94' by less than a nose. As heartbreaking as it was to watch, it was still satisyfying to see a Northen California horse dominate the rest of the field except for the great Cherokee Run. I had the distinct pleasure of watching Soviet Problem in a match race against a very fast local Bay Meadows horse named Lazor, who was trained by Howard Belvoir. It was quite a spectacle for a 22-year old, who was just in his second year of a lifetime love affair with horse-racing. She demolished Lazor that day, and he was never the same after that grueling defeat. Soviet Problem ran him off his heels that day, and I still remember it so vividly, as friends and I watched in pure amazement from the infield. I just have a feeling, as we get closer to November, this horse will be heard from in a big time way. I watched him break his maiden after two unsucessful runner-up finishes. Uncle Don, won that race with such ease, it made me think of his momma, and how she would toy with other horses by running a 1:08 without even taking a breath, unbelieveable!. Uncle Don, has displayed those same qualities during his four-race winning streak, and it doesn't hurt that he has a ton of staying power from his father. If this horse can stay healthy, and I pray that he does, just like I do for all of em, he'll be a handful to deal with come November 6th. It would be nice to see John Harris hoist that BC Sprint trophy like he should of on that cold and chilly day at Churchill Downs, some 16 years ago. Go Uncle Don!

re: Calling All Sprinters

Carlos in Cali — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:21:17 GMT

Thanks Barb Dwyer,

That's a pretty salty bunch of 3yo's who've won the BC Sprint I'd say. I knew of Silver Train & Very Subtle(and had them both..$$$) again,thx for the info.

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Greg J. — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:01:57 GMT

Tennis sux,

Seriously, You have NO clue! I have played tennis my whole life and that match was epic! Love to see you play 183 games, 980 points, 11 hours and 5 minutes, I highly doubt you could, I know I couldn't! The most amazing match in the history of the sport! Congrats to Nicolas Mahut and the winner, American John Isner, Wow!

re: Calling All Sprinters

tennis sux — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:24:41 GMT

Soccer boring? YESSSSS!!!! but Tennis takes the cake!!

I took a nap yesterday and Isner/Mahut were in the 4th set. I woke up and they were still playing. Hours later I went to bed for the night and they were still playing. I took a nap this morning and they were still going at it when I woke up. Finally I hear the match is over. Never in history has there been a more boring event. I thought it would never end. Rumor has it draynay couldn't decide which player he liked better so the draynay curse was in limbo and the match dragged on.

Br. Cup Sprint? Don't blink or you might miss the race. Fast and furious action from start to finish.

re: Calling All Sprinters

Barb Dwyer — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:25:52 GMT

To Carlos in Cali:

6 three-year-olds have won the BC Sprint:

2005 - Silver Train (at Belmont)

2003 - Cajun Beat (at Santa Anita)

2001 - Squirtle Squirt (at Belmont)

1998 - Reraise (at Churchill)

1991 - Sheikh Albadou (at Churchill)

1987 - Very Subtle (at Hollywood Park)

re: Calling All Sprinters

Bill Daly — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:24:58 GMT

One thing that is apparent is that there won't be enough room in the starting gate at the BC this fall for all of the worthy contenders. What a deep division! Trying to handicap this group is an exercise in futility. Whoever gets a good trip, I guess.

re: Calling All Sprinters

Footlick — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:10:23 GMT

I was wondering when Conveyance is coming back. He could make an interesting Sprint entry.

re: Calling All Sprinters

mz — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:33:37 GMT

A day late but: Auguri (congrats) Americani for getting into the Round of 16. Don't get cocky though. (I needed to keep up my once-in-a-while Bugging of Jason by bringing up the futball.)

BTW: I know she's not a sprinter (so I am off topic again) but I'm looking forward to Biofuel as well, Matthew W. Hope she has a chance to show her stuff and looking forward to the rest of the year with the 3YO fillies.

p.s. We had an earthquake and a tornado up here yesterday -- now, the G20. Soon, the Apocalypse ... and then Zenyatta Will Come East!

re: Calling All Sprinters

Giddyup — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:26:57 GMT

I think it is great that this division has so many strong contenders. D'Funnybone is tops right now but Comedero has a lot of upside potential and just keeps improving. This years BC sprint is sure to be one of the best races of the championships.

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Slew — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:19:29 GMT

After winning Meydan, and placing well first time on turf at Ascot, I have to heavily consider Kinsale King.

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Matthew W — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:36:21 GMT

Mother Goose came up nice--good group of three year old fillies this year! Was all over Blind Luck in the BC Fillies--I was struck by Biofuel on the outside/took a saver bet on her to win--she would've won easy--she was mugged at practically a 45 degree angle by Negligee--she goes vs Devil May Care--tough race! Will take Biofuel, who may be any kind yet--not that Devil May Care is chopped liver, just think the price will be right/Biofuel's the real deal...

re: Calling All Sprinters

Matthew W — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:27:37 GMT

Sidney's Candy/Atta Boy Roy ex box and hammering Sydney to win!

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phillip — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:48:17 GMT

king is to fast please.