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Equinics: Older classic horses honor Ace Bailey
Gracepointe Prayer and Awesome Force headline talented group

By- Squirrel

Ace Bailey was a fine sportsman on the ice and off. During his career in the NHL and after he retired frm competition, he led his team with grace, dignity, and compassion, and was a noted supporter of children's causes. In his honor, 18 of the top older dirt classic division runners take to the Vermont track for a test of stamina and speed. The race is 10 furlongs, the purse is $1million, and the spirit of sportsmanship and a helping hand to those in need guides the 18 residencies with entries in this race.

Year after year this race features the stars of the sim. In 2006, Solar Song took the race for Team NWRC. 2003's edition was also won by the NWRC entrant, Coastal Mining. Viking Racing's Your Boundries won in 2002. The 2000 event was open to 3+ (was 4+ in each subsequent year), and was won by Vermont's One The Naked. The current stakes record time is 2:00.1, held by One The Naked.

1
Ireland
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
KING HAPPY
Irishjack
H Holman
109
31:5-7-5
$272,912
17-1
158

Comes off 2-race win streak, just won at 13 by nearly 5. Seems a bit better going longer, but he's 1 for 1 at 10f and has a real nice ability to mix it up running style-wise. Ireland might just have the dark horse here. Big question is speed - with a top of 109 he's 8 points slower than the best of this bunch. At the top level, 8 points can mean the difference between first and tenth.

2
EAAA
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
COOL BLUFF
Toplight
O A Haack
112
27:10-4-0
$304,560
10-1
92

Real cool horse, very good at 9f. This will be his first race at longer than 9, which of course raises questions. Grade 2 placed at 9, a stakes winner from 6.5 to 9 makes him a very versatile runner. Has some good speed, and despite the distance issue I like him. Been taking a mini break, should have him nice and refreshed. If Bluff breaks sharp, he has a real chance. A slow break spells no win for the cool one.

3
Great Plains
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
ELECTRICAL CHARGE
Fabfarms
B F Abman
109
24:9-6-4
$166,435
13-1
136

What do you call a horse that hasn't lost in practically forever? Don't know about you, but I call it super, especially for a one-time claimer. Fab's babied this colt to an enviable 8-race win streak and really steps him up for his first graded event ever in a less than easy spot. Never run at 10, but he took a 9.5f listed stake last out in fine fashion, and he's capable of coming from right on the lead or a few lengths off it. Seems to have found new speed lately and could be sitting on a huge race. Off since mid-June, however, so may not be at his most fit.

4
Queensland
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
QUEST FOR PHYL
Pizzaman
V Jennings
104
33:6-5-6
$190,794
40-1
961

Making his first appearance in a dirt stake in over 18 months puts Quest at something of a disadvantage against horses who've been running in graded stakes regularly. He's run 10 twice before, both times not running so well. On the upside Quest has just run back to back 104s, lifetimes bests., at 9.5 and 10f. On the downside, those were on mud, which suggests this is a horse that needs some rain to perform his best. First trip in a grade, a dry track, and some distance doe not bode well.

5
Blazing Saddles
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
AWEGUSTUS
Theagakhan
W McClendon
117
30:7-7-6
$2,442,666
14-1
10

This is one of those horses that at once frustrates and delights his connections. Set a record in the Jockey Guild Gold Cup last fall, and ran a record-setting time in the Breeders Bowl Classic only to finish second by a half length. Has been in a slump this year, but two backed looked like he might be snapping out of it with a nice third in a 10f listed stake. Ran poorly in a G1 at 12 last out, but the dropback in distance should help. Can run near the page or close as needs be.

6
CR Racers
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
ONCE AND AGAIN
Pirate
F Gossett
113
21:6-5-5
$571,471
9-1
66

This talented horse just showed up in the graded ranks this spring with a solid forth at the Sand Castle Classic. Last out he took home third in the Movieland Shiny Cup and i suspect he'll be getting his first graded win very soon. Likes to close from wellback but is capable of sitting closer to the pace when he has to. Really like this horse.

7
Benelux
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
UNDERWORLD FIGURE
Eliteteam2
P Haynes
110
29:7-5-0
$195,632
23-1
307

In his last five starts Underworld has been on a good race - bad race - good race pattern, and this should be his good one. Was at the back of the field at the end of the Movieland Shiny last out, but that wasn't unexpected given he was moving out of allowance company straight up to a G1 in a tough division. In his favor he is a stakes winner at a mile and is stakes-placed at 10f, though those efforts were in 2007. Really needs to lead or drive the pace to have a prayer of winning.

8
Ohio Thoroughbred Racing
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
BULLET BAND
E2912
P Munoz
107
41:13-3-6
$94,480
35-1
1608

The Bullet emulated one two back as he won a 10f allowance nearly gate to wire for a healthy 107SP. It was his lifetime best, and bodes well for this race. Or it would if his stakes debut last out had been more encouraging. The solid 3:2-0-0 record at 10 is quite respectable, and having his top 3 SPs earned at this distance helps his chances. It's a tough spot to be in, but a decent finish here merits more stakes attempts in the very near future. Another horse that likes to be on the lead.

9
East-West Connection
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
O CAP OUR CAPTAIN
Whip2win
E Stinson
106
29:3-3-12
$125,184
26-1
426

Stakes placed in both dirt stakes attempts, the Captain has yet to run 10 panels but as those stakes were both at 9 he clearly has some stamina. Not quite up to the speeds of the best of this lot, but he does run pretty fast. This is his graded debut. Yet another horse that really likes to lead. Looks like he's better in the 8-9 range, but a surprise performance could happen.

10
GR Simsters
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
BLUEGRASS GHOST
Illbred
B Renfroe
117
20:7-6-0
$437,921
8-1
30

Really good 10f runner, but the Ghost threw a superb clunker at Smackdown last out. The Simsters think he's a great shot to pick it back up and emulate his spring form. A winner in his only graded start and the owner of four 110+ SPs in just 20 starts, the colt has every indication of turning in a solid effort. Lots to like about the youngster.

11
Alpine Turf CLub
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
SEATTLE TIMES
Safrace2
J White
105
18:4-5-4
$94,251
48-1
593

Very solid horse at 10f, but has yet to find any success at the stakes level. His strength here is his preference for coming from behind; given the large number of horses that like to be on or near the lead it leaves space for the closers. Finally hit 100+ the last few starts, but still 10 points short of what it will probably take to win this race. Drew a superb jockey but that will help.

12
RASH
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
MOSAYTER CONNECT
Tabascomet
B Child
110
19:4-3-4
$80,298
21-1
315

Another horse that is making his first 10f start, and also another frontrunner. Ran third in an 8.5f G2 three back but otherwise has never won or placed in any other stake. He's actually pretty fast, and his pedigree is all stamina, suggesting a possible sneak wire to wire winner with some luck. Been off since mid-June, will the extra rest help?

13
Vermont
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
COGITATION
Cashcall
S Gravina
111
21:8-3-4
$187,319
10-1
222

Four-length win last out a 11 sets the horse up very well for a cutback in distance. The back to back 111 SPs also bode well (the race before was a 9f event). Perfect at longer than 11f, and stakes-placed at 10f. Prefers to run off the pace, should have an easy time settling in and steadying for a hard stretch run. If you want some value in this race, this horse is a great bet.

14
NorthWest Racing Circuit
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
AWESOME FORCE
Camry
D Givins
117
23:10-4-1
$6,508,100
10-1
17

Walloped the division in the Sand Castle Classic but didn't show up in Maryland or California. Rumor is he's finally sharp again and ready to romp. After a super 3yo campaign, the colt needs to win a big one to get himself back up to the top of the division. He tends to really pull out all the stops on big days, this could be a duplicate of that Sand Castle shocker. Has a strong closing kick.

15
Kentucky Horsemen
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
SECRET UNCOVERED
Rivahboat
R Foster
105
36:10-8-5
$174,182
39-1
1722

He was in claimers just 3 starts ago and now makes his first G1 entry (and second in any stake ever). An allowance winner at 10, and recently a 9f winner, he's a solid horse but not quite up to this company. Has run 100+ at 9 a few times. Like many others in the field he prefers to be on the lead, but this guy can run from just off it too. Interesting factoid here: he has won first out for all 6 owners. If he ever shows up in a claimer again, he'd be a nice one to take.

16
Minnesota
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
GRACEPOINTE PRAYER
Pazfour
A Rolling
117
32:12-5-5
$2,336,503
5-1
4

Undeniably the hot horse in the division, Gracepointe is fresh off wins in a G3 and the G1 Movieland Shiny. Despite getting first call on jockeys, the trainer went with a new rider in Rolling rather than going with either Gossett or Staples, both of whom have guided the horse to victory in big races. Gracepointe is fast, he adores 10f, and is clearly the horse to beat. A win gets him the #1 divisional rank and adds to an already impressive list of accomplishments. Faster than any other horse in the race and he loves pushing the pace. The one to beat.

17
DelPenn
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
NON NEGATIVE
Mook
G Parks
117
21:10-5-3
$950,070
6-1
8

A strong third at Smackdown, this colt is very very good. Never worse than third in 3 tries at 10, he tends to do very well (win or second) just about every time he goes from a listed event to a grade, boding well for this effort. Prefers to come from off the pace, should be sitting pretty waiting to make a run at Gracepointe in the stretch. Keep a close eye on this colt.

18
Hispano Parlante
Trainer Jockey Top SP Record Earnings Odds Rank
NEWMAN
Seinfeld2
H McCoy
110
16:8-1-3
$206,962
18-1
112
What a lovely win rate on this colt's record, and he's perfect at 10f on dirt to boot. Debuting in graded company, but has a solid listed stake foundation underneath him, and has been posting solid if not flashy SPs lately. With some luck and care, Ledwith has a monster in the making. He'll be sitting just behind the stalkers hoping to outrun Gracepointe and Non Negative down the stretch.

The Ace Bailey Children's Foundation is dedicated to improving care for hospitalized children and their families. The organization, named for a successful NHL player who spent much of his career helping assisting children in need, helps to fund programs designed to reduce stress and make hospital stays more comfortable for kids. Donations to this very worthy charity may be made at its website.

While this race is named for a charity devoted to the needs of children, the horses in this event are far from kids. Indeed, the race has drawn the cream of the older male dirt classic division crop, led by Gracepointe Prayer, Awesome Force, and Non Negative. Those three really stand above the rest, though Bluegrass Ghost and Awegustus unquestionably are legit threats. The rest are capable of pulling off a win if karma smiles.





Back to The Equinics 2008 Coverage