The first thing to say is that as with all races there will be a wide range of abilities on show though obviously the bigger residencies will have more strength in depth to choose from. The Equinics is as much about taking part as anything else, I hope all people have a good time and there horses do as well as they can hope for. This will not be the case for all entrants though.
DUET (KY) � Vermont
Last start was dire so needs to bounce back to form. He as never raced over 16f before. Mind his best ever race as over 14f for a win. That has to be a positive sign as well as being graded placed. He was in very good form earlier in the year. Winning 4 races on the bounce. The major downside to this is that after a good set of result a lean period usually follows.
THEATRICAL PRAYER (IRE) � Minnesota
Here is another consistent horse in ungraded stakes races. He has two wins this year with good sped ratings. The problem is that he seems to have an optimum trip of 12f, which is not going to help going 16f here. His present form is a slight worry as well with a dip in form on his last three starts was even beaten in an allowance race last start. With 27 starts for a 4yo you have to wonder if wear and tear is not kicking in already.
SOCRATES LL � The CR Racers
This horses switches between dirt and turf. He has a slight preference for the dirt. A major positive for the horse is that he has won at 16f. These five wins though have all been on a turf surface so has to break new ground to win at the trip on dirt. He is graded placed on dirt, which is another bonus. He has shown a drop off in form in his last few starts and needs to bounce back to form.
HAACK ATTACK (IRE) � Benelux
This horse has a great win to run ratio. This includes winning 4 out of 5 races this year. This horse is improving with age, as his breeding would suggest. A win at 16f is another plus factor for this horse. The major negatives are no stakes runs let alone wins. It is a massive leap of both face and class today to see if the horse has what it takes at graded level.
AFLEET KAHLI (KY) � Rash
This horse has never run above 10f in his life. Mind every run over 10f has been a win. Has won 3 races this year. The horse has run twice in stakes races both times outclassed. He has to hope the massive jump up in trip will bring about considerable improvement. The step up in trip may well be a benefit but the jump p in class is another factor altogether.
SOLAR SONG � GR Simsters
This is one of the best horses in the sim. In his life he has won over $16m. He is a dual Breeders Bowl Classic winner. You cannot praise this horse enough on past history. The big question is what is he doing running in this race? The 10f or 12f race would seem up his street. In fact all his runs beyond 10f have been wins. I cannot see a horse with so much ability at 10f staying 16f especially as it appears wear and tear seem to be taking there toll this year. You just hope he is not destroyed over this trip even with a weak field for a grade 1 race.
MIRACLE TO ME � Delpenn
A multiple graded winner what is more important he has won a grade 1 over 16f. He stays and has the class. This is going to be a massive factor in his favour here. The downside is a dire run over 10f in his last start. That could have been due to the trip being to short for him at this advanced age. The other issue to contend with is wear and tear, which appears to be raising it head with this horse as well.
SINANJU � Ireland
He is another veteran horse. Again has the class to win a grade 1 and has form over the distance as well. Comes into the race in good from, which are another added bonus two wins on the bounce, which is not a bad thing. Placed in several of these graded 16f races you would have to expect a decent showing once again in this field.
BROUHAHA (TUR) � Queensland
He is a winner over 16f which has to be positive. A very consistent in ungraded stakes races over these long trips. The problem the horse has is what appears to be a lack of class. Though he will have few fears over the trip you just feel he will struggle against some of these and a mid field position is on the cards.
ELUSIVE DEVIL � Ohio
This horse is the joy and pain of the event. It is great to see people supporting Equinics but in all honesty this horse has little chance at best. Only run above 10f it was beaten. He has lost every start this year his best run coming second in a $50k claim.
GUTSY CONNECTION (ENG) � EWC
This is a interesting horse with very few miles on the clock. That is rare in this race. His best race was his longest race to date a win over 14f so trip should be an advantage. Has been stakes placed but unplaced in only graded start. Of interest to me is his sire who stands at stud about 7 miles from where I am sitting now and has a couple of really nice horses as a first season sire in real life.
AGNELO (IRE) � Hispano Parlante
This horse is consistent which is a good start. He also has two graded wins that is nice to see as well in that he has the class for this kind of race. He has been running well in stakes of late without getting his head in front. Has to be respected as he has fewer question marks hanging over him than most of the entries in this race.
GRAIG STADLER (IRE) � Kentucky Horsemen
He has been doing ok in his grade on the turf. Again another horse who is here because of the event and people being brave enough to run horses should be thanked to make the event what it is. On all known form has little or know chance mind I doubt he will be last either.
DRUNKEN PIRATE (KY) � Great Plains
This horse is though and consistent. He always find a couple to good for him in these graded races. The main positives are he stays the trip and can deal with the class of race. It would be in honesty a surprise if he was to win but on the flip side of the coin a surprise for him not to finish second or third. This horse has been in good form this year. He has places in graded races and a win in and stakes race. Some very nice speed figures to go with it as well.
JOLLY DM HOUSE (WA) � EAAA Racing
This is horse has a great record winning 10 of 22 lifetime starts. This includes his last five races. The last three over 16f achieved with 100+ speed ratings. This form is very hard to knock. His last start was in a fake grade 1 which lead to a nice victory even though a purchased race it does indicate the horse can handle the class. If he does not bounce (highly likely given random nature of sim horses) he must have a very good chance in this race.
I'M SO ASAHMED � Alpine Turf Club
This horse has had a lot of racing this being his 46th lifetime start. He has picked up two allowance wins this year both at 13f. In stakes races he has come up short on each attempt including in a grade 3 last year. It would be a major surprise if this trend were to be reversed in this heat. For a horse with so many races under his belt he is holding his form very well when in the right company.
PURRFECT PROSPECT � Northwest Racing Circuit
This horse has been running well this year. He has a good lifetime strike rate as well. He has never run over 16f though. On a positive vibe his last start of 2007 was a second place in a graded race over 14f. This shows he can handle the class of graded racing. His overall form looks somewhat short of winning ability but at least he should run well for connections in this event.
ADMIRAL'S SHADOW � Blazing Saddles
This horse has been plying his trade in claims. He has also been doing very well, mind I am not sure he knows where he is sleeping at night with all the stable changes. The good news is that he stays 16f and won nicely over this trip in his last claim start. The negative factor is class this is a total different ball game to claims and it is hard to see him being in the shake up today.
The charity associated with this race is as follows. It would appear in the USA alone that a medium size city of women dies from this disease each year. That is very scary thought put in those terms. Even survival of the disease can have traumatic effects on the confidence of the victim.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
As for the race, I hope everyone enjoys the day.
Predicted result: 1, Jolly DM House 2, Drunken Pirate 3, Haack Attack
