Welcome to the 8f 3yo Dirt race of the most famous Sim Event, the Equinics, the Race is named by the Ohio Residency, here is their presentation, why the race is named:

The Ohio Residency is sponsoring a charity that is very close and personal to one of our members, Zman. Harold is my nephew and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of brain cancer a little less then a year ago. Harold Wrightington is a 6th grader in New Jersey. He is currently battling an aggressive disease called Glioblastoma. After removing a malignant tumor from the base of Harold's brain, doctors began an aggressive, intense treatment of chemotherapy combined with radiation. Harold is a little more tired these days and can't play football or wrestle like he used to. Medical and other expenses related to his care are very high. Unfortunately he has taken a turn for the worse recently, and new tumors were discovered. Harold is scheduled for another brain surgery in 2 weeks. The location of the new growths may cause loss of speech and the outlook is not very good. We are hoping for a miracle and pray that Harold will at least make another Christmas to spend with us. In an effort to support Harold and his family in every way possible, we ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they struggle to maintain a positive, strong attitude that Harold will win this fight! A trust fund has been established for Harold and his family to help with the financial hardship this monumental fight will incur. Thank you all.

Ok, now let�s focus on the runners, I want to list them not by starting position, but by ranking in the Classic Division:

WIRELESS EAVESDROP(KY) representing DelPenn

11 Races � 7 Wins � 849,580$ #18 6/1

I had the privilege to see his last Race in California in person, when writing for the BTB. He just dominated several Graded winners in the 9f Swamps Stakes. Today he will be back at 8f a distance he finished 3rd in the Smackdown Race early July. He�ll face the 2 horses that beat him that day again, Swiftsure and Sunset Mesa. To reverse form, he�ll have to deliver his best 8f race to date. His career was very high shooting, he won his first 5 Races, and when winning the Chicago Derby he headed to the Bluegrass Derby with just one defeat, however it looked like he felt uncomfortable in the big field, and didn�t get the trip finishing 11th, a 10th place in the Middle Jewel brought up concerns, however like July showed a little break and a step back in distance proofed perfect. Would likely prefer 9f more, but8f is his 2nd best, and he should be in the Top 3.

SUNSET MESA(KY) representing GR Simsters

15 Races � 4 Wins � 1,639,290$ #7 8/1

Finishing 2nd in the Bluegrass Derby started a wave of just beaten races for the Sky Mesa colt. He had won in the Florida Derby, and his speed numbers show a tendency towards 8f to 9f races, so this entry makes perfect sense, he finished 2nd in the Smackdown Race just behind Swiftsure, and was 2nd last time out in the It�s my Birthday and I.... Stakes. A 109 in the Smackdown race was a lifetime high for the highest earning starter in this field, however Swiftsure beat him, and so a 2nd place today looks possible again, which would make it 4 out of 5 2nd places since his last win.

SWIFTSURE(KY) representing Ohio

13 Races � 6 Wins � 1,166,100$ #3 7/1

The 3yo Dehere Colt comes in on a nice 5 week break, making him the most rested of the 3 top horses, he won the Smackdown Race in style, and beat his two higher ranked opponents with ease, his 111 marked his lifetime high, and 8f seems his best distance. He went from an average 3yo Stakes horse to a Sim Superstar within a few weeks. He was already on top as a 2yo, when he won the World Cup Juvenile Colt Sprint, however his first Grade 1 as a 3yo was a complete failure in the Ring of Fire Special, he then took a step back in class, and returned to the winner circle in June winning an 8.5f Stakes Event. And then the big bang at the Smackdown came, the question will be, can he repeat the race, if so he�s the clear cut favourite.

PANHANDLING(KY) representing Vermont

12 Races � 4 Wins � 469,510$ #12 8/1

The 3yo A.P. Indy Colt is a very experienced Graded runner, he started his 3yo campaign with an ALW win, and after a first disappointment, won the Transsylvania and the Snow Chief Handicap. Those two Graded wins earned him an entry in the Middle Jewel Stakes, where he lead at the � mark, but failed to stay and finished 7th. Last time out he rebounded with a nice 112 in the Flat land Derby and finished 2nd there.

He takes a step back in distance, his last 8f race was back as a 2yo finishing 4th in the North Fork Stakes. Panhandling is very inconsistent, and needs to repeat his lifetime best 112 speed mark to have a chance.

FU MING(KY) representing Minnesota

12 Races � 6 Wins � 400,810$ #17 7/1

The struggles of this 3yo Fusaichi Pegasus colt are relativly mild, however he has trouble finding the winners circle. In his last 3 races, of which i had the chance to cover 2, he always entered as the Ante-Post favourite, however he managed 2 2nds and a 3rd in Races with average horses. Perhaps not being the favourite today will help him handle the pressure.

His speed marks suggest he�ll have to get way better, his lifetime high at 8f coming in May, when he won a Grade 3 right here at the track in Vermont. However the opposition was nowehere near as strong as today. Don�t count the 4 time winner this season out, but he�ll have to get a new lifetime high.

NO MORE CHAVEZ(JPN) representing Hispano Parlante

10 Races � 2 Wins � 201,578$ #6 36/1

This Moon Ballad colt brings us to a change in the class of horses, as typical for Equinics Races, with all Residencies sending their best, often you have a cut in class at the halfway mark of the field, here it already comes a little earlier, we have some great outside shots later, but the Moon Ballad Colt, will face a tough task. He comes in with a lifetime high of 97, run in an ALW race in March, I guess you see this is a tough step in class. He finished 2nd in the Grade 1 Win the Crowd and Rome will come in April in Florida, but the field of that race proofed not too classy. Last time out he finished 10th in the Iowa Cornhusker Classic, look for him to finish near that again today.

CIRCUMSTANTIAL(KY) representing EAAA Racing

15 Races � 6 Wins � 342,040$ #15 15/1

The Storm Cat Colt looked like a classy miler, that perhaps had a chance to compete in Graded Races, when winning with a nice 106 in May at a Stakes Race in Georgia. However afterwards he took a step up in class and distance and failed to confirm this result. Last time out he ran a floppy 99 in an 8.5f Stakes Race in Illinois. A step back in distance could proof vital for the 3yo hopeful, if he can get back to his may Class he may have a shot for at least a Top 5 finish, but I have my doubts.

CHANGE OF SCENERY(IRE) representing Alpine Turf Club

11 Races � 3 Wins � 183,900$ #2 18/1

Another Horse, that looked like a superstar in the making back in April, he won the Bluegrass Derby Trial Stakes with a nice 107, however this lifetime high stands there as a lonely highlight. He finished 12th in the Captain Hook and 13th in the Smackdown event. So he comes in on a nice 5 week rest, but knows the heart of the opposition, and that opposition led by Swiftsure battled him in the Ground back in July. The Diamond Green Colt will need a miracle, also those happen on the racecourse, you don�t see them every day.

ROUTE SIX SIX(KY) representing Great Plains

14 Races � 5 Wins � 138,167$ #13 15/1

The Pulpit colt looked like a great Stakes Horse at the beginning of the season winning 2 Stakes Races over 8f, even hitting the 101 mark as a young 3yo, however hitting the Derby Preps cost him a lot of energy, he failed to score in the Fountain of Ute and the Florida Derrby. Afterwards he ran 3 ALW with mixed success, a good 2nd place with a 104 was folowed by 2 average 3rd places. Hasn�t won since February, and his front running style could cost him a lot today, as he will likely not be able to get the front, and lacks the class of the Top horses.

ZARAKI(IRE) representing Ireland

10 Races � 3 Wins � 162,450$ #8 21/1

The 3yo Night Shoft colt ran his best Race back in february scoring with a nice 103 in a 8.5f Stakes Race, since then he majorly struggled in 4 Grade 2s, his last outing gives some hope, as he finished third in the Trial by Night Stakes, but his 101 Speed figure looks not enough for todays race. Had trouble handling off tracks in the last 2 races before that, but generally looks not to have matured a lot in his 3yo campaign.

RIGHTEOUS BEEF(KY) representing Northwest Racing Circuit

13 Races � 5 Wins � 88,895$ #4 10/1

In April the 3yo Bluegrass Cat Colt looked going nowhere finishing 6th in the Texas derby, but since then a lot has changed, he won 2 ALW races in style, hitting 110 over 8.5f in june, and then in his last race he hit out a major 112 in the Hungry Rizzo Stakes. The race was over 8.5f, so like a lot of horses, he brings his top speed at a slightly longer distance, however it looks his maturation process took a huge step, and he his ready to tackle the big races, and what could be a better day to shine than equinics day. Among the Top 5 contenders of the race, but he has to reproduce his last time out top effort.

SPIDER PIG(KY) representing Queensland

9 Races � 3 Wins � 120,970$ #9 23/1

If you look at his raing form, the great thing is, he finished in the Top 3 in all his races so far, however this was more a result of good placement, than because of his class. His 102 Top Speed came in an 8f ALW win back in early July. Since then he was training to face the best, his stakes results so far have been promising, but he seems to lack a lot of speed, which will be needed to contest this race today. I don�t see the Harlan�s Holiday Colt anywhere near the best in the end.

OF A REVOLUTION(KY) representing EWC

17 Races � 4 Wins � 200,560$ #11 17/1

The Rock hard ten Colt is majorly struggling to find his best distance, switching from 7f to 9.5f and back in between. Last time out he ran a nice 102 in a 2nd place in a 7f ALW, and that says it about all, has to show he can perform at 100+ level, and even that wouldn�t be enough today, so just a big outside shot.

PINBALL WIZARD(NY) representing Kentucky Horsemen

17 Races � 6 Wins � 162,374$ #1 32/1

Sorry, kenntucky Horsemen, but this horse has not even run a 100 speed so far, his best was a 98 at 9f, he is far off to contest in a Grade 1, the Jade Hunter colt majorly struggled in stakes fields, and will continue to do so.

HAYLEY'S REQUEST(KY) representing The CR Racers

10 Races � 4 Wins � 59,251$ #16 19/1

The Pulpit colt so far had a very disappointing season, he bounced between ALW and Stakes Races, but now finally seems to come to life, winning 2 of the last 3. His last race was a good 106 speed over 8.5f, this should be enough to finish in the Top 8, perhaps he can take another step in class, and better that mark even a little bit. A drop in distance likely will help.

SEREVUS representing Rash

12 Races � 3 Wins � 118,362$ #10 19/1

The 3yo Dynaformer Colt has been struggling in Stakes Races in the middle of the season, and after a 9th place in the Grade 1 Corkscrew Stakes took a logical step down in class, his last 2 races have been ALW races, and he showed some promising flushes. He won with a nice 105 two races back over 8f, and ran a 100 over 8f last time out, this will likely not be enough to finish near the top, but running a good race can give him some hope for a Top 8 finish.

GREELEY HOLLOW(NY) representing Blazing Saddles

14 Races � 4 Wins � 138,513$ #5 21/1

The Greeley�s Galaxy Colt so far has mainly performed in sprint races, his best race coming at 7f finishing 2nd in the Grade 3 Dallas BB stakes, the 107 looked promising, but he couldn�t confirm it in his next two races. Last time out he ran a route the first time and finished 6th in the Flat land Derby, which was influenced by good dirt. Given his last race was on an off-track, there is hope, he can perform better at 8f, but overall, he will likely be better at 7f, as his last races showed, a tough step in class and distance.

MORUBAZOL(ENG) representing Benelux

13 Races � 2 Wins � 104,715$ #14 26/1

Last the Benelux representative, let�s hope he finishes better than last, at least his last races show some upwards tendency. He finished 2nd in a Stakes Race over 8.5f last time out, and ran a career best 104, he was switching between 7 and 9f races before, never finding his ideal distance and class. Very tough to predict, but likely no influence in this classy race.

Overall I expect a Race between the 3 Top Smackdown horses, Swiftsure, Wireless Eavesdrop and Sunset Mesa. Look out for Righteous Beef and Panhandling challenging those 3 horses, for all others it will be an uphill battle.