Saturday, 2 November 2013

Breeders' Cup 2013 - Sprint

11.01 Santa Anita
Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1) (Dirt) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)
Winner $858,149

Advice: 1 pt win Justin Phillip (6/1 Ladbrokes), Secret Circle (6/1 Bet365)


Justin Phllip: Troubled run in this when fifth last year but comes here a better horse, second in the Vosbrugh after a barging match with Private Zone late on in the stretch; No reason why he can’t go close again and prime contender for all he has inside stall.


The Lumber Guy: Just run out of things when second to Trinniberg but hasn’t looked the same horse since in four starts and no obvious explanation as to why that would be; Hard to fancy on that basis.


Gentlemen’s Bet: Clearly a useful colt, 5-7 on dirt although respectable effort after two months off when fourth at Keenland on Polytrack; Only worry that he’s 0-3 in Graded company and twice beaten by Justin Phillips.


Majestic Stride: Cosy winner of C&D allowance stakes latest but his one graded starts (albeit over sprint trips) was a fifth and not upto this.


Sum of the Parts: Hasselled Trinniberg in this last year and faded into fourth; Won the same prep this time around but fail to se where improvement has come from that allow him to take closer hand.


Bahamian Squall: Got better of Trinniberg but well beaten behind Justin Phillip in Saratoga’s Vanderbilt an then a bit of a blowout behind Private Zone latest; Hard to see him turning around that form.


Private Zone: All heart pace after getting to the front in Vosburgh handicap and just staying there, having just enough to hold off Justin Phillip there; Looks as if he’s got more to offer but the worry is that he’ll be forced to go a step too quick in order to get to the lead; Still a worthy favourite.


Fast Bullet: Sixth in this last year but only his third start then; back on the winning trail when following up easy Hollywood allowance win before rolling Justin Phillip in True North at Belmont; Switched yards and hated the slop when last seen in August; This surface and track to his liking but something to prove following that.


Secret Circle: Winner of Juvenile Sprint in 2011 before going onto win in Grade 2 and 1 company over extended trips before trashing at hands of Bodemister; 18 month absence thanks to injury but impressive considering that in Allowance Stakes; Danger of the bounce from just 19 day turnaround but won all four sprints he’s contested


Wine Police: Switch to new yard has seen her win a couple, but worry that he was well beaten on first run here; Pat O’Brien fourth is of interest given how much ground he came

Trinniberg: Involved in pace battle but settled nice and early and aided by first time blinkers, saw off all comers to win this last year; Only one effort comparable since, when behind Bahamian Squall, and not sure he lasts in a burnup today.


Laugh Tracks: Considering how easy a lead that one got, did well to get so close to Sum of the parts at Keenland latest, but no evidences that one’s upto this standard and doesn’t look good enough.



VERDICT: Private Zone is going to be very hard to peg back but little separates him and JUSTIN PHILLIP on their Vosbrugh meeting and Steven Assumsen’s charge may be a little more versatile with regards to pace so he shades the vote. If SECRET CIRCLE, unbeaten in his four sprints but a winner over 9 furlongs,  doesn’t bounce, then he can be in the shakeup.

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