Aug 1, 2014 17:26:34 GMT -5
S u N f r O s T ~, creativecause, and 1 more like this
Post by Cavallo on Aug 1, 2014 17:26:34 GMT -5
It's been a busy year here on The Wire and Green Horse Fields, especially in the three year old campaigns. Most of the classic races, the Triple Tiara, Turf Triple Tiara and the Triple Crown have all concluded and not one series has boasted of a champion. There have been close calls with a near miss by filly Dare to Impress in the Turf Triple Crown and with Battle Wings in the Triple Tiara, but once again she fell short in one of three races. Now the classic series are drawing to an end after this week's running of the Breeder's Stakes, the final leg in the Canadian Triple Crown and we find ourselves in a similar situation. Two of the three legs have been conquered and now there is one more to go, but this last race brings a new element to the table and it is this aspect that makes the CTC a hard feat to accomplish - it's run on the turf.
With two out of the three legs being run on the dirt, it hasn't been a shock to see one horse win both dirt legs, but then fall in the brutal long-distance turf race to true blue turfers. A horse, like previous winner Italian Ice, who can hold there own over all three legs is without a doubt to be respected and the table this year is set for either another failure or a fresh victory for the classic series of this year. So far, there are only three horses entered into this final leg, with a last minute scratch from Witch Creek, but the race is still holding all the promise and expectations of an enthralling race. With each horse entered and one with the hope of breaking the Classic Victory Curse, this 12 Furlong race is going to prove to be one that the public will not want to miss. So, without further ado, let us meet this year's players for the Y14 Breeder's Stakes!
Pulling the number one slot, from Stride of Perfection Stables, is Call of the Wild. This classy looking colt has a pedigree that was bred to run on the turf. His dam Wild Flower is known for throwing turf offspring that dominate on the tracks. He's been a consistent presence in the turf races and is still looking to notch himself another HOTY* race after his victory in the Prince Cup* back in March, but all of the talent is there. With consistent placings in 2nd places in both the Corination Cup*, Derby Stakes* and the Belmont Turf Classic*, Call is a colt who can handle the pressure of the high stakes races. He's seasoned and the turf is very much his home giving this colt an added advantage in this weekend's race. If Daddy's Overdraft takes on a more stalker like position in this race and presses the race leader, this colt may very well have a win in hand here as he runs unhindered in the back. He's an intriguing proposition at the betting tables this weekend, but one that isn't farfetched.
Now, running in the number two is the colt that's trying to break the curse. Anodyne, from Intrepid Racing, is a pure hot head, but he's showing that it isn't all hot air upstairs running two perfect trips so far in this year's CTC campaign and his eyes are set on the prize. There's no questioning the dirt prowess that this colt possesses and he has also shown that he is more than capable of the marathon races with a near miss in the Belmont Stakes. The question though that everyone is asking then, is can he defeat the turfers at their own game? We think there might me some serious possibilities that he can. In the week after this Prince of Wales victory, Dye took on proven turfer filly National Treaseure and it revealed shocking insights. It was a close shave, but the Augusto son defeated the Cotillion* & Coronation Cup* winner. Any doubts about this colt's mastery of both surfaces has been vaguely answered and now all we can do is wait and see if this plain bay colt can follow through.
Last, but definitely not least, is Daddy's Overdraft from Grayson Meadows. Running in the number three, this gorgeous filly is going to take on the boys and she looks to be one who could do it in style. This grey filly has had a great season thus far and has shown the talent to pull off a win here. She is just now starting to come into form after building upon race upon race and this Grayson Meadow entry is looking mighty fine. With her most recent start resulting in a second place finish behind G2 Princetta, this filly is telling the racing community that she's ready to make her own claim to fame, the question is then, is this the race? Will this be the filly to bring about an upset to the CTC bid? She's more than comfortable on the turf and her usual mid-pack running style means that she won't have to rush things or she can be the one to press the leader. It will be interesting to see which route her jockey decides to take.
There are three great horses and one winner and we're eager to see how this plays out, but one thing is for sure there is no shame in losing to any of these horses. This will prove to be a very interesting weekend and we wish the best to all of the competitors.
-The Eighth Pole Reporter
