G1 The Nonethorpe: A Fistful of Fast

While most of the US will be focused in on the Travelers Stakes card, there’s definitely no shortage of good races across the pond this weekend. May be the most exciting of them all, this full field of 14 are sure to zip around this 5 furlong track with a quickness. Highlighting this field might be the two trainers that have half of the field’s entrants. The Gowans Stables have 2 entrants while the Lightng99 Stables have a beefy 5 of them. An uphill battle awaits the rest of the entrants, but definitely isn’t scaring them away. Let’s take a look at the field…

 

August 24^th, 2019

$750,000 GI The Nonethorpe (Post Time 3:00pm EST)

2yr Olds, Open

5 Furlongs – Firm Turf

 

 DISTRIBUTE (6-1)

Trained by Gowans Racing Stables (Representing the Blazing Saddles Residency)

(Dark Angel x (Napier) Dansili x Kingmambo)

Reeled off two straight opening up his racing career, with the second being a stakes win back in May. He followed with two consecutive graded races with his best finish being a third in The Norfellow Stakes. Didn’t have the same closing kick last out in the G1 The Firebird, finishing fifth, beaten over 3 lengths. Dam was a he-mare who excelled sprinting on the grass. Quick turnaround scares me. Will he have enough in the tank?

 VIKING CANDY (10-1)

Trained by Lightng99 Racing Stables (Representing the Empire State Racing Residency) 

(Shirocco x (Dark Canyon Candy) Cape Cross x Montjeu)

Almost pulled off a shocking stakes win following his maiden score three back. Maiden win was a wire to wire score. Hasn’t made the front in any of his following three races but has been pushing the pace. Multiple graded in the moneys already tallied but is still eligible for a NW2L allowance. Faced a very nice field last out in the ESR stakes and fell to his worst placing to date. The cut back is a puzzler as her dam was a very nice router. Will be close early, can he stay?

 EXCELADRILLE (12-1)

Trained by Mattyice Racing Stables

(Excelebration x (Escadrille) Sebring x Dynaformer)

Been perfect so far in her short career. Yes…… I said her. Unbeaten in three career starts and tackles the boys for the first time. Unlike her dam, who was winless until her 9^thcareer start with only 10 starts overall, she already has a stakes win to her credit. It was a gutsy performance back in June over this same distance, to pull ahead in the final strides to score on the California French Turf Juvenile. She has speed, and any progression in form puts her in the thick of things. Interesting.

 WORLD BID (13-1)

Trained by Lightng99 Racing Stables (Representing the Empire State Racing Residency)

(Bushranger x (Sheryls Bid) More Than Ready x Agnes World)

Skipped the maiden ranks all together with a local allowance score first out over a wet track. Tried to take advantage over another wet track second out in the Azerley Turf Juvenile Stakes, but was caught at the wire after leading from the start. Took to graded company in last two. He faded in the last quarter of the G2 Coventry Steaks, and failed to show last out in the G2 Bobby Papin. He’ll probably be back to firing out of the gate here which should help at this distance. Another still eligible for Allowance NW2L races.

 SWIFT FALCON (15-1)

Trained by Mrvica Racing Stables (Representing the Vic Australia Residency)

(Dylan Thomas x (That Falcon) Redoute’s Choice x Red Ransom)

Been on the improve with each of his three starts. Jumps way up the class ladder in here as he battles stakes/graded company for the first time. Dam was only an allowance winner, but has seen some nice success with her progeny, two of which are stakes winners. Has speed and the pedigree to make things happen. Needs a career best SP fig though to match these. Taking the wait and see approach as this might be too much for him at the moment.

 BUSINESS MEETING (6-1)

Trained by Gowans Racing Stables (Representing the Blazing Saddles Residency)

(Not A Single Doubt x (Business Decision) Invincible Spirit x Pivotal)

The second of the team Gowans runners has been sharp in all three races to date. Took the maiden win in front running fashion and followed that up with a hard-battled, ½ length win in the Smooth With Cuvee Turf Juvenile Stakes. Exits the G2 Bobby Papin where he took his first loss of his career, but ran very well, hitting the board to a third place finish. Looms as one of the ones to beat. Will be pressured early!

 NITE RAINBOW (20-1)

Trained by Lightng99 Racing Stables (Representing the Empire State Racing Residency)

(Mizzou x (Rainbow Unicorn) Exceed and Excel x A.P. Indy)

The third horse from the Lightng99 barn is our longshot. Comes in here off of an allowance score of NW1X conditions with a 4 horse field. Broke his maiden in race number three going 4.5 furlongs at DEN. Seems really up against it here. Both wins came on the front end and I do not see him getting on or near the lead in this. Big bump needed if he wants to be around at the end.

 KING AIDY CHOICE’S (8-1)

Trained by Slipery1 Racing Stables (Representing the Global Sim Racing Club Residency)

(Redoute’s Choice x (Melby Jones) Kingmambo x Secretariat)

Big maiden score first out winning on the front end. Followed that up with a stakes try in April and an ALW attempt in May where he just ran evenly and never really contended. Contested a local allowance NW1X last out and finally showed a form increase where he rallied from a couple lengths back to get the win. He can be in contention if he builds off that. The running style shown that day should suit him well today. Dam has produced 1 stakes winner to date.

 STOCK CASE (15-1)

Trained by Lightng99 Racing Stables (Representing the Empire State Racing Residency)

(Tavistock x (Sebring Queen) Sebring x Kingmambo)

Not sure how maidens can get into G1 races, but here we are with the first of two in this race. Another that hails from the Lightng99 barns, showed some promise in his first couple races with narrow defeats. The last two runs however have shown no improvement while battling graded company, finishing far back. Not enough speed to contest up front and hasn’t really shown a closing kick that will find him the winner’s circle. Looking elsewhere for board finishers.

 MORE ACCLAIM COTC (11-1)

Trained by Cothill Racing Stables (Representing the Minnesota Testbarn Residency)

(Acclamation x (Slava CH) Lonhro x Lyphard)

This well-bred colt’s dam was a stakes winner and earned over $500k lifetime. He ran evenly first out before breaking his maiden in race two in IRE, going 6.5 furlongs. Switched to dirt in his third and actually ran a faster time than his maiden score, but was a couple strides short at the wire. Race four saw him contest graded company for the first time. While switching back to the turf, he improved in position but was no match for the winner. Another that’s NW2L eligible. Has possibilities to get involved late. This race might determine if he gives dirt another go.

 SNITTY COST (7-1)

Trained by Mrenforcer Racing Stables (Representing the All-Stars Racing Residency)

(Snitzel x (Calculating) Shamardal x Pulpit)

Been impressive this year if you throw out the stakes attempt that followed his maiden bow. Running style seems a good fit if he is up to the task against this kind of talent. As stated, never really got rolling in only stakes appearance. Winner of three from four races. Dam was a stakes winning turf sprinter and has produced a G2 winner, and another stakes winner from six offspring. I really like this one going forward, even if his best is not shown today. Keep an eye out!

 FIVE O FOUR (18-1)

Trained by Lightng99 Racing Stables (Representing the Empire State Racing Residency)

(Recorder x (Five O) Housebuster x Sunday Silence)

The final of the Lightng99 five is the other non-winner off the bunch. Was running evenly in his first three races of his career, all ran over the dirt. Came on strong on in each of his following three races over the turf course. Narrow misses in all three, and just a ¾ length loss last out in the Test The Slew Turf Juvenile Stakes. Seems like he’s found his calling, and although a maiden, seems to have a punters chance to get a check in here. Stakes winning dam hasn’t given an equal offspring to date. This guy might turn out to be her best.

 SEPOY REBEL (8-1)

Trained by Desertdog Racing Stables (Representing All-Stars Racing Residency)

(Sepoy x (Into The Laughs) Into Mischief x Distorted Humor)

A winner in two of three races since switching over to the turf course. Both were against locals, but being from ENG, I’m sure there were some good ones there. Has shown speed throughout his races and I don’t see a change to that coming. Will have his work cut out for him battling stakes/graded company for the first time but his SP numbers put him right up there with the favorites. Must try not to burn himself up front with the others in hopes of scoring in here. Interesting he-mare attempt, as he was just a marginal allowance winner of only $68k.

 PURPLE HEART LANE (9-1)

Trained by Cylla Racing Stables

(Take Charge Indy x (Lord Of Bones) Eskendereya x Seeking The Gold)

Last but definitely not least is this stakes winning mare, out of a nice, paycheck earning mare of over $300k. She did do most of her damage routing, where this one has not scratched that surface yet. Displays two wins and a third from three starts. Maiden and stakes wins came over the dirt surface. First attempt on turf was last out and didn’t disappoint. Although he took third, he showed enough in the G3 The Railway, to earn another crack vs the tough foes on this surface. That being said, has a dirt pedigree and may be back. Looks good though!

 

Thanks for reading and good luck to all contestants!

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