The list of entrants for the tenth running of the G1 Sand Castle Classic reads like a Who's Who of the sim. The 2007 Sand Castle Classic faces off with 2008 Breeders Bowl Classic runner-up and winner. We also have 2008 Bluegrass Derby winner, the 2008 Breeders Bowl Marathon runner-up, two 2008 Equinics winners, and 2009 California Handicap runner-up and winner. We also have the 2008 CA Classic runenr-up and winner plus the 2008 Topicount Special winner. That adds up to three Eclipse winners and even more total awards just from the horses.
Then you look at the trainers, and it's another star-studded cast. One trainer owns an Eclipse (earned with a different barn). Another was nominated for an Eclipse (with a different barn). Yet another is owned by a member of the successful Super Syndicate. Two horses run for a trainer many consider tops at one of the most prestigious ism residencies. Two more run for a premier trainer at one of the larger residencies. Five are out of the most successful residency in sim history.
This is truly the best field I have ever seen assembled for the richest race in the sim, and the past three races especially have been superb events.
The Sand Castle Classic is a 10f event for horses aged 4 and older run on the United Arab Emirates (formerly Dubai) main track. The $6 million purse instantly elevates the winner into the upper echelon of money-earners. If Ermington Pegusus wins, he jumps to over $14million in lifetime earnings. A Demecowin puts that colt over $8million. Kissin Streetcry would vault to better than $7million.
In addition, winners tend to do very well in end-of-year honors. 2007 winner ErPeg won the Older Horse on Dirt Eclipse in 2008. Solar Song, winner in 2006, took home the divisional award that same year. in 2005Call of the Wild II did the same. Stormy Prospector, hero of the 2001 Classic, won older horse honors that year as well.
Teddy's Slew set the stakes record of 1:59.4 in 2003.
On to the field ...
Illbred's Bluegrass Ghost drew the rail. The 5yo son of Ghostzapper s making his second start off layoff and has been known to pop some huge speed figures at 10f. He won the G1 Ace Baly (10f dirt for older males) on Equinics day last year with a superb 115SP, and took home top prize in the Vermont Valentines Day G2 at 10 with a 117. The Ghost is an excellent mid-pack runner with a strong closing kick, and coming back off layoff like this bodes very very well for him. At 14-1, and with the services of top jockey S L Ledwith, Ghost may be worth a small bet. Ghost represents the GR Simsters.
Willyam47's Taharka is also a Simster rep. The 5yo son of Medaglia D'Oro comes in off a three-race losing streak, but his last win was also his last start at 10f. That was the G2 Windy City, which Taharka won by better than two lengths with a 115. This horse has an issue with consistency. He regularly runs some very good numbers, but on the biggest racedays (Smackdown, CA Classic, Topicount Special) his best isn't on display. Should relish the return to 10, but will we see the bet of Taharka? 10-1.
At 9-1 is Silver Star Road. Onyourmark's 4yo Silver Train colt was just a strong second in the G1 California Handicap behind Kissin Streetcry. He showed great promise last June in moving up to the graded ranks by winning the G1 Princess Cup by daylight, hen hit three more g1 placings for good measure. he Breeders Bowl Classic was Road's downfall, but he was pepped back up for a healthy second in the Minnesota Classic, plus a third in a G3. Road has a strange tendency to be in the mix at the end but so far hasn't really shown the drive to win that sets great horses apart from good one.
The first runner from the Qwikvett stable group is Rock Hard Korn. He's a speedy 4yo son of Rock Hard Ten, and though he is 14-1 this one bears some watching. Korn is winless in about 10 months, but he's been hitting the bard right and left. Most notable perhaps is a very strong second in the Breeders Bowl Classic last year behind Demeco. Korn likes to run just off the lead, and perhaps his best asset here will be the tactical speed that helps him stay close but retain enough energy to roll in the stretch. Of course, this assumes he can find his winning away again.
The 5 stall features Eclipse-winning mare Disasterpiece. Zewango1's prize 5yo daughter of Mineshaft won 3 big G1s last year including the First State and Michigan Distaffs as well as the Mayo Foundation for older mares at 10f on dirt on Equinics day. Essentially, she's never lost a 10f graded event on the main track. Disasterpiece faced the boys for the first tie last out after a long winter layoff. She posted a reasonable 104SP at 10 in a G2 at this track to beat Bluegrass Ghost in the race for fifth place. Making her second start after layoff there is a lot to like about Disasterpiece in this race. 14-1 odds, and runs for the venerable DelPenn residency.
Bigarnie's Silvergore is getting quite a bit of play at the betting windows, drawing 8-1 odds. The 4yo Silver Deputy colt spent much of 2008 running in the marathon ranks. He took home top honors in the Derby De Swedish, but even in the shorter classic races he still did very well, earning second in the G1 CA Classic behind The Kid Stu.Silvergore is a confirmed frontrunner capable of winning from second position as well. He needs a clear and easy break to have a legit shot, but if he gets out front alone watch out. Very fast horse indeed.
Our 7-1 cofavorites drew the middle gates right next to each other Demeco will break just inside Kissin Streetcry. Demeco, hero of the 2008 Breeders Bowl Classic and Eclipse winner in the 3yo dirt colt division, comes in off a super three-length win in a G2 at 10f last month. The excellent effort marks a great return after winter break for the fabulous youngster. Trainer Fatattack is no stranger to winning big races; his Horseshoe Bay won the Sand Castle Golden Turf Classic en route to an Eclipse a few years ago. Demeco appears to be in great shape and if that last race is any indication his 4yo campaign may be even better than last year's exploits.
If anyone is standing in Demeco's way, there's a good chance that Kissin Streetcry will be the horse to do so. Sherwood's prize Street Cry 4yo was a half-length away from taking the Triple Crown last year. The end of 2008 was a bit of a struggle, but Kissin wowed the SoCal crowds with a sizzling 119SP as he won the California Handicap last month. Can Kissin duplicate that effort? He may need to against this bunch, but if any horse can do it it's this one. Like to close from midpack, so watch for him to stead down the first mile and turn loose at the quarter pole.
Helenus enters Forty Short at 14-1. The 4yo son of Encosta De Lago was a big winner in December's Topicount Special, earning a great 115SP for the 12f race. Forty has one more listed stake win on his resume, though that was at 11f in January. Other than that, the one-time claimer hasn't had a lot of opportunity to run with the big boys. He'll be at 10f for the first time since October. Good news for fans of Forty is he's never lost at 10. And he's had three tries, so plenty of opportunity. I really like Forty here as a sort of dark horse.
At 10-1 and in stall 10 is Dance Steps. The 4yo Seeking The Gold colt runs for Twoofus2, aka Topicount. Steps earned some fame last year as he ran second in the New Yorker and the Breeders Bowl Marathon. He also picked up G1 wins at 11f and twice at 12f. Although Steps has been running mostly marathon distances, he is to be respected at 10f. The colt was second at Equinics and fourth in the Travelers last ear. He's a strong horse with a preference for running close to the front. When running shorter he prefers to stay behind a couple more horses, but should still be fairly visible early on.
At 8-1 we have Zewango's other entry. Halo Me Down is one of the old men of the field at 6 years of age.The son of Mineshaft runs for Sdmf4. Halo has been more in the mile division where he's won a couple of grades. Despite that, he's no slouch at 10f. In two starts at this distance, halo has a stakes win and a second in a G1. He's going to gun for the early lead and hope to stave off the late closing charge. Can he do it? Despite his advanced age, halo popped a lifetime high 116 last time out. I'd say he's up to the challenge,
Post 12 features the horse affectionately known throughout the sim as SuperPeg. Pigeon3 has stated thatErmington Pegusus will retire following his third start in the Sand Castle. The 6yo son of Sky Mesa won the race in 2007, and in 2008 finished fifth. SuperPeg's career has seen plenty of ups and downs. Up, when placing second in the Bluegras derby and third in the Middle Jewel. Down when running second in the Breeders Bowl Classic in 2006. Up when hitting a six-race streak of graded victories in 2006/2007. Down on his current three-race losing streak, the most consecutive non-board finishes ever for this horse. Wouldn't it be such a great story if SuperPeg finished his career with an unprecedented second Sand Castle win? At 11-1 the bettors' hesitation is understandable, but at the least a $2 ticket on SuperPeg is well worth the investment.
At 9-1 is The Kid Stu, running from gate 13. The Lenny9 entry loves to be out front, which will set up an interesting showdown between Stu and Silvergore. At 5 years of age, the son of Seeking the Gold is still very lightly racd with just 18 stats behind him. He hasn't slacked off in that brief career however. Stu first moved to the graded ranks in this race last year; he finished last. A quick return to listed stakes brought a good win and eventually earned him another G1 try. This time he ran fourth in the Michael-Strike, setting up for a brilliant victory in the CA Classic in August. Add in another major win in the G1 Jockey Guild Gold Cup and Stu's stamp on the classic division is well-formed. This year's campaign has started off easily enough with seconds in an allowance and a listed stake. wins half of the time, and must be seriously respected.
Our final entrant is the second filly of the field. Mind Eraser, campaigned by the Qwikvett Stables out of a different barn than Rock Hard Korn runs for, is at 13-1. The 4yo daughter of Dubai Destination just won the G1 Original Margarita for the distaff set 3 weeks ago. She's also a G1 winner at 9.5f, and G1-placed at 10 (in the Equinics for 3yo dirt fillies in 2008). Mind Eraser is no stranger to running with the boys. She's taken them on three times. The first try, she beat the boys by 3 to break her maiden, The second time, she ran a good fourth in a listed stake. The last was a sorry sixth at 12f, clearly beyond her distance capabilities. While Mind Eraser has yet to run at 10f, she's still capable of placing when things go her way.
Each of our 14 entrants certainly has a real shot at winning this race. It's a rare G1 where a writer can legitimately say that, but this truly is one of the best fields I have ever seen assembled in the sim. Best of luck to all runners and their connections.
