Rebel Yell Atracts Thirteen by palatine
on
Thursday, March 11, 2010 at
10:14:30 PM
Thirteen Answer the Call of the Rebel Yell
Thirteen three year old colts look to grab attention as they answer the call in this years Grade III $300,000 Rebel Yell Stakes at 1 1/16th mile over a fast dirt course. A good showing here might propel one to a similar road taken by last years third place finisher Distorted Storm, which eventually took the Grade I Arkansas Juvenile before third place runnings in the Grade I Bluegrass Derby and New Yorker. There is little room for error now if you have a colt looking towards the classic races. From the rail out.
#1 The Jade Storm(Ky) - REACHER - A Arthur 13-1 ... Distorted Humor- Seeking The Gold colt runs from the Given Stables; Fire and Blood, which hits at a hefty 23% strike rate from GR Simsters. Progression has been excellent throughout, with his last being his best (94), an allowance at this distance in Delaware. Will likely sit back and make his move late. Just doubt if it will be good enough. Outside chance to take home a small check.
#2 French Zebra(Jpn) - SINGLEALL - A Fairfield 21-1... French Deputy- Miswaki son for Worldwide from Honk Kong Racing Club. Ships here from the other side of the globe after winning two of his first three races. A step up here in class may prove difficult. Has tried a minor stakes in Tasmania garnering a minor award. Looks to up against it here.
#3 Citrus Haack(Ky) - HAACK - L Good 10-1.... A.P. Indy- Crafty Prospector colt from Otto Haack Venezuela from Hispano Parlante. Solid mix of distance and speed breeding and this one has blossomed in his past few races over a mile of ground. Has the ability to stay close early and have enough left in the tank for a stretch call. Think he needs to have his way up front to be a serious threat for win spot. A more reasonable finish would be top three at best.
#4 Define The Pine(Ar) - BACKAGAIN - S Proudfoot 13-1... Colt out of Pine Bluff- Roses In May from CMD Stables for Comedy Central. Has only a maiden score on his resume. Continues to lack the late punch that would be needed in a Grade III event. Seems up against it unless strange things happen on the front end.
#5 Bigtime Favorite(Ky) - AXEMJACK86 - A Welden 6-1... Owner win rate is a solid 24% and had a bit of luck last spring training three year old fillies Cat Fire Storm and Dru to Grade II scores. This colt from Ghostzapper- Storm Cat was a Grade II winner last August in the Upper New York Special. Came back later in the year to take second in the tough Grade III Sam's Town Delta Jackpot, while running a career best (99). Had a small break before his disappointing run in the Grade III Risen Star in Louisiana. Would think he has trained forward for this and is a solid shot come Saturday.
#6 Ready N' Willing(Aus) - LOPICKLES2 - P Reich 7-1... Sunshine Stables from GR Simsters comes this 3yo son by More Than Ready- Pine Bluff. Has steadily improved since taking his maiden score last April. Won two minor stakes in the fall at a furlong shorter than Saturday's race. Has faced a good bunch before in running an ever 6th in the Grade III Silver Fence and he faces a few from that race here. Has run well at distances shorter than this. I do have a feeling his best distance just may be the one he runs at Saturday. Not out of the realm of winning this, just think a minor award is more probable.
#7 Perfect Game Ted(Ky) - YOUNGNHUNG - V Jennings 4-1... Son of Pleasantly Perfect- Strike The Gold supports World Wide Racing. Has definitely been in the thick of it since last September when running a nice third in the Grade III Buckeye Juvenile at the distance. Took home the Grade III Cornstalk last Halloween in Kentucky, beating the well thought of Pronounce This, which later turned the tables on him when taking the Risen Star. His second in the Grade I Movieland was excellent when beaten by Flame Of Apollo. In the Movieland he placed in front of BB Juvenile Champion Curling. The one to beat.
#8 Wildcat Ant(Ky) - EBRACING2 - T Maguire 14-1... Son of Pleasant Tap- Forest Wildcat is the first runner dropped by stakes winning dam Wildcat City II. Has knocked out his allowance competition with ease running to four wins from six starts. His two losses were against minor stakes company. Needs to step it up a few notches as he steps it up in distance.
#9 Haunted Simster(Ky) - WAREMBLEM2 - X Jones 9-1... From Winterfell Racing supporting GR Simsters, this three year old by Street Cry- Ghostzapper, is the first runner dropped from three time stakes winner Unhaunted. Had a hiccup in last when trying minor stakes company in Canada. Ran off to easy victories in initial races against easier. One that looks to hold tremendous upside and only needs to have steady improvement to have a say in this. If a fast pace develops in front, look for his nose as the wire approaches.
#10 City And Colour(Ky) - NEWASTIN18 - C Marts 5-1... Unbridled's Song- Storm Cat three year old runs for Astins Place supporting EAAA Racing.Owner owns an impressive 25% strike rate. This Grey colt comes off a lifetime best figure (99) when running second in Canada last out. Has really improved as the distances have increased for him. If able to progress here and into and through his next outing, this just may be a horse you will be looking at in the starting gate come May 1 in Kentucky.
#11 Gottalovethatcat(Ky) - HUGINN - G R Larsan 18-1... Bred by Holy Estradpade- Storm Cat, this animal represents Tees Stables supporting EAAA Racing. Comes here from Maryland sporting a lifetime best (94) last out, that was at 7 furlongs. Has yet to try a distance of ground. Seems to be up against it against a group like this having similar running styles.
#12 Zen Like State(Ky) - SKUNKFARMS - Bo Alexander 8-1... Son by Pulpit- Elusive Quality from Skunkbarn Stables supporting Blazing Saddles. Rose to the occasion when taking home the top prize in the Blazing Saddles Breeder's Showdown Juvenile Dirt at this distance. Could not get by Perfect Game Ted in the Silver Fence running his lifetime best. Faltered in the stretch in last up in Washington. Is not out of it by any means. Think he is running to be part of trifecta.
#13 Matters Of War(Ky) MASTERAB - T Thomas 14-1... Son by War Chant- Giant's Causeway comes from a solid 24% barn. Switched to dirt after two sub-par efforts over the sod and has done nothing but win. Steps up from allowance competition to try his hooves in this Grade III. Will likely be in the thick of it when turning for home. Question is if he is good enough.
This is a dangerous race if you happen to have a deep closer as there appears to be a lack of dominating speed here. I am looking for top efforts by Perfect Game Ted, City And Colour and Bigtime Favorite. They will benefit most from what looks like a average pace set by Citrus Haack. Outside contenders may come from Zen Like State and Matters Of War.
