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Champions Cup Preview: Dirt Sprint – 1400M

-by Anfield StablesPrevious Winner - Pnelope, True Blue StablesThe opening race of this seasons fant

-by Anfield Road
Previous Winner - Pnelope, True Blue Stables
[View Race]

Qualifier Standings

Rank   Runs Points  
#1  Wise Dane Bob Baffert 3 20
#2  Running From Nemesis KINGS OF THRONES 3 17
#3 Midnight Hurricane Bob Baffert 3 15
#4 Alphadan Anfield Road 3 14
#4 Ravishing Spectre Rubi Rocks 3 14
#6 Stalingrad Anfield Road 4 11
#6  Asiatic Bob Baffert 3 11
#8 Star Pupil Anfield Road 4 8
#9 Dark Angel Nemesis Stud 2 7

 


The opening race of this seasons fantastic Championship is probably one of the easiest to predict.

Wise Dane, from the all conquering Bob Baffert stable, she has been an absolute superstar this season, crushing everything in her way in the dirt division. She even had the audacity to take on the very best on turf also, with fantastic results. The only saving grace for the rest of the field is 1400M appears to be her least favourite distance, having won her last race at 1400M by just 1 length. That gives everyone else a little hope.

Running From Nemesis, from the Nemesis Stable, showed nothing like Championship form last season, however, she has turned into a top class horse this one. She constitutes the biggest danger to Wise Dane, having pushed the superstar very close last time out. She was finishing like an express train and if she can position herself a little closer in the middle part of the race she stands a great chance of getting a major win.

Midnight Hurricane, the second runner from Bob Baffert Stable, she has proven to be ultra consistent runner at the top level, never being out of the money. Failed to make last seasons final through lack of qualifying runs, where she surely would have been among the favourites. Her form has continued into this season, however, like Asiatic, I feel 1400M is beyond her stamina levels. If she is able to save a little at the end, her blistering finish could give her a shout. Over 1200M she finished her last race in just 10 seconds for the 200M, eclipsing the winner, Wise Dane’s 12 seconds.

Alphadan, from Anfield Road stable, looks to have as much chance winning as he does getting his tackle glued back on and working! In the money at all levels in 12 of his 14 races, but none have been over 1400M. He is a decent championship horses without being among the best, but always runs his best.

Ravishing Spectre, from the Rubi Rocks Stable is the only representative from this top trainer. Another who is going to struggle at this extended sprint distance, having never run this far in his career. Entered into both finals, this race being second means he is here for the bonus credits. Last win was 6 races ago, however he continued to set some decent ratings in defeat.

Stalingrad, second runner from Anfield Road stables. Capable of competing over 1400M, but not very competitive at all. In fact he will be dropping into claimers next season, so this is his swansong. He would need to start running a day earlier to stand a chance at placing against the top 2 horses!! Another picking up bonus credits after running first in the turf final

Asiatic, the third runner from Bob Baffert, she was the winner of the Juvenile dirt sprint, this filly was one of the top Juveniles of last season, and continued her form into the first 2 races of her 3 year campaign. However, since then she has failed to light the track up again, finishing well behind in both her races. 1400M looks to be beyond her talents and feel she will struggle to compete, which is a shame as it would be great to see her challenging the best of this season.

Star Pupil, third runner from the reprobate that is Anfield Road, she represents my best chance of finishing on the same day. Her times have still been improving at 1400M, but still leaves her trailing behind the best and really can’t see her making any impression at all.

Dark Angel, from the Nemesis Stable, this gelding is entered into both the dirt and turf finals. With the turf going off first, this represents nothing more than bonus money. Much like my own finalists, he isn’t good enough at the very top level, giving him a very tough task. Having never run at 1400M, we can assume he doesn’t have the energy to complete the distance in a competitive time and can only see him bringing up the rear.

Looks like 1400M has killed the final for all bar 2 horses, which is a shame for the curtain raiser. Cant help thinking Wise Dane would win no matter the distance, but it certainly would be much more competitive over shorter sprints.

Predictions

Wise Dane
Running From Nemesis
Midnight Hurricane

Season 11 Awards

As the season winds down and the Breeders Cup championships are just around the corner, it's once ag

As the season winds down and the Champions Cup championships are just around the corner, it's once again time for the Annual Sport of Kings awards.

Horse Awards

Horse of the year

This may have been the toughest decision we've had to make as there are three simply outstanding horses this year, all in the three year old group.  Dancing Brave continues to be spectacular and leads the earnings per start with a whopping $63.20 mark.  Wise Dane, who for some reason missed last years Champions Cup after dominating the season, continues to impress.  His only knock this year was the two losses that both came on the lawn.  That leaves us with the winner

Bulldog Breed

This three year old filly out of Pioneer of the Nile has absolutely exploded this season after losing the Juvenile Champions Cup by a head.  She has absolutely dusted the competition and looks to be a sure thing going into the Champions Cup Turf Finals this year.  An $87 purchase from the stable manager yearling sale, she has more than repaid Anfield's faith in her with an excess of $700 earned heading into the finals and her senior campaign.  Seemingly the only question left to ask of her will be how long she continue to race? 
 
 
 
 

 

Juvenile of the year

This was a great year for competitive racing and both of the top two horses on the leaderboard are deserving of this award.

Stroll In The Rain

With eight lifetime starts this filly has only finished off the board one time and she is always always within a length or two.  She's been a true star for Anfield and she seems to be improving with only the latest speed rating giving pause for concern.  She is the only horse from either the sire or mare to enter the starting gate but you have to think that will change with her success.
 

Legendary Star

After missing the board entirely in his prior start this son of Distinctive Passion showed his quality to win by 2 lengths in a late Qualifier to secure a spot in the Finals.  This colt appears to be comfortable on both dirt and turf which is a trait that Distinctive Passion seems to pass on.  This is the only runner for Ivory Coast, once again proving that owners can find quality in more than one place.
 

Sire of the year

Kitten Courage


*Kitten's Joy                             
This seven year old sire, who could still be racing, continues to throw winners at a shocking 85% rate.  After a respectable racing career he was retired to stud following two really dull outings in the senior division.  With a total over $4,500 in foal earnings and in excess of $110 per horse this sire is still a bargain at the lofty fee of $25 per stud.  Among the FIFTEEN graded stakes winners, Dancing Brave continues to be a standout along with One Fast Cast.  It's not surprise the breeding rights to this horse sell out quickly every season.

Classic Races, Big Purses

Season 11 sees the return of two iconic classic distance races covering a mile and a quarter on dirt

Season 11 sees the return of two iconic classic distance races covering a mile and a quarter on dirt.  The K L Patton stakes for juvenile's and the SOK Pacific Classic.

The purses for the races will be $440 for the Pacific Classic and the $300 for the K L Patton.  These are sure to be hotly contested and are perfectly positioned as a final prep before the Champions Cup finals.

Juvenile Championships: Week 1

With the first round of championships qualifiers in the rear view mirror we can now highlight those

With the first round of championships qualifiers in the rear view mirror we can now highlight those that put in stand out performances.

 

Perfect Execution was a strong favorite and a big standout picking up his third straight victory and by an impressive 8 lengths.  The rest of the turf routers are going to have to step up their game to compete with this one.

 

The dirt sprints are always one of the most exciting races to watch and Beast From Hamburg proved her worth as a worth daughter of Ozark Pete.  A resounding 4 length victory over another nice horse in Kings Knight.  This division should continue to thrill as some of the other competitors improve.

 

Blazing Fire surging to victory

Blazing Fire came with a furious late rally to beat Blowpipe by a nose in the dirt mile.  This division is one of my favorites to follow because there are so many quality homebreds that find themselves in the mix.

 

 

We would be remiss if we left off one of the more competitive races which was the turf sprint where Quality Hat, a son of the legendary Top Hat, pulled ahead late for a victory.  He narrowly edged two really good looking horses in Archies Insides and Excuse Din.  

We are seeing the rise to prominence of a few new stables in the championship circuit and look forward to continued competitiveness from all.  See you at the track!

 

Season 7 End of Season Awards

We are about to complete the first season where every race is FREE to enter.  We have seen an i

We are about to complete the first season where every race is FREE to enter.  We have seen an increase in the number of horses entered into races and competition.  Beginning this season we will issue end of season awards for trainers and horses alike.

 

Trainer Awards

Trainer of the year

True Blue Stable ...

is the leading stable with $1,218 in wins this season.  He has put forth a tremendous effort winning maidens and open company races at a 13% clip.  In addition he has had success in all three age groups, proving that it's no fluke.  Congratulations are in order for this success and you can expect a number of stables to again be vying for this title.

 

Newcomer of the year

American Pharoah Stables  ...

has come on the scene in a big way.  He has 19 wins from 69 starts for an astounding 27% win rate.  Look for big things from this stable who has clearly been blessed with talented horses to go with their training skills.

Breeder of the year

 Anfield Road ...

takes the award for the top breeder this season with 18% of them winning and The Liverpool Way leading the way to the victory circle.  

Breakout trainer of the year

King of Thrones  ...

is not exactly new to the game but has had a breakout season with a number of qualifier wins.  He has a number of outstanding horses including Pope's Angel a filly by Fallen Angel out of Pope Alexander.

Horse Awards

Horse of the year

Bull Diamond ...

is the unquestioned horse of the year with Blessings being retired.  This six year old horse is a perfect 7 for 7 including the Champions Cup title for senior turf sprint.

Juvenile of the year

 Sherlock Holmes ...

from Black Cat Racing brings home the title this year.  This horse has 4 wins from 6 starts and has never been worse than second.  After starting his career with 4 wins from 4 starts, he has cooled off in the difficult qualifiers but one has to wonder if this is intentional.

Sire of the year

Pope Alexander ...

 is once again on top of the standings at the end of the season with his foals averaging over $100 in earnings each!  This makes the $15 stud fee seem an absolute bargain.

Stormforged Axe goes clear down the stretch

Stormforged Axe stalks the pace and digs deep for his third win in a row. In a rousing qualifi

Stormforged Axe stalks the pace and digs deep for his third win in a row.

In a rousing qualifier True Blue Stable's sent out Stormforged Axe went off as a co-favorite looking for his third victory in a row.  These five furlong races are always exciting and this group contained entries from some of the top trainers in the game.  The field of seven horses were cranked up and ready to roll.

Stormforged Axe proved best and this was his first championship level win since Jul 13, 2015.  

Hamburgs Sweet Halo prevails down the stretch

In the first classic qualifier of the season Ranch Hamburg's Hamburgs Sweet Halo prevails

In the first classic qualifier of the season Ranch Hamburg's Hamburgs Sweet Halo prevails by a half length over furious competition.

The favorite held off her competition to pick up her second win in a row as she appears poised to make a serious run at the juvenile breeders cup title.  These virtual horses can often be temperamental but this trainers touch has proven to be golden so far this season.  All 5 of the entrants in this short field look to have a shot to progress.  Anfield Road’s Madmen Rampage, a homebred filly, came in as the second choice and just never fired today; however, you can expect her to turn that form as she ages if she’s anything like her father who never won a major title but finished 2nd in the Churchill Derby.  She is a half-sister to The Liverpool Way who is another homebred who won last season’s juvenile breeders cup under the guidance of Nemesis Stud.  All in all, this was a talented group of 5 that hit the track and congratulations are owed to Hamburg for a training job well done.

Take Charge Kitty proves weight is no issue for this virtual horse

In the first senior championship qualifier race we see two champion horses square off. Two form bre

In the first senior championship qualifier race we see two champion horses square off.

virtual horse racing

Two former breeders cup champions squared off in this 7 furlong contest.   Anfield Road's six year old virtual horse Rock the Casbah who won last seasons 3 yr old Breeders Cup sprint on dirt was put to the turf for the third time in his career.  He squared off with Take Charge Kitty who was on a 4 race win streak including a 3/4 length win in last seasons Breeders Cup turf sprint.  

Indian Breeze cut out some early fractions in her first attempt at the championship level but was found lacking coming down the stretch as Take Charge Kitty stalked the pace for a dream trip.  Kitty was able to pull clear by 2 lengths over a closing Olaha and Rock the Casbah who finished 4th.  Fallen Angel who carried the high weight of 142 lbs was simply saddled with too much weight to compete and finished last after being positioned mid pack throughout.

 

Virtual Champions Cup Championship

The season ending championships are finally here to mark the end of the 4th season at SportofKings.u

The season ending championships are finally here to mark the end of the 4th season at SportofKings.us.  We could not be happier with the way things have progressed as we are continuing to see new stables and virtual horses find their way to the winners circle in the top level of virtual racing along with fuller fields.  

The finals will be held on the 29th and 30th will be two action packed days which will see over 40 championship finals go off.  There will big massive amount of cash purses up for grabs.  The juvenile division, as always, will be the most anticipated battles as these horses are finally hitting their stride and looking to lock horns with the best of the best in their respective division.

View the Champions Cup Championships for Grade 1