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IRE- Curragh 6/12
Jun 11, 2020 16:28:21 GMT -5
Post by tenfurlongs on Jun 11, 2020 16:28:21 GMT -5
What a way to open the meeting, with the Irish 2000 Guineas (GI), a Group 2, a Group 3, and a Premier Handicap.
Curragh 12:10- 6f Handicap (3yo+) #3,7 have been withdrawn. This race has no standout to back nor oppose, so I won't do much other than dipping my toe. #1- Flash Gordon (10-1) has a win and two thirds in four outings, including a GIII placing behind So Perfect at Naas last May. Away since 29 June 2019, the 4yo gelding has to tote 140lbs. today. I might normally want to see a race but the Harrington/Foley team are so hot right now. #3- Verhoyen (6-1) handles all kinds of ground, has a good record especially at this C&D. Should be right in the thick of it. #8- Ice Cold in Alex (6-1) is better going 7 panels but is a model of consistency and has fared well with much better horses. (edit: substituting #5- Ardhoomey (12-1) for the scratched horse. He hasn't had any luck at 6F but is a classy sort.)
EXBOX- 1,5,8 Result: 14,5,13 36-1, 7-1, 36-1. Bam for somebody!
Curragh 12:40- 7f Handicap (3yo) Speaking of crapshoots, just watching this race for future ideas would probably be best, but 17 horse fields can yield big prices out of the chaos. The two that I favor most are #8- Champers Elysees (10-1) who was quite progressive last year, and #9- The King of Kells (15-1) who is tough as nails on all types of going and two-for-two on this course.
EX- 8,9/1,8,9,10,15 Result: 8,15,12 Exacta $598.00 Champers Elysees (19-1) held off Bright Idea (30-1) so I'll be having a good day no matter how the rest turns out.
Curragh 1:10- 1m2f Gallinule Stakes (Group 3) (3yo) #1,4 have been withdrawn. Select group of lightly-raced three-year-olds colts and geldings going 10F over good-to-firm ground. #6- Mythical (2-1) is hard to go past. Left them in his dust when breaking maiden by 8 1/2 lengths going a mile, then rounded out his four starts with a third place finish in a GI in France over heavy ground. Firm ground might be the only thing to stop him. #5- Gold Maze (4-1) cost $760K as a yearling, which is a lot of money for a Golden Horn offspring. Somebody thought he'd be a good one, and they turned him over to Harrington/Foley. Did finish third of five in a GII here over heavy ground in his second and final try last term. Good-to-firm going might improve this one.
EX- 5,6/2,3,5,6 Result: 3,5,7 Odds-on Mythical did not fire today as Crossfirehurricane (Kitten's Joy) (5-1) remains undefeated in four career starts.
Curragh 1:40- 1m Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) (Entire Colts & Fillies) (3yo) My heart wants to root for the undefeated #10- Siskin (2-1), and I will, but I suspect he could have the same fate that met Pinatubo last week. The choice is #1- Armory (4-1) for the Ballydoyle bunch, who is GI-placed at a mile and has handled everything thrown his way. Of the others, #5- Lope Y Fernandez (10-1) is the choice of jockey Heffernan, was very consistent as a 2yo and should handle a mile and more easily. #8- Royal Lytham (8-1) might fly under the betting radar with five Aidan O'Briens in here. He faced only quality fields at two and was GI-placed to boot.
EX- 1/5,8,10 Result: 10,11,5 Good for Siskin (and our Heliabel)!! Armory, and others, did their best to keep him boxed in, but he bulled his way out and flew home. Quite a turn of foot.
Curragh 2:15- 1m Irish Lincolnshire (Premier Handicap) (4yo+) #5 has been withdrawn. Seventeen horse headscratcher. #7- Tauran Shaman (15-1) is two-for-three lifetime, with the one loss a not-embarassing fifth behind The Revenant in the GII Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamps in October. Harrington & Foley at the controls of this one too. #11- Current Option (4-1) hasn't missed the board in seven career turf starts. He was brilliantly progressive all season, culminating in a Premier Handicap win at Leopardstown in September. Could be very tough if he fires his best at first asking.
EX- 7,11/6,7,11,12,17 Result: 3,14,1 6-1, 89-1, 50-1. Wait until you see that triple payout! Winning trainer had three in there, said beforehand he much preferred the one that romped home. {edit: $0.50 triple = $6,008)
Curragh 2:45- 1m2½f Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes (Group 2) (4yo+) #7- Fleeting (3-1) is a GII-winner and multiple-GI-placed. May run best at 12F but will handle this just fine, looking for redemption at the course where she just missed in the Irish Oaks 11 months ago. #9- Search for A Song (2-1) was five lengths behind Fleeting in the Oaks, but improved and won the Irish St. Leger when last seen, beating Kew Gardens and Southern France. Dermot Weld is too good not to win something today. Of the rest, #1- Guaranteed (7-1), #2- Latrobe (4-1) and #4- Numerian (10-1) seem best equipped to fill out minor awards.
Good luck if you play today!
TW
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