Post by Cruisey on Feb 26, 2018 21:11:55 GMT -6
FIRESTONE'S TOP PICKS
Y17 Breeder's Cup
PRESENTED BY CRUISEY
WE ALL KNOW THE Y17 BREEDER'S CUP is looming closer and closer. As barns start to organize whether their own superstars will run in the prestigious series of races, or will they choose to end their season on another series of HOTY races at either of the two other tracks? We got to catch up with Owner/Trainer of Firestone Racing Stables, Carter Leeson, to take a stroll through his barn to see who the seasoned farm would send to the Breeder's Cup.
SENIOR SUPERSTARS
BARELY SMOKIN We were contemplating on sending him to the Classic or the Marathon, but his division clashes with Arctic Fox, our 3yo who runs the same distance. Harley definitely has placed all around the board this season, and he has not helped us with definitive direction to point him. The beginning of the season was a bit rocky for him, however he seemed to quickly bounce back from his unfortunate series of out of money finishes. We want to say Harley will probably be pointed towards the Marathon to end his season. Depending on how well the race goes, he may be back for the Dubai World Carnival.
DANCING ON NAILS This boy has completely blown us away this season. As of now, he has 8 HOTY wins to his name this season alone, and has only placed out of the money twice. It's quite clear where Dudley is comfortable at running on the turf. He will definitely be sent to the Breeder's Cup Mile in hopes to bring home a victory. He will be up against some real tough competition, but we are confident in this big chestnut stallion.
FIRE GODDESS has been extremely consistent this season, but we hoped some of those seconds would have turned into more wins! Either way, Fancy has proven her drive against some of the top distaffers and will be sent to the Breeder's Cup Distaff. While her win count this season may not be as hefty as some of our other guys, she is an extremely consistent mare and we think she will fare well with the top girls.
HELLFIRE once again proves herself facing the toughest of the dirt milers. While her race schedule was a lot lighter than some of the other senior horses, she proves to be consistent. The BC Juvenile Fillies winner will hope to take down the boys and girls in the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile. Depending on that, she may make an appearance alongside Harley in Dubai.
INNERSTELLAR What's not to love about this stud. Tyler proves himself over and over and we couldn't be more thrilled that IRS bred him for us. Not once placing out of the money in Y17, he will hope to take the title of Breeder's Cup Sprint champion. You'll get to see him one last time in Dubai before he goes to make beautiful babies.
LIKE A LADY A force to reckon with on the turf, Lady will hope to top the boys in the Breeder's Cup Turf. Her race won't be easy, but she's a horse that won't stop till she wins. Her last race was quite a shock, but all horses will have off days. She has been training great since then and will be out for vengeance.
SCINTILLA This girl is all over the place, though she really seems to like third place! Tilly is super sweet and is very consistent among the top turf fillies. She will be looking to go to the Breeder's Cup F&M Turf to see if she can repeat her Y15 Breeder's Cup win.
CLASSICS
ARCTIC FOX will be our only three-year old being sent to the Breeder's Cup. He has consistently proved that he prefers to be running in the middle of his distance range. He's a fierce competitor, while the wins this season weren't as much as the 3rds, Sly will take down walls until he comes out on top. We're hoping he won't set too much of a blistering pace to conserve his energy, but he's been training well and resting up.
JUVENILES
APACHE WARRIOR has been on a roll this season and will definitely make an appearance in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Sprint. We were debating between him and Foxy Passion, but he has had a more consistent record and proves that he enjoys the sprinting distance more than the mile.
CHARMED WEAPON though a late bloomer this season, he has showed us that he is ready to get more serious with HOTY races. After a near-miss clean sweep of the Islander Challenge series, his last two races have been hard fought but not what we were hoping.
Since then, he's been training great and should be a threat in the Juvenile.
Since then, he's been training great and should be a threat in the Juvenile.
FINAL VELOCITY was a horse we were still deciding where she goes, however after a solid performance in the Youth Turf Sprint series, she will be heading to the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint where she will battle the best of the best for the top title. Vee is a very consistent HOTY quality filly with a drive to win, and we are confident she will be able to pull through for a good spot come race day.
FOXY PASSION rallied hard in her last outing for a second place finish in the Carnival Crown Stakes. While her sweet spot is the sprints, she will be out to dip her toes once again at a longer distance in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies at 10f. While not raced much at the distance, she is quite comfortable running there and we are sure she will have no problems contesting against the best fillies in the country.
PEACEBREAKER has lived up to her siblings and will be sent to the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf, where she will compete against the boys once again to hopefully take home a top 3 spot in her class. The division will be stacked, and it won't be an easy race for her but she's very consistent and has been doing well this season so far.
SOCIALITE has been very consistent this season and will look to try her luck in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf alongside the best 2yo fillies. Placing in almost all of her HOTY races, she continues to prove her worth and has a perfect record to start the new season with. We look forward to seeing what she can do in the BC, as well as the Green Mile series next year.
PHARAOH LEAP.