Heetseeker blows past Monterrey Jazz at the top of the stretch and holds on to win the Big Cap.
With all of the attention that the Grade 3 Sham Stakes was getting due to the matchup of Colonel John and El Gato Malo, it may have been easy for folks to forget that the main event on “Big Cap day” is the actual Big Cap itself, or in proper terms, the Santa Anita Handicap. The field for the Big Cap was very impressively stacked. Former Derby hopefuls Tiago and Great Hunter were matched up with Awesome Gem (who ran behind Curlin in the Breeder’s Cup Classic), the speedy Monterrey Jazz, and an improving horse that I mentioned was a legitimate threat to win the race in the pre-race handicapping selections, Heetseeker.
As expected, Monterrey Jazz broke well and set a fast early pace. At one point he was as much as 12 lengths in the lead and looked to be a threat to take the field gate to wire with veteran jockey Russell Baze aboard. By the top of the stretch though, the thrill was coming to an end for Monterrey Jazz’s connections, as the field had essentially caught up with him and he was going in the wrong direction. Heetseeker got first run and made an explosive charge to snatch the lead. A slew of horses than put in their runs trying to gun down Heetseeker, but he was able to hold on for the win.
Of the others, it looked like Champs Elysees and Go Between were moving best late. You can actually hear the track announcer mention that Champs Elysees “came out of the clouds” to finish 3rd, despite the fact that you can’t really see it that well on the race replay. The camera is following the action as Go Between had the best chance of the field to catch Heetseeker. Tiago put in a late bid but did not have enough to overtake Heetseeker.
omg. Poor Monterrey Jazz. I probably shouldn’t say that. I should probably say, wow! Heetseeker. When they say ahead by 9, does that mean lengths?
Yes indeed. He (Monterrey Jazz) simply went too fast too soon. Ideally he sould’ve slowed things down a bit and relaxed on the lead trying to save a bit of juice for the stretch. When you get a lone speed front runner like that on a clear lead, they should have their chances of wiring the field boosted quite a bit. MJ simply burned himself out.
Heetseeker has looked really good to me in his last 2 races. I got all giddy when I first looked at the race Friday night thinking that there were so many other directions folks could go in this race (Tiago, Awesome Gem, etc.) that I might be the only one giving Heetseeker a real chance. My hopes were dashed though when I noticed several of the DRF handicappers were taking him as well. I made Tiago my top choice, and he didn’t bring his best effort today. Heetseeker, Champs Elysees, and Go Between put in nice runs in the Big Cap.
The horse I really want you to pay attention to if you want to learn how to pick things up on the race replays is Champs Elysees. at about 1:54 in the video, you’ll see a horse dart from the rear of the pack towards the rail and then unleash a massive run. That’s Champs Elysees coming from “out of the clouds” to finish 3rd, and it might’ve been the most impressive move of the race. He looks to me to have been running as good as Go Between and Heetseeker.
They all seemed so jam-packed. I’ll go in and take another look at the video and at Champs Elysees.
Geez, Champs Elysees came out last in the beginning. He shot up on the inside in the end. Think so, the camera was away from the pack.
They all came gunning for Monterrey Jazz like jailbreakers. If you pause at 1:53, there are about 5 horses across the track in the third flight. Champs Elysees is the 2nd from left in this pack and you’ll see him cut across the field to the rail. That’s a move to take notice of. If he gets a better trip next time out we might reasonably expect a better finish. He looks capable.
The jockey looks like he’s in white silks in the replay, but I think it was a light green in actuality.
Hi Kev
speaking of horse race, I watched an equestrian channel last night. Some of the horses there have been treated with acupuncture treatments. Is that really helps the horses improve muscle tone to race? Is it really effective? Better asking you rite? You deal with race horses everyday. :p
T- I’ve heard of equine accupuncture before, but I have no idea if it’s a common thing. I”m wondering if it isn’t more prevalent with Japanese and Chinese race horses? My guess is that a lot of American trainers and owners would likely be somewhat skeptical about it.
I did a quick google search and wasn’t able to get any solid data. This was perhaps the most unique article I found as it mentions “cranky and bitchy mares.”
http://www.athletic-animals.com/acupuncture.htm
Nice call with Heatseeker, I couldn’t see it. That was a nice price. My RTR stable is once again filled with too man California horses. I did have Cool Coal Man, but I’m not going to be positioned to hit alot of the preps on the east coast.
Did you join the pay to play portion of the contest?
Ron
I’m just in the contest and not the pay to play portion. So far I think I’m in third place in our league, but half my stable is crap at this point (Anak Nakal, Into Mischief, Crown of Thorns, Cowboy Cal).
I think there’s an end to the first phase coming around March 8th where we can make some switches and I’ll probably grab Elysium Fields and Pyro (how I left him off originally I’ll never figure out). Freshman mistakes is what I chalk them up to.