January 13, 2016

The SSM Classic used to be one of the most important early season races for the older colts and geldings, with a $1,000.000 purse that doubled the Grade I Donn Handicap and therefore, attracted the best of the best to GP and SA. Now, it’s $250.000 offering is half of those big races and as such, gets a much smaller crowd and on Saturday, only five will line up to go 1 1/8 miles led by a pair of Grade I winners. With such an illustrious list of winners including Icicle, Dehere, Barbarino, Xray Eyes, Madhouse and Xmas Diamond, it is certainly within the scope of things that a big player could step up and add their name but many of the top contenders come in off tough races and that could muddle things as the Handicap season starts its long trek to the BC.

1-Cat O Nine (Four-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Oval Express Farms)

Millions Classic Preview winner Cat O Nine tried to end his season off well in the Queens County at AQU but raced evenly throughout and that could be a cause for concern as he steps into the older ranks while facing some very tough runners. Speed ratings have never been as high as others and he lacked the kick that is needed to win this kind of event and even with the inside post, the small field will combat that and he will simply need to be faster than he has been recently.

Analysis-Did not do enough in NY to warrant a win

Fair Odds-8/1

2-Outward Bound (Six-year-old chestnut horse / Owner-Eastern Equine)

Owner Eastern Equine has started 2016 off with a bang and will look to continue their great season with a win in the SSM Classic from Outward Bound, who was second in the Donn last year but looks to find an easier spot for his first start and certainly does in this field. His wins in the OP Handicap and the Pacific Classic would be more than enough to triumph and you cannot fault his finish in the BC Classic against much tougher opponents than this; a series of workouts in preparation make him formidable and without much against him, he looks to be one of the two who could win this in a canter.

Analysis-Comes back at six and looks tough

Fair Odds-2/1

3-Mameluke (Four-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Mm Racing)

Mameluke had a solid three-year-old season while facing allowance and mid-level claiming company and coming off a big win at SA, he steps up to face tougher opponents but also gets to carry a lot more weight. On equal weights as some of the top older runners, he looks to be overmatched and will have to prove himself first but as a longshot prospect, he could be one to get up for a minor award as the catalyst to a decent season ahead.

Analysis-Steps up in class and could be along for a small piece

Fair Odds-6/1

4-Port On The Horizon (Four-year-old bay gelding / Owner-D J C Racing Stables)

Port On The Horizon had the most underrated three-year-old campaign of the year with only three wins from ten starts but the Wood, LA Derby and PA Derby, along with a second in the BC Classic, make him a legitimate star and one who is much better than his fourth at HAW last time would suggest. A confirmed closer, the only issue is that he does not get a ton of pace to chase and that could make things slow up front, stunting his abilities and making him vulnerable despite another small field that is well within his grasp.

Analysis-Will be a star if last season was any indication

Fair Odds-5/2

5-Royal Prodigy (Four-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Mb Stables)

Super Derby winner Royal Prodigy got a wicked to chase in the BC Dirt Mile and closed with a flourish to finish fourth and now, gets a longer trip to work with but also a slower pace and that could be a detriment unless he sits closer to the early fractions. He tried to go all the way in the WV Derby but found things much better at LAD when he sat off the lead and closed stoutly and a repeat of that effort, and final time, will have him right in the mix of things for an owner who won this race last year with a follow-up Grade I champ.

Analysis-Prepped for speed and could be formidable this year at four

Fair Odds-4/1

Overall

One of the biggest races of the season thus far comes Saturday afternoon at GP and the SSM Classic, a traditional led up to the Grade I Donn Handicap, has only attracted five entrants but ones with potential to really step up in the older male division. Outward Bound is the veteran of racing with almost $1500.000 in the bank and will look to continue a great 2015 here, despite an off-the-board finish at the BC. His past performances shine brightly over Port On The Horizon, one of the underrated three-year-olds of last year, and Royal Prodigy, who came on later in the season, and those three should be the big contenders going nine-furlongs with many setting their sights on top racing at GP, FG and OP.

Prediction

Win-Outward Bound (2/1)

Place-Port On The Horizon (5/2)

Show-Royal Prodigy (4/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded