July 16, 2015

Bombastic Kathology was not expected to do much in the Grade I AP Million, given his recent form and the bevy of Grade I winners in the field including defending champion Spanish Showboat, but when a space emerged at the head of the lane, the three-year-old took command and held both Forever Steel and Eve Of Destruction at bay for a half-length victory. A son of minor stakes winner Bombastic Evening, she becomes the second Grade I winner from dam Mrs Kathology along with Grade I Zenyatta winner The Bay Of Kathology, and earns a guaranteed spot in the BC Turf with his victory, which came with a 102-speed rating that is easily the best of his career to date.

One Off (14.60) broke best in the Million but did not have the outside speed to hold his ground and Quickoto (68.60) actually took an early lead before Forever Steel (5.90) sprinted forward to save some ground from the outside. Under the wire for the first time, the leader was able to get down to the rail while Studs Chito (7.80) was hung three-wide in second with Eve Of Destruction (7.75) even wider but still in contention with much of the race left. Bombastic Kathology (11.20) got a dream trip tucked inside with no one really challenging in behind him and around the first turn, positions were set with Forever Steel leading the way. An opening split of 47.26 looked quite quick for the distance but everyone seemed to be traveling comfortably with Studs Chito inching forward, Eve Of Destruction outside and Quickoto tiring slightly and down the far side, it was the outside starters will all the momentum and the favourites clearly in charge. Six-furlongs came up in 1:10.56 with Forever Steel still a length to the good but his inside run and the tiring of the stalkers brought about a new challenger and Bombastic Kathology started his run inside to make things interesting. The backfield started to get into motion as Studs Chito stalled and with a quarter-mile to run, the longshot Bombastic Kathology was the leader with Forever Steel holding on for dear life and Eve Of Destruction trying hard on the outside. Head long into the stretch, the leaders were all straining for the wire and Spotted Cat (7.05) and Silver Bullet (*5.85) were the only ones making gains from the back and at the finish, Bombastic Kathology was able to spring the upset by a half-length over Forever Steel, who surprising held all his challengers at bay in second including Eve Of Destruction, who did not have it late in third. Spotted Cat finished a close fourth, Silver Bullet found a wide run too much, and One Off raced evenly throughout after breaking well. Tin Lizzie (22.35) was a midpack factor from start to finish, Spanish Showboat (6.15) was nowhere near the same horse as last year, Titan (7.70) came up empty in the drive and Studs Chito, Dance Charm (11.65) and Quickoto rounded out the field, only four-lengths in arrears of the well-meant winner.

Bombastic Kathology was not expected to win the Grade I AP Million, at least by this handicapper, and his inside run and experience at ten-furlongs allowed him to upend a pair of superstars and guarantee his spot in the BC Turf starting gate. As a three-year-old, he has a number of options to choose from with a race like the Grade III Saranac as a possibility but the Grade III Kentucky Cup Turf would be an interesting choice at the same distance he will face at KEE, and over a tougher course.

Congratulations goes out to owner Oval Express Farms and their three-year-old colt Bombastic Kathology, a solid winner of the Grade I AP Million!

Prediction                        Eve Of Destruction / Spanish Showboat / Forever Steel

Winner                             Bombastic Kathology

                                            Three-year-old chestnut colt

                                            Bombastic Evening-Mrs Kathology (Chasing Mrs Jones)

Owner                               Oval Express Farms

Time                                  47.26, 1:10.56, 1:34.35, 1:58.46

Overall

Bombastic Kathology   11.20 stalked inside, between rivals, held late

Forever Steel                    5.90 inside speed, caught in final furlong

Eve Of Destruction         7.75 wide trip, failed to menace late

Spotted Cat                       7.05 broke evenly, powerful rush

Silver Bullet                     *5.85 wide run throughout

One Off                             14.60 broke well, even effort

Tin Lizzie                         22.35 midpack

Spanish Showboat        6.15 no threat

Titan                                  7.70 stalked, faded

Studs Chito                       7.80 pressed, weakened

Dance Charm                 11.65 no factor

Quickoto                          68.60 outrun late

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I