SSM Classic- $200.000 Purse
GP- For Four Year Olds and Upward Foaled in FL
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
January 19, 2019

There was a time when the SSM was a much bigger race, boasting purses of $1,000.000. Times have certainly changed, and the purse has gone down, down, and down some more. Now, it’s not even high enough for trainers to get their choice of jockeys on race day from throughout our virtual world. It’s certainly disappointing what has come of this race, but don’t take it out on the five who will be going to the gate as they should still provide some entertainment. Let’s meet this small field!

#1- Champion In Action (Night Rider Stables, ridden by L Saez)- This horse has competed in some pretty impressive races, which even include the BEL Stakes in 2018. However, in reality, he has not won all that much, as his only stake win is the $100.000 ungraded Sir Barton last year. The longer he goes, the further back in the field he seems to finish, and I would rather see him go an even mile, or even 1 1/16. Others are on better form coming into the race.

#2- Horseymachorseface (Night Rider Stables, ridden by T Gaffalione)- The trainer gets the two inside positions for his entries, but as even he posted in the forum, he probably has the “worst two” in the field. Anything can happen in our virtual world, so I never rule anyone out. It is telling that Horseymachorseface went to the auction just this past September and $2.510 was the winning bid. Looked decent in the Marion, a $125.000 FL-bred stake in his last outing, though.

#3- Oklahoma (Mb Stables, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- A couple days prior to Christmas, Oklahoma took his show close to Broadway, and won in the $125.000 Queens County Handicap at AQU. This is a horse running very well right now, and we can throw out the Grade 2 Kelso as maybe being a little too much for him, at least at that point of time. He is not facing that quality of field here. Otherwise, he has consistently been able to finish in the money. Haven’t been able to see enough of him on dry tracks lately, but we are probably ok at GP on Saturday.

#4- Broken Tap (Barcelona Farms, ridden by E Jaramillo)- This horse simply loves racing with the FL-bred condition. He has won his last five FL-bred races, dating back to the $400.000 In Reality in September of 2017. All five of those wins have been stakes, as well, winning the Wildcat, Millions Classic Preview, and the Marion within the last four months. How do you bet against this kind of hot streak? Oh, and since the Lecomte is also running this weekend, we’ll drop a mention that he was second in that race last year, too. Broken Tap has found his niche in this type of race, and while the competition is tough, he’s the one to beat.

#5- Seminole (On The Map Racing, ridden by J R Velazquez)- If Broken Tap is going to extend his streak, he is going to have to go through the reigning champion of this race, which is Seminole. It’s the only time Seminole has tried a FL-bred stake to this point, having appeared in several graded events. He has been able to hit the board in several, and that’s highlighted by running third in his last start, the Grade 1 Clark Handicap two months ago. He is still running well, and is ready to defend his title.

Prediction: 4-5-3-1

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded