With three runs under his belt this season, the Fitzroy Glispie-bred, owned, and trained Money Monster should be more than fit and ready to put away the field in the $1.14-million King's Plate feature race at Caymanas Park today.
Although he has not won a race since June 11 of last year Money Monster has shown consistency in his races, having placed out of the frame on four occasions in his last 12 starts.
In his three races this season Money Monster has finished second twice and third once. His last race was on March 11, going nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m), a race which Money Moster should have won but the Casual Trick – She's Tradition progency was one-paced in the straight and finished third by 3¼ lengths behind stablemates Sistren Treasure and Crimson.
The presence of Crimson here should not be a bother to Money Monster, whom he had behind him when finishing second to the out-of-class Runaway Algo on February 26 over one mile (1,600m). Crimson was all of six lengths behind Money Monster that day.
Given the condition of the race and the running style of Money Monster, the six-year-old bay gelding should have no problem winning his first race this season. Jockey Reyan Lewis remains in the saddle for the sixth time.
Positioned as the ninth event on the 10-race programme, the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward going 7½ furlongs (1,500m) is set to go off at 4:35 pm, late in the afternoon. First race is as early as 11:45 am.
It won't be as easy as one, two, three for Money Monster, however, as Crimson is also getting into his groove just in time for the trophy race.
The Gary Subratie trainee's last two runs were encouraging ones. Crimson was 2¼ lengths behind Sistren Treasure and a length in front of Money Monster on the circular course on March 11.
Although Crimson would prefer going two turns, the seven-year-old bay gelding should have no problem with this one-turn event and is expected to run another pleasing race. Raddesh Roman will once again be in the saddle.
The Jason DaCosta-trained Eagle One could also be in the running for top honours; Eagle One is also winless in four starts this season as well. The American-bred runner was presented with his best chance of getting off the mark this year but he failed to get by Uruly Boss over six furlongs (1,200m) on March 19, losing out by 4 lengths.With a more relaxed pace expected here, Eagle One can set the record straight but might be hampered by the distance. Robert "Hardball" Halledeen replaces Lewis in the saddle.
It would be hard to see anyone else in the nine-horse field getting by either Money Monster, Crimson, or Eagle One here. Sir John, El Profesor, Freedom Street, Power Ranking, Big Big Daddy, and Press Conference are not expected to land any blows.
El Profesor and Big Big Daddy are two capable runners at this level but in recent times they have been struggling to find form. El Profesor has no form to recommend as his last three efforts were off-board finishes, while Big Big Daddy is proving to be too costly to follow and can only be taken on trust. The rest mentioned are only in here because they have made the grade and are hoping to spring up in the money sharing.
Ones to watch:
Race 1) Simba The Lion/Fault Line/Sensational Ending
Race 2) Absolute Blue/Silver Soul/Mardele
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