Port Royal Sprint showdown
Pack Plays, Desert of Malibu, Is That A Fact Clash
Tomorrow’s Port Royal Sprint promises to be an electrifying contest, as American-bred runners Pack Plays and Desert of Malibu face off in the $2.5-million Graded Stakes Open Allowance event.
The six-furlong showdown has attracted a talented field of seven three-year-old and upward runners, which also included Is That A Fact, a American-bred with exceptional ability, challenging for top honours.
Below is the analysis of each runner and their chances of winning.
1. PACK PLAYS (USA): (3 dk b/br c by Stay Thirsty – Standard Deal) – Returns here for his second run on local soil after making an impressive debut on September 21. Going 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m), Pack Plays led from start to finish in a dominating 12 ½ lengths, stopping the clock in a blistering 1:17.3 (23.2 x 46.3 x 1:11.0). He has been training well for this race and could make it two in a row.
2. MAJOR DANGER (USA): (4 b c by Majesty City – Clean Eleven) – Will have to fight for the minor placings here.
3. WALL STREET TRADER (USA): (4 dk b/b g by Vancouver – Selva) – Capable foreigner but is unlikely to challenge for top honours.
4. SENSATIONAL MOVE: (4 ch c by Sensational Slam – Money Move) – Is going to be left behind in this one.
5. IS THAT A FACT (USA): (4 b c by Palace Malice – Valid Code) – Finished third by 10 lengths behind Desert of Malibu over 6 furlongs. Despite that, Is That A Fact is talented enough to turn the tables on Desert of Malibu here and beat the rest of the field as well.
6. DESERT OF MALIBU (USA): (5 ch m by Malibu Moon – Lady Digger
) – Was scratched form the Gold Cup on October 5. Prior to that, Desert of Malibu racked up three consecutive wins on the trot. Her latest victory was in the None Such Sprint over 6 furlongs where she won in a time of 1:10.4. If she can reproduce that effort, then she should be unsaddled in the winners’ enclosure after this race.
7. PERFECT BREW: (5 b g by Bern Identity – Moonlight Brew) – No chance.
— Ruddy Allen