The Test of the Champion

[Blenheim]

The Kentucky Derby - cool. The Preakness Stakes - nice. The Belmont Stakes, yea . . . now that is a horse race. Been to it twice, first was ‘04 saw Smarty Jones lose to Birdstone. Went back ten years later and caught a winner in Tonalist. I thought the second time more special than the first, although the first was extraordinary.


Been researching a horse called Epicharis, grandson of Sunday Silence, shipping in from Japan, arrives June 1. He can ship. Most of em’ can’t, this one can.

Many horses withstand long trips remarkably well. But an enormous majority requires a race or two before becoming fully acclimated to a new track. Horses that recover quickly from the stress of travel and the tension caused by new surroundings are known as “good shippers.” They sometimes manage to win their first race at the new oval without so much as a workout there. But sometimes. Not often. Ainslie

Shipped from Japan to UAE, damn near wired em’, lost by a fraction. I’ve seen a few of em’, none of the greats, but this one here I don’t think I’ve seen one quite like this one in recent times. Saw the first picture and I was taken by his presence; saw a second photo and was convinced.

Epicharis.jpg
Epicharis2.jpg

Nice thing about Japanese horse racing websites is the detail. You can pull a pedigree, go to progeny of the sire, progeny distance and see the distance stats. http://umanity.jp/en/racedata/db/hor...ode=2014103121

Done some fun research on this one, haven’t got to the Dosage part yet as I’m searchin’ the Futures . . .

[f2tornado]

Doasage is 1.20. This includes 14 Classic points and 3 Solid points. He also has Buckpasser-x via a less common route. I think he would do well at the distance but have not convinced myself he's fast enough. I'd be more inclined to play him if he acquires the services of a rider who knows that track. If there is ever a race requiring a familiar pilot it is the Belmont. I'd also like to see Battle of Midway take a shot there given his stakes distance pedigree and pace style that suits the race perfectly.

[depalma113]

He should make a nice run for sixth.

[Blenheim]

Originally Posted by f2tornado

Doasage is 1.20. This includes 14 Classic points and 3 Solid points. He also has Buckpasser-x via a less common route. I think he would do well at the distance but have not convinced myself he's fast enough. I'd be more inclined to play him if he acquires the services of a rider who knows that track. If there is ever a race requiring a familiar pilot it is the Belmont. I'd also like to see Battle of Midway take a shot there given his stakes distance pedigree and pace style that suits the race perfectly.

Looking forward to reviewing his past performances.

If you've got the time, take a look at the videos of his races; this is a formidable colt. With respect to the jockey and his familiarity w/the track, can't argue w/that. However, Lemaire does have a world of experience and has won some major races throughout the world. His accomplishments no doubt rival those of his peers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christophe_Lemaire

With respect to Dosage, still got to give it a review. I do see that he possesses Dominant Classicity. Last I read from the connections of Battle of Midway, which was more than a week ago, back to SoCal, maybe for some much earned R and R. Likely that Derby took somethin' out of him.

He should make a nice run for sixth.

I figure he wires em', never looks back, goes unchallenged.

Lookin' forward to the Belmont Stakes.

[Robert Fischer]

I've got Epicharis at least as good as Thunder Snow, but also having the ability to translate his form to US racing (unlike Thunder Snow).

Maybe Thunder Snow's fresh flop will hold off the ridiculous underlay-money that comes pouring in on foreign hopes these days? Or maybe it will be worse with the Asian money?

Price will be important, as will the quality of field.
If Always Dreaming can do the relax-&-draw-off thing in the Preakness, he will be tough to beat in the Belmont, and Timeline may be the best classic distance runner 3yo since Arrogate.

[Blenheim]

Last race: RPR 114 = BSF 101

https://www.racingpost.com/profile/h...er-snow?authme

Click link, Epicharis in "Form".

~

Looking forward to watching Always Dreaming perform in the Preakness, I think he runs off with it. With respect to Timeline, last I read he is headed for the Haskell, although the Belmont is a possibility.

[depalma113]

Originally Posted by Blenheim

Last race: RPR 114 = BSF 101

https://www.racingpost.com/profile/h...er-snow?authme

Click link, Epicharis in "Form".

~

Looking forward to watching Always Dreaming perform in the Preakness, I think he runs off with it. With respect to Timeline, last I read he is headed for the Haskell, although the Belmont is a possibility.

They actually gave a BSF for the race and it was a 94.

[chiguy]

I predict he will buck several times out of the gate and be a non-factor

[handyman1968]

Is the English horse Lancaster Bomber running the Preakness on Sat? He'll be a very good guide on the Japanese horse as he finished 4th in the UAE derby. Lancaster Bomber also just ran the 2000 Guineas in a respectable 4th after shipping back from Dubai.

[letswastemoney]

Master Plan was 3rd in the UAE Derby, and 5th in the Peter Pan. His previous form before the UAE Derby isn't that inspiring either.

And people are high on the 1-2 UAE Derby runners?

[Kitan]

Originally Posted by Blenheim

Looking forward to reviewing his past performances.

If you've got the time, take a look at the videos of his races; this is a formidable colt. With respect to the jockey and his familiarity w/the track, can't argue w/that. However, Lemaire does have a world of experience and has won some major races throughout the world. His accomplishments no doubt rival those of his peers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christophe_Lemaire

With respect to Dosage, still got to give it a review. I do see that he possesses Dominant Classicity. Last I read from the connections of Battle of Midway, which was more than a week ago, back to SoCal, maybe for some much earned R and R. Likely that Derby took somethin' out of him.

I figure he wires em', never looks back, goes unchallenged.

Lookin' forward to the Belmont Stakes.

Absolutely, Lemaire is a class jockey and the long, sweeping turn is something he's experienced time and again at Tokyo racecourse.

Here is a (zoomed-in) close-up I took of Epicharis in the paddock before the Hyacinth Stakes.



He had a great stalking trip that day so I don't think he needs to wire them (it was mentioned after the UAE Derby that he ran incredibly brave on the front where he didn't need to be). On the other hand he did have a perfect trip (won with relative ease), ran 2.7sec slower than the older runners two races later (G1 milers, he's a distance horse), and the second place horse flopped in Dubai (although he is a confirmed front runner and couldn't cross from post 16).

When the Japanese have hype around their runners they're usually right. For example, there was no hype with Lani with respect to his ability, and with Epicharis they believe they have something good.

[Blenheim]

Originally Posted by Kitan

Absolutely, Lemaire is a class jockey and the long, sweeping turn is something he's experienced time and again at Tokyo racecourse.

Here is a (zoomed-in) close-up I took of Epicharis in the paddock before the Hyacinth Stakes.



He had a great stalking trip that day so I don't think he needs to wire them (it was mentioned after the UAE Derby that he ran incredibly brave on the front where he didn't need to be). On the other hand he did have a perfect trip (won with relative ease), ran 2.7sec slower than the older runners two races later (G1 milers, he's a distance horse), and the second place horse flopped in Dubai (although he is a confirmed front runner and couldn't cross from post 16).

When the Japanese have hype around their runners they're usually right. For example, there was no hype with Lani with respect to his ability, and with Epicharis they believe they have something good.

Thanks Kitan, nice photo. Looks like a distance horse to me - 16 hands, well balanced horizontally, nice muscling at the stifle; appears composed - reminds me of Tonalist.

Kitan, I've been trying to find information on what Epicharis has been doing since his last race. I haven't been able to find any information. I've reviewed his past performances and I don't see any information on workouts. Do you have any information on his workouts or what he has been doing since his last race?

Thanks,

[handyman1968]

My guess is he's running the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) next Saturday (Sunday Japan time), not sure so might not be able to make it to Belmont with a 2 week turnaround. Too much money in Japan for them to worry about American races. Japanese are only obsessed with the Arc.

[Kitan]

Originally Posted by handyman1968

My guess is he's running the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) next Saturday (Sunday Japan time), not sure so might not be able to make it to Belmont with a 2 week turnaround. Too much money in Japan for them to worry about American races. Japanese are only obsessed with the Arc.

He has never run on turf and is not even nominated.

[Hoops McCann]

i like his chances but will probably not be a good value.