Smokey Stover VS Fabulous Stirke
 

That should make a very exciting and interesting match-up to cap off the Summit of Speed Card at Calder in a couple weeks...and with Smokey Stover working today and according to what I've read over at DRF....it seems likes its on.

Fabulous Strike has as much to prove as any other top horse in the country. He's simply the fastest horse in the entire country, at any distance, on any surface, on everyones speed figures. However, he's had one candy trip after another....and must prove he can sustain the form of his last several races when he finally faces intense early pressure.

Smokey Stover was long-time the most underrated sprinter in the entire country...his string of consecutive races with a big and authentic excuse, was even longer the string of soft trip victories FS has going for him now. Ever since he's been allowed to face tougher horses in major sprint stakes, all those excuses have gone away, and he's simply dominated the better competiton.

However, he's 3-for-3 lifetime in major sprint stakes, but all three wins coming while drawn outside. His incredible string of horrible trips often started with him breaking slugglishly from an inside post....and finding his way into big trouble.

I would love to see Smokey Stover draw an inside post....and Fabulous Strike get hooked through fast fractions early---if it plays out like that, we will surely find out who the best sprinter in the country really is....unless they both get beat. And, if that's the case, we'll know we have two sprinters who are nothing short of monsterous when they get their trip and don't have to face a lot of adversity...but also very vulnerable when circumstances don't play to their favor.

I cannot wait...I thought Smokey to be a clear single in the Smile, that was until you just dropped Fab Strike on me...Awesome, a much anticipated 6 furlong test.

Just incase anyone want to check this out.....

On Smokey. :)

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_6184201

I can't remember the last time that I was so much anticipating a sprint race.
Would love to see FS put to a real test through demanding fractions.
boy did calder ever make out with this match-up, they should be able to promote the hell out of this. clearly the cream of the sprint division.

the Summit of Speed card has always had some premier horses. I can remember Madcap Escapade, Lost in the Fog, Pomeroy, Woke Up Dreamin. I am looking forward to seeing Fab Strike this year

I'm going down to Calder for this... I can't wait to see Smokey Stover!

How has Smokey Stover done away from California (i.e. without race day Bute)? Fabulous Strike is due to face some adverse circumstances eventually. I hope there's a viable third candidate because that's where the value would be.

We'll have to see who enters before we can see what kind of pace there is in there, but it'll take a lot to hook Fabulous Strike. Of those pointing to the race, is there anyone who can potentially keep up for more than 3 furlongs and press him to the stretch at least?

Considering how slowly he went early last time, I believe there are other horses who can definitely run with him for 3 furlongs. They probably won't be around at the end but :22 3/10 for the opening quarter of a 6f race at CD is like going :23 2/5 for the first quarter in a Belmont sprint.

FS was an absolute beast the last time out. He came home in 1:07:64 under a hand ride, just missing the track record by a click. He probably doesn't come out the gate the fastest at Calder so post position will be important. If he draws outside, look out. With everyone watching this race, this could be his coming out party. It should be a fun race to watch.

In all fairness to the horse, Churchill NEVER has to play second fiddle to Calder. I would say his last race (even with the perfect trip) was his coming out party.

If I remember he ran 107 and change at Churchhill. He has nothing left to prove to me. That win validated what a superior sprinter he is. having said that I can't wait for him to take on Smokey Stover. If he wins that race the naysayers will gone and would love to see him pointed for the Breeders Cup Sprint.

My fav. sprinter in the last several years was Champ Ali, and the Smile was a great race for him. He was just a game horse. Hope his babies have half his heart.

Mach Ride won the Calder prep for the Smile last Saturday on the front, going 21.49, 44.20, 56.75 1:10.16. He beat nothing but did show pretty good foot from an inside post. I'd expect him to go in the Smile.

that lightly regarded asmussen horse went in 108 flat last race , the main difference was the way they did FS-easily,within himself , 2ndHorse-tounge out all out,no chance...

Everyone is saying the first quarter was so slow in churchill, maybe, however it has been a while since anyone out-broke a clean breaking Fabulous Strike. I see that as one of his strengths and he has the ability to dominate in gate-speed and dictate the race up until he reaches his distance limitations (which may be beyond 6furlongs...). In other words I don't recommend over-analysing first fraction velocities without seeing that the horse is one of the top run up horses in the biz. Only a kamikazee cheaper horse or a rabbit for another contender will break with FS (assuming he runs his race).

FS should win here with his A-game. I would like to see someone challenge him early and someone run a big one to make it a worthwhile prep.

Im expecting an OTB by Fabulous Strike

the Smile is a pretty prestigious race to win for a SPRINTER. ( Champali, Shake you Down, Orientate, Cajun Beat, etc. )

In fact the $150,000 Aristides Breeders’ Cup (G3) is considered a PREP for the $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G2)

Last year's Aristiades had not only Lost in the Fog but Kelly's Landing, who would go on to win the Dubai Sprint back in March. Yet that race is graded below a race like the Prioress, which has been no better than Grade 3 worthy, if that, for the past 3 years. My point? I don't put much stock into the designations, especially when I know the speed figures say otherwise. The Summit of Speed cards have been excellent, no question, but I was responding to a comment that running at Crc would be FS's "coming out party" when in fact, that was in the Aristiades, a very legitimate race in its own right.

"He's simply the fastest horse in the entire country, at any distance."


Drugs, come on, do U really think F.S. could beat Invasor @ 10 furlongs? If U do your nowhere near as sharp as i thought U were.

You used half of my quote!

I wrote "He's simply the fastest horse in the entire country, at any distance, on any surface, on everyones speed figures."

By that, I clearly mean, no matter whos speed figures you use, they are higher than those of any horse in the country....not just dirt sprinters.

It takes a pretty good imagination to translate that into me saying he would defeat Invasor going 10 furlongs.