Suntracer, Team Block Seek Revenge
One of the more exciting storylines of the International Festival of Racing at Arlington International Racecourse this weekend is the rematch of Team Block’s Suntracer and his conqueror in last year’s Listed $400,000 American St. Leger, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Dandino. After looking briefly like a winner at the eighth-pole in 2013, Suntracer was inhaled by a freshly freed Dandino in the final yards. The race was especially reminiscent of the year prior when Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Jakkalberry caught and out-battled Team Block’s Ioya Bigtime in the final furlong in the inaugural running of the event.
“He’s training really good,” trainer Chris Block said of Suntracer. “Since the (Grade III) Stars and Stripes (on July 12), he’s probably come out of it better than I’ve seen him come out of most races. He was training really well going into that and has continued on since. He’s kind of hit his point where he carries his weight and his flesh really good. Races don’t take much out of him, if at all, and he carries it on from there.”
Block is leaving little to chance in his third attempt to beat the Down Under invaders – even hiring America’s leading jockey in purses earned, Javier Castellano. “I’ll leave (the ride) strictly up to Javier. I don’t want to give any instructions and that’s why I got him on (Suntracer). I’m just going to tell him that this horse runs really well with one big punch and if you put him in the clear and find your spot, the horse will do the rest.”
Though he knows Dandino is the horse to beat, Block keeps his focus solely on his charge. “To be honest with you, I haven’t really looked at the race. I have come to the point now in my career here where I don’t fear the opposition because I can’t change what’s there. I know what my horse can do and I feel confident in him, so I feel that he’s going to run really well.”
The connections of Dandino, on the other hand, are keenly aware of the opposition.
“Obviously last year’s second, Suntracer, is the one to watch,” said assistant trainer Lucie Botti. “Also, I do like all three of the European runners, as well. It’s very open. We were honestly hoping for an easier task, but (Dandino) is a good horse. We will need a little bit of luck, of course.”
Though the son of Dansili had a phenomenal season in 2013 after winning the American St. Leger, including a good fifth as the second choice in the world’s most prestigious marathon – the Group I Melbourne Cup – his 2014 season has commenced with two dull efforts.
“He has different form behind him this year – he had a setback last winter – and being an older horse, he needs more conditioning,” Botti continued. “But, he’s been very pleasing at home and worked very well in his last work on Saturday. We are really happy with him.”
In what will be only his third start of 2014, Dandino is in prime shape to return to form in what looks to be an exciting and complex renewal of the marathon fixture. If so, it could set the stage for an epic third battle between the green and gold blocks of Team Block and the yellow with blue seems of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock down the Arlington stretch.