BC Marathon: Anything Can Happen

The saying goes in racing, "You have to be in it to win it," and that's what I'm doing with Light Green (V) in the BC Marathon. It’s definitely a stab of sorts but he had the points with second place finishes in the All American Handicap (gr. III) at Golden Gate and the Premiers (gr. III) at Hastings. Besides being Breeder's Cup nominated resulted in no further entry fees, so why not take a shot? Anyone else would.

While not exactly the same caliber of claimer such as Liz Miz (V) and Market Reversal (V) both of whom are running against Princess Azula (V) in the Filly and Mare Turf, Light Green has done pretty well since I decided to switch him from sprinting to routing. He did exceptionally well in the All American, but goofed in the Premiers moving too early and giving about 90 feet to the winner because he traveled wide the entire way.

The BC Marathon is comprised of a lot of second string horses since the best went for the Classic. The favorite will likely be Pumpillian (V) who has won his last six in a row. He's familiar with the mile and a half from the Fall Championship (gr. III) at Turfway which was in a "Win and You're in" for the division.

Raindancing (V) would make a suitable second choice and rightfully so after his Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia back in July. It was a divisional "Win and You're in" as well and the final time was respectable enough. Raindancing came back for the Pacific Classic (gr. I) and finished a well beaten fourth but he was going up the very best. Since this is a second string crew he should have a much easier time of it.

Shoulder Wheel (V) finishes out the top three with his win in the Premiers (gr. III) but he did have a huge weight advantage which disappears now and is replaced with 121 pounds. Last time Shoulder Wheel carried that much weight he finished the last of seven in the $50 Horizon Stakes at River Downs. With this in mind I think Light Green can turn the tables on him this time and could very well finish a respectable third in the Marathon. Anything better will just be luck. But then again consider Giacomo and Mine That Bird. Neither shied away from their races, even when 50-1.

Perseverance!