To the State of Georgia We Go
And its to the state of Georgia we arrive for the Sanders Stakes Grade II over a mile and one eighth. 4yo and up for a purse of $225,000 – omg I forgot. Happy New Year to all you punters, trainers and even the horses running today. As well as the ladies and gentlemen and all you kids ready for another great day of racing. And this is a big race no doubt about it. Grade II level means we have some big names here in both horses and trainers.
1 DANISHA(ENG)
Owner: paceman2
Record: 19-6-4-1
Earnings: $316,285
Jockey: R Wisniewski
Odds: 12/1
One look at the record of this colt and you think he is in over his head here. Having trialled recently in the last four months at G1 and G2 level and failed running at best ninth in the G2 Chief Snow Handicap he is going to struggle here. Has performed well at Allownance level in his last two races with a win and a second place. Best speed in the last six months is 105. Of course that accounts for his longer odds on the tote here. Might be better placed at Stakes level first to make the step up.
2 KALEIDESCOPE EYES(KY)
Owner: derbybound
Record: 23-7-7-2
Earnings: $406,590
Jockey: D Post
Odds: 9/2
This one has been performing very consistently of late with his best results a win in the G3 Amerika Stakes over 8.5 furlongs, a second in the G1 Eddie O Cap over 9 furlongs and a third in the G3 Brown Fields Handicap over 9 furlongs again. Is looking like he could handle an even longer distance with no problem although this is probably ok here. Still Id love to see him go the distance up and beyond 11 furlongs just to see what he brings out. Good consistent speeds too 100+. Is equal favourite on the tote and should be a good run for him today.
3 DUBAI ADVENTURE(ENG)
Owner: wee
Record: 20-5-3-3
Earnings: $147,882
Jockey: K Ostby
Odds: 21/1
This here is the longshot of the race and primarly because this is his Stakes debut. And why not straight into a Grade level race! Might as well make it hard hey. Likes the distance in fact loves it after coming off two wins last runs out at Allowance company. Best career speed is 104 and thats what he will need to run to challenge here. In fact I like this guy – repeat those runs and he could very well be in the top three here today. Might be a surprise runner and fantastic odds if you jump on him.
4 ROSSA’S SECRET(AUS)
Owner: sweetwhip
Record: 9-4-1-0
Earnings: $115,280
Jockey: R Jepson
Odds: 16/1
Aussie bred so this is the winner! Joking but I would love to see him win here. Another one of the longer shots on the tote he does look like a potential challenger. Take his run two runs back in an allowance race over 9 furlongs. Speed of 110 and totally blitzed the field. Last time out was his debut at Stakes level over 8 furlongs and he was closing finishing in fourth in that one. This is much harder but the extra distance will suit him I think. Another one that could surprise the favourites if he is on his game.
5 CONTROVERSIAL(KY)
Owner: super25
Record: 18-4-4-3
Earnings: $107,996
Jockey: P Brandon
Odds: 14/1
Not the favourite on the tote is coming off a fourth place finish in the Bird Seed Bonanza Stakes over 9.5 furlons. Was looking for a lot more distance in that race so I think this may be far too short for him. Looks like he wants a lot more to me. Ran a speed of 103 in that race but will need to start his run early to have any chance. Make sure the jockey knows that! More importantly make sure the jockey actually listens. Prior to his last race has three straight wins at allowance level so he knows the winning post – can he do it here though and surprise everyone?
6 ALBERTA DEHERE(KY)
Owner: backnine
Record: 11-5-3-1
Earnings: $136,401
Jockey: K Poole
Odds: 9/2
Relatively inexperienced compared to some of these runners here is the equal favourite of the race. Having run all of his early career on dirt was swapped over to turf only in late October last year. With amazing results. Three runs on turf to date with speeds of 110, 116 and 109 last time out. A win at allowance level, a win in the Major Actor Stakes and a fourth in the G2 NC Mile. He looks very very good against these here today and should be a win for him if he gets it all together here. He has done the last three times out on turf so no reason to think he won’t today. Big chance for the win.
7 SHIPPING NEWS(NY)
Owner: fireguy
Record: 28-8-4-5
Earnings: $279,672
Jockey: W Adams
Odds: 5/1
Making his move up to Grade level after a few good runs in his last few races particuarly at Stakes level where he finsihed second and third. Distance looks good in fact he could probably go longer even. Speeds all 100+ and looks in good form. Has to be there at the top three you would think. Out of Jade Hunter whose 2004 foals produced Grade winners but nothing since. This one looks like he could do it today.
8 UNGROOMED(IRE)
Owner: nofear
Record: 10-5-1-3
Earnings: $156,422
Jockey: V Shinkle
Odds: 16/1
After running very well and consistently too at Allowance level was given a chance at Stakes level in April last year (it is 2009 now isnt it? Happy new year by the way!)where he proceeded to fail miserably running seventh and some 20 lengths behind the winner. Thats a long way back. The trainer was ready to shoot him there and then but for some reason gave him a few more runs at allowance level where he came back with three wins and a second place. All speeds of 90 odd though so nothing fantastic really. Then last time out he was run in the G3 Panhandle Derby over 9 furlongs where he produced a magical speed of 108 and a third place finish and closing as he crossed. So what can he do here? Another run like that and he could finish in the top three. Darkhorse this one – might have to just back him.
9 STINK ONE(KY)
Owner: inzy4
Record: 19-7-7-1
Earnings: $261,420
Jockey: S Chung
Odds: 8/1
Good name or is it? This is another who could seriously challenge and at these odds well worth backing. Hasnt been able to perform yet at Grade level but has been spectactular and consistent at Stakes level. And right at this moment looks to be in very good form. Hasn’t raced since end of November so should be fresh for this one. The trainer will be hoping for a good result based on his last few runs and I dont blame him. Looks like he could do it here. 7 wins from only 19 outings is a good record and could add to that here.
10 THEATRICAL TRAILER(IRE)
Owner: coolk2
Record: 13-6-4-0
Earnings: $172,708
Jockey: C Snow
Odds: 8/1
Threatrical Trailer out of yep you guessed it Threatrical(IRE)! Interesting record this one – has done extremely well in allowance company – three wins in his last five allowance races. And then backed that up with a Stakes win in the King Thor Memorial over 9 furlongs with a speed of 111. Goes up another level in grade here but could prove himself well I think. If anyone is going to challenge the two favourites I think this is your horse. I’m going to put a big bet on this one.
11 BAGORED(FR)
Owner: zwhisper
Record: 25-5-7-3
Earnings: $241,386
Jockey: I Centers
Odds: 7/1
Got his last Stakes win back in May in the Reward Challenge Challenge Stakes. That’s not a double up by me that was the name of the race! Not only was it his last Stakes win but it was also his first win at that level. So although he has 5 wins only 1 is better than Allowance racing. He did run a good run last time in allowance over 8 furlongs for the win. But this is much harder and even though he has relatively good odds on the tote I think he may find this too hard.
12 PLEASANT EMBLEM(JPN)
Owner: koolaid
Record: 20-3-3-3
Earnings: $79,890
Jockey: F Head
Odds: 8/1
If this was an off track you would back this one as the favourite and you would probably make a big truckload of cash in doing so. Last run on an off track he ran a sensational 109 for a second place finish in the One Orbit Stakes over 9.5 furlongs. STill this isn’t an off track and based on his previous runs particularly at this level or higher he is going to find this very hard. Might surprise me but I doubt it.
And so to the all important question of who is going to win. I think this is actually going to be a very close race as there are a couple of proven champions here but there are also a lot of up and coming horses that LOOK ready to stake their claim. Well I actually have no idea who is going to win now after going through all those runners but my favourites are the following:
6 ALBERTA DEHERE(KY)
10 THEATRICAL TRAILER(IRE)
7 SHIPPING NEWS(NY)