Spotlight Race-Washington
Last week was a tough field to handicap as an older group of 4 and over competed in a maiden special weight race. Many in the field raced frequently, more often then I care for so I went with those that seemed to have decent rest. My top pick Pennachio tanked and finished a well-back fourth. My second choice, My Own Jules cut all the fractions and got caught at the wire, beaten by a quarter length and finished third. 13-1 Stampcity was my third choice and he showed no competitiveness at all, finishing well off the board.
Ok, we know who finished second but who won? That went to A Phoo Bet who pressured the leader throughout the race and took over in the late stages paying $19.30 for the win and connecting in a $52.10 exacta. Immediately after the race, A Phoo Bet was retired and bred over.
Salty Pleasure got the third spot, not tiring as badly as others, but well behind the top two, capping off a trifecta that paid $133.90.
This week, Washington is the site of the Spotlight race with a focus on the first race, a Local Bred Race. Just like last week, we are looking at a wet track. The race is a $5,000 claimer open to all 3 year olds and up, going a distance of a mile on a sloppy dirt track.
1. Stone Cat 5-2 -Best speeds have come at mile distance. Returns to mile after trying sprints and turf. This will be first start on off-track so performance is an unknown on messy surface. However, making the move to a mile sure looks like a good move.
2. Can’t Be Sanbec 83-1 -Speeds have been way below others in this race. Drops back to claimers, which is better fit. Comes back to dirt and mile where best speed was established. Doesn’t look like much on paper but is making second start back after significant race and may like the mud.
3. Nacho Chachin 9-1 – Horse took nice rest between November and beginning of February and put in decent 2nd in turf claimer and speed of 76. Returned last week and overmatched in allowance, but big drop in speed to 67. Returns to dirt with one week of rest which concerns me with his readiness. He has done fairly well on off-track with a third and fourth.
4. Beaver Country 9-1 – 3-year old with decent 2-0-2 record in 6 starts. Has improved speed number to 80 over last three races. Had tough time in allowance back in September going mile. Big drop to low claimers here from allowance and has a win on off track. Bears watching.
5. Billings Bad Boy 10-1 – On the board 12 times in 14 races, but has never been in field over 6 runners before. On the board three times on off-track, again misleading with small fields. Drops out of allowance local breds to the claiming ranks, a level where he has picked up his two career wins. Will be tested here.
6. Otto B 5-1 – Makes return after a 2-month layoff. May be a bit rusty and need this race to get into swing of things, which could make him dangerous next time out. Has one win going route in 22 starts, but 7 seconds. Was running speeds in upper 70’s before rest break and could get piece of the pie. Has a second on off track in two outings.
7. Mah Chachin 14-1 – Returns to dirt after pair of runs on turf where he earned a win. Has had mixed results on dirt and from the standpoint of speeds, they are looking better on the turf. Never raced on an off track and if he finds a liking to it, he could turn an upset. This is first race back since August and most likely will see this race as a tune-up for him.
8. Awesome Rahy 31-1 – Horse has had hard time breaking through 70-speed level, putting him at disadvantage. Looks to be at proper level but may not like the rain. He tried the wet turf surface in last start and results were not good. My thoughts are that the sloppy dirt track won’t work to his benefit either.
9. Local Mi 6-5 – Has been popping speeds of mid to upper 80’s lately which has come on the turf. Returns to dirt for first time since September, where speeds were lower, but in sprints. Has one race on sloppy track which he won with speed of 85 last June, and that came on this very track. Capable of cursing here.
The favorite Local Mi looks very good here and gets 30% winning jockey Radzinski aboard. This race is his if he wants it.
Beaver Country has been showing improvement in speed over recent races. Gets a good jockey in Simien who has won 25% of starts this year. Nice payoff could be coming from this one.
Stone Cat keeps showing that he likes the mile distance. He’s set up well here and as long as the wet track doesn’t bother him, he should score a spot on the board.