Spotlight Race-Texas

Last week was Derby week, and the Spotlight focused on an allowance race in Kentucky.   Giant Tears, who was my second choice, stalked the pace setter and was able to pounce in the late stages of the race and brought home the win and paid $9.60.

Pacesetter Closer Tothe Heart could not hold on, but was second best and paid a very nice $57.30 in the exacta.

The favorite, and incidentally my top choice, Kernstown was an unimposing third and part of a $167.10 trifecta.   My third selection was My Charming Maria, a resident horse in Kentucky who failed to show any flair and finished sixth.

It doesn’t happen often, but once in a while the Spotlight finds a very small field to focus upon.  This week it’s the first race on the card in Texas.  This is a race for local bred horses and is open to all horses age 3 and up.  It is a claiming race with a tag of $15k and will go a mile on a sloppy track.   The race is restricted to non-winners of 2 races.

1.   Ranger Walker   9-1

Tried turf in last start back in February with disappointing results.  Speeds on dirt have been in 50-low 60 range.  Broke maiden with career-best speed of 79 last summer at 7.5 furlongs.  Has one start on sloppy track, which he hated very much.  Speed numbers and poor slop performance don’t look to make a winner in this race.

2.  Linda’s Pages    9-1

Broke maiden over this track in early March at 4.5f, however, followed up with poor finish at 8.5f although was grossly over-matched and showed improvement with speed number increasing from 63 to 70.   Not the best in field, but if top one falters, this one will have opportunity.

3.  Alu   1-9

Favorite looks to have golden opportunity in this field.  Speeds dominate opposition in this field, ranging from upper 70’s to low 80’s.   Takes drop in claim level and is well placed to pick up the win here.  It’s all his for the taking.

4.  Uncle Rumble    12-1

Ten year old horse who honestly has little to offer.  On the board twice in 35 career starts and those two times happened back in 2006.  Speeds have ranged from 50 to 65 throughout 6 races this season.  Has been in very large fields throughout entire racing career.  First time he’s got into a mega-short field.   Maybe he’ll find the small field less intimidating then the larger one’s he’s been racing in.

Alu is obvious choice here.  Linda’s Pages looks to be second best in field to me with Ranger Walker getting the show spot.   Don’t expect to collect much at the window, but collecting is better than tearing up the ticket.