Six Fight For the Republic
Spring is in the air, and turf routes abound this time of year. So, despite a rich $500,000 purse and grade 2 credentials, the Italian racecourse was only able to attract a field of six to contest the Delta Republic. Still, it is a good field, and a case can be made for almost any of the bunch to win.
Rain Forest Flyer has been knocking on the door in his last two starts, finishing second both times in graded stakes competition for intheslop. Ironically, the colt seems to do his best going over the sloppy going, with his best speed figures coming over ground that has a bit of give to it. The course is decidedly firm today, but the Flyer is on a bit of a roll, form wise, so it may not matter. Consistently running above the 100 SF barrier, the 5yo could be around again at the end of this one.
The Queensland residency invades with gunsynd’s (better known as Bigkev and bjbandit) Royal Flair. The ghostly gray returns to stakes competition after a confidence building score in an open allowance, posting a 104 SF in the process. The son of Danehill Dancer finished ahead of Rain Forest Flyer at the end of last year in the Galaxian S-G3 and seems to be rounding back into form, which makes him a legitimate threat here.
Maxv1763 sends Arundel Castle into the fray. Like several of the others in this field, the Dylan Thomas colt has been picking up minor prizes, but hasn’t won since last fall. Still, there have been some tough beats along the way, including a third place effort in a listed 10 furlong stakes (112 SF) two starts back. Serious contender, could become his dam’s second stakes winner Saturday with a repeat effort.
The Blazing Saddles residency is also represented in this race, with Magoo Lodge’s Wings of Namibia. The Cape Cross colt has done his best running at a flat mile, where he won the Rennen Mile-G2 last year (113 SF), and hasn’t shown much in his three tries at longer than nine panels, with two thirds in allowance company and an off the board finish against stakes competition to show for it. Hasn’t been right since he pulled up lame in the King Kong Mile-G1, and this seems an ambitious spot in which to turn things around. Still, has backclass, even if the distance doesn’t appear to be his best.
Mirasol has Renegade Warrior, who has been fairly versatile, competing from six to ten furlongs. The grey’s last effort was a bit worrisome, a dull eighth in the Good Day-G1, but faces easier here, and prior to that was a good second in the Jennifer Connley-G2 (106 SF) and third in the National S-G3 (108 SF). If can return to that form, the son of Giant’s Causeway is one to watch for in the stretch.
Frisco is another one looking to get back on track. The second son of Dylan Thomas in the field, the colt was in great form at the end of last year, but is looking for a breather after two tough starts – including an eighth with a 104 SF last out. He ended his sophomore campaign with a listed stakes win (107 SF), and followed that up with a fourth in the Marcos Footwear-G2 at this distance (111 SF). On speed figures definitely belongs, and is yet another from Brabant’s foundation broodmare, Brabata. In addition to Frisco, she has produced multiple graded stakes winner Brabasong, who has produced Fatima, third in last year’s Breeders’ Bowl Filly and Mare Turf-G1.
Good luck to all the starters and their connections!