Fightening Ride for Spotlight
Before I get to the adventures in getting to the track, first a recap from last week, which was E-Z pickings in the Spotlight race involving a short field of 4 in a local bred claiming race. Heavy favorite Alu had everything his way, strutting off with a 7-length victory and paying $2.20 as the E-Z top choice of mine.
Linda’s Pages went off at 9-1 and ran second the entire race as my second choice, cashing in on an E-Z exacta that paid a cheap $5.00. My third pick was Ranger Walker who was third best, completing an E-Z trifecta selection that paid an unimpressive $8.60.
So this week I head off to Maryland with the Spotlight, since this is where the second leg of the Triple Crown is being held. I booked a room at a relatively close hotel…one with discounted room rates. It was a good 10 miles or so away from the race track and little did I know there were several other BTB reporters looking to save a buck and staying at the same hotel!
The thrifty people that we are, we decide to share the cab fare and travel together to the track. It’s a terrific idea as it saves us lots of money that would be more worthwhile to bet on a race or two. The cab pulls up and Itch wants to grab the “gunshot” seat and hops in the cab before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Emmyrhys, Spinround and myself looked at each other in disbelieve and shuffle into the backseat. After getting a whiff of the driver, we weren’t too upset that Itch got the front seat.
It was one heck of a ride to the track. I swear there were moments where the cabbie only had two tires touching the road. At one point, Emmy leaned over to me and whispered “He’s going 100 mph and the needle is still going upward”. I grasped the Spotlight tightly that rested in my lap. Spinround’s eyes were rolling all over the place. Somehow, we got to the track in record time. The fare came to $40 so we each put up $10 each and Itch said “Don’t worry guys, I got the tip covered”. As we eased our way out of the cab, Spinround dropped and kissed the ground saying “There is a God!!!!”
Looking back, I saw Itch giving the tip to the driver. “Inside tip for ya…..Ras El Hanout to win!” Damn, that Itch knows how to save a buck. The cabbie gave him the #1 sign as he drove off.
Now off to this week’s Spotlight race….the third race on the card which is an open allowance race. It is a dirt race for horses 4 and up going a distance of a mile and a sixteenth.
1. Isle of Wight 3-1
Picked up fairly easy win in last with speed of 99, drawing off by 2 strides. Scored speed of 106 in prior race, which is fastest over past 12 months when finishing third with strong close. Has won back-to-back races only once and that came in 2009. Gonna be tough to repeat but could be factor in exotics.
2. Atlanticism 4-1
Since March, 2011, this guy hasn’t finished worse than third. It should be noted that many of these races were in fields of 5 or less in Massachusetts and in owner bid races. However, he can hit speeds in the 100’s, recently hitting 107 in March, 2012 while finishing third in a larger field of 13. He also finished second in last going against a field of 9 with speed of 101 showing that he can be competitive in larger fields. One to keep an eye on.
3. Validate 5-1
A hot/cold horse since switching barns at the end of October. Every other race has been a strong race, at least speed-wise. In December, picked up a win with 107 speed. Two races later was fourth with speed of 103. Two races after that, scored 107 speed in March snagging another victory. Guess what…it’s two races later and time for another big run!
4. Iron Campaign 99-1
Overmatched in this race. Hasn’t been on board since 2009 and has two wins in 36 lifetime starts. Speeds have been in 60’s range over last four. Hard one to figure out if anything will work for this horse. This race does not look likely for him.
5. Missle Seeker 99-1
9-year old colt who has passed his prime. Since August last year, his speeds have slipped from the 90’s through the 80’s and now bounce around in the 60 to 70 range. One time capable of pulling off speeds in the 100-range, those days look to be long gone. This race will probably hit a speed above 100 and it’s not likely this guy has one left in him.
6. Amywhatchagonnado 99-1
Rare to find a horse sired by Unbridled’s Song that doesn’t pan out, but this horse happens to be one. He has one win in 66 starts and on the board only four times. Speeds have been below 70 all year long and doesn’t look to be any kind of threat here. Might find some luck in the breeding area with this guy.
7. Deadly Wolf 8-5
Very hot horse of late with speeds of 112 in two of last four starts and four of last five have speeds of 100 or higher. Additionally, has won 3 of these five starts. Could be moving up to stake level with continuance of high speed numbers. Dangerous in this field.
8. Ooh Piece of Candy 5-2
Has been on board 12 of 16 starts with the only failures coming in graded races. Five of last six starts were between 104 and 107 in speed ratings. Contender in this race and shouldn’t be overlooked.
No speed in this race and I think Deadly Wolf may be sent out to the front. Thus I’m going with Ooh Piece of Candy to catch him as my top pick and giving Deadly Wolf the second spot. Validate is scheduled to put in a big run this race and gets my third selection.