Spotlight Race-Pennsylvania

After a couple of weeks off, the Spotlight race returns to the BTB.  For new readers, the Spotlight race draws focus to non-stake races.  Many owners and new players do not have horses that qualify for the high level races which get much of the horse race coverage.   The Spotlight race feature gives all owner’s an equal chance to see their horse covered In a BTB article.

This week’s feature is the fourth race in Pennsylvania.  The race is a claiming event with a tag of $2,500.  It will be run on a fast dirt track going a distance of one mile.  Fillies and mares are eligible for the race as long as they are of the age of 4 or older and also are non-winners of two races lifetime.

1.  Zensational Miss  7-2

Broke maiden going mile last October at this track.  Since this race, has competed a handful of time in various allowance conditions finishing well off the board.  Despite this, hit career best speed of 86 last month over mile.  Takes sharp drop in class and gets Piotrowski who has only win with this horse.  Could return to winner’s circle, however, returns to dirt for first time in nearly 2 years.

2.  PJ Royal Gamble  5-1

Lightly raced 7-year old returned to track after a 3-year layoff back in March.   In April, she showed late closing ability when finishing fourth, just under 2-strides behind the winner, and scoring a speed of 85, her second highest career speed.  Finished third in last start, but was not to inspiring finishing 9-back but at 11f which may have been too long.  Drops back to more competitive level and could factor in with late speed.

3.  Vyvyan’s Soldier   9-1

This gal has early speed and could cut the early fractions in this race but there are a few problems.  First, the speed rarely lasts as she’s been on board 5 of 19 starts.  And then there is her dirt record where she’s been off the board in five starts, never finishing closer than 10 strides off the winner.  She performs much better on the grass than the dirt and her only career win came when she was held off the lead.   Getting this girl to stay off the lead could be beneficial.

4.  Natasha Eyes   14-1

Hard to tell what is going on with this gal.  She’s been on the board twice in 20 starts with a maiden win last fall.  She’s been tested in sprints and short routes with little to show.  Speeds have been in 60-70 range.    Doesn’t look competitive on paper with this group.  Only thing I see that hasn’t been tried is the long routes, however, I don’t see that it would change this one’s performance.

5.  Southern Pine  5-1

This 4-year old is seldomly raced and has been on the board 4 of 9 starts.  She has two races this year, the first in February where she pressured the leader early before tailing way back, however, hit a speed of 81.   The other race came last week and she went 9f with speed of 71 and was never a serious factor in the race.   She returns with one week of rest which always concerns me.  Many times a horse will improve their speed number on the second race back after a sizeable rest, which is the conditions set here.   Still, I think she will improve with the speed number, but will it be enough to gain the win?

6.  Offtherocker   2-1

This late closing filly looks to be in the right spot this week.  She has averaged a speed of 84 over her last three starts and has hit the board 5 of 10 dirt races.  She’s never gone longer than 9f and I would not be surprised if she finds success at longer distances.   She has raced 4 times on the dirt at a mile distance and hit board once which needs to be considered when wagering.

7.   Paulse   6-1

Hit top speed of 83 back in January going a mile and finishing third, two strides behind the winner.  Speed numbers dropped in pair of races after this race which resulted in this girl being sidelined.  She returns after a three month layoff and could be a bit rusty.  She drops in the claiming ranks which could work to her benefit, however, looks like she will need a race or two to get things going again.

8.  Blues Idol   21-1

At first glance, this horse looks like she may be an under-play hitting the board 12 of 16 dirt races.  Digging deeper, every time she has hit the board it has been against a field of 5 or fewer.  She has hit the board only once in fields of 6 or more and her speeds rarely break into the 70-level.   The smaller fields are much better for her and she’s overmatched here.

9.  Reasons   35-1

This mare has five career races, all of them coming in under 2-months.   Her best speed came in her first race where she won a maiden event with a speed of 75.   The aggressive racing has resulted in a drop of speed numbers and she comes into this race with only 2 weeks rest.  She performs best at distances of about a mile, but the lack of adequate rest will continue to work against her.

My top pick is with Zensational Miss.  She’s dropping into a level that is much more fitting for her.

Offtherocker gets second pick as speed numbers have been much better than the competition in this field.

PJ Royal Gamble could get a piece if the late speed kicks in.