Sha Tin Race Track honored with filly miler race (Written by Lebowski00)
The crowds have invaded Vermont! Traffic is backed up for miles! I have not seen such crowds in Vermont since the Grateful Dead played Highgate in 1995! Ben and Jerry’s are making a fortune on Ice Cream sales! Why have all these people from around the world invaded Vermont you might ask? Because the grand ‘ole Equinics are back, that’s why! The people have come from all over the globe to see the world’s finest racing. Next on the card is a big race folks! I mean a real hootenanny! Does anyone know how to say hootenanny in Mandarin? Well at any rate we have the filly and mares mile for four year olds and up, and it is dedicated to the wonderful Sha Tin track in Hong Kong. Hong Kongers are so excited about the race they have sent over a large contingency of race fans. The betting pools are fat for this one folks! A ruckus crowd that resembles more of a NFL game then a horse race is here. These Hong Kongers mean business and they are everywhere here donning EMPIRE HAACK shirts! That is a bit odd though as they never have had much of a liking for Japanese Stallions. You might have thought they would have backed PLAY DEAD ER or NAUGHTY BARONESS whose sire DANEHILL DANCER is quite a common site at Sha Tin. At any rate they love the EMPIRE. This is fast track Eddie reporting from Vermont and now let us take a look at the field!
1 – EMPIRE HAACK – 5/1
EMPIRE MAKER x PEINTRE CELEBRE (IRE) x FORTY NINER
Connections: Otto Haack Stables for Hispano Parlante
Jockey: O A Haack
Career 37-15-5-4 $1,469,545
She is a veteran who will not be using the rail to shoot to the front but rather will sit back and wait to make her move. Will she sit back deep and wait or just a couple lengths back? If she doesn’t fall too far back I think she contends in this one. She loves the distance and is coming off a solid third place finish in the grade two Bumblebee Classic. She will have the bettors on edge today.
Past Peformances
06/09/12 NJ F-3yo+
05/01/12 WY F-4yo+ D-fst 8 A-10700NW1s 1:34 2/5 109
03/31/12 VT F-4yo+
02/18/12 DC F-3yo+ D-fst 8.5 A-9900NW3s
2- DATE WITH MEL MEL – 99/1
HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x KINGMAMBO x CAERLEON
Connections: Toplight Stables for Saltire Racing
Jockey: D Fendlay
Career 5-1-0-2 $9,032
It can be tough to break through into the Equinics first time around. This new comer has only five career starts and she is here for the experience. She is a very promising filly that should one day do quite well.
06/30/12 DC F-5yo+ D-fst 16 A-9900NW1x
05/26/12 OK F-5yo+ D-fst 10 A-18500NW3n 2:03
03/31/12 IL
3-STRASS HAVEN – 11/1
MONTJEU (IRE) x KINGMAMBO x A.P. INDY
Connections: Strathaven Stables for Y.O.S.S Tools
Jockey: O Matthews
Career 28-9-8-4 $286,405
There could be more than meets the eye with this one. She is dominating allowances but has little experience in graded competition. If we look at her 2011 though she did do quite nicely finishing fourth in a mile and a half grade two race. She seems to always be competitive and she has outstanding closing speed. If she gets the right trip this distance may be perfect for her. Her last mile race is very interesting.
Past Performances
07/14/12 MO F-4yo+ D-fst 8.5 A-Open Allowance
06/16/12 WV F-4yo+ D-fst 8 A-46200NW2y 1:34 2/5 108
05/19/12 DE F-4yo+ D-fst 9 A-Open Allowance 1:48 2/5
4-SPENDING LIMIT – 14/1
BERNARDINI x DIXIELAND BAND x MR. PROSPECTOR
Connections: Otis Taylor Stables for Blazing Saddles
Jockey: N Lawton
Career 26-7-11-0 $273,466
Great recent form with a nice mile stakes win last time out. Showed excellent speed in a recent grade three before losing narrowly at the end. This BERNARDINI filly may be peaking and has recently shown she can hang with high quality competition. Her history says she likes the lead but her 70’s start speeds mean that may be unlikely. She has had a start speed in the 90’s before though. It will be interesting to see what tactics she goes with since there isn’t too much top end early speed but plenty of 70ish start speed in this race.
Past Performances
06/30/12 WV F-4yo+ D-fst 8 St-Admiral’s Projects Dirt Mare Mile 1:35 103
05/12/12 IA
04/03/12 KY F-3yo+
02/11/12 VA F-5yo+
5-SUPER DARING – 10/1
TIZNOW x FORTY NINER x SEATTLE SLEW
Connections: Super Stables for Delpenn National
Jockey: R Whisper
Career 24-10-3-1$469,440
If she can regain form she can win this race. Will she return to her glory of April when she won a grade three mile handily with a 112 speed? She loves the mile and has a history of putting up big speeds. If the pace is fast early she will need to be careful not to tire herself out like in she did in the Bumblebee Classic.
Past Performances
06/09/12 NJ F-3yo+
05/19/12 NY F-3yo+
04/21/12 BC F-3yo+ D-fst 8 G3-Boquet o’ Daisies Stakes 1:34 112 1st of 8 A Rolling up Lead Between Calls, Handily
03/31/12 WY F-4yo+ D-fst 8.5 St-Exclusive Bottle Dirt Mare Memorial 1:42 2/5 102
6-WIKIPEDIA
A.P. INDY x SPEIGHTSTOWN x DEPUTY MINISTER
Connections: Lilbitfarm’s for Pastures of Green
Jockey: W McClendon
Career 37-13-8-8 $851,997
This girl has shown fight as when she out dueled a tight finish to win the grade three Dirty Dirty Dish Rag. In that race she showed she can really battle to win if the trip is right. She will need a good trip to win in this race as she can get caught in a crowd if not careful. Recent form is not good but she can be a factor.
Past Performances
06/30/12 TX F-4yo+
06/09/12 NJ F-3yo+
05/12/12 IA
04/07/12 IA
7-NAVIGATE – 18/1
DYNAFORMER x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x A.P. INDY
Connections: East Coast Reins for Empire State Racing
Jockey: A Rolling
Career 19-7-3-4 $217,076
Just look at this fillies race descriptions and you will see why I have her winning this race. If she gets a good trip I think she will win this race. She showed in the Bumblebee that she can take the favorite EMPIRE HAACK and several of today’s entries for that matter. She has the best late kick, and will sit way back clear of trouble much like the super star of Hong Kong always did who goes by the name of GOOD BABA. I love this gal and would love to be her owner. What a filly that is right in her prime. Big time stretch runner that should love this race.
06/09/12 NJ F-3yo+
05/12/12 GA F-4yo+ D-fst 8 A-46200NW2s 1:34 1/5 110
04/14/12 KS F-4yo+
02/03/12 AK F-4yo+
8-CELEBRE NET – 21/1
HUSSONET x ESSENCE OF DUBAI x PEINTRE CELEBRE (IRE)
Connections: Shagadelic Farms for MIDAS
Jockey: N Linville
Career 27-8-5-3 $110,619
May very well be your pace setter in this one. She can get off to a quick start but will likely tire as this race progresses. She will need a break out performance to do well here. She has been consistent about coming in the money and she may be able to hold off long enough to do well.
06/16/12 IN
05/19/12 MA F-4yo+ D-fst 6 S-20000 1:10 97
04/21/12 MD F-3yo+ D-fst 8 S-13500 1:35 1/5 101
03/24/12 NC F-3yo+ D-fst 6.5 S-10000 1:15 3/5 104
9-HOLTERLING – 25/1
U S RANGER x SILVER TRAIN x DUBAI MILLENNIUM (GB)
Connections: Platero Y Yo for City-Race-Rhein-Main-Turf Club
Jockey: GD Mate
Career 26-8-4-4 $257,525
Coming off a really great allowance win and has been showing some great late kick. She will need a break out performance and to up her speed a bit to do well. I do love her closing burst and she could be closer to a new stage of racing. She definitely deserves more stake tries. I think she loves the mile.
06/16/12 SP F-4yo+
06/02/12 TU F-4yo+
04/21/12 E5 F-4yo+
02/25/12 PT F-4yo D-fst
10-WHELDON – 2/1
HARD SPUN x A.P. INDY x FAPPIANO
Connections: At The Wire Throughbreds for East-West Connection
Jockey: O Osbourne
Career 31-11-6-1 $396,616
Has shown speed but lacks consistency. Struggled with graded racing until just recently when she finished second in a grade two. She prepped for this race with an easy allowance win. If she keeps the good form she may be destined to finally break out. She does have a good amount of wins at a mile.
06/30/12 SD F-4yo+ D-fst 8.5 A-11200NW3s 1:41 4/5 106
06/02/12 CA F-3yo+ D-fst 8.5 G2-The My Lady
05/05/12 OK F-4yo+ D-fst 7.5 St-Carson City Way Dirt Mare Dash 1:28 1/5
11-YOFUNE NUSHI – 11/1
MEDAGLIA D’ORO x STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR
Connections: Given Stables for GR Simsters
Jockey: D Givens
Career 22-8-6-1 $827,760
Recent form has not been good but this filly has outstanding credentials. She loves to duel out front in
06/30/12 AG F-3yo+ D-fst 7 A-Open Allowance 1:22 1/5
05/12/12 IA
04/07/12 AK F-4yo+
03/10/12 CA F-4yo+ D-fst 9 G1-OriginalMargarita Invitational 1:47 2/5 101
12-NAUGHTY BARONESS – 11/1
DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x NIJINSKY II
Connections: Next Bonus Racing for Queensland Racecourse
Jockey: F Gossett
Career 16-5-6-2 $209,445
Shows speed consistently. Improving daily and shows a liking for a mile. Will need to be well placed mid pack early and make a nice run late. Traffic could be a problem for NAUGHTY BARONESS who will need the perfect trip. She could be on the verge of big things and should not be ruled out. She has mostly 60’s and 70’s start speeds.
06/23/12 UT F-4yo+
05/26/12 MO F-4yo+ D-sly 8.5 G2-Fort Lostinthewoods Misery Stakes 1:41 3/5 107
04/21/12 IL
03/24/12 AT F-4yo+
13-BRAVE ROMAN – 16/1
HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR x DANCING BRAVE x NATIVE DANCER
Connections: Npark Thoroughbred Villas for Comedy Central
Jockey: W Desantis
Career 47-11-9-12 $275,827
This experienced gal has seen graded action only once but did manage fourth in that race. She is capable of flashing some speed and making a move midway through a race. Like others in this race she will need a perfect trip but it is possible she could finish in the money. More than likely she will give an awful lot of ground early.
06/22/12 DE F-4yo+ D-fst 8.5 A-24300NW2n 1:42 99
04/28/12 FL F-5yo+
03/24/12 AG F-4yo+ D-fst 8 A-22000NW1s 1:35 1/5 102
02/25/12 EK F-4yo+
14-WHISP – 17/1
AWESOME BUDDY x A.P. INDY x FORTY NINER
Connections: Coldwater Farm for Northwest Racing Circuit
Jockey: J Caves
Career 19-10-4-2 $199,488
Has won eight of last eleven starts. Is coming off a dominating stakes performance in which she posted a
06/23/12 UT F-4yo+
05/26/12 ND F-4yo D-fst
03/31/12 WY F-4yo+ D-fst 8.5 St-Exclusive Bottle Dirt Mare Memorial 1:42 2/5 72 8th of 8 A Stange up NoFactor
03/10/12 C1 F-3yo+
15-AWESOME WASSIE – 16/1
AWESOME AGAIN x STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR
Connections: Pgpg Stables for Kentucky Horsemen
Jockey: A Jolly
Career 22-8-1-1 $186,227
This well bred filly has really had some rough stretches but she is coming on strong as of late. She proved in January that she can compete in graded stakes when she finished a strong second in the grade two Encino Man. She has been raced hard and that is probably the reason she is underperforming. She might be the best horse in this race if she wasn’t coming into this race on short rest. She has proven time and time again that she does not like short rest between races. This filly would be a beast with a little tender love and care.
07/14/12 ND F-4yo D-sly
06/16/12 MO F-4yo+ D-fst 8 A-8900NW3n
05/19/12 CO F-4yo+ D-fst 9 A-22000NW1s 1:48 4/5 95 5th of 13 M Hobley Wide Early, Faded
04/28/12 IN
TEST SHOT – 15/1
CURLIN x DAMASCUS x HOIST THE FLAG
Connections: Testbarn Stables for “Testbarn” the Memorabilia Residency
Jockey: M Staples
Career 24-8-4-5 $206,087
Capable of getting the lead and running with it means this gal cannot be ruled out. The most serious threat to her early lead would be SPENDING LIMIT though she has only shown glimmers of the speed she would need early to be out TEST SHOT. This fillies June stakes performance really makes her an interesting play.
06/23/12 MO F-4yo D-sly
06/09/12 MD F-4yo+ D-fst 8 St-Talkin Diver Dirt Mare Mile 1:34 112
05/26/12 PA F-4yo+
05/12/12 OH F-4yo+ D-fst 8 A-17600 1:35 104
PLAY DEAD ER – 9/1
GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x A.P. INDY x BRAHMS
Connections: Cothill Stables for Minnesota Downs
Jockey: M Jolly
Career 29-9-5-5 $565,876
Seems to be regaining form lately. Is a past winner of the Encino Man which was won this year by AWESOME WASSIE. Is capable of putting up big speed figures and thus could be a serious contender. Will need to show some heart if she is going to break out in this race.
06/30/12 CN F-5yo+ D-gd 7 A-26000NW2t 1:21 1/5 108
06/09/12 MX F-4yo+ D-fst 6.5 A-7000NW3s
05/11/12 KS F-4yo+
03/24/12 TX F-3yo+
NOT IN THE HABIT – 15/1
INDIAN CHARLIE x HABITAT x GREEN DANCER
Connections: Tees (Whisper) Stables for Universal Racing Club
Jockey: V Gardner
Career 19-8-3-3 $280,799
Probably likes a little bit longer distance but she is coming to her peak with 19 career starts. If she can get settled in nicely forwardly placd she may be able to place with a steady finish. She doesn’t show the big finishing kick that some of these runners have so she will need to be competitive early in this race.
06/30/12 DE F-4yo D-fst
05/19/12 MD F-3yo+ D-fst 8.5 G2-MD Distaff 1:41 2/5 105
04/28/12 ID
03/10/12 CA F-4yo+ D-fst 9 G1-Original Margarita Invitational 1:47 2/5 105
Fast Track Eddie’s Final Predictions:
SPENDING LIMIT, YOFUNE NUSHI, and TEST SHOT duel in the early stages for the lead with YOFUNE NUSHI eventually fading as TEST SHOT pulls ahead of SPENDING LIMIT. Down the stretch like a freight train comes NAVIGATE the only closer with a truly epic turn of foot. NAVIGATE pulls ahead for a convincing win with TEST SHOT second and SPENDING LIMIT third.