Spotlight Tip Sheet-Vermont, Home of the Equinics
After taking a week off to enjoy, as well as cover a race at the Equinics, I’ve decided to stay right where I was, in Vermont. So here we go with this week’s Spotlight Tipsheet:
RACE 1
2. Harmo-speed numbers look good enough for heavy favorite to break maiden in tiny field.
1. Easily-first time runner could beat out pair of computer owned horses in open spot for second.
RACE 2
4. Broken Twig-heavy favorite out of Forestry has best breeding of group. Should have little problem getting second career win.
1. Mystery Manor-first time runner gets second spot in small field solely based on better jockey.
RACE 3
4. War Rules-despite poor jockey assignment, gets call with best speeds in field.
2. Green Eggs N Sahm-has some early speed and could benefit from it. Back on turf and into sprints.
RACE 4
2. Cause And Blame-has tons of speed and may not look back.
5. Brownie Haack-will fight for lead. Drops from allowance and has won recently in walkaway on this track. Gets McClendon again and will be formidable.
7. Arty Rabbitoh-won three and placed twice since converting to dirt. Can’t ignore.
RACE 5
1. Genesis X-returned to track at end of June after 3-month layoff, finishing well back with graded company. Drops to allowance and should fare far better in second race after layoff.
6. Crispus has been struggling a bit at the low-end stake level. Drop in class should produce desired results.
4. Si Tu Sabes has put in better speeds on dirt but numbers on turf are good enough to get a top spot.
RACE 6
1. Sound Shovel-hard to look pas as has won four in row on this track with Bungard aboard and a total of six straight. Average speed of 99 over this streak. In best shape of his career.
8. Cowtown Miner comes off a strong win and speed of 108. Only four wins in 35 starts, but second 10 times. Fits well in this race.
9. Alexyatta-last race was a throwaway. Will challenge if gets act back together.
RACE 7
5. Tag You’re It-huge favorite in a surprisingly weak field. Gets to dictate the outcome.
4. Amphibious-makes second start on turf with first coming March, 2011. Hit speed in upper 80’s in that one, much better than the competition, earns second spot.
3. Ajdal Alley-on the board 25% of career route races. Good jockey in Fendlay, shot for open spot in third.
RACE 8
6. Irish Fairly Dance-last was on dirt, comes back to turf and loves running long. One to be leery of.
5. Elite Ransom-won 9 in a row in Montana in restricted races. Speed numbers alone support this one’s ability. Late runner could get to wire first.
4. Wells Dream-multiple stake winner has advantage with class but questionable jockey Baum aboard with 3 wins in 43 races
RACE 9
6. Unbridled Heart-In top form finishing first or second in four straight races. Last two were wins and capable of extended streak to three.
4. Pentagon Five-moves back to allowance after a pair of races at stake level. One to beat.
2. Belong To Zong-maybe underrated. Front runner has been first or second in each of 7 career races.
RACE 10
3. Vegas Way-grade winner looking to put things back together. Second start off layoff and should fare better in small field, but won’t be too easy.
2. Code of Hammurabi-long record of success on Vermont surface.
RACE 11
3. Biggie Smalls-has hit her top three speeds, all over 100, in last three races. Big Brown filly on top of her game and gets call here.
4. Shark Cat-comes off career best speed of 103 and this could be sign of some big things coming.
2. Dunluce Castle-is a lifetime Vermont runner and jockey S. Gravina has the exclusive rights to ride. Rarely off board at this track and no reason to expect this one will fail to get there this time.
RACE 12
3. Mootown Meow-gets top spot with only one race off the board in turf appearances. Speeds over 100 in eight of last ten races. Will be hard to beat.
1. Marbling-has pair of wins after switching to turf for first time since March, 2011. Speeds of 103 and 105 are competitive for this longtime local racer.
2. Ecumenopolis-since May, 2011, this gal has only been off the board once in turf racing. Very capable of hitting speeds of 100 and can’t rule out the top spot.
RACE 13
6. Congrats By You-late runner stretches out to mile distance, capable of upset.
5. Inevitable Song-pair of 77 speeds are tops amongst these two year olds, moves to smaller field and has opportunity in this grouping.
2. Blast Siren-won over this track last time with McClendon aboard. This pairing seeks to make it two in a row and this girl shows late speed that may just do it.
RACE 14
2. The Jones Boy-best two races of 2012 have been on the turf. Colt returns to turf and can take this wide open event.
3. New Medicine-has put up better numbers recently on turf and comes in off solid third over this track in last. Downside is 2% jockey Ahrens.
6. Doing Just Fine-has hit speeds over 100 twice in four starts for new trainer, best of career. Can’t ignore current form.
RACE 15
2. Presence Graced-showed some ability to run late switching back to dirt for new connections. Adds distance and looks to break maiden.
4. Noted Humor-speed numbers are plenty good to make a run for top spot.
3. Sarah Danielle-probable pace setter, could last to get a piece.
RACE 16
1. Weapon Violation-looks to be powerhouse in this field with strong 2nd two back, 106 speed and recent win with 113. Good outcome here could lead to stake ventures.
2. This Time-dangerous foe who had tough time in low-end stakes race in last start. Previous two races were speeds of 109 & 110.
7. Yu Lin-has been posting best speeds of career recently, could make a nice showing for himself.