Spotlight Race-Queensland
Spotlight Race of the Week-Queensland Claimer. Sometimes it’s good to go back to the roots or the beginning of something. The Spotlight feature has been producing a Tip Sheet for a few months now, so this week I am going back to the roots of the Spotlight. That would be to pick a random race that is not a stakes race and review each of the entrants in the field.
There is a bit of a twist to this….For the first time ever, the Spotlight will focus on a non-Saturday race!!! This week, we bring the Spotlight to Queensland in Australia to cover claiming race.
This race has a tag of $3,000 with a very generous purse of $39,300. Actually, the purse is HUGE! With that money, you could claim each and every one of the 11 runners in the race. It is open to horses 3 and up and has drawn only males. They will square off on the dirt track at a distance of 9 furlongs. Post Time for the race is an early 11:30 in the morning.
1. SB Dark Angel 9-2 Made switch to dirt in last for first time in a year and a half and put in uneventful 7th with speed of 82. Has been on the board once over past year. Hard one to get excited about and odds look to be too generous.
2. Blind Savannah 7-2 Ran a very encouraging speed of 92 in last when finishing second going a mile which was after a 2-month layoff. Stretches out by another furlong but appears to be ready.
3. Thanxfordamemories 83-1 Skip Away colt who just hasn’t found his best yet. This colt like to run near or even on the lead and broke maiden in July by wiring field. Hit career best speed in August going 10f with speed of 70. Could be a good one that is developing slowly.
4. Run Up The Track 13-1 Has six starts this year and on the board once. Has not shown much in effort all year, except the one time he finished third in June. Dam-Sire Street Cry is in the bloodline offering promise that just has not taken off.
5. Condado Beach 5-2 Takes drop from $13.5 claimers after a strong win where he was pressured on the lead. Took the win with a speed of 92 at 8 furlongs. Prior race was a third at 9f with speed of 94 where he was closing from the back. Two in a row are in the cards for this one.
6. Jacobite Wells 23-1 Sidelined for just under a year, this 9-year old returned to turf in August and has run on that surface twice with unrewarding results. Makes first dirt start of season and career wise has 1 win in 14 starts on dirt. Outcome here is not promising.
7. White Cocktail 15-1 Nicely bred Tapit colt has underperformed throughout his career. Comes back to dirt after three disappointments on the grass. However, this one is capable of throwing in an unexpected good race, which may delight longshot players. But note that he has one career win in 23 races, making it doubtful that a huge payoff will be reaped.
8. Two Appealing 5-1 In his last race, this one hit a speed of 95 while running 8.5f, establishing his career best to date. Has only 5 races this year with average speed of 88. This front runner has nice numbers and should be feared in this race.
9. Prince Hamlet 22-1 This Shakespeare horse was bred for the grass and has not lived up to expectations. Drops from $60k claimers and makes rare dirt appearance. Ran with speed of 84 back in late 2010 in dirt mile where he picked up his sole win on this surface. Has shown some late run ability on dirt in past, and could be a big surprise here.
10. Gift From Home 5-1 This 9-year old is making his first start of 2012. He is the son of Medaglia D’Oro and has some Easy Goer in the bloodlines. This has produced a 13-time winner but I think he will need a few races to get back into form. I would not be surprised to see this one get claimed.
11. Cajun Spice 15-1 In 2011, this colt was on the board 7 times in 9 races. The 2012 racing season has not been so kind as he’s hit the board twice in 8 starts. Despite the poor results this year, when this one races in good form, he is dangerous. Outside shot in this race.
Condado Beach looks tough in this field. Hard to push his speed numbers to the side. Gets top pick.
Two Appealing has good numbers and should be watched. Second choice.
Cajun Spice might find a way to get act together. Could add value to trifecta, third choice.