Filly Takes on Boys in Bargain Bowl Classic
Preview – Bargain Bowl Classic
A field of eleven, including the winners of the past two runnings of this event, go postward Saturday. The betters have made the lone filly in the race, Slave to Tradition, and last year’s victor, Woftam Star, the lukewarm co-favorites at 4/1. The competitors are:
Slave to Tradition (With Distinction x Traditionally)
The sentimental choice, Tradition has been going strong on the Bargain Bred series circuit ever since she captured the Bargain Oaks as a 3yo back in 2009. This is her first attempt at the Classic; she has previously won the Cemetary Winter Distaff twice, and finished second in last year’s edition of that race. This year has had some up and downs for the mtkbps homebred, but she is still firing off triple digit speed figures with consistency. Interestingly enough, the six year old has been alternating sprints and routes, with a great deal of success in the routes. She beat the boys in the Bargain Summer Classic earlier this year and has hit the board twice at a mile. The 9 1/2 furlongs should be right up her alley, and she should continue to add to her rich $1,000,000 bankroll. Lots to like about her.
Woftam Star (Kendel Star x Lomitas)
Last year’s winner of the Bargain Classic is back to defend his title. The dappled grey is still going strong this season for woftam4, having captured a pair of allowances against open company (one two starts back with a 107 SF, and finishing third in the Bargain Summer Classic. Loves this distance, and will be closing strongly down the stretch.
Slewpent (Repent x Fast Play)
This angular chestnut won the Bargain Classic two years ago for knightstc, and was third in last year’s edition. The now six year old is winless this season, although his best efforts came in a 10 furlong allowance, where he finished second, and the Bargain Summer Classic, where he finished fifth. His last two races have been shorter, and he could use the extra distance, but really needs to recapture the form of last year to be a top contender here.
Textbook Case (Freud x Traditionally) Xpress Twenty Four (Afleet Express x Siyah Kalem) Abrazalos (Deputy Governor x Marly River) African Porcupine (Auto Pilot x Menifee) Victorycanbeglobal (Victory Gallop x Bestyoucanbe) Five Demon (A S F Dionysus x Expelled) Cerulean Warbler (Quaker Ridge x Robin’s Song) Grands Last Call (Grand Jewel x Slewacide) Good luck to all the competitors and their connections!
One of two sophomores in the race, this one is the more accomplished. The dark bay has done his best running in longer events, such as the 11 furlong Bronx, which he easily won, and the 14 furlong Hinterland Derby, where he finished second. I’m sort of surprised he hasn’t pursued the turf more after a dynamic effort in the Bargain Turf Derby, where he posted a 94 SF. Still, lots to like about this guy; he won by 10 in an N4x at 11 furlongs, and looks to be improving. The main question is whether this race is too short for the lglong homebred.
Plano4 decided to switch this guy back to the main track around this time last year, and was pleasantly surprised. Since then, the diminuitive chestnut has finished in the top three in nine of twelve tries. He won the Death Valley Classic back in March, then was a gallant second behind the filly in the Bargain Summer Classic. The five year old has prepped for this race with a pair of good efforts in allowance company, and has broken the 100 SF mark three times this year. A confirmed front runner, if he can shake off Textbook Case and Five Demon early, this guy could be dangerous as the lone speed in the race, so keep an eye out for him.
Plano has another entrant in this field, this flashy chestnut with a ton of chrome. While less accomplished to date than Abrazalos, this guy has run some of his best speed figures in his last few races and may be getting good at the right time. In his last start, the 4yo posted a 103 SF while finishing second at 10 furlongs. The distance looks right, and in a field full of deep closers and front runners, this guy should fall somewhere in between in the early going, which can only help. Capable of finishing ahead of his more proven stablemate and pulling off a mild surprise.
Sort of surprising to see Victory Gallop as the sire of a bargain bred, but I know he hasn’t been the most fashionable sire in the game, so that does make sense. Elegant dark back has been posting some fast times, including a 108 and a 109 in his last two starts, the latter a second place effort against open company. Has been knocking on the door in the Bargain Bred series, with a second place finish in the Death Valley Classic, and a disappointing seventh in the Bargain Summer Classic. Last year, hkbargturk opted for the Bargain Distance Classic, where the stallion finished second. After his last two starts, I agree with the move to opt for the Classic this go-round. Runs both on the lead and from off the pace, although his best efforts seem to happen when he plays the stalking horse. Definitely one to watch.
The other sophomore in the field, curiostud made quite a good pickup of this guy at the end of last year. He has won four races for his new connections, was second in the Bargain Derby and third in the Bronx. More recently, he was third against open company with a 102 SF. Loves to run on the front end, and faces Abrazalos for the lead early so he won’t be able to open up the same large margins as he usually does. Likes this distance, and still eligible to improve.
Least experienced colt in the race, with only 12 starts, makes his first appearance in a Bargain Bred race. He was second in a claiming race with a 99 SF two starts back for yielding, but something went terribly wrong last out, when he broke last and trailed throughout. Has had five weeks to recover from that effort, and the grey will need to show his best to threaten for a top three spot here. Was steadily taking steps forward as the year progressed before that one setback, so improvement is possible.
Rrracing has this guy on the improve after a forgettable summer. He won an unrestricted claimer at this distance two starts back with a 99 SF and he paired up that speed figure in his last start. Stalker should fit well, pace wise, in this field, but gets a bit of a class test against the more proven contenders.