Clarkson To Sing Anthem before Test Of Champions!
Clarkson To Sing Anthem Before Minnesota Test Of Champions
Minnesota really turns it on this week and fans of racing will get a treat, so get to the track and join in the festivities on offer at magical Minnesota.
Race 13 on this fantastic Minnesota card looks to be just one of the many highlights on what is an impressive program.
A field of 19 has gathered for what looks to be a top race, they’ll travel 10 furlongs on the dust for a purse of $125,000 and there looks to be a number of hopefuls in what promises to be a cracking race.
And to make it even better, not only will 19 high quality ponies be battling it out for the honours, but Kelly Clarkson will be performing the national anthem live before the race as the competitors hit the track.
Mr. Jonothan Ritorto co. Resident manager was rumored to have lured the inaugural American Idol winner and now international singing sensation for the gig following lengthy talks with management midweek. Kelly is rumored to have jumped at the opportunity to sing on Minnesota festival day, cancelling an appearance on Letterman in preference for the event.
Lets take a look at the field…..
Devil’s Gate has drawn the inside barrier and at 11/1 looks to be some good value for punters. Hailing from the Daydreams0 stable this 7 year old is always thereabouts and will give this one a big shake. He loves the surface and can take some beating at the longer distances, something I’m sure will hold him in good stead come the weekend. Devil’s gate has won 7 races in his career but will have to be at his very best to make it 8 come raceday.
Easy Slam hails from the barns of quagmire and looks to be one of the better chances here. He is by Grand Slam and his strike rate on the dirt has been outstanding. He has raced in some pretty handy company in recent times and although hasn’t broken through in a while will be well in with a chance here. He’s only a young fella and has enjoyed a bit of a rest for this so quagmire will be hopeful of a big performance here. Big chance.
In The Navy is one of the real long shots of the field. Going off at 99/1 I think she’s been a little overlooked. Last time out she had a dirty day, one rharfo I’m sure would rather forget but she’ll be back with a vengeance here and could put in a bold showing. Worth overlooking that last run and go on her form before that. She’s been running some handy times in similar company to this and should feature a little better than the bookies would have you believe. Whack some money on her and watch this young filly bring the bookies to their knees.
Average Joe has drawn the 4th alley and the latest markets have him a cool 17/1. He did a lot wrong last time out in a pretty smart field and finished 27 lengths away last. He has performed at stakes level before and is used to running against some tough opposition so can’t be totally overlooked here. Worth some thought in multiples and could run a big race. Hasn’t raced in a few weeks now so will be ready to fire here.
I.P Native is in with a huge show here and has recent form to back up the 7/1 that the bookies have him at. Even at 7/1 I’d be inclined to think he’s good value. I.P Indy’s strike rate is sensational and he has a touch of class about him that most of his rivals here are lacking in which should mean with the alley and jockey aboard he’ll be one of the toughest to hold out. 8 wins from 13 starts and almost ¼ million in prizemoney, I.P Indy has only finished out of the top 3 once in his last 8 starts and all bar one were stakes. I imaginbe he’ll push to the front of them and try to dictate the pace, hard to beat.
Spursky (AUS) by the son of Danehill, Flying Spur is prepared by Mr Johnathon Ritorto and hails from his mystique barn. This fellow is lightly raced and is unlucky to have not put a bit more money in the kitty for the J train. He’s been running some nice times, has performed well on the dirt and has local Minnesota jockey phenomenon J Ritorto aboard.
Spursky is not too bad value at his odds and will give them some trouble I think. I.P native will take some running down but will Spursky be the one to catch him? Chance at odds.
Cottonwood (IRE) is by El Prado out of a Kris S mare and has won 8 times from his 29 career outings. He’s never far away and has ran some pretty handy speeds of late, however they have been down in grade and he will meet some stiffer competition here. Having said that theo may have a little surprise package on his hands as Cottonwood showed some dash last start to score well in allowance company which is good form for this.
Hehas been shaped as a 10 furlong specialist by Theodore and he does get home quickly. Perhaps a victory would be a tough ask however a minor placing looks a real chance.
Son Of Rabbit has something in this race which many others lack…..class. While a number here are battlers running solid times and are in good form, Son Of Rabbit has all the credentials to take this one out in 2nd gear. Ranked 199 in this division he is enjoying career best form and no doubt wnrscircle is stoked with the way this fellow is progressing. He’ll likely sit just off the pace and track them for most of the journey before unleashing fury early in the stretch and attempt to be the champion in this test of champions. Should be very hard to hold out.
JB Warsaw (IRE) is at 39/1 for this and has recently changed hands and is now in the stables of bigrick, connections no doubt impressed with the record of the new trainer, in particular his achievements at Minnesota. JB seems to appreciate the extra ground and has thrived on stepping up to the 9f mark toying with his rivals last start for a runaway victory. He’ll be in this for a long way, is in great touch, loves the surface and has a good jock aboard. Chance at odds.
Exclusive Bottle creates a bit of interest here. She holds rank 45 in the division and has been running well. She is the experienced campaigner of the pack and will make her 62nd career start in this. Not sure if I’d take her in the top 3, she’s a grand old performer who never lets her trainer down with a poor effort but her best runs do look to be behind her now. Can she relive her glory days? We’ll have to wait and see but she’ll give the fellas a run for their money for sure.
Hate The Jints makes me ask myself a question…. Just what is a jint?. I’m not sure but its probably beside the point. This 4 year old prepared by Ruffian is shooting for 3 straight here and is not a bad shot at doing so. The bookies have him at 16/1 and that is great value. The big query is his dirt track record, a great run last start to give ruffian a win for the stable but really Hate The Jints is better known for his achievements on the grass. The last 2 starts have been great and his form before that is also solid. This race promises to have a great finish down the straight and this guy will have a crack for sure.
Killin Time goes off at 10/1 and hails from the respected barns of desperado. He’s had 8 wins for just over $300,000 in his career to date and desperado will have him primed for this. He’s been there and done that and loves the dirt and the more miles in his legs seemingly brings out the best of him. Killin Time has the fitness and the track record to measure up to the best of them here and should give a bold sight. One of the better hopes for sure.
Former Actor (GB) is a 4 year old colt representing run4wire. He’s one of the roughies of the pack at 50/1 and again is by no means a slouch but just meets some pretty stiff competition here. There are some classy runners and Former Actor will have his work cut out for him in order to get to the post first. Will run the race out but expect a midfield finish from this guy.
Seeking The Brave is a 6 year old horse and makes some strong claims for the trophy here. Ranked 25 in the division this guy is a genuine star. In grade 1 company last time out this fellow drops back in class here and will take a world of beating. He has been a little out of sorts in his last couple of outings and will look to change it all around here. Seeking the Brave is one horse in this field capable of running a huge race in quick time, expect a big showing.
Captain Jim will start favourite for this and why not! He has the successful Kenny Friar aboard, has been running exceptionally well and is sure to give a big sight again. This 4 year old is a horse on the up and is not a stranger to crossing the line first. He has won 3 of his past 4 outings – all stakes and is versatile, capable of winning whther it be by dictating the pace up front or coming from just off the pace. From barrier 15 Kenny will look to work some magic to give Jimbo the ideal sit but you couldn’t ask to have him in better hands. Looks the goods and form speaks for itself.
Sultry Dance from the yards of goldenboy is rated a 20/1 chance for this. She’s drawn a wide alley and will have to work hard to grab a good position. She seems to have developed an addiction to winning and if she manages to get up here it will be the 7th win in a row for her – not too shabby at all! She’ll run her usual solid race but does come up against some stiffer opposition here than what she’s used to. Again may be one of the surprise packets of the field, has dordelled in and humiliated rivals of late and now is dealt a tougher test, she may just run a huge one and put them all to shame again. No doubt goldenboy wont mind it if she does.
DMX is a 3 year old filly prepared by robscoobi and hails from his newscoobi barn. She looks nice, a lightly raced filly on the up and in her last couple of outings has shown a turn of foot that I doubt even Chuck Norris would have seen coming. She will need to do at least that here to measure up to some of the big boys and while looks tested in this company, still looks a bright prospect for scoobs down the track. 49/1.
Senditrightaway is one of trots. If Senditrightaway had drawn any wider it would be in the grandstand and Ritterspauch is going to have to pull out a big ride to take up a good position on this colt. A lightly raced 3 year old who is a bit of an excitement machine capable of some big finishes. If he is within a few lengths of them nearing the home stretch he’s a great chance of producing a top 3 finish at odds. Again similar comments as scoob’s filly, regardless of the outcome here, trot has a nice colt on his hands with a bright future.
Stonybrook Gold will find this tough. Has drawn the worst barrier on the paddock, and is up against some pretty stiff competition here. Has not been in the top 3 for a while and just lacks the form and credentials to be any sort of a threat here. If you draw this colt in your sweep don’t throw away the ticket as last place may get you your money back.
Tough ask and 50/1 almost looks to be generous. Will find it difficult.
There you have it. A big field and several with chances. Son Of Rabbit, Seeking The Brave and Easy Slam will be hard to hold out while several around the 20 – 30/1 mark also have real claims. Many chances.
Should be a great race on what promises to be a fantastic day…. The Minnesota Festival. Get there!