Twin Cities Sprint Stakes
Twin Cities Sprint Stakes The 12th race is the second of 6 Stakes races to be held today. It features a full field of 20 outstanding horses looking to walk away with the honor of being the first to win the Twin Cities Sprint title. There is no clear favorite and with only 3 horses with odds of less than 10-1, there are plenty of opportunities to make money at the tote. Here is an inside look at the competitors:
Minnesota Festival Day, Race 12 – 4YO and up 7 furlong Sprint
Despite the rather inclement weather, it looks to be another terrific day of racing for Festival day here in Minnesota. This year’s Festival has attracted the very best that Minnesota has to offer. It seems that all of the trainers here at Minnesota pointed their very best horses toward this day and with over 1.5 million at stake, it is no surprise. An outstanding group of races have been assembled here today, not the least of which is the Twin Cities Sprint.
PP 1 ALL PENT UP
ALL PENT UP ran a very strong race last time out to win going away in 104. Trainer REMINDER took him from turf to dirt for that victory but this time comes right back on dirt. This deep closer looks to be in fine form now and should like this distance. This is his first trip on the Minnesota surface but picks up a quality jock in O. Stinson.
PP 2 WHO DARES WIN (MISWAKI x ROYAL ACADEMY x BELONG TO ME) – ERRANDBOY
This daughter of Miswaki steps into some tough going here. She had some very impressive SR’s earlier in the year at 8.5 furlongs but seems a bit off lately. Although trained by the very capable ERRANDBOY with 124 victories to his credit, this may not be the spot for #125.
PP 3 MS PRADO THE BIRD (EL PRADO(IRE) x STORM BIRD x SIR IVOR) – SSJVEGETA
Trainer SSJVEGETA has this 4yo filly peaking at the right time but “the bird” runs back-to-back this week and some rest may have been in order. It’s always tough to take on the boys but with 3 victories in recent races at 7 and 7.5 furlongs and solid SR’s, THE BIRD just may be flying today.
PP 4 BELIEVEINPRAYER (SONGANDAPRAYER x BELIEVE IT x NATIVE DANCER) – TIP2NO
Trainer TIP2NO may have to resort to praying to get this one home today. Sporting the longest odds at 45-1, BELIEVEINPRAYER shows signs of being better than that would indicate. Much better in sprints than routes, look for a solid showing as a follow up to the win last out. The track listed as Good probably won’t help.
PP 5 SOVIET INVASION (SOVIET STAR x HONOR GRADES x BUSTED(GB)) – QUAGMIRE
SOVIET INVASION is a consistent sort finishing in the money 16 out of 28 starts. This front runner has specialized at 7 furlongs but appears to be dropping off in form. Will need to return to his “A” game today if he wants to compete.
PP 6 LUGUBRIOUS (TALE OF THE CAT x IRISH RIVER(FR) x DEHERE) – APMCCOY
Very successful at all distances, LUGUBRIOUS now gives 7F a try. Showing a very impressive 11 for 13 ITM record in sprints, he looks to be right at home against these. His form has been off lately and will need to step up if he wants to pick up a check.
PP 7 YH COBBI HOLLANDIA (MASTER BILL x SIR CAT x MARSHUA’S DANCER) – NOWHERE
All triple digit SR’s and never worse than 2nd at 7F puts this horse solidly in the running. Steps up into stakes company here but so do many others. Trainer NOWHERE has put him in the strong hands of J. Ritoto and looks as good as any here. A quality selection at 15-1.
PP 8 SHOOTING STAR (QUIET AMERICAN x GENERAL MEETING x NORTHERN BABY) – BECKLA A 10 time winner lifetime, he has yet to win at under a mile. Trainer BECKLA likes to have him just off the pace but 7F may still prove a bit too short. A very good horse but probably needs 8.5F to show his best stuff.
PP 9 SAN VICENTE (GREEN TUNE x LOMOND x CANADIAN BOUND) – THEODORE9
This 6yo steps up from the claiming ranks to carry the THEODORE9 silks. Despite being in the money in his last 7 starts, he appears a bit overmatched here. Still, with decent SR’s and proven winning ways, he could surprise.
PP 10 YOTREPUS (BEHRENS x DAMASCUS x SEA-BIRD) – SUPERTOY7
A sprint specialist who continues to pick up checks week after week. Known for closing late, the extra ½ furlong may be just the ticket to the winner’s circle. In speaking with his trainer SUPERTOY7, his only comment was, “I hope he’s not going backwards when they come to the wire”.
PP 11 DU DROP BAI (E DUBAI x MEADOWLAKE x DR. FAGER) – RICHGINS RICHGINS pits his millionaire filly against the boys. Easily the richest horse in the field, she looks to add more to her bankroll. Although she has 6 graded wins, all have been around 2 turns. That said, she has also never been worse than 2nd in a sprint or on an off track. While 7F may prove too short, don’t underestimate the late kick of DU DROP BAI.
PP 12 LOUISVILLE SLUGGER II (RUBIANO x RAJA BABA x STORM BIRD) – RTRIBBETT
Winner of 4 of the last 5 including a sparkling SR of 108 two races back, LOUISVILLE SLUGGER II looks to be in outstanding form. Although he likes to be the stalker, don’t be surprised if he finds himself on the lead. There is not a lot of quick early speed here and he could end up having it all his own way. RTRIBBETT once again retains his favorite rider P. Green.
PP 13 TWELVE YEAR OLD (FANTASTIC LIGHT x NORTHERN DANCER x HALO) – TENPIN3
Just like a good scotch, he gets better with age. Consistently in the money against stakes competition, look for TWELVE YEAR OLD to be right in the thick of things. Having narrowly missed in his last two outings, look for jockey Friar to make sure that doesn’t happen here. Could be drinks all around when this one’s over.
PP 14 STORM GODDESS (STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR x TOM FOOL) – LEARFAN55 Another high class filly takes on the guys. LEARFAN55 has this exceptionally well bred 4yo running in top form. She has shown good success at under 6.5f but has posted fine SR’s at 7F and the extra distance should benefit her style. She had a nice stakes victory two races back and was closing well against graded company in last but ran out of room. The added bonus of having Bowen up can’t hurt.
PP 15 WHITZBIT (UNBRIDLED’S SONG x NUMEROUS x AJDAL) – OLDSCOOBI
Poor OLDSCOOBI, he never knows which horse is going to show up. The one that stumbled home in 86 or flew by them all in 105. One thing is for sure, that if it’s the latter, she can catch any horse in this race. At 25-1 this could be a very pricey catch. Her two most recent victories both came at very long odds so she’s very capable of surprising.
PP 16 DANCE TILL DAWN (KINGMAMBO x SADLER’S WELLS x RIVERMAN) – CITATION
OK, what was I thinking entering him in this race? I know, I was still trying to figure out why this horse can’t run a lick on the turf. In reality, I was hoping that by shortening him up a bit he might be able to hold on. Although mildly successful against allowance types, stepping up into stakes is probably too tough. Yet, he could get loose on the lead and hold on for a piece of the pie. Besides, since he’s bred for turf routes doesn’t it make perfect sense that he would be good at dirt sprints.
PP 17 ROLLUP (DANEHILL x XAAR (GB) x EASTERN ECHO) – LIMETEEN
This Danehill colt has had trouble holding on lately and stretching out to 7F probably won’t help. Consistent SR’s in the upper 90’s shows he has the speed to be close but hasn’t hit the spotlight in 8 months.
PP 18 TABASCO GLITTER (TABASCO CAT x GLITTERMAN x BUFFALO LARK) – CDONOFRI Showed marked improvement last time out which could be a harbinger of things to come. Successful predominantly at a mile, including a big win in last year’s Minnesota Derby, he drops back a bit here. He should be stalking the leaders throughout and just might have a little kick left.
PP 19 AMBROSE (FOREST WILDCAT x OUR EMBLEM x CARO(IRE)) – SPECIES48
After a dismal outing on the grass, this horse returns to the dirt. Although he has won 4 of 10 in routes, he shows fine SR’s at 7 and 7.5F including a sparkling 106 against stakes runners. He has been lightly raced this year and the turf to dirt angle could prove successful.
PP 20 ANARQUISTA (MACHIAVELLIAN x MARUZENSKY(JPN) x MARIBEAU) – HORSEPOWER
With a fine in the money sprint record of 20 out of 36, ANARQUISTA brings solid credentials. A bit erratic of late, he did post a victory at 7F in a nice 103 back in May. Accustomed to running with the leaders in open allowances, he may actually find the competition here a bit easier.
PICKS: It is very hard to get away from LOUISVILLE SLUGGER II. With very impressive performances throughout, he looks to be the winner. Yet, I keep thinking that this is TWELVE YEAR OLD’s turn. Look for a big crowd at the wire as this field really is evenly matched.
1st – PP 13 TWELVE YEAR OLD
2nd – PP 12 LOUISVILLE SLUGGER II
3rd – PP 7 YH COBBI HOLLANDIA
4th – PP 14 STORM GODDESS
5th – PP 15 WHITZBIT