Upcoming Talent in South Dakota

If the tourist season ever lightens up a bit in South Dakota, it is probably during that brief time from November to May, when the locals get a chance to drive without those maddening traffic jams, do a bit of bird and deer hunting, and enjoy some prime thoroughbred racing.

(Speaking of hunting, local journalist Buddy “Bud” Flannel wishes to apologize to out of town trainers. It is not really necessary to spray-paint “HORSE” on the side of your horse to prevent local deer hunters from shooting it.  He says they are likely to miss anyway, so not to worry.)

The feature race of this weekend has a very strong and competitive field in the $45,000 Derby Fever Cap for two year olds going seven furlongs.

Here is a look at the field:

1. Don’t Go Away Mad (General Meeting x Fappiano) has done everything asked of him by trainer Zwylde (15%).  He is two for two, winning his maiden effort and an unrestricted allowance.  Both wins came from the front end where he put away his early rivals and ran away strongly from late challengers.  Last speed figure was 78, and he has a five week rest for this.  Hard to find any knocks.

2. Moon Ballad has a very high percentage of three year old winners, so late in the two year old season, it may be time to watch Pure Love (Ire) (Moon Ballad x Print Affecting (Forty Niner)) more closely.  After showing life but not winning in allowance company, the colt out of the PureSpeed (14%) barn tried stakes company twice.  In his most recent try, Pure Love made a move to finish within four lengths of the winner.  Longshot not out of the question here.

3. Like the rail horse, Red Wings (Red Bullet x Silver Wings (Fusaichi Pegasus)) is two for two: a maiden win and an allowance win.  Both of the wins have come from sitting just off the pace.  All the early speed in this race makes the Austin (11%) trainee very dangerous.  His two speed figures were 80 and 79.

4. Two Twelve (Forestry x Norquestor) is another with stalking speed.  He just broke his maiden for the 1^stClass (15%) barn on his third try with a competitive 83 speed figure.  Race really does look like it will favor one who can rate.

5. Tabasco Speedster (Speightstown x Alytabasco Cat (Tabasco Cat)) comes from the TabascoCat (10%) barn, which, um, loves Tabasco Cat.  Two Races back the brown colt passed several only to finish 7^th in a graded stakes.  Last time made his move a bit late and finished second as the favorite in an N1x allowance race.  Should be among the late chargers.

6. In his seventh start last time, Red Tiger (Hold That Tiger x Free Dawn (Rubiano)) broke his maiden with a last to first rally at 12-1.  The roan colt out of the CLK2000 (10%) barn faces similar odds today and tougher rivals.  The 81 speed figure is competitive if he can build from that last effort.  In his favor, the win came at today’s distance.

7. Salutary (Woodman x Doctor Bird (Storm Bird)) was favored in his lone start and easily handled the maiden field to win going away.  Normal improvement from his debut 79 speed figure makes the Vicki (13%) trainee look very tough in here.

8. Jockey F Leghorn is having a very nice rookie season, and the apprentice signs on to ride Atame (Olmodavor x Swift Joan (Bellypha)).  The FrankBooth (10%) trained colt is two for four.  He earned an 84 speed figure in winning his maiden debut, but was a disappointing 6^th and last as the second choice in a stakes last time.  Speed figures are going the wrong way.

9. Morning line favorite Solo Falcon (Lemon Drop Kid x Hyperspeed (Danzig)) is only one for six, but the DarthMaul (16%) trainee recently ran an 86 speed figure at 8 furlongs while doing a late fade in allowance company.  Had either of his last two races ended at seven furlongs he would have won.  All the other early speed is to his outside, so he is the most logical pick to lead going into the turn.

10. Top jockey D Zordich opts for De Pobes (Aus) (Reset x A.P. Indy), one of the early speed horses here.  The Zatopeck (13%) colt has been in the money in seven of nine starts and has picked up some minor checks in stakes leading up to this.  He has been losing ground late in his recent races; it is up to Zordich to keep him fresh.  It says here he cashes a check, but not the winner’s.

11. Narayan (Forestry x Panthera (Gulch)) has managed to sit just off hot paces and has cashed in for two wins and a second in three starts.  His last race was an 85 speed figure.  In a race full of early horses and late closers, his running style may be ideal.  Add to that his more than solid connections of trainer Eternity (21%) and jockey C Metcalf, and he looks like the one to beat.

12. White Hot (Western Winter x Red String (Red Ransom)) won his debut and has followed that up with two 83 speed figures in stakes efforts. Phantom2 (15%) trains.  One of those horses that, when they win, you give yourself a dope slap for not picking.

13. King Claymore (Jpn) (Sunday Break x Fischer (Seattle Slew)) will be gunning for the lead from his outside post.  The BM3 (11%) trainee has only one win but has been in the money in four of his five starts.  He showed a big improvement in speed figures last time.  A small improvement from that puts him right there.

Morning Line selections: 9-11-12-3

Timmn’s picks: 11-4-5-1

To comment, email timmn@hotmail.com