Minnesota’s Best 3 Year Olds To Tangle For The Crown
Minnesota’s Best 3 Year Olds To Tangle For The Crown
-by Supertoy7
How quickly a year goes by. It was Week 2300 when Cdonofri’s TABASCO GLITTER came with the race of his life to win the 2004 edition of The Minnesota Derby, stalking the pacesetters and inching by in the stretch to get up and post his highest Speed # ever. Ol’ Tabasco has only won 1 time since then, which was his very next start after the Derby, but he will forever be remembered in the Minnesota record books as one of Minnesota’s finest 3 year olds.
But with another year comes the changing of the guard, and this year we have 17 3 year olds (16 colts and 1 filly) trying to become the 2005 winner of The Minnesota Derby and forever etch their name into Minnesota racing immortality. Without further adue, here are the 2005 starters!
#1 SPITE THE DEVIL (CARDINAL10) – Raced a lifetime best when left onchallenged on the lead. This horse has very good speed, and will need every bit of it to avoid getting into a speed duel up front. If he can outleave the rest and set comfortab;e fractions, he could be a contender.
#2 BEWARE OF THE DOG (GOLDENBOY1) – This guy also just recently raced his lifetime best 2 back when he stalked the leaders and charged home posting a 103 Speed #. Will need those same tactics to get involved here, but definitely not out of it.
#3 DIAMOND GLITTER (TENPIN) – Last win was on week 2559 when he beat NW4L posting a 101 Speed #. Seems to like sprinting better, and will need a bit more stamina at the end.
#4 CRAFTY VICTORY (SSJ4VEGETA) – The co-favorite in here. This talented 3 year old comes into this race with 4 Graded victories under his belt, and is definitely the class in thie field. Also ranked 5th overall in this division. Any type of repeat of those races will make his very difficult to beat. Picks up leading rider K Friar.
#5 GRAND TYCOON (RBAZE3) – The 3rd choice in here, and with good reason. This guy has a Graded victory to his record, and is coming out of some of the best races for 3 year olds the SIM has to offer. Very dangerous, and picks up the very good K Bowen to steer.
#6 COREY’S WISH (RHARFO6) – A definite longshot in here. He has only 1 win to his name, which was when he broke his Maiden. But hey, you can’t win unless you enter! And they race the race for a reason. You always have a shot without FLYING SPUR(AUS) in the breeding!
#7 RATCITY IN BLUE (RUFFIAN99) – The other guy who the odds-maker likes best. Is coming out of 2 nice performances against Graded competition in which he only lost by a combined 2 3/4 lengths. Is 8 for 10 lifetime in the money on the dirt, and could be poised to make a big run in here.
#8 SMART BOUNCE (MINNESOTA) – This guy has a big closing kick when he wants to. Came up a bit short in his last 2, but stretches back out now, which should only help his chances. A well-timed move could get him involved.
#9 SCOOBS CONNECTION (LILSCOOBI) – Looked like a MACHINE in his first 5 lifetime starts! Has been facing MUCH stiffer competition since then, which has certainly made winning tougher for him. Closed VERY well in the G2 2 back, and may be ready to run a big one off the dull performance in the Travelers.
#10 BOBBY CLEMENTE (WNRSCIRCLE) – Comes in with a good record and in good form. Decimated an Allowance field in his last, when stretched out. Another with a terrific closing kick when timed right. Danger.
#11 LITTLE DUKE (JOHNNO) – Our fearless leader brings this charge in here off a couple of disappointing races lately. Was cruising through the NWL Allowance ranks, but hasn’t been up to par when challenging a tougher class. Is lightly raced with only 9 starts under his belt, so there is still room for improvement.
#12 REDWOOD SCREWBALL (SUPERTOY07) – My girl. Some may say I am a “SCREWBALL” for entering a filly against the boys, and they are probably right. Her best surface is Turf and may like a little more distance.
#13 KEG IN THE CLOSET (TIP2NO) – Lucky number 13 has raced well in his last 2 Open Allowance races. He IS Stakes placed, and could be a factor if things go his way. Will be closing.
#14 PRINCELY APPTITUDE (ESSENDON) – Comes off a hard-fought win in an Alowance event, but will be facing much tougher horses today, and may not be able to repel the challenges in here. Looking for a soft pace.
#15 CONFERENCE CALL (DUNDEY6) – In VERY good form! Won 3 in a row until going up against Stakes company. Still, he put in a good late run, but was just too far back. Will be looking for a FAST pave up front to set up his stretch drive.
#16 SOUTH PHILLY (MOLEH) – Gotta love the name, being from South Philly! Another horse who is in pretty good form right now. Racing very well against open Allowance company, and has a good shot at a Top 5 finish. Will be stalking in mid-pack.
#17 DANCEHALL DREAMER (DESPERADO2) – Last, but certainly not least. This guy is Graded Stakes challenged, but mostly on the Turf. Only has 1 start lifetime on the dirt, so we will see what he is really made of here with the switch back.
Good Luck to everyone in here, and in all of this year’s Minnesota Festival Races!