Stakes
Six furlongs
Firm Turf
$70,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up

A small but competitive field of six will be travelling to Maryland for the Ithaka Special Stakes.  The field is evenly divided with 3 three year old fillies taking on a trio of older horses.  The betting market clearly suggests that the youngsters have a huge task ahead of them and will have to wait before being serious challengers in open age events.  I’m not so sure that this is an open and shut case with all the favoured horses having some chinks in their armour while the younger fillies are all open to improved performances.

The field comprises:

Lemon Drop Kid x Cherokee Run

This seasoned 4 year old performer has the form on the board with 4 previous stakes wins and speed figures of 106 and 107 in the recent past.  Her best performances have been over a bit more ground and a sharpishly run sprint could leave her a little vulnerable in this event.  Kevsfarms has engaged a less than inspiring pilot for the race but can rely on the undoubted class of Cherokee Kid to figure prominently in the finish.

Roar x Storm Creek

The form of this 5 year old Roar mare has tapered slightly but with three stake wins in her last 8 starts is obviously a serious threat to bring home the bacon.  Rorm Spectacle has been successful at the distance in similar class and has the speed to lead the field a merry dance if the hoop is prepared to take them on.  She has shown a tendency to weaken a little in the concluding stages and will need a clear break at the furlong post if she is to hold off her more favoured rivals.

Sadler’s Wells x Irish River(FR)

This sweetly-bred six year old mare has attracted a class jockey in V Elliott and can be expected to make a bold showing.  She has mixed her form quite a bit with her last win being a strong finishing seven and a half furlong stakes win 5 starts back.  Her last start was a very useful stakes placing at this distance and a clear pointer to her chances here.  She is likely to take up a prominent position just behind the leaders and should press them hard to the line if she brings her best form to the track.

Mr. Greeley x Barathea(IRE)

Looking for a debut stakes win, Rowland on Home is coming off an extremely disappointing 13 and a half length defeat in a 3 year old allowance.  This was her first run after a ten week spell, very well deserved after 4 impressive runs, starting with a clear MSW win, two run away allowance wins to bring up her hat-trick and culminating in the narrowest of stakes defeats in open company.  Rowland on Home was a clear up-and-comer but you would have to take her on trust to regain that pre-spell form.

Marked Tree x Cozzene

Lightly-raced filly Summitree is being tested in open aged stakes company for the second time.  Her first attempt at her last start resulted in a badly fading ninth over eight furlongs.  Summitree’s previous form at longer distances had been very good with two clear allowance wins but it is hard to see her matching the older ladies at this sprint distance.  Her last win at six furlongs came in her MSW win and this race is unlikely to double the tally.

King Cugat x Manila

The most successful of the three year old trio is the nicely-bred Abbe and Lina.  She is already a multiple stakes winner (at both two and three) as well as having achieved numerous stakes placings.  This versatile performer has greeted the judge on both turf and dirt but has been building up to longer distances of late, with limited success.  It has been over nine months since her last win, in a seven and a half furlong stakes race.  This entry looks very much like an attempt to shake her out of her lassitude and get her mind back on racing.

I expect Rorm Spectacle to take up the running with the favourite Cherokee Kid and Irish Wish looking for a handy sit closely behind.  This situation should prevail for the majority of the race with Cherokee Kid and Irish Wish surging to the lead in the last furlong, setting in for a two way duel to the finish.  A weakening Rorm Spectacle is going to be challenged by a returned to form Rowland on Home.  As the judge’s photo is developed the supporters of Irish Wish are jubilant with her head victory.

My selections are:

1^st – Irish Wish  2^nd – Cherokee Kid  3^rd – Rowland on Home