Little Ghost, out of Green Apple Farms #2 stable, looks to be the local favourite as the Bandit Time Stakes pays a visit to Vancouver on Christmas Eve. It is the third running in two years for this popular touring Filly and Mare one mile race series, this time featuring debutantes, and it is likely to be contested under this west coast city’s typical December dull skies. The Lemon Drop Kid filly is undefeated in two starts now after winning against lesser stakes company last time out around this oval. Her handlers have opted for more experience in the saddle Saturday, replacing apprentice jock Darrell Bauder who got the job done last out, with veteran Paul Bickett. Little Ghost may have to find a another way to win Saturday other than wire to wire as there are likely to be a number of contenders for early fractions.
Raziel, from Blaster’s #6 stable, will be looking for a return to winning ways of the A.P. Naskra Stakes in New Jersey back in October. The Rahy filly had her only defeat stepping up into grade two company when outrun last out in Phoenix and has a good chance of redeeming herself here.
Graded placed earlier this year in California, High Times Stable’s Bongaree could take this one with a return to that early season form. The Congaree filly has been running credibly against tougher graded company and it won’t hurt that she has white hot meet leading jockey Al Rolling in the saddle. She will though need to show that she does favour the mile distance over sprinting where she has had most of her success to date.
Ravishing Russkie, from the LadyEve’s second stable, cannot be neglected in this test. The well travelled Great Notion filly is hoping to finish her two-year old campaign on a winning note in this her 11th trip to the post. Versatility is the word for this one who is 8 for 10 tries in the money over a variety of surfaces and distances. She is likely to do the best part of her running early so it will be critical to see how she negotiates the early lead with Little Ghost and others.
My pick: Little Ghost – local sweetheart to hang on over a closing Raziel.