Xtremely Awesome Returns To The Track!

With all the furor surrounding Xtremely A Fan, some of us seem to have forgotten that he wasn’t the only horse in the ejdstable dispersal. Those owners running in today’s Sunair Storm Memorial here in Finland will be reminded quickly of that fact when Xtremely Awesome steps onto the track for her first race under her new colors. The race will be run at 12 furlongs on the dirt course here in Finland for a purse of $60,000. But Xtremely Awesome does face some pretty tough competition here, so it certainly won’t be a walkover.

Xtremely Awesome will be leading the post parade, going off at 5/1. The daughter of Awesome Again was purchased in the dispersal by n2racing for a price of $5,562,392 … a hefty sum, yes, but not outrageous for a G1-placed filly who is ranked #27 in the 3yo dirt classic division. She has won four stakes, including one at today’s distance, and finished a respectable fourth in the G1 G.S.R. Derby against colts. My good buddy R. Tribett is in the saddle for her return to the track.

In post two is gonzo’s From Above, a 4yo by Kingmambo who was bred by kronp. Nice Ireland-Viking connections there for ya! She’s run well in allowances and loves to go long, but may be no more than a rabbit today against this stiff competition. She goes off at 11/1.

In post three at 9/5 is Lakehouse, the #5 ranked dirt marathon older female. She is a 4yo by Sadler’s Wells, and is the reason my long dirt mare decided to stay in the barn this week. No thanks, I’ll be ducking! ha. She has reeled off six stakes wins this year, and also placed second in the G1 Spring Fling. She once ran a 114 at this distance…she is red hot when she wants to be, and can take down any of the best marathon mares on a good day, especially with top jock A. Su in the irons.

In post four at 12/1 is Beating You Today(GB), a 4yo by Beat Hollow(GB). She’s stakesplaced and has won at two miles, but probably isn’t up to facing two of the top females here today. She has 33 races under her belt and seems to have lost a step recently, although she was capable of running 100 at one point in her career.

In post five at 5/1 is ruby7’s Dane’s Bride, a 4yo by Danehill. She also hasn’t quite run the speed figures the top entrants here have, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, you should never underestimate a ruby-owned entry. She is stakesplaced, and ran second two races ago in the V. Ton Bonanza (shameless plug-look for V. Ton’s daughter Yield A Ton in Epsom’s stakes this week). Having Miikka Kiprusoff on board certainly increases her chances, and a third-place finish wouldn’t be that much of a surprise to me.

Rounding out the field at 6/5 is Mareira, the #20 ranked long dirt older female. She is a 4yo by Aptitude, and has won an impressive FIVE races in a row…….by a combined 24-3/4 lengths. The last four were stakes races. (man, am I glad I decided to leave my mare at home). This time, she will have company up front, and may not get such an easy victory, but what an outstanding year for this filly. The always enchanting S. Ex gets the ride. (geez, Finland has some kewl jockies!)

There may only be six running, but this is a race of epic proportions, not only in distance but also in competition. Three very fine fillies, and any of the other three could pose a threat if they run their races smartly. Race fans are in for a treat today. Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.