Nippon Flyer Aims For Another Stakes Victory

A short field today in Denmark for The Mahault Challenge Stakes. We have four 2yo fillies out for one last stakes on their past performances before they turn three. This one is six furlongs on the dirt course for a purse of $85,000.

Leading off is casino’s Nippon Flyer at 6/5. She is by Fusaichi Pegasus and out of a Deputy Minister mare and is ranked #24 in the dirt sprint division. She has won three stakes races, with a top speed of 85. I would love to see her stretch out beyond 6.5 furlongs, but as long as it’s working…she’s only been off the board once, and that was in a G1 before she was ready for the jump in class. My stakes-placed Gone West filly has finished behind her before and I certainly don’t want to tangle with her again. Top jockey B. Schardein gets the mount.

In post two also at 6/5 is wilkes’ Another Thrill. This gal is by Seeking The Gold and is also out of a Deputy Minister mare. She has only run four times, and two of those were on turf. Her two dirt races were very good…second in an allowance and second last time out to Nippon Flyer in The Doctor Leslie Bonanza. She has a good jockey in J. Wilcox, and if she can stay close and learn to rate, she could easily score an upset (although I don’t know if it’s truly an upset if they have the same odds).

In post three at 7/2 is kirby66’s Rockin For Kirby. She is by Rock Slide and out of a Capote mare. She has run well in allowance company, but didn’t fare so well last time out in her first stakes appearance. She also drew a poor jockey, but she is guaranteed a check here, and most likely another third place finish and a SP tag to add to her resume.

Rounding out the field at 6/1 is elnop’s Leonard Skinner. She is by Pulpit out of a Danehill mare. She won her first two races, and has placed in a mile allowance. I’d be interested to see what see would do on the turf, particularly since her dam’s five wins were on the lawn and she has produced a GP SW by Zabeel(NZ) who is a turf router. For today, though, she will be earning her check in a dirt sprint, and has a good jockey in M. Sheridan who may be able to get her up for third.

It does look like this will probably end in another stakes score for Nippon Flyer. Another Thrill could put her in her place though and avenge her loss in their last meeing. Rockin For Kirby and Leonard Skinner are set to battle it out for that third place check and the SP tag that will go with it. Good luck to all the runners and may they all come home sound.