Hasta La Vista Babies

This weekend, North Dakota hosts again what is quickly becoming a tradition as the final two-year-old graded event of the racing year. The fifth running of the Reflection Filly Futurity – GIII takes place on what is sure to be a cool Saturday afternoon, New Year’s Eve.  The forecast for Fargo is 27 degrees, slightly cloudy, and the track should be rated as Good.  This futurity will afford three Top 20 ranked fillies a shot at moving into a coveted Top Ten spot with a win here.

Ampuria, the capable daughter of Unbridled’s Song, has a win and two thirds against top company this year and has to figure prominently.  She is out of the successful Triska Stable that is also campaigning the well regarded juvenile colt Remember Tampero.  Ampuria’s front running style should be an asset here but she will need to have more of a finish than she has shown in her last few starts.  Meet leading jockey, Juan Hernandez , should definitely be an asset here and will need to make the most of  Post 11.

St. Goar, bred and raced by Unworldly Farms, has not run since the Breeder’s Bowl in October.  Her connections were disappointed in that effort (13^th) but know she has the credentials to get the job done on Saturday.  She may have been a bit rushed in the BB having only had 3 weeks rest after her G2 triumph in the Walnut Tree in CA.  A return to the form that had her win that one would have this daughter of Cuvee figure prominently on Saturday.  St. Goar breaks from Post 1 on a course where the rail has been soft of late.

Zytown, the consistent Speightstown filly, is coming into this one off an impressive win in the Grade Two Golden Red Stakes, her first test around two turns.  No doubt her handlers at Zyro are counting on following in the footsteps of the smart filly Dixielandfan who capped off her 2003 season with a Golden Red – Reflections double.  Post 5 should suit Zytown well.

Vindictive Force, the hard charging daughter of Vindication, is currently ranked #8 in the world among juvenile fillies on the turf since making the switch from the dirt three races back.  Who can forget her spectacular stretch run in the Breeder’s Bowl Filly Turf contest which would surely have made the highlight reel for 2005 if she had only had another jump to catch Jaca.  If she is able to bring that brilliance back to the dirt, she will be hard to beat though many believe she is best suited to the grass.  Post 9 shouldn’t be a factor.

A Fire Inside, out of the KJ Racing Stable, is the only undefeated entry in this event having made it two for two at this distance last month in Colorado.  This daughter of A.P. Indy will likely find this step up from allowance company quite a test considering that she only got there by a head in that one.  She has passed the test on an off track though and may be charging at the end.  A Fire Inside breaks from Post 2.

Punch Drunk T turned in a solid beyer last time in her only test at this distance, a stakes race.  This daughter of Two Punch has placed twice in Graded company this year though both at a sprint.  Her front running style could be a plus if she can overcome Post 13.

Storm In A Dancer, the regally bred daughter of Storm Cat out of a Fappiano mare, has been very sharp and 3-for-3 in her recent efforts over this distance.  She has impressed enough that her interests at Triscay Stables have decided to move her up a couple of steps in class and ship her half way around the world from Dubai.  One can’t help but think the 50 degree plus drop in temperature won’t be a factor for her.  Post 8 should suit her well.

Silent Rush came alive in her last start in Tennessee.  The daughter of Cat Thief turned in the best beyer of this bunch in taking the mile stakes against lesser company.  She will be up for a much stiffer test in this company though could be hard to beat if allowed to make the early running from Post 14.

My Picks:  1^st – Zytown         2^nd– Punch Drunk T    3^rd – Ampuria