Runners Ready to Crank Up For Turf Sprint

Stakes
Six one-half furlongs
Firm Turf                                $50,000                   All horses, 3 years old                                                                                                                                                                       

Turf stakes events at sprint distances are not common, so any owner of a sprint performer that prefers the turf would want to utilize this opportunities.  However, for some of the runners, this race will only serve as a developmental step toward becoming  a “distance runner”. 

The field may be tightly bunched out of the gate, and the pace should be quick.  The finish should prove to be exciting and a possibly a bit surprising.

War Chant x Northern Dancer

This two times stakes winner (including the Nationwide Gr.I), hopes to get back onto the winning path in this event.  A disappointing run in the Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf (Gr.I), was followed by decent but less than sound performance on the DelPenn Champions Day.  His best outings have been when he broke on the lead and was in front entire trip.  He has shown some signs of tiring when challenged head to head out of the gate.

Trust N Luck x Proud Birdie.

A maiden- that has “finished strong but no cigar” in several of his trips.  He is jumping from a $15000 claimer to this level.

Green Desertr x Halo

A nice runner that has been in the money seven of nine trips.  He responded well to a switch to the turf and comes in with one stakes victory under his belt on the turf.  He has shown the ability to lead out of the gate or rally from off the lead. 

Shahrastani x Gone West

Another serious contender in this race- he likes to pressure the pace and may be on the heels of Northern Chant early on.  He ships in from Delaware and ownership is confident that this colt is ready to capture his first stakes trophy.

Forestry x Mt. Livermore

Another front runner that should create a brisk pace in this turf sprint.  He won a stakes event on the turf at 5.5 furlongs, but the strength of this field and added furlong may be too much.

Summary:  All five starters are looking for that performance that will boost them into the next level.  I would disregard the turf influence and expect the pace to be like any sprint event.  Northern Chant comes in as the morning line favorite, but should have plenty of company from the outset.  My selections are:

Rock River Green         Northern Chant            Lake Raider                

-deajai