The Doctor!! Rakida Stakes
Sitting here on my favorite ocean side bench watching the planes take off from Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Int’l. gives one time to reflect on the simpler aspects of life. The soft ocean breeze caresses the waves as they lap against the shell strewn shore of this tropical paradise. The recent heavy down pours, so typical in this part of the country, have softened the turf surface for Saturday’s races. But who cares. This is South Florida and the horses will run..and they will run. A firm turf a good turf it’s horse racing!
There are eight entries set to contest for their share of the $100K purse in The Doctor Rakida Stakes. The distance is 12f or a mile and 1/2 and the turf track is listed as good. So without further delay..”Let’s Roll!”
At 3/1, the favorite..from the serpent stables is Exclimation. The chestnut Kingmambo 5yr old mare is 1/1 on a wet surface and brings a 15/5-6-1 turf racing record to this affair. Serpent stables is a young & improving group and they have this mare is top winning form. Her receent 5 race record has 3 wins and 2 place efforts, low 90’s speed #s, inclusive of 2 12f (T) victories. She has fresh young lightly raced legs that she uses to set the pace or stalk just off of it. Why o why did this sharp barn set themselves up with a sophomore jockey in Sequois?
From the outside PP#8 runs 7/2 second choice Princeton Bound. The brown 4yr old Changeintheweather mare is trained by the sharp young princeton stable. She brings an excellent 8 for 11 turf record into this race with 4 victories. It’s her first race over an off track but that may suite her closing running style. She gives her all in every start and is capable of producing 90’s speed ratings. Improving rider D. Furguson is in the irons. With all of the front running speed in this race her running style may be her saving grace.
Celebre Brief from the alleds stable is tabbed at 7/2 third choice. Top jockey V. Gardner will take the 5yr old Pentre Celebre mare on her 1st ‘good’ turf trip. Her form has been a little eratic of late as she has a shown a tendency to ‘give it up’ just before the wire. Her last outing at 13f showed improvement for the proven stakes contender. The softer surface may prove an equalizer for her upper 80’s speed.
madhibby4 stables sends out Higharoon(IRE) to challenge over the 12f. The High Chaparral 4yr old can get the distance and she has shown the ability to produce upper 80’s to low 90’s speed figures. Her last 3 races were at the distance and she contended all the way. She has attracted the services of professional jock A. Darling, who’ll run her up close to the pace. Her 7/11 itm turf record shouls not be taken lightly.
Mil Tiades is rated at 5/1 in spit of her recent 0/5 running. Saddled by the very talented hot racing tmachine stables, it’s a mistery to me why they would send the 4yr old King Cougat mare over a distance that is questionable at the least. S. Popo get’s the call.
at 6/1 we have Mother Lois. This Forty Niner 9yr old should have been to the breeding shed some time back. She was an awesome off track runner in her day..but that day is in the past. A McKeller is up.
At 8/1 we have the 6yr old Fantastic Light mare Princess September. Trained by knightbred stables, this talented lady is stepping back into stakes competition. She’s been in the money in 4 of her last 5 races and she produces consistant mid to upper 80’s speed figures. T. Bellows get’s the call on the front running athlete.
Unconfined(GB)..at 32/1 is the race long shot. Trained and saddled by springhit2 stables, the chestnut 5yr old Quest For Fame lady is over matched by this crowd. She can handle the track and the distance but 60 and 70’s speed won’t get it done here. Hot riding G. Fiddler is in the irons.
This has been a View From South Beach by glfstrmdoc..The Doc!