Open Your Mind, Brabarossa(AUS) in win streak duel
British Columbia– Odds-on favorite Open Your Mind matches her 3-stakes race win streak to Brabarossa’s 2-stakes in the $70,000 Queen Rain Special. Over 8.5 furlongs on the turf, a short field of four sophomore fillies head to the post.
At 1/5, driver1000’s Open Your Mind appears a veritable shoe-in for the prize. The Tale Of The Cat daughter out of a Sadler’s Wells mare has had a textbook career, winning 7 of 10 starts. Gotta give her trainer a lot of credit — any other player would’ve rushed this gal to the graded ranks by now. Instead, driver1000 considers this filly’s soft winning SP#s as well as the quality of the short fields that she beats up on. Taking it slow, Open Your Mind comes into this event unbeaten (3-for-3) on the grass. She won a photo over a classy California mile (92 SP#) and trashed a 9.5f turf overniter wire to wire LTO. Versatile on lead or from her much preferred midpack rally, Open Your Mind should bring home yet another score for herself and top jock A Rolling (23%).
But brabant’s Brabarossa(AUS) (2/1) presents a win streak of her own. The Testa Rossa(AUS) starlet found new life over the lawn last October and hasn’t looked back. The filly placed in her first 2 turf starts, then reeled off two straight over 7.5 furlongs. She makes her two-turns debut and there’s no reason to suspect that he stalker won’t enjoy the extra furlong. Will need to eclipse her top 85 SP# though and there’s no shame to finish 2nd Saturday to the more experienced router Open Your Mind. Jockey C Bortz(16%) aims for the winners circle though!
Trainer boldrule99 brings the Horse Chestnut(SAF) filly Anatolia(SAF) (5/1) for some money. The filly displays some competitiveness over the green stuff, winning her career debut over the surface last May. She only made 5 more starts as a freshmen, placing a couple of times at stakes level. Well spotted for another black type performance, but I don’t think she has the goods to outrun the two faves here.
The *Computer enters Azroc Cha Char (29/1) to fill the field. No threat from this Thunderello bargain baby and former claimer.
I like Open Your Mind to dispatch this group, but Brabarossa has a legit shot of turning the tables. The favorite though should win this one.