A Grand Dame Challenges The Boys
(SP)Wyoming- The Doctor Can Stakes had a hores that everyone pretty much thought would win and she did. Even though many can make a solid argument that Nighthawk Lust is a better dirt runner, her results on the grass can not be ignored. She broke from the gates in the lead and never looked back cruising to an easy two lengths win. Coming in for a place was the closer French Kiss II(GB) who answered her recent claiming foray with a nice showing here confirming she would rather stay in here cozy stall than venture out with another trainer. Finishing off the top three was a Storming Tate who proved that breaking last from the gate didn’t hamper her effort that much.
It seems that the tradition of running more grass stakes races is still continuing this year. On Saturday there will be another covering nine furlongs for horses four years or older. This states will honor an old champion, St. Defiant, who had seven wins in his career at stakes level. The $55,000 St. Defiant Handicap has a strong field of ten vying for the honors. Here are the entrants.
Heidelberg Heights entered by wish. This colt is sired by the little know son of Northern Dancer, Dance Bid. He comes in liking the distance and turf and has had a lot of success on it in the past. So far this year he has been struggling and hasn’t gotten back to the form that won him his finale of last season. He is a closer and will use this on Saturday.
Fusaichi Magpie entered by punter59. This horse stays in Wyoming and goes for his third stakes race to see if he can make it two out of three. Familiarity with the track has earned him the favored status and once again will be going with the hot jockey Jesse Sands in the irons. He is a stalker and uses it to good effect, only missing out with two wins in a row by the narrowest of margins. This will be his first run on an off track and it could cause a problem for him.
A.P. Adventure entered by pedroza. This is another horse that is coming into the race struggling this year. Last time out the trainer ran him on the dirt to try and spark his desire again and see if he can bring in that first stakes win. He likes to come from the back, but stamina has been a big question of late and he just doesn’t have the final kick needed to charge to the front. Running back to back races may not help out in that respect.
Sino Rainbow entered by bowler boy. This colt comes in yet to win on the grass, but has five trips to the winner circle on the dirt. Since being claimed by this trainer the colt has had two place finishes at allowance level turf routing. He is a stalker slash closer, depending how he comes out of the gates. He will need to have a good start this time out for any chance at the end of the race.
Vermont Freak entered by dsanders. An unusual name for this old gentleman seeing as how he has never raced in Vermont. Maybe it is in reference to his dame getting loose when they were crossing the state and he was the result. In any case this horse is an inconsistent runner even though he seems to find himself in the money often enough. He is coming in off just such a week so he could run well, but age may be catching up with him and making it in the money could be the best to hope for.
Orsalak entered by irisharse. This chestnut horse comes into the race well rested and will make his season debut. He is coming off a good year and has not been in the money only three times in his career. This will be his first attempt at the stakes level and will have to step it up to compete. He is a strong Allowance runner using a closing style, but may run into trouble as there seems to be no real front runner in the group.
Big Thunder entered by fugazi. This horse comes into the race with two wins in a row with one of those being an off track. This is one of a handful of races here in the United States for this horse. This may be due to the fact that he only won here once and that was way back when he first started racing. He shortens up a little for this race and will try and stalk the leaders. He has the wily old veteran Vince Gannon in the irons and this should help.
Glamorous Event entered by briel. This grand dame comes in as the only female of the race. She drops back to a distance she is more comfortable with and another horse that likes to come from the middle of the pack. She shows flashes of her old ability, but is it time to head for the pasture for this grand old lady?
Wonderboy Darby(IRE) entered by bamba. After a long separation between races, this Irish colt will try his luck again on the turf. His last time on the grass was not very spectacular and he is probably stretched out to his absolute limit. A classic distance may have been a better race for this colt. He just seems to run out of gas when the routes get to long. An off track appears not to bother him so that could be to his advantage.
Landlocked entered by tcrowell. This chestnut colt comes into the race showing good improvement. He also is a closer with a strong kick that has been very effective of late. This will be the first time he goes on an off track so there is no telling how that will affect him. He will be looking for his first win at stakes level.