The Colin Bell(IRE) Stakes
Today the weather is nice, track is beautiful, folks are friendly. I just have one question. Who the heck is Colin Bell? Must be a VIP to host today’s Stakes race. Well, today’s 4 year old fillies and mares will be running one mile on the firm turf for a chance of the lion’s share of the $50,000 purse in ‘The Colin Bell(IRE) Stakes,’ hosted by the wonderful track here in Oklahoma. Well, no sense babbling, let’s get to it.
(PP1 – 7/2) SJ’s Silver Ghost, of the Ufslfarms stable, has earned by far the most purse money in her career compared to the rest of the field. This Silver Ghost X Danzig X Sadler’s Wells 5 year old mare has earned $2.45 million in her 35 career races. Of her 26 routes, SJ’s Silver Ghost has 8 wins and 7 second place finishes. She is just as comfortable running on the turf, too. In her 32 turf races, she has 10 wins and 7 second place finishes. That is how SJ’s Silver Ghost came to be the # 16 ranked Turf Classic older female. Another reason is her history. This mare has had a full career already in her 35 races. She has finished 2nd or better in races such as the Breeder’s Bowl Turf Distaff (G1), the Sun State Cup (G1), the Black Betty Handicap (G2), The Ugly Breeders Bowl Distaff (G1), and the Flounder Turf Distaff (G1). Yea, yea, yea. BUT WHAT HAS SJ’S SILVER GHOST DONE LATELY?? Well, not much so far this year and that could mean this mare is due. I think the level of competition in this short field means an easy trip round the track and an easy trip to the winner’s circle.
(PP2 – 7/2) Gone Skiing, of the Tbird2 stable, is currently ranked # 157 in the Turf Classic category going into today’s race. This Gone West X Nijinsky II X Sir Ivor 5 year old mare has finished 1st or 2nd in 9 of 15 career distance races. She has also won 4 of 9 turf races. Gone Skiing has popped a 100 SP # three races back so she can run big. Look for her to break out in front and try to hold it all the way round or lay just off the tail of the leader and try to pass in the last call. Should hit the board somewhere today.
(PP3 – 9/2) It’s For La Rossa(AUS), of the Kaif015 stable, is the only girl in the field that has run in claiming company. This Testa Rossa(AUS) X Kris(GB) X Black Tie Affair(IRE) 4 year old filly will be making her debut for the Kaif015 stable today. This trainer has a 19% win percentage going into today’s race so he must have seen something in her to not only pay the $35,000 tag price in her last race but to also step her back up to Stakes company. It’s For La Rossa(AUS) has hit the board in 13 of 18 routes with 6 wins and has hit the board in 11 of 15 turf races with 5 wins. She tends to be a closer but don’t expect her to drop too far back as she is not a classic deep closer. She will be trying to run down the leaders about the half way point. A nice value play at these odds if you like to play the trainer and blood lines.
(PP4 – 3/1) Uno Cayenne, of the Ceejaygee stable, is the morning line favorite. This 6 year old mare has two easy wins in her last three trips since she didn’t have to exert too much energy in getting to the winner’s circle as she fired mid 90 SP #s. Two races back in The Cajun Music Special she showed her ability to fire big when tested as she finished 3rd despite firing a 102 SP #. This Night Shift X Roberto X Bold Commander mare has won all 10 of her 10 career wins in turf routes. Uno Cayenne runs a lot like Gone Skiing so look for these two to be running side by side most of the race. Either Gone Skiing or Uno Cayenne will hit the board somewhere. I would be surprised to see both mares hit the board in this one.
(PP5 – 12/1) Screw Soaring, of the Emanone stable, is a 5 year old mare. I covered this mare last year, her last attempt in Stakes company, in the East Coast Mile (G2), and I pegged her pretty well. I didn’t expect her to finish in the top three then, and I have that same feeling again today. This Roy X Mocito Guapo(ARG) X To The Quick filly has had some success at the dirt classic distance in the past, but today’s race is against proven turf runners. Screw Soaring has hit the board in 4 of 7 turf races with 2 wins, but none have come against Stakes company. She is a nice allowance horse but is not cut out for this level of competition.
(PP6 – 7/2) Ojai Nights, of the Ojai4keith stable, would be the hands down favorite if this was a 7 furlong race on the turf, but it’s not. This Macho Uno X Kingmambo X Gone West 4 year old filly has won 5 of 10 sprints but only 1 of 10 routes. She has proven that she likes the turf, though, as she has hit the board in 7 of 9 races with 4 wins. Ojai Nights has fired over a 100 SP # every time she has run 7 furlongs on the turf winning every race. I am wondering what the heck is going on. Why isn’t she stepping up to Graded Stakes company at that distance. I am guessing there isn’t much of a selection of Graded races carded for that distance in the SIM scheduling. Well, don’t go out and write this one off as a sprinter too fast now. Ojai Nights popped a 97 SP # four races back in The Lily Inning Special finishing up 2nd over a mile and a sixteenth. So she can compete here, it’s just that this is not her best placement. She is too good at 7 furlongs to be running a mile. Top three finish today.
Bigbaba