THIS WEEK IN MINNESOTA–2804
This weeks feature in Minnesota is the 13 furlong PHARSEA CHALLENGE to be run on the turf course. The race is named after the horse PHARSEA who retired in week 1348 after going 13/67 in his career with 4 stakes wins one of them a Grade III, and over $690,000 in lifetime earnings. He finished out his career as a very consistant starter allowance runner. Today’s feature has drawn 6 turf routers who will be competing for the top prize out of the $40,000 purse.
Here is a look at today’s field:
1) WINGFLY’S DANCER(IRE)–2/1—Lafly sends out the morning line favorite who comes into today’s race on a 6 stake race winning streak. This 4YO HAWK WING(IRE) colt has 9 career stakes wins and is ranked 26 in the turf long division with 17/18 lifetime finishes in the money. This front end speedster will have company on the lead in this race today. The only question mark about this one is the selection of O Stinson as jockey who only has a 7% win rate this year. Still, this one looks to be the one to beat today.
2) MAKE ME FORGET–7/2—Miltinho sends out the 5YO MANILLA horse looking for his 5 career stakes win. This horse has finished 23/25 times in the money for his career so is always knocking on the door at the wire. One of the top jocks K Friar (20.7%) gets the call and he should have this horse up on the front end vying with the top horse in today’s race. Could pick up the pieces if able to knock out the #1 horse in a speed duel during this route race.
3) LILL VEDUTEN–12/1—Chokito sends out the morning line longshot in today’s race. This 6YO IMPERIAL FLING horse has yet to score a lifetime stakes win as of yet and is winless since 2004. He haas been knocking at the door in his last 2 races prompting this class rise but jockey J Ritorto(15.4%) may find that his horse will not matchup class wise with others here today. His stalking style should put him just behind the frontrunners early in this race. Would probably be better placed in restricted allowance races.
4) CHRISTMAS WISH–7/2—Duke sends out this 5YO SADLER’S WELLS horse looking for his 1st stakes win in his 8th try. This horse runs much better when facing allowance company and has yet to show the same success when trying stakes races. P Green(12.8%) will be holding this closer back at the start of the race hoping for a big speed duel between the 3 speed horses today, and if that develops he may be able to steal the race with this closing rush in the stretch. Could be the upset winner if the front end falls apart in this race.
5) CAPTURE–9/2—Mtnman sends out this 7YO MIESQUE’S SON horse on the turf after running exclusively on the dirt track since 2003. This horse was an auction purchase last week for $2,222 and has been agressively place in his first race for the new connections. In the last 2 years he has been predominantly a claimer and low restricted allowance runner and may find the competition much tougher in this race today. Low percentage jockey S Foster(6.3%) is aboard today and while the new connections may be trying to find out how good this one can be, this horse will probably be better suited running against easier company.
6) EL GAN DUSHYANTOR–3/1—Haddock sends out this 5YO DUSHYANTOR horse looking for his 3rd career stakes victory. This horse will be one of three speed runners vying for the early lead and this one may suffer because of that and being on the outside post. He closed out the 2005 season and opened up the 2006 season with back to back allowance wins and did finish 2nd in a stakes race last time out. Also, having the circuits top jockey, K Bowen(24.1%) aboard will not hurt his cause.
A nice short field in this turf marathon race, but after looking at the field I give a small edge to the #1 horse WINGFLY’S DANCER(IRE) in this one to keep his stakes winning streak alive.
OTHER MINNESOTA NOTES THIS WEEK
This weeks Saturday card is predominantly maiden and starter races with the last 2 races a couple of 2YO MSW races showcasing some of the early runners in this years 2YO crop. Here are my selections for this weeks card.
RACE1–#4 CAZANOVIA–dropping and ready to score
RACE2–#3 FREAKY FRIDAY–7/8 in the money
RACE3–#1 A VERY FAST HORSE–top jock will control speed
RACE4–#9 LOCKED HANK–back to sprints and should repeat
RACE5–#6 OSEBERG–looking for triple with best SR’s
RACE6–#7 MY ATTITUDE–prime sport for maiden win
RACE7–#8 PRINCESS LEA–big drop and back to claiming ranks
RACE8–#2 GREAT STAR–alway’s close and top jock today
RACE9–#4 EASTERN PROMISE–extra distance should produce 1st win
RACE10–#1 WINFLY’S DANCER(IRE)–looking for 7 in a row
RACE11–#1 ROUND HERE–3/3 2nd place finishes and should get 1st win in this short field
RACE12–#3 STALWART VOW–nice price in evenly matched field
RACE13–#14 SIR KICK–looking for 4 straight wins if he can beat the post
RACE14–#13 RAISETHEBAR–gets my nod in very weak field
RACE15–#6 THEO’S KNOWNMARIA–sire has 1/5 1st time winners so far this year
RACE16–#1 WARRIORS PROMISE–sires 1st crop been very competitive so far.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING