Filly Challenges Boys in Cap
(SP)Wyoming- Controversy swirled around the first race last Friday when a protest was lodged against the final results. The race winner was decided by a photo finish and the owner congeree2 felt his horse had won. When the results went up he lodged a formal complaint protesting the official outcome. He had watched the race on the Coker Channel and then on the race track channel and felt the result was not reflective of what he had seen. True, when looking at the results from the camera angles presented by these two channels there could have been grounds for protest. The main fact he forgot was where the cameras are placed on the track. They are not in the best position to see which horse crosses the wire first, but are just set up for the racing public’s entertainment. The camera angles for the race are not in the best positions on the course and therefore give a slightly erroneous result. What probably heightened the trainers belief was the length it took before the final results went up, over twenty minutes. When the track stewards where finally contacted they explained the results where correct and it was a communications problem that delayed the final results being posted. The head steward also went on to say that the upgrades made at the beginning of last year were the best available in the industry. The photo finish was posted giving everyone a chance to see for themselves and it was clear that Rocking Ransom(IRE) beat Kela Lost by the narrowest of margins. Maybe next time Kela Lost should stick his tongue out.
Because of the protest on Friday there was a lot of interest on Saturday to see of there would be a repeat. There wasn’t, and a couple were exciting races. Most were of the races on Saturday were in the vain of best left forgotten races. Unfortunately, the main event fell into the latter category. Herecomesthebean held true to form, almost, when he broke from the gate in the lead and looked like he was going to take the race. He then seemed to seize up and fell back to third place four lengths behind the winner. This was the first time he hit the board other than winning and may be due to the short field. It was clear that the closer Tamariki was not rusty and put in a very solid run giving him the win yet again on the grass. That makes it five in a row for the large bay sprinter. It looks like Kandrakar has desires of starting out his season well just like his freshman year. He gave a strong performance with a nice closing kick that produced his best speed to date, but still left him over three lengths back of the winner.
Coming this Saturday is the $50,000 Prospector Paunchi Cap, a nine and a half furlong route. The race is named after a mare that had a decent career routing with 15 wins, 13 stakes level, and earnings of almost $1M in prize money. The race is centered on the dirt oval and is slated for sophomore horses. A nice group of eight have entered and it is time to take a look at them.
Seeking An Escort entered by murry2. This filly will be making her debut at stakes level and will be doing it against the boys too. She comes in on a two win ride and also does her best at this distance to date. She is a stalker and has one good run and one bad against the boys. She has been improving with each run and is primed for a good performance here.
Release The Beast entered by piglett. This sophomore just started racing this year and already has six runs under the saddle. He has put up some nice numbers while looking for that second win. He likes to close on the leaders and will attempt this in his longest route to date. Has the stamina but needs to learn to charge to the front a little sooner.
Road To Isengard entered by glendowr. It is obvious what the trainer is a fan of when naming this horse. This is a horse that is having a huge struggle coming out of the gates. He is coming in off a win because he was able to break out of the gates cleanly. When he doesn’t make it out as one of the first two places his race is over, he seems content to stay where he is and not close on the leaders.
The Raticle T(IRE) entered by grimreaper. This sophomore comes in as the favorite even though he has been struggling lately. He will also be going at the longest route so far in his young career and it is still unclear if he really likes the distance. He is a front runner and stepping down in grade may be just what he needs to get in the winner column again.
Remington entered by wistful2. This is yet another colt that will be setting his sights on the longest route of his career. He likes to close on the field and maybe the distance is what he needs to get the full benefit of this approach. He has improved over last year, but still needs a little more to get him where he wants to be.
Blue Fer Sure entered by unreal. This sophomore comes in still looking for that first stakes win. He has been slowly improving and trainer has been moving out a little at a time. This week will be his longest run and he is primed to do well if his last five length run away is any indication.
Remember Ebro entered by mindiarte. This chestnut comes in as the most seasoned of the group. So far this year he has done nothing but improve and is set to take his first stakes win. He is a front runner and wants to build on his allowance win last time out.
Bust This Popstand entered by prfctdrift. This chestnut comes in winning both of his races this year. He will be making his debut at stakes level and thinks the Wyoming high plains is just the pace to do that. He likes to stalk the pace, but has shown he can close from the back if he has too. The hot jockey, John Dawg, will be in the irons and that could give him the little extra he needs.