Estrogen Headlines Feature Race In Ireland

Estrogen. The very name sends shivers down the spines of trainers who own long dirt distaffers. I am one of the cowardly ones who sent my filly off to an allowance race rather than face her here today. Fortunately, eight other brave trainers have sent out their fillies and mares to take her on. The race is the Our Swords Challenge, run over 10.5 furlongs on the dirt course for a purse of $75,000. Let’s take a look at the field.

On the rail at 25/1 is Court Approval (Doneraile Court x With Approval) owned by paydirt. She is a 5yo who has mostly run in allowance company, although she has cashed a cheque in one stakes race last year. She races on either surface and has been competitive from 6 to 12 furlongs. These stakes races often come up a bit soft, but this one is anything but, and she may have a hard time today. Any other week, she could be good to hit the board.

In post two at 5/1 is Bush For Iraq Prez (Brocco x Silver Hawk) owned by charliep. She is a lightly raced 4yo making only her 12th start, but she is already a stakes winner. She ran a very impressive 107 two starts back over 9 furlongs on a sloppy course. No slop here but she likes to stalk, and looks like a good chance if Mizzi Russell(12%) keeps her close enough.

In post three at 6/1 is Scolding Wind (Summer Squall x Easy Goer) owned by lenny5 of the infamous Lennbrenner Empire. She is a 4yo and has two stakes victories to her credit. They were both at today’s distance, and one was even over this very track. Neither one was that impressive if you only look at the speed figures, but they both were super easy wins going wire to wire. She’ll have company up front this time, but A. Reed(14%) knows how to win.

In post four at 10/1 is Bridled In Dubai (Essence Of Dubai x Unbridled) owned by badkarma. She is a 4yo with only 8 starts in her young career, but she has won half of them, including a stakes race at today’s distance, in much the same fashion as Scolding Wind, wire to wire. Punky Jenkins(5%) diminishes her chances at getting that lead though.

In post five at 6/1 is Eternal City(Ire) (Theatrical(Ire) x Rahy) owned by kevoman2. Ah yes, and what’s a race in Ireland without an Irishbred? Especially one as beautifully bred as this 4yo lass. She has won 4 stakes in her career, ranging from 7.5 furlongs on turf, to 14 furlongs on dirt. It appears that 9.5 to 11 is her best distance though. It’s going to be crowded up front though, as that’s where she likes to run as well, but W. Moxley(21%) is hot right now and likes her chances.

In post six at 9/5 is the mare everyone is here to see, the great Estrogen (Sadler’s Wells x Peintre Celebre(Ire)). Tnilsson‘s strapping 5yo mare is ranked #13 in the dirt classic division, but she isn’t stuck in that one category by any means. She owns G1 victories on both surfaces, at 10 and 11 furlongs…oh yeah, and one of those was against the boys, too. She’s G1 placed at 14 furlongs..twice..and appeared in the Breeder’s Bowl Mile. Not surprisingly, top jockey Z. Kentucky(19%) has been chosen to ride her.

In post seven at 6/1 is Hollow Victory(GB) (Beat Hollow(GB) x Mr. Prospector) owned by funster. This 4yo has won three races in a row now, including an 11 furlong stakes victory in Germany. She ran a career best 98 speed figure last time out and looks to be improving. The best news for this filly is that she likes to stalk from about the middle of the pack, which is a great position to be in with all the fronrunning types in this one. F. Dirks(18%) is having a great year, and I really like this filly’s chances to hit the board.

In post eight at 7/1 is Cobra Mystique (Cobra King x Lear Fan) owned by Ireland resident sabbath5. She is a 4yo and is stakes placed at 12 furlongs. She ran her best speed figure at 9 furlongs, but has won at distances from 8.5 to 12 furlongs. She’s won two of three starts this year, but unfortunately, she also wants to run in front. M. Kirkpatrick(8%) does not give me confidence that she can get out front fast enough.

Rounding out the field at 9/1 is Esprit D’Ouest (Constant Demand x Din’s Dancer) owned by redwood. She is a 5yo out of the G1 winning mare Rowdy Dance. She is a stakes winner at 10 furlongs, and has run as fast as 102, also at 10 furlongs. She may not be as consistent as most of the other mares in here, but she is the lone closer in a field of forwardly placed runners. It would be quite an upset, but if the race plays out right and she fires, she may find herself on the board. E. Newcomb(19%) is riding.

That is our field. Obviously, with over $2 million in earnings and multiple G1 victories, Estrogen is the mare to beat. But there are some pretty good racemares here, and decent chances for those who don’t need the lead to win. Of course, there’s always the possibility that someone will beat Estrogen to the lead, also. Even if Estrogen shows up with her top game and blows them all away, it will still be an exciting race, and quite a treat for Ireland racegoers to see this awesome mare in person. Good luck to all the runners, and may they all come home sound.