Lots of Stories in Queensland Race
The Dodge This Stakes
Grade III
A mile and one quarter on Firm Turf
$150,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Every race has lots of stories and sub plots and this one is no exception. From claimers trying turf for the first time to wily vets trying to add to their storied careers, every horse has a tale to tell. This race seems to have more than it’s share. Let’s take a look:
1 – CATONAHOTTINROOF ODDS OWNER WIN% JOCKEY WIN% TOP SPEED AVG SPEED RANK 5/1 JLM 15.4% T.Phillips 9% 103.9 98.9 51
(STORM CAT x GULCH x SEXTON BLAKE(IRE)) Back on the grass after a disasterous outing on the dirt last time out, this five year old mare with the great name looks to be back where she belongs. Trainer JLM gave her a try but she didn’t take to it. She likes this distance and and the inside post should help her near the front style. Phillips is in the irons and his nine years of experience may help to get this lady back on track.
| 2 – BELLA FIGURA | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/1 | SgtBones | 40.6% | C.Wyatt | 31% | 105.7 | 101.6 | 8 |
(KINGMAMBO x SEATTLE SLEW x UNBRIDLED) Over two million dollars in earnings and 18 wins will still get you some respect from the morning line. Add to that the fact that this five year old mare had run five straight triple digit SPFs before trying the mile and a half last time out and you see why she is a horse to be reckoned with even after forty two races. She has the top jockey in the bunch astride her and one of the top percentage trainers in the game with SgtBones. That makes for a formidable team come race time.
| 3 – GOLDEN WOLF | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/1 | GrayWolf9 | 11.1% | C.Simien | 4% | 93.8 | 89.2 | 2235 |
(GOLDEN MISSILE x CRYPTOCLEARANCE x SPECTACULAR BID) This pretty little chestnut four year old filly has been struggling a little bit lately. It’s actually been since the beginning of ’05 since she won a race but always runs with heart and gives it a good go. Trainer GrayWolf9 knows how to treat a lady and will have her ready for this race.
| 4 – VICTORY SYN | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34/1 | DaRipper | 1.9% | H.Arthur | 14% | 84.7 | 80.9 | 2064 |
(GERI x MARFA x ARTS AND LETTERS) A former claimer who was awesome on that circuit, this 6 year old charcoal mare had better bump up the speed figure as she has only blown by the 90 SPF once in the past two years. She is in the capable hands of Arthur holding the reins but this is going to be a challenge for him and trainer DaRipper.
| 5 – HUNGRY FOR MONEY | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/1 | MarineBoy | 20.0% | I.Bangston | 7% | 96.1 | 96.1 | 964 |
(RED RANSOM x SEATTLE SLEW x WAJIMA) A lightly raced five year old mare with only fourteen races, she comes in here with a two race win streak in allowance races. She seems to like this distance a bit better than the sprints she was running and probably will jump out to the lead from this five hole. Trainer MarineBoy is more than capable and will give jockey Bangston a few words of wisdom in hopes of keeping that win streak alive.
| 6 – SPOOKY BALLET | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/1 | APMcCoy | 19.2% | I.Harvey | 0% | 109.0 | 100.5 | 28 |
(SILVER GHOST x NUREYEV x RAINBOW QUEST) This five year old, nearly white mare has been pretty hot lately. She ran an impressive 109 SPF last time out after finishing third in the Equinics the race before that. Trainer APMcCoy has been successful with this lady and knows her needs. She is always near the front at the finish and is nearing $1 million in earnings. She is still looking for a few more wins to add to her total of 18. Unfortunately, jockey Harvey is looking for his first of the year. Hopefully it will come here.
| 7 – STAR INDY | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/1 | LoDog20 | 9.8% | A.Boyington | 13% | 100.1 | 91.9 | 271 |
(STAR TRACE x A.P. INDY x RIVA RIDGE) She ran her best race at this distance two back and would like to duplicate it. She’s been competitive so far all year and has a Stakes win earlier this year. She has a top notch jockey up in the saddle in Boyington and wants to do trainer LoDog20 proud. This four year old filly may be ready to come into her own and this could be her coming out party.
| 8 – JOE’S ANGELS | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/1 | AJR13 | 5.4% | Z.Zariz | 0% | 101.0 | 96.5 | 14 |
(SEPTIEME CIEL x LOFT x GREY DAWN II) Don’t you love to watch a six year old mare who has run more than 40 races that is still competitive after all those trips around the circle? AJR13’s lady still has it after all these years. Since moving to the turf three years ago, this mare has never once finished lower than fifth and has a bunch of stakes and multiple Graded wins to fall back on. She certainly knows her way around the track and should crack the top five again this race.
| 9 – ST.ZABEEL | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/1 | Harold | 2.9% | L.Wilber | 11% | N/A | N/A | 3142 |
(BROAD BRUSH x ZABEEL(NZ) x ST. JOVITE) This is a nice looking mare but it looks like the wear and tear of forty plus races may be taking it’s toll. She hasn’t been able to break an 85 SPF so far this year and that will make it tough to compete with this crowd. She’s got a good jock directing though and you just never know when she might be able to pop one. This could be the week.
| 10 – DIXIELAND CITY | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/1 | Albarrado | 2.6% | Fr.Miller | 5% | N/A | N/A | 3049 |
(DIXIELAND BAND x CARSON CITY x PINE BLUFF) This would be quite a story as this four year old well bred filly could go from a $50k claimer three back to a Graded winner this quickly. It will be her very first time on the grass after 28 dirt outings. Won’t trainer Albarrado be surprised if it turns out that he claimed a Turf monster waiting to happen? Pretty hard to handicap this horse but I’ll certainly be interested to see how she does.
Morning Line = 6-2-1-8-7
Yoss Tipsheet = 6-7-2-5
Paz Picks = 2-6-7-8
There could certainly be some interesting stories in this race, I like JOE’S ANGELS to finish fourth. It may be time for STAR INDY to make a move career-wise so I’ll give her third. SPOOKY BALLET had that huge SPF last time out but I wonder if she can duplicate it. I think that the wily old vet BELLA FIGURA with the tracks top jockey will have enough to carry the day and make their way to the winner’s circle.
Good luck to all runners!
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