Chickadee odds-on at China
China– Only four older fillies and mares go in this week’s Chian feature: the $60,000 Star Tracing Challenge. The group’s led by shall’s graded-placed Chickadee, a lifetime earner of over $300,000.
Chickadee (1/5) drops down in class from the graded level. The 5YO daughter of AP Indy rallied to finish a decent third in the Jake’s L.D. Challenge(G3) over a mile in early February. The mare was an also-ran afterwards when asked to stretch out to nine furlongs in the historically difficult Original Margarita Inv.(G1). Six weeks rest then for Chickadee and top jockey Bennie Ball (21%) eyes a rallying trip for the comeback mare. She only makes her 24th lifetime start and has earned just as much money in sprints as in short routes. Great spot for Chickadee to romp over this short field.
In post postion # 2, Henryseego’s Famous Blue(IRE) (9/1) breaks just outside of rail-bound Chickadee. A 4YO daughter of Singspiel(IRE), Famous Blue(IRE) is pretty much in this for a piece of the pie only. She fares in ALW company with 80 SP#s and won’t be much of a threat. Expect the filly to sit behind the pacesetters, hoping to get a place or show share.
Super28 sends out Cajun Queen, the longest shot on board at 15/1. The lightly raced Sadler’s Wells royal bred comes off her ALW NW2L victory LTO. Saturday will be just her 9th career start. The 4YO filly’s versatile on or off the pace, but her stalker-style tactics in her last might see her trailing the field early on. By all means seems rushed here, but, hey, this is a pretty clunky field. Probably in the running for place spot.
If Chickadee hasn’t recovered from her recent form, then pencil in Ilina Hollandia (9/5) as the race’s winner. Hollandia3 got this speedster Two Punch mare to fire big LTO in the ol’ turf-to-dirt switcheroo. The 5YO found the main track return much to her liking, zipping through 7.5f with a 101 SP#. It was a time-restricted ALW though and this is a class test for her.
Snowchief’s Picks:
The favorite Chickadee should bag this one barring injury. Pacesetter Ilina Hollandia outlasts green Cajun Queen’s late rally. Famous Blue(IRE) trots home with a nice 4th place cheque.