Three Sanctioned Races On Saturday
(SP)Wyoming- Their Diggers Special looked to be a very exciting race from the gates and about the first quarter of the race. The hoped for duel between the half sisters never materialized, really was never there, and only one sister made good. Giant Strides(IRE) had a brief battle with Denver Doll but pulled away at the end of the race and went on to win by almost two lengths. For her part Denver Doll, made a valiant effort, but stamina seemed to play a part once again and she came in for a place. That was still a good two lengths over the show horse. Coming in to show Brabarossa(AUS). She was making her move to close on the leaders when the race ended proving she needs more ground to compete.
It will be a full weekend of racing this Saturday with the additional two races sponsored by the Northwest Racing Circuit (NWRC). The main event is the $45,000 English Runner Stakes, named after a mare that had a solid racing career if not spectacular. It will be two miles on the turf for four year or older mares. Seven ladies have shown up for the event and we will get to them in a moment.
First we shall take a brief look at the two NWRC sponsored races that will be the night cap races. One, the NWRC Prince Derby, is a ten furlong dirt route for three year olds. It has a solid field of twelve runners but no real stand outs to speak of. Although the young colt A.P. Precedent is showing signs of greatness, but he will have to contend with the likes of The Ratical T(IRE) and Sensitive Lad. The next is the NWRC MB Marathon, a six and a half furlong sprint on the dirt. This has also attracted nine runners with Golden Twilight going off the prohibitive favorite. Not that this is the forgone conclusion because both Supreme Team and the mare Clever Decree can deliver excellent runs in there own right.
Is there a storm brewing on the horizon? Probably not, but three of our seven ladies have that in their names this weekend. Here are the seven ladies of our main event for the day.
Stormy Gold entered by jlracing. This chestnut mare will try her hand at two miles once again. The trainer is betting that her only two mile stretch was just an aberration and will perform well here. She is a front runner and likes the inside gates of late where she has been doing well. She spent the early part of her career in starters and probably be best suited at the allowance level even though she goes off with the favored tag.
Git Down entered by twinspiral. This filly comes in with seventeen races and seventeen times on the board with seven wins. She is a stalker and seems to relish two miles with three wins in three attempts. Although she won last time out at this distance she struggled some and that leaves questions for the race this weekend. Add to that a jockey that has had few rides this season, even though a good strike rate, she will have to work for a win.
Admiration entered by stalchico. This grand dame comes in with a solid career to date but may be ready for retirement. She has struggled all year and not had the kind of results that has been evident in the past. She does like the grass and has the heart, but the legs are just not co-operating.
Polishyev entered by tiramisu. This filly comes in attempting the longest race, by far, of her career. She has the speed and the ability to make the distance but her stamina is suspect of late. She has had two races this year where she just wilted. The trainer is bringing her back to the States where the grass surfaces are kinder to get her headed in the right direction again. Maybe the fiery jockey, John Dawg, will be just what she needs.
Salfly‘s Stormer entered by foxon. This daughter of Storm Cat comes into the race with a big question mark. She has shown flashes of talent suggested by her father but then seems to run just to run with no desire at winning. She has won at this distance and looked good so that is why the trainer has her back in a two mile route. But it looks as though the trainer is wearing a bald spot on their head from scratching it so much trying to figure this one out.
Fairways N Greens(GB) entered by surlyn. This grand dame comes in after a nice long rest. She has been running well this season and the trainer felt a breather was in order. She may have lost a step or two but over two miles it isn’t that big of a disadvantage. She has drawn the wily veteran Vince Gannon in the irons and the experience between the pair will put the pressure on the rest of the field.
Land Storm entered by nyhracing. This chestnut mare comes into the race off a claiming win last time out. As a matter of fact, this will be her first attempt at a black tie event. This may be a long reach for the mare as she has spent more time in claimers and starters than any other race. Add to that a first run at two miles in a short claiming field, the prospects don’t look good for her here.