Crowd on the Front May Give Stalkers A Boost

The BARB’S CITY Handicap

Seven and half furlongs $55,000      Fast Dirt

Fillies and Mares           3 years old

Not all of the attention of owners of three years old fillies and mares will be on the Bluegrass Oaks in Kentucky.  For a group of nine owners, they will be aim for a chance to stand in the winner’s circle in North Carolina for winning the Barb’s City Handicap.  Being seven and one-half furlongs, these runners are still being evaluated on whether they should be categorized as a sprinter, or can fall into the “miler” grouping.  As three years old runners, one or two of them may still develop physically and handle longer distances.

Barb’s City is a seven years old mare that won 5 over forty-three career sim starts.  As a broodmare she has produced two runners, but neither has reached any stardom.

As for the field for the running of the 2006 The BARB’S CITY Handicap:

Forty Niner x Lure

A Ohio shipper that comes in off of a win in the Bold Gladiator Memorial Stakes.  She won that event at six furlongs, but her late running style should benefit the added distance.

Awesome Again x Affirmed

Tried a mile and a sixteeths and never fired- so a return to this distance is the best option.  She has proven to “stay” close in most events, and got be tough in this event.

Generous (IRE) x Forty Niner

Won several races ago (gate to wire) at seven furlongs and has been tested at longer distances on grass, or mud since then.  Her return to this distance may be more to her liking. She should be pressing the early pace, and could throw a big performance.

Forest Wildcat x Miswaki

After a very promising two year old campaign, she has failed to fulfill her ownership’s high expectations.  Of course, one needs to remember that she was placed in some tough graded stakes events and should benefit from escaping that group.  WAKIWILD will be close to the leaders and will be a serious contender.

Glitterman x Damascus

Morning line favorite- she has been consistently quick out of the gate and may be the one chased before the turn.  Her only two bad outings have been in grade II events, so she should be around the front at the wire.

Redoubt’s Choice x Kris(GB)

She threw a big race LTO- with a gate to wire (sp 94) win in the Dayton Storm Memorial.  The question that looms for this front runner is whether she duplicate that performance at the added one and one-half furlongs.  She likes to see daylight in front of her, but should feel plenty of pressure from others.

Congaree x Forty Niner

Finished second to ALLURING NINER G in the Bold Gladiator Memorial.  She will be be another bidding for early position down the back stretch.  Even though she comes in off a nice second place finish in her last outing, I feel that she can be a miler and this distance should be to her liking. 

Fusaichi Pegasus x Danzig

I am sure with this bloodline, ownership was hoping to be running in Kentucky on the first Saturday in May.  She has failed to win a stakes event, and may find this one to be a challenge.  Being a stalker- she should find the quick pace in front of her to be to her benefit. 

Southern Halo x Risen Star

Another speedster- she is the long shot in this event.  She is unproven at this distance, and may be worn down from the expected crowd near the front. 

This race has a lot of runners that should be bidding for early positioning on or near the lead.  I am going with a stalker like bongareee to benefit from the tiring pacers.  WAKIWILD may find that this field is more at her level and be around at the wire.  SHANTYTOWN has hung tough in her races, and should have enough to be there again in this one.

My selections are:   bongareee                 WAKIWILD              SHANTYTOWN

-deajai