The NEAR UNDER SPATULA Stakes
In what is one of the biggest racing days of the year, when the action is 590 miles south of this track, just a short 9 and a half hour drive to the south. We offer you The Near Under Spatula Stakes. Today we will have Eleven older gals running 7 furlongs over a fast dirt track in search of the winners share of the $65,000 being offered today. The morning line favorite in this wide open race is CLEO’S ASP at 3/1. Let’s take a look at the runners.
1) DEJA BLUE 64/1 12/1/2/1 $ 22,069
The longest shot in the field comes in to the race of a well beaten try vs graded company. Trainer Cheyenne15 has not found that much easier of a spot here as these look to be pretty tough as well. The 4yo daughter of Forty Niner did run a nice race in her previous start at 25/1 to finish 2nd with a 93Sp going 6.5F, but even that effort would have a hard time getting much done in this race, as that race was with open allowance types. G.Purcell gets the mount. No problem passing here.
2) AWEKITTY 6/1 24/5/5/4 $ 94,645
Trainer hollybull99 brings this 4yo daughter of Awesome Again into this Stakes in search of her first Stakes win. She just missed notching that elusive victory in her last start going a mile where she had a solid lead before just failing in the late stages. She has has raced with the best in her division and cannot be overlooked. The cutback in distance helps as she has not had any wins at a mile or over. 6/1 is generous though the field is solid. K.Wasko gets the assignment today.
3) LADY BLU 24/1 17 3/0/1 $42,794
This 4yo daughter of Bluebird has tried Stakes company a few times and has very little to show for it. Four Stakes and a fourth is the best she can muster I’m afraid she won’t even fair that well today as these just seem that much better than her. The distance fits but the company is just a little to deep for this one. B.Pitts gets the call for trainer winspecial.
4) COUPON LINDA 7/1 39 9/6/5 $236,636
A seven year old veteran who goes postwad for the 40th time today. This daughter of Salem Drive Steps back into Stakes company after a nice allowance win going 6.5 last out. Her last Stakes win was in 2003 but hey this is Derby day and this old gal might just have something left in the tank as the back to back 98 sp’s prove for trainer cecil52 who has conditioned her for her entire career. D.Nabinger Gets the mount today on this horse who has run well over this strip in the past. Some value here.
5) YOUR ON MY MANOR 16/1 34 7/4/5 $177,484
Trainer scotia dropped the tag on this 5yo daughter of Squirtle Squirt four races back for $50,000 and in the three races since then, all Stakes has been soundly trounced. Cuts back to a sprint in hopes of turning things around. I am not sure if this is gonna do the trick as most of her big races have been at a distance of ground. She has been in the money in 3 of 4 lifetime sprints though those were early on and with this caliber of company she could be in for another long day. M.Delahoz is in the irons today.
6) CLEO’S ASP 3/1 42 8/9/9 $355,760
Trainer bigdog sends out the luke warm favorite in todays feature race. The 5yo Kris S mare has the most consistent Sp’s in the bunch hence the favorite role which is not undeserved. The closing style should work well in this race and she runs this distance almost all the time within a half furlong. This one will be heard from late. Picks up the capable services of T.Kallor for the riding assignment.
7) TASSOVER THE BUX G 5/1 27 9/2/3 $522,010
The leading money earner in the race this 4yo daughter of Tasso just cant seem to find her 3yo form. Her last race as a 3yo was a just miss effort in the Grade 1 Knight’s Joust putting down a 105 Sp at the same distance as todays race. The problem is trainer buxpasser has not been able to hit the board with her in 5 starts this year, four of which she was very well bet and had the chalk players heading for the exits early. She could snap out of it at any time and has the Jocky in C.Orza that is more than capable. Is today the day? I wish I Knew but 5/1 sounds like more of what we have been seeing most of the year.
8) ELUSIVE DIXIE 9/2 21 8/3/2 194,841
Comes in off a monster win at this distance vs. allowance NW2t. that score was a lifetime high 105 Sp and a repeat of that effort would make for an interesting race here. Trainer dixiepride has to be hoping the 4yo daughter of Elusive Quality is riding the wave right now and can post another big effort. This seems to be her distance as she has won both her Stakes races at this distance and belongs with these. Should be considered in all bets. F.Solomon gets the nod today.
9) BEER VOLCANO 29/1 7 2/2/1 $35,589
Very lightly raced 4yo daughter of Tabasco Cat makes only her 8th carreer start for trainer fatmouse. Hmm what’s to like about this one who try’s Stakes company for the first time? Well I like beer, and I like Volcano’s as long as they are not too close to me. Seriously she seems a bit overmatched here as she gave way badly in 3 out of 4 attepts going longer and the class she faces here just seems to be too much. May be heard from early but expect her to fold up shop when the serious running gets started. P.Nabinger gets the call.
10) DRAGONBRINGER 4/1 18 7/3/1 $335,995
Here is the main speed and main threat to the favorite in the race. Trainer confessor brings in this 4yo daughter of Pine Bluff who sports the highest Sp’s in the field. She has had trouble carrying her speed in some of her races but has done it in other’s even from the outside post. this horse could have been the favorite and could very easily make evry step a winning one today. Won the Graded 2 Manta Serria Handicap at this distance three back and looms dangerous. Add Z.Ayya and that is an awful lot to pass on.
11) BARB’S HOUSE 12/1 10 4/0/1 $98,555
Trainer maxie returns to Upstate NY where these connections scored at a price two back with this daughter of Event of the Year. She really seems to like this track and ran a nice number that day. Today however she draws the outside post and that will hurt a bit. She also picks up my favorite underachiever in B.Cooper who just doesn’t seem to win anymore. She does like the track and if she can put in that late run coupled with a few not running thier best, could catch a piece.
My bet’s today I really can’t decide between the 6-10 so a heavy ex box 6-10 and key play them with the 2/4/8/11 in the tri. good luck to all the runner’s