Challenge May Be Who Wants It the Most

A mile and three sixteenths        $75,000      Firm Turf

All horses, 4 years old and up

A small field of five will come out of the starting gate for the 2006 THE REWARD CHALLENGE Challenge at Louisiana Downs.  Two entries come in as co-morning line favorites- UNSEEN UNIVERSITY(GB) and PGA HOLLOW(GB). Neither have captured a stakes event in their career and that alone may indicate how “soft” this field appears on paper.

This is the second running of the Reward Challenge- the inaugural running last year was captured by millionaire performer- RISE TO KLP in a time of  1:55 3/5  for the nine and one-half furlongs.

As for the field for the running of the 2006 The REWARDS CHALLENGE Challenge:

Diesis(Gb) x Irish River(FR)

After a few recent trips at turf sprint distances, this four year old will be returning to a distance that may be better suited for his stalking running style.  He is a veteran of twenty eight starts and a winner of over $190,000 in purse money, but is still seeking his first stakes win.

Sharp Pod x Palace Music

He brings a three race winning streak into this event, but all three wins were at very low CPU allowance restricted races.  The level competition in those races, and the fact that he is zero for eleven in turf starts creates a setting where 59 to one is a bit optimistic.

Beat Hollow x Nureyev

Ships in from Rhode Island after a rallying turf win in a restricted allowance race.  Like his co-favorite foe, he is seeking his first stakes triumph.  Expect him to be coming strong as this small field turns for home..

Northern Taste x Somethingfabulous

After fifty starts, this eight year old may be slowing down too much for stakes competition.  However, this soft field allows him to have a legitimate shot.   He should be pressing the early lead, but can he hold the distance.  His last several outings have been at sprint distances. 

Rock of Gibraltar(IRE) x Cozzene

He never found his footing the LTO, and faded out of contention early.  He should be running a few lengths off the pace, and with a short field he may be in position for a rally into the money.

Overall, a relatively weak field for a stakes event.  I expect UNSEEN UNIVERSITY to benefit from the added distance.  PGA HOLLOW should be able to rush in the stretch to pull close at the wire.  ROCKZENE may fine the turf in Louisiana more to his liking and will bounce back to gain a bit of the purse.

My selections are:   UNSEEN UNIVERSITY pga hollow(Gb)             rockzene(ire

-deajai