THIS WEEK IN MINNESOTA-2853
The 10th race feature at Minnesota Downs this week is the 6 furlong PHONE BUDA challenge stakes for 2 year old fillies on the grass. We have a field of seven for the race who will be vying for the biggest slice of the $45,000 purse. The race is named after retired mare PHONE BUDA who had 3 wins in 28 lifetime races including a turf stake win at 2 years old. She was mostly a turf sprinter and earned $118,138 for owner sallygee before retiring in 2004.
Lets take a look at the field,
1) BLUE TACKLE—9/1—jarrod2 sends out this ALPHABET SOUP filly for the first time on the turf. She won her debut in Eastern Kentucky in a MSW race with a 63 speed rating over 4.5 furlongs but could not match that mark in her return where she finished 6th in an allowance over 6 furlongs. Her connections hope she can improve with the switch of surfaces. Interesting to note that BLUE TACKLE is the only offspring of ALPHABET SOUP to have a win so far this year.
2) STEET GIRL(IRE)—4/1—yochem a veteran handler on the sim circuit sends out ths STREET CRY(IRE) sired filly coming in off of a MSW win on the turf where she posted a 63 speed rating over 5 furlongs. Her aggressive style should have no problem handling the extra yardage today. She was badly outrun in her debut but that was due to her not liking the dirt surface and the fact that she was thrown to the wolves in a 2 year old allowance race vs winners for her debut. She is the 4th offspring of the mare SEXY GIRL who’s first three have all at least been stakes placed.
3) LIVING DAYLIGHT—22/1—wins sends out the morning line longshot with this daughter of SUCCESFULL APPEAL. Her debut was a 5 furlong 20K maiden claimer which she won with a closing rush albeit with a tepid 45 speed rating. She will have to greatly improve on that number to be competitive here but with 2 year olds anything can happen this early in the season.
4) ZENE AFLEET—5/1—daunte has this undefeated filly sired by NORTHERN AFLEET coming in off of her MSW win over 5.5 furlongs on the turf where she posted a 64 debut speed rating. She showed a great rally to come from behing for the win and should also enjoy the extra yardage in this race today. This horses is out of a mare who was winless in 19 lifetime starts but has sent out two winners with her two offspring to date. One of the top jocks K Friar gets the call in the irons today.
5) BEST IN THE WEST(AUS)—6/1—wabred1 has this EXCEED AND EXCEL filly showing a huge improvement in speed rating when switched to the turf in her last race. She debuted on the dirt in a MSW but while never to far back in the race could only muster a 49 speed rating. In her last she improved on that number greatly by posting a 66 speed rating in winning a maiden race going wire to wire. She should be vying for the lead when the gate opens in this one.
6) TALKING GIBBERISH—2/1—foxon sends out the race favorite with this SHAMARDAL filly who won her debut race on the dirt with a 67 speed rating . Her sire has a 21.7% winning rate so far this year with half the winners on the turf and the other on the dirt. This girl will try the turf today after a succesfull dirt debut so her connections can see just how good she can be. Top jock K Bowen should be out of the gate quckly with BEST IN THE WEST to vye for the early lead.
7) DIXIELAND BEAT(GB)—5/2—jcracing sends out the only first time starter in this race and will be facing 6 winners in her debut race. BEAT HOLLOW X CAPOTE X DIXIELAND BAND is the breeding. She is the second offspring out of a winless mare LA MONGE 0/14 lifetime of which neither has recorded a win to date. BEAT HOLLOW has an 18% winners rate so far in 2006.
A very inexperienced bunch in this race today as it is the first juvenile stake to be offered at Minnesota so far this year and I am leaning towards #4 ZENE AFLEET to rally in the stretch in what could be a speed duel between the two frontrunners.
OTHER HAPPENINGS AT MINNESOTA THIS WEEK
In the 16th race co-feature the 14th leg of the Minny sire series goes back to the dirt over 10 furlongs. The current series leader, CATHOUSE is back to his favored surface after skipping one and simply breezing in the last race which were held on the turf. 8 horses are still left in the series which has a 5000 credit top prize, although only 7 are entered in today’s race.
In the Minny cup contest the 2nd half of the regular season starts today with COTHILL leading the Minneapolis division and a tight four way logjam for first in the St Paul division.
The No Mercy handicapping final goes today in the 11th race today between Minny veterans Richgins and Randy with the winner taking the complete 600 credit prize.
The pick 4 pool this week is 900 credits.
The Mountains of Money contest has 2 weeks to go (this contest is where you score your weekly nominated horses payout totals) with Dundey clear in the lead by over $100.
Minnesota is accepting applications for new member. If you are interested email the resident manager at
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING.