Spotlight Race of the Day: 9/23 Surrey Claimers

A field of eight go into the gate in Surrey to battle it out in a 5.5 furlong dirt race which will be on a fast track.  The race is open to all horses, age three an up.  No girls in this one, just the boys and the three year olds are all skipping this $15,000 claiming  race.

1.  PLEASANTLY HAACK   3/1

Was seco0nd over this track in July at same claim level after leading to the stretch in 5f event, coming on off track.  Mid-August tried same but at 5.5 furlongs and slushing back into sixth and drop of speed from 89 to 79.   Oddly, this is lowest speed of career for this 5 year old runner and hopes to get things back on the right track.

2.  MRHERD   12/1

A four year old that is having a horrific 2014 racing season.  Has made 10 starts this year on a mix of dirt and turf, all sprints, and has not had a top three finish.   Speeds have been in a narrow range of mid-70’s to low 80’s.  Hard to get excited about.

3.  NOTCOMMITTED TO YOU   9/1

Started the year off with speeds in upper 80’s to low 90’s and first three races resulted in a second and pair of thirds.   Has raced 11 times this year and performance results have declined.   In last 8 starts, has one third and off the board in all others.  Speeds have dropped into 70’s.  Last was on turf after a rest and makes second start back so could improve with much need break.

4.  JAZZ JAZZ JAZZ  7/2

It’s been 2 years since this 7 year old last won a race and hasn’t been the same since being injured in February, 2013.   Prior to the injury the speeds were 90’s to 100’s.  Since the injury, 80’s seem to be the number.  Looks to fit here as he’s had six starts this year in a mix of dirt and grass and finished in top three spots four times.

5.  GRINGO   6/1

After a layoff  of over 2-years, this eight year old came back in early August to finish third with an 88 speed going 9 furlongs.   At the end of August, 10 furlongs was on tab where he was sixth and a diminished 78 speed.  Tries sprint this time but I’m concerned about the speed drop in last, horse may be barking that it needs a bit more rest to recover after a long layoff.  This race may indicate one way or the other.

6.  FUTURE FLOW  7/1

Stumbling out of the gate in June resulted in a bruised knee that sidelined this four year old for a pair of months.  He returned in early September and at 11/1 wired a field of $20k claimers at 6.5 furlongs with 88 SP.   Only gets two weeks off for this one but is capable of repeating with this field.

7.  YOUR VENUS  9/2

Looks to be a better runner on turf as he has been on the board in all three starts on that surface.  As for the dirt this season, he’s been on the board once in six starts.  That one time is his only win that came in February with a 94 speed.  Last two were dirt races at Surrey and were fourth and sixth with 83 and 85 speeds.  Could be a factor as speed got better on this track, may be adjusting to surface.

8.  TIRARI DESERT   9/2

Picked up win in last while making transition to turf for only 2014 victory.   Finished third over Surrey surface in same conditions as this race back in mid-August with 84 speed.  Hadn’t raced for about three years before returning in April this year and has been dropping from allowance to claiming and dropping within the claiming levels.  Looks to be comfortable at this level or a bit lower.

Not a terrific field as very few have a win this year.  Although I don’t care much for horses that race with little rest (fewer than 3-weeks)  between races, my top pick is with Future Flow.  His return after the injury with a win stands out as a big plus in my eye.

Jazz Jazz Jazz gets second pick as has hit board with some consistency this season.

Tirari Desert been on board last two, could be getting into form.