Lack of Early Speed May Force A Change in Strategy

Seven and one-half furlongs   Fast Dirt          $50,000

All horses       4 years old and up

When seven of your ten entries fall within the odds of 9-to 2 (co-favorites) to 6-to 1, you can safely assume that a competitive field exists.  The distance may fall in that sprint category, but actually this field is far from being a group of sprinters.  Most of the strength comes from those that prefers to run off the pace, and I would not expect much early speed to prevail.

The 2006 version is the second running of this stakes.  DELIVER THE WIN    won the inaugural running of this race in a time of 1:28 1/5 (7.5 f). 

LANKY STORM won over $250,000 during his forty eight race career.  Of his twelve career wins, two were at the stakes level.

As for the field for the running of the 2006 The LANKY STORM Stakes:

Demidorff x Bahri

This five year loves to place him self in a stalking position down the backstretch, and has proven to be a strong finisher at this distance.  

Conquistador Cielo x Mr. Prospector

A five year old that runs his best races when he stays within striking range.  Several of his trips, he has allowed too much distance occur between him and the leaders and crossed under the wire before be able to make up the distance.  He did run a solid three in the Kentucky Breeders Bowl Sprint a few races back, so he has the potential.

Aldebran x Storm Bird

A four year old that has yet to crack the SW winner category on dirt (has one on the turf).  However, he has been very impressive in allowance events, and is possibly due.  I would expect him to be pressuring the pace from the outset.  He finished strongly at eight furlongs LTO and has won several true sprint events, so the distance should not be a factor.

Fantastic Light x Northern Dancer

A seven year old- but, only 25 starts, so age should not be a factor. He enters this race off of a string of grade III events.   Even though he is winless in 2006-the level of competition and strong showing in those tough races is impressive enough to make him a co-favorite.   I would expect him to be running mid-pack in the early goings.

King Cugat x Bold Ruckus

This four year old will have to show a lot of bounce to move up in this event.  His last two outings have been very poor (against stakes competition). 

Alphabet Soup x Exploit

I am not a fan of possum stew ( the mixture of vegetables and that wild critter with sharp teeth)- not this horse.  I actually had a pet possum at one time, which let to some rough times, when I would ask girls if they wanted to pet my possum- but, that is another story for a different occasion.  This POSSUM STEW is stepping back in distance (after several runs at nine furlongs or more).  He is winless in spring events, and may see that streak extended.  I would not be surprised if he doesn’t assume the early lead in this race.

Dixie Union x Twining        

Ships in off of a very impressive run in the Bluegrass Sprint (gr. II).  In that event, this four years old, found himself more than ten lengths off the pace as they turned for home.  A very strong stretch drive pulled him to a runner-up finish.  That finish is similar to other recent outings, so ownership is hoping that the added one-sixteenth distance will be the remedy to “coming up short”.    His co-favorite role should not be a surprise to anyone.  He will probably be out of the gate slowly and will be placed well back down the back stretch, but don’t worry, he should be coming strong as they pass the grandstand.

Zabeel(NZ) x Mr. Prospector

It is becoming apparent that the off the pace runners greatly outnumber the early pace setters.  This four year old should be running in that pack that is sitting strides off the early pace, and it should prove interesting.

Giant’s Causeway x Northern Dancer

FLYING WILD may prove to be the lone speed in this race.  He ships in off of a trip on the grass, but has the tendency to be on or very close to the lead, quickly out of the gate.  He has shown signs of tiring in some outings, so Bravaro may try to preserve something for the stretch and the expected onslaught. 

Uncle Abbie x Norquestor

Breeding may be less that stellar, but this five year old has captured over three hundred thousand in earnings.  I may not consider him for the top spot, but don’t throw him out of some exotics. 

This race has very little early speed among the runners.  The pace should be set with flying wild, with FAR OFF CENTRE VSF, and ASTRONOMY applying modest pressure.  The real threats should be from a group of runners that will sit back until the turn for home.  DIXIE GLOW leads this pack, with TWELVE YEAR OLD and several others aiming to gain ground down the stretch.  As the odds indicate, there are several that should be considered contenders.  I suspect one or two will opt to change their running styles in an attempt to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Selections:  DIXIE GLOW     FLYING WILD          ASTRONOMY

-deajai