Ten Try to “Muskle” Their Way Over Bluto

The Grade II Bluto Cup attracted a talented field of ten fillies racing for $250,000 over a firm Indiana turf course.  The number two ranked Sunshaft is joined by the number four ranked Jaca.  Those two are among six in the field who have shipped in from overseas.  This may be a test to see who handled the traveling the best.

The Bluto Cup has an overwhelming history of favoring early speed.  All five of the most recent runnings have been won by fillies in first or second place throughout.  The only time the winner came from off the pace was in the inaugural running won by Hall of Famer Cecil Roo. With that history and today’s speedy field, there should be a mad dash to the first turn.

Here is a look at the field:

1. Miss Haack (Daylami x Singspiel) was a well beaten third in the G2 Celine Stakes last time and owns a stakes route win, but most of the Ottox (18%) trained filly’s success has come in sprints.  Since stepping up to graded stakes her speed figures have regressed, and that explains why she is the longest price today. 14-1.

2. Can of Whoop As (Wolfhound x Prized) hopes that Whoop As works like spinach as she tries to conquer Bluto.  She’s won five of her eight turf routes and is always prominent early.  She’s tried graded company just once before, when she just missed against a field similar to this.  In that race, the G2 Michigan Sophomore, she tried stalking and made a nice try, losing the photo to win to Not a Honky Tonk and the photo to place to Jaca. Betdahouse (13%) trains. 7-1.

3. After winning the Michigan Sophomore, Not a Honky Tonk (Not Impossible x Carson City) went on to lose a photo in the G1 Cremation.  The field in the Cremation included three of the top five turf fillies in the world.  She meets the other two today.  The 102 speed figure the Flickaspad (12%) trainee earned in the Cremation dominates this field.  As a three year old, she is five of six in turf routes, and her one loss is reason enough to justify her co-favoritism here. Jockey N May has had trouble bringing them home in first place this year.  4-1.

4. When Bad Scene (Pleasantly Perfect x Miswaki) can establish the lead, she has been dominant for trainer Lenny6 (18%).  She’s won five of her seven turf routes, including all three of her nine furlong efforts and the G3 Filly Turf Bonanza.  In that race she earned a 98 speed figure, second fastest in the field.  She ships in all the way from Queensland for this.  On the downside, she is likely to be challenged for the lead here, and the few times that has happened she has faded. 6-1.

5. Jaca (Mt. Livermore x Gone West) won six turf races as a two year old, including the Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf.  The PalmIsland (16%) trainee is still the number four ranked turf filly despite regressing a bit as a three year old.  She has one win and three seconds in her seven races this year.  She’s been trying 12 furlongs lately and appears more comfortable at today’s distance or even shorter. Figures to be sitting just off the pace today.  5-1.

6. The Eploit99 (20%) barn picks its spots very carefully for its four horses.  Storm Candles (Vindication x Awesome Again) comes here on a four race win streak and off a 22 week vacation.  The last three wins have been in minor stakes against small fields, but she fits with these as her speed figures were competitive for that early in a three year old campaign, and she has an early running style that fits the history of this race.  If she is fit, she could surprise. 9-1.

7. The late charging Junk Collector (Perfect Soul x Spinning World) has a lot of speed to run at here, and that should help the Runshilohb (9%) trained filly.  She makes here graded debut today and has cashed a check in all seven of her lifetime starts, though she has won only one.  She comes in off three straight seconds in minor stakes against small fields.  Would not be a surprise to see her completing the trifecta.  10-1.

8. Go For Crypto (Dynaformer x Cryptoclearance) shortens up after finishing in the money at a mile and a half in the G2 Rippleschip in Longchamp.  That race was the first stakes try for the Gowand3 (9%) trained filly.  The field in that last race was suspect, and the winner hardly flattered this one by losing her next by over 17 lengths.  Go For Crypto is now six for six in the money in turf routes, and figures to sit well back early and try to rally.   9-1.

9. Perfecta (Pleasantly Perfect x Danehill) finished a length ahead of Go For Crypto in the Rippleschip last time and two lengths behind Jaca three races ago.  Those were both 12 furlong races, and this late running filly from the Bellisimo (14%) barn shortens to what might be a better distance for her.  She’s winless this year but has four seconds. 9-1

10. Sunshaft (Mineshaft x Kris S.) finished third against the boys last time in the G2 Bean Sprout.  The Mrbigb (11%) trainee is rated number two in the world after winning five stakes – all of them within a half furlong of today’s nine furlong distance.  Picks up the dominant jock in Indiana: former astronaut Neil Armstrong. A versatile running style, a big class edge, her best distance, and a red hot jockey.  A lot to like in this co-favorite.  4-1.

Summary.  If Bad Scene can get clear to relax on the lead, she has a history and the race has a history that favors her.  I expect Storm Candles to pressure her enough that the race sets up for one coming from off the pace, but not far off. 

Morning Line: 10-3-5-4

Timmn’s picks: 3-10-4-6