Claiming Jewel – The Ruby
Claiming Jewel – The Ruby
Starter Allowance ($20,000)
A mile and one sixteenth
Firm Turf
$100,000
All horses, 3 years old and up
A full field of runners has gathered in
PP 1
6/1 FRENCH ACK
Trainer: derbywin
Breaking out of the inside post, French Ack returns to turf where he found his last win. He has posted some bang up races in the past but may be slightly out of form and his huge numbers have come on the dirt course. None the less it may just be enough especially if a speed duel ensues and the leader tire out as stamina doesn’t seem to be an issue which is evident by all the 10-11 furlong races he’s ran in the past. It will take a smart jockey though determine exactly when to send him.
PP 2
66/1 CARDS ROCK
Trainer: lightng99
Carrying the dubious task of having the longest odds, Cards Rock unfortunately is over classed here today. With a lifetime best SF of 78 which was on the dirt, he just doesn’t seem to be the caliber to keep up with the field. Perhaps a return to the dirt in the claiming ranks might better suit him.
PP 3
37/1 LARMOYANTE
Trainer: blaskovits
Although this horse has a bit more speed than our previously mentioned one, he finds himself in a very tough field of runners. He is coming off a win two races back in a Clm-10000NW2L where he posted a 81 SF but compared to the others, he’ll have to rely on a lot of luck to find a share of the prize money.
PP 4
31/1 USHER PIANO
Trainer: pacer216
Making his debut on the turf, Usher Piano and trainer pacer216 hope to turn things around with a good race. With only one lifetime win, he’s not shown much racing on the dirt and perhaps this is what is needed. If he doesn’t perform well here I would probably give him a few more shots at it as some horses take some time to become acclimated to different surfaces. He has shown some signs of maturing as his speeds seem to be better than the previous year but not quite as good as the favorites. His owner is keeping his fingers crossed the surface switch is the answer.
PP 5
5/1 FURIOUS ODYSSEUS
Trainer: driver1000
Our co-morning line favorite was claimed four races back for $15,000. He makes his second start on grass for trainer driver1000 where he has been more successful. This horse has a strong closing kick as he prefers to stay at the back of the pack and make his move entering the second turn. His times are impressive and don’t let his record fool as he has spent almost his entire career running in allowance company. Listen for the cavalry charge.
PP 6
8/1 DISTORTED TALE
Trainer: blaznbarn
Distorted Tale moves up a bit in distance today a he has mainly been run in sprint events in his lifetime. This four year old son of Tale Of The Cat has been running steady but I like the move up in distance. In some of his most recent races he seems to have run out of track and an extra furlong or two may do him some good. He makes his second start for blaznbarn after a disastrous trip last time out in allowance company on the dirt. He should find a place a couple of lengths behind the leaders but we’ll have to see if he’ll respond to the whip when asked.
PP 7
5/1
Trainer: texashair
Recently returning to the grass Ranger Academy seems to have breathed some new life in himself. Although it seems that he’s at home on either surface he saw a return to form of old in his last start by posting a 96 SF on way to his first win in over two years. He looks to do the same here and has a similar closing style as co-favorite Furious Odysseus. It may come down to who has the most left in the final 100 yards.
PP 8
19/1 ROBOTIC(IRE)
Trainer: pinky
Making his debut for the pinky stable, Robotic is comes in after winning his 2nd lifetime start last time out in a Clm-15000NW2L race. He seems to be off form this year but finished strongly at the end of 2005 with a 91 SF that was posted in a 8 furlong turf race. Pinky is hoping that a stable change will change this horse’s fortune and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the trifecta spoiler of the day. If he can return to that form he found in that one race he may just do that.
PP 9
5/1
Trainer: ashford
Our final co-favorite of the three shortens up a bit and it looks like it may do him some good. This four year old Swain colt was picked up earlier this year for $15,000 and has been performing strong up till his last two races. However, it appears that the distance was just a bit too much for him and he should like the 8.5 furlongs and the firm course. He should settle in nicely giving the leaders just a few lengths in front and if he can build enough of a lead in the stretch he might just hold off the hard charging pack.
PP 10
10/1 BREEDERS SECRET
Trainer: bond77
Breeders Secret is one of only a few horses running on Claiming Jewel Day to have just one owner lifetime. Trainer bond77 seems to be doing better with horse since he moved down to the claiming ranks and trying turf this year. What has been somewhat of a surprise though, are the many distances this horse has ran this year. It kind of leaves you scratching your head a bit as a horse that has raced three seasons under one trainer is still looking to find his place. However, it appears that these conditions have suited him the best in the past and his recent speed on the turf can match any of the co-favorites. His odds are probably based on his last three starts and this might just be the sleeper pick of the race.
PP 11
10/1 SPORTY GRAPPLE
Trainer: phillipj3
Making his first start for the phillipj3 stable, Sporty Grapple could bring a nice return for his owner who just claimed him for $2,000. He seems to be maturing nicely as a four year old he may just be ready to show what he really has as his last few races have just bordered on brilliant. I’m a bit surprised at the morning odds here as I would clearly be willing bet on him as far down as 6/1. He could be a good over-lay bet.
PP 12
12/1 ANGEL’S CAPTIVE
Trainer: beefcake5
Our series of possible over-lays continues here with our 12th entry, Angel’s Captive. After two unsuccessful tries on the dirt, beefcake5 returns him to the grass where seven of though last nine races have been raced with SF’s in the 90’s. Again, the track handicapper seems to be judging his odds based on his last three races and you can toss all three of the out since two were on dirt and the other was ran at 11 furlongs. Any of the last three horse mentioned have just as good a chance of winning this race as the favorites do. He’ll likely try to pressure the pace and wear down the leaders.
PP 13
7/1 COLOSO
Trainer: theodore14
Last claimed for $4,000 Coloso makes his second consecutive start on the grass and hopes to improve off a win his last time out in a Clm-7500NW2y. He might have the momentum entering this race but his overall speed doesn’t seem up to par recently. However, he has shown some flash in the past and he might just choose to take off. It appears that salis2912 has played around a bit with jockey instructions but he looks to do best when taking the lead early on in turf races. Not a long shot but he might need some help.
PP 14
24/1 CRIBART KYLE
Trainer: black3car1
Breaking out of the outside post, Cribart Kyle also returns to the grass after a humbling attempt on the dirt. He seems to be a steady runner with SF’s posted in the mid-80’s but he seems to be slightly outclassed here. The big question will be how he’ll feel like racing after such a horrible trip in his last race? I’ll give a big E effort here but I’ll have to pass.