F/M’s go for the Glory in Smackdown Turf
Welcome to the Smackdown II Series, in which three sim resi’s (GSR-the Sponsor, Vermont and Kentucky) face off in 20 races. Five horses from each res are entered in each race with points being awarded to determine the champion. It should be a great day of racing.
Lets get right to the horses for this race-11 furlongs on the grass at Kentucky for fillies and mares 4 and up.
1) BARR’S HOLLANDIA Barrstable (Ky-20%) L. Goodburn (7%) 19-1
Pine Bluff filly coming in after 3 1/2 length win in S. Mama Stakes at Wyoming. (87 SF). That was at 14f but she’s won at this distance also. She likes to be on the lead or close to it. Looks like quite a lot of speed here with 4 horses going for it. This is a solid filly with a good chance to hit the board at long odds.
2) CADY LADY Isthatgood (VT-13%) R. Coleman (10.8%) 21-1
Rahy 4yo has only 7 turf routes in her lifetime but she has been on the board in 6 of them. Last was an Alw win in France, posting a 92 SF for 8 furlongs. Questions here arise as she has never been in a Stakes race and never been more than 8 1/2 F. Breeding says that she can do it but this is a tough spot to try and find out. Maybe?
3) GOT THE FEVER Dundey2 (VT-15%) P. Greggor (1.5%) 7-1
4yo speedster likes to go out quick in her races and she’s done it very well, winning over $301k in her career. She will try it again here but the question is whether 11F is a good distance for her. She will need a nicely judged ride to be there at the end. Bad news is that her jock is in a terrible slump having won just 1 of 67 this year. If he can stay on this Stormin Fever filly could still hit the board.
4) KID ICARUS Pudj1 (GSR-10%) S. Blood (14.7%) 6-1
4yo Graded Winner by Lemon Drop Kid, ships to Kentucky from France where she just missed (ns) in the Tetepiesta(Ire) Handicap in her last start. Filly posted a solid 97 SF in that race at 10F, closing well in the stretch. Seems to have all the right stuff to do well in this race, including a good jockey. A player!
5) ROCKET FUEL Popsntips (KY-13%) L. Cardinal (12.0%) 10-1
6yo mare by Kurofune has had a very nice career, banking over $638k and winning four stakes. She seems to want a bit more than 11f, though, her last win being at 2 miles. She could very well hit the board with a late run here but a win would be a surprise.
6) IMPERIAL OATS(AUS) Bentley (GSR-16%) B. Alt (5.2%) 7-1
Aussie bred (Testa Rossa) 6yo mare comes here after running 7th (15 back) in The Accordian Dial Stakes in North Dakota. She’s had a good record with over $674K in winnings but that race was a bit disappointing. She was never a factor. However, she did win a Stakes at 10F two back. She needs a rebound to that form to have any shot here.
7) KGBEAST (IRE) Devilo1 (GSR-17%) I Hoge (4.8%) 9-1
4yo Galileo fully rides the van from Tennessee to Kentucky after checking in 6th (9 lengths back) in Stakes race at 11 panels, on the grass. She likes this distance but that’s her second dull performance in a row. She can improve but if she doesn’t a win with this bunch would be a surprise. Low % rider doesn’t help.
8) GETALOADOFTHIS Fab19 (Ky-15%) D. Givins (24.2%) 4-1
Distorted Humor 4yo is the ‘puter oddsmakers choice here and should be. She’s gunning for 5 in a row. Must have not been a prep for her in 2902 as the trainer opted for an Alw. prior to this race after she won the Grade 2 Sour Kraut Cup two back. She will be closing from mid pack with Kentucky and sim legend D. “Goose” Givens in the irons. Nothing not to like here. This lady will be tough to handle here. But you never know even when you know…..
9) F. FAIRLIGHT Blueribbon (VT-19%) T. Mcjulien (3.2%) 47-1
A very interesting 4yo filly. She is 1 of only two sim runners sired by Go For Four-plus she is a Stakes Winner giving that sire a 50% stakes score. However she is way, way over her head in this one. Her last two SF’s of 74-79 indicate that she really has no shot in this race. Stranger things have happened but I don’t think so.
10) ROCK VALDES (IRE) Beckla (VT-12%) M. Margolf (9.6%) 73-1
Well, as they say every race has a longshot (Bud or whatever) and here she is! 4yo Rock of Gibraltar miss is just so deep in here that she’s on the bottom. She hasn’t won in over a year and her SF’s say she can’t run fast enough to change that in this race. Sorry but not today folks!
11) LADY GALADRIEL(IRE) Ladyssecre(VT-13%) B. Sipe (9.1%) 7-1
Kalanisi 6yo ships in after running 4th (10 back) in the Lake Ta Wee (GB) Stakes at Nevada last out. She’s a very consistent and hard trying horse, finishing 3rd in the GR2 Barbara Busch 3 races back. She has won at this distance before and could certainly be a factor in this race. Should be on your trifecta ticket.
12) HIGHEST DANCER (IRE) Lenny14 (GSR-21.1%) D. Sherman (11.4%) 16-1
Super consistent High Chap filly, this 4yo has won 10 of her 16 lifetime starts. She rarely throws in a bad race. Highest Dancer likes to close late in her races, which does bring up a question mark here. Will the 11f be too short? She’s used to 14-16F. Tune in on your Coker viewer to find out. Certainly a threat to hit the board at a nice price.
13) YANKEE ROSE Waremblem5 (GSR-11%) P. Cadigan (14.4%) 11-1
Looks like another speedster to run with Got the Fever. This 4yo daughter of Silver Charm is super fast out of the gate. She is 3/4 in the money this year, all in Stakes. Two questions are whether she can avoid getting cooked in a speed duel up front and than get the 11F distance. She has an excellent jock and with a good ride a definite shot to hit the board.
14) POLISHVEV Tiramisu (KY-15%) P Mcarthy (10.9%) 13-1
hmmm Looks like a lot of speed outside!! This Polish Precedent 4yo also wants to get out and stay there. She has had lots of success doing it, winning her last two, which were both Stakes. These races were at 16F and 14F and 4 of her 7 wins are at 14+ so I’m thinking that this one might be too short for her. It should be an interesting start to see who can grab the lead. Looks as if 4 of these girls want to be there.
Well, that’s a short look at the race today. I would say that everyone’s gonna have to try and figure out a way to beat Getaloadofthis. hmmm I have some “friends” that might sneak over to the barn tonight if I can raise some cash-oops-stop that!!!
Best of luck to all the horses and trainers in this one and to all in the Smackdown races. May the horse be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!