Seven Fillies Run in the DEBBIE DEAREST Special

Despite British Columbia’s reputation for being rainy, wet and miserable, the turf track has come up firm for this Saturday’s DEBBIE DEAREST Special, named after the six-time stakes winning horse who never succeeded in a graded race.  Seven horses will make the 6f trip around the course.  With only two having graded race experience, and no graded wins between them, let’s hope Debbie Dearest’s curse isn’t contagious.

PP 1 is held by HERBSTREIT (Danzig x Seattle Slew x Buckpasser) trained by peeps11 (who now coincidentally owns my homebred nag Cheap Critic). With one stakes win already under his belt, in week 2888, Herb is being tried at a shorter distance this time out.  She hasn’t raced at less than a mile since she was three; coming third in an attempt to break her maiden.  I’d tend to agree with the bookies assessment of 8/1 – I’m not convinced that a shorter distance will suit this horse; I’d like to see her try 8f dirt next time out.

PP 2 holds CAT CAPE CANASKRA (Cape Caneveral x Carr de Naskra x Storm Cat) trained by fredtaylor.  This one’s a long shot at 34/1.  She looks over-classed here; especially since coming off a few lackluster starts for her new owner.  Shortening up from the 14f she ran last time looks to be a good choice, though this one is another I’d like to see try the dirt since her SP’s improve slightly on that surface.

PP 3 is home to the EVEN favourite CRASH BANG ANGEL(IRE) (Rock of Gilbraltar(IRE) x Thunder Gulch x Halo) trained by irt1. With solid speed figures and a win last time out at a similar distance this one’s the one to beat.  She’ll most likely go out in the lead and try to hold it the entire race, but if someone can beat her out of the gate she may quit. Of her nine career wins, eight have been when she led wire-to-wire.

PP 4 was picked by WESTERN SONG (Unbridled’s Song x Gone West x Storm Cat) trained by stoners.  This is the horse that should challenge the favourite for the early lead since she made a good effort last time out by taking the lead early and just getting passed at the wire.  Her SP’s are not that consistent; but with a strong turnout she could crack the top three.

PP 5 holds DENVER DOLL (Miesque’s Son x Atticus x Kris) trained by denveru.  A solid turf sprinter, this one also likes to sit near the lead.  She tends to fade towards the second half; the shorter distance may suit.  At 9/1 I’d take this one to show.

PP 6 is held by SASHA (Polish Navy x Royal Academy x Quest for Fame) trained by syndicate. The oldest mare of the bunch, she still has strong SP’s and may like the smaller field. This race is really turning into a race for the lead since this one also likes to tuck into the front pack.  At 7/2 I’d be surprised if this one isn’t in the action as they approach the wire.

On the outside in PP 7 is MEDAGLIA D’JUR (Medaglia D’Oro x Dayjur x King of Kings) trained by southside.  If I had to predict a closer it’d be this one; although she also likes to sit in the front pack out of the gate she looks to have a stronger closing kick then some of the others in this field.  I’d try saving her at the beginning and then closing in on the front pack around the 3f mark – just like she did when she broke her maiden back in 2601.  I normally wouldn’t want to fix what isn’t broken, but in this field a closer may have an advantage as the others jostle for the lead.

This one should prove to be exciting.  I predict a lot of action out of the gate since so many of these fillies like to take the lead early.  The horse to watch is CRASH BANG ANGEL(IRE) at such short odds the bookies don’t think it’s likely this one will be upset.  I disagree, if a few of the others can get in front early it plays to their advantage.  My prediction is 7-3-5, but I’d be quick to bet I’m wrong.