Battle of BB Distaff Winners: Swift Kick vs. Squall Is A Storm
California– Pure West Coast drama this week over nine furlongs with the winners of the past *two* Breeders Bowl Distaffs meeting for the very first time this year. 2004 BB Distaff winner Squall Is A Storm faces off against 2005 heroine Swift Kick and more in the Grade 1 $500,000 Rio Secco Handicap.
Two Daughters For Summer Squall
What an awesome duo sired by Summer Squall! Iron mare Squall Is A Storm (5/1) makes her 41st call to the post Saturday for trainer Meguire. Back in ’04, she was a late-blooming 3YO phenom who captured the BB Distaff. ‘Squall continued her winning ways as a 4YO, vying for top honors amongst the division. This year though, she’s only won once. With a 106 SP#, the 5YO mare authoritatively took the Grade 3 MD Distaff over 9f in the springtime.
Although Squall Is A Storm takes on all-comers at the graded level, the mare hasn’t earned much stakes points this season, finishing in minor money for the most part. She’s acquitted herself versus males in a couple Grade 1s. And the Storm Bird granddaughter lost a heartbreaking photo when stepping down to the listed level LTO too. ‘Storm speed figures may be slowing down a bit, but she’s still a threat and perhaps has a big race or two left. It’s been a splendid career for this $3.1-million earner and fan favorite.
And 2005 BB Distaff winner Swift Kick (3/1) has been having a similar “struggling” year. The 4YO filly has only won once — with a 107 SP#, Swift Kick skyrocketed to a sparkling Grade 1 My Girl Handicap over 8.5f this summer. But Swift Kick has been hitting the board often at the graded level, taking on the very best in the division. Interestingly the comparisions to ‘Squall’s ’06 season continue: Swift Kick raced once versus males and lost her listed stakes level drop LTO.
A Crafty Prospector granddaughter, Swift Kick enters here as the #1-ranked Older Mare in the Dirt division. A win pushes the champion 3YO filly and 2005 Bluegrass Oaks winner over the $4-milion mark. Toss out the off track trip two back — Swift Kick gets a fast track and aims for a return to the limelight.
Challengers In The Wings
#3-ranked Corzaffair(IRE) (7/2) most successful over 10f this season. The 4YO daughter of Black Tie Affair(IRE) won the Sand Castle Distaff(G3), Larry Laffer(G2) and placed in the Equinics and First State Distaff(G1). She did finish up the track in a pair of 9f grades though. The pacesetter went wire-to-wire LTO at the listed level. Lousy jockey in the irons must duke it out with Hostage for the early lead. Honest $1.8-million earning filly merits respect. Can steal this one if the faves don’t fire.
Fatattack brings Chubby Visa(G2) runner-up Fall Classic (9/2) to the starting gate. The lightly raced Deputy Minister royal bred made up a heap of ground in the 8.5f Chubby Visa(G2) to fall short by 3/4 length. This filly has really come into her own of late — she won at the listed level previusly with a 107 SP# and even hit the board in a Grade 3 earlier. She’s gonna win some races — makes only her 13th lifetime start Saturday. Not a lot of speed here, so she’ll have her work cut out for her. Still, major factor for the board at least.
Carson City daughter Hostile (6/1) makes just her 2nd career route attempt. It’s not like the 4YO filly’s a newbie — she’s a veteran of 26 sprint starts and recently won around seven panels. Trainer soulbleed rolls the dice. Hostage tried a grass route as a 3YO last season and she finished a distant 3rd. Granted, she’s not so keen for the green stuff, so maybe she’ll surprise us all over the 9f main track. Can go either way, but she’ll be on the lead with Corzaffair(IRE).
Fresh off of a miler win in the Snownut(G3), Bush Wins Again (8/1) hopes to capitalize on the momentum. The 4YO Tiznow filly’s been paying her dues through 20 starts at the ALW level. She was stakes-placed over 8.5f a few starts back for trainer Waremblem. Needs to develop some consistency and has to break on through 100 SP# barrier here. Certainly a factor for a minor share. Worth a shot at the Grade 1. Should be close to pacesetters if not dueling with them.
Bushmonste stable sends out Northern Ideal (10/1). A royal bred daughter of Rahy, Northern Ideal won or placed in 5 of her last 8 starts. That was the ALW level though, so she’ll have to pass the class test and elevate her game in a big way here. Good jockey aboard the 5YO mare helps for possible minor money payday. Not without a chance from behind the pace if the faves fall.
Finally, tntfarms’ Gone Deep (10/1) rounds out the field. Grand Slam daughter won a couple ALWs over the summer, but failed to hit the board from two stakes tries. Reaching in her 13th career start. She’s in no way ready for this level yet. Lots of talent — I’d suggest figuring out her distance and surface first, building some consistency before trying this level again. Not much of a chance.
Snowchief’s Picks:
I’m gonna go with Swift Kick who perhaps will rebound. This is about as good a spot as you can ask for in a Grade 1. Corzaffair gets a big payday too. Fall Classic makes late stretch drive but falls up short. Wouldn’t be surprised if any one of these three get their photo in the winner’s circle.
Squall Is A Storm kind of risky — don’t know if she’s slowing down. Would be fantastic story if she won though!
Win: Swift Kick
Place: Corzaffair
Show: Fall Classic
Longshot: Hostile or Bush Wins Again (if faves really crumble)
Good luck to all.