BLUE MEAN RAIDER the Pride of Raider Nation!

The DRIVING HOME Challenge Stakes
Six Furlongs on Good Turf
$60,000
Fillies, 2 years old and up
We are here in beautiful New Hampshire enjoying the crisp autumn weather and also the young fillies working out for the The DRIVING HOME Challenge Stakes Race named for 7 times winner and Stakes Placed mare DRIVING HOME. She has also thrown a Stakes winner in NEXIS RAINBOW. This six furlong turf race may be run on an off track as the weatherman has predicted a few showers so half of these ladies will be facing an off track for the first time. We’ve got a nicely matched field and most seem to be part of the Raider Nation. Let’s take a look:

#1 REAL MEAN RAIDER trainer – Raider5, ( 8/5), Jockey – N.Dodds (11%), Avg Sp # (74.5)
Nice looking GOLDEN MISSILE filly that has won three times on off tracks and has two Stakes wins in a row to her credit. Trainer Raider5 knows his filly and seems to follow the weatherman to find where the raindrops are for this girl. She has Dodds in the saddle and he is quite capable with these youngsters. If you throw out the DelPenn Mile, she has four wins in a row and should be tough to beat here.

#2 RAIDER THEME trainer – Raider99, ( 7/2), Jockey – P.Word (8%), Avg Sp # (N/A)
DANZIG CONNECTION filly that has been very competitive but only won her maiden last time out in her sixth race. She had a nice but not outstanding 76 SPF and that could compete here. She has run in the slop one time and finished third on a tough track. Raider99 has to wonder about her favorite distance as she has been all over the board that way. She is moving to the turf for the first time. Jockey Word has been struggling this year so that may not help things.

#3 CAP POLONIA trainer – Dundey, ( 5/1), Jockey – Sa.Mathis (10%), Avg Sp # (69.3)
This filly is out of successful broodmare WOOD BUTCHERING who has a couple of Stakes worthy offspring. She ran her first Stakes race last time out and just missed with a late charge to finish second. She had a respectable 74 SPF. She has seen an off track and seemed to like it as that was her maiden victory two back. Trainer Dundey knows how to saddle ‘em and jockey Mathis knows how to ride ‘em so this could be a formidable team.

#4 CAPE CRUSADERS(IRE) trainer – Leechy1, ( 7/2), Jockey – B.Alexander (6%), Avg Sp # (N/A)
This CAPE CROSS (IRE) x NINISKI x PERSIAN BOLD filly is running her very first race. She has Alexander in the irons who has been struggling so it is hard to recommend this pair until you’ve seen her race a couple of times. We will be watching!

#5 DAYMAANI trainer – Haymaker, ( 8/1), Jockey – P.Haynes (21%), Avg Sp # (N/A)
Another first time starter that has interesting breeding with DUMAANI x DAYLAMI (IRE) x ROYAL ACADEMY. She also has the tracks best jockey holding the reins which is always a plus especially with these young runners. Trainer Haymaker has to have his hopes up for this pair.

#6 RAIDER PREFERED trainer – Raider94, ( 9/2), Jockey – B.Soft (10%), Avg Sp # (N/A)
The last of our Raider Nation entries, this STORMIN FEVER offspring is moving to the turf for the first time after finally winning her maiden last time out. Trainer Raider94 must have seen something in that race that makes him want to change surfaces. Jockey Soft has had a solid season and loves the turf so that may help.