Bayou Downs to host Sprint Event as Main Card

The Twice Kingdom Challenge brings together a field of runners with difference in running styles.  This is a sprint event, but much of the strength in this field comes from the late stretch runners.  Will the early half-mile pace be strong enough to allow this pack of stretch drivers to move forward.  One can only image the potential traffic situation of a group fading back while another group is trying to find their path to the front.  All this action in a short span of only a few furlongs. 

As for the field of runners:

SHUMINSKY – pp 1 (Stravinsky x Forty niner)  A four year old non –stakes winner that has struggled to carry the distance in his 2006 campaign.  I would expect him to be pressuring the early pace down the back stretch, but whether he can hold on is in question.  A gate to wire win two races back provides the source of hope for ownership.

BARNY THE DRUNK – pp 2 (Straight Strike x Flying Continental)  This five year old has seen a whole gambit of races in 2006. He has run in claimers, starters, restricted allowances and stakes events in the last 13 weeks. He likes to rally late and closed to a respectable second in his last outing (The SENOR STORMY Stakes).  He may need to find a bit more speed to be in-the money here.  Large field will not aid this late runner.

HOTTEST HOTTY– pp 3 (Spinning World x Danzig)  In the last five events, he has rotated between a graded stakes event and an allowance race. His strong sixth place run (only three lengths back) loss in the grade II –Dr. Patches Handicap was impressive enough to break that pattern.  A winner of over $688,000 in purse money, he has tasted success in his career.

GOLDEN PATH  – pp 4 (Seeking the Gold x Adjal)  I would caution any one to not let toss out his chances because of one lone win (allowance).  This talented runner is constantly in-the money and has just fallen a bit short in recent events.  He will prefer to see a crisp pace out of the gate and a clear path for his move forward.

WHERE’S THE OIL(AUS)– pp 5 (General Nediym x  Master Derby)  He has finished no worse than second in his last seven starts.  However, this race is a step up in class, and the going may be a bit more difficult.  Like GOLDEN PATH and BARNEY THE DRUNK, he is a late runner and may have plenty of company in his late bid.

RAUL’S PROSPECTOR – pp 6 (Royal Academy x Mr. Prospector)  A four year old hard-knocking runner that is likes to run on the lead, but has difficulty holding his position to the wire.  This race has several legitimate contenders that will be rushing forward in the stretch. 

DEATH GRIP(AUS) – pp 7 (High Rolling (AUS) x Geiger Counter)  A veteran of 52 starts and has never won a stakes event.  I don’t see him visiting the winner’s circle against this field.

TROUBLED WATERS – pp 8 (Miswaki x El Gran Senor)   Ships in from West Virginia after a two length loss in a lower class allowance event.  This defeat appears to be a current pattern for this runner-  Lower class open allowance event leading to a two length loss.  He likes to run off the pace and appears to close short of the wire.  One has to wonder why he has never been tested at a mile or longer (after 33 starts).

HOLY HOUSE – pp 9 (Chester House x Holy Bull) He is another one that has struggled to carry the distance against stakes competition.  Six years old and forty six starts; he may be showing signs of wear and tear.  His times just don’t put him in this field.

MY SHEBA T – pp 10 (Kinshasa x Alysheba)  A former graded stakes winner that has faced some very tough company in recent weeks.  He has finished respectively in those events and warrants strong consideration here.  He will probably be tucked behind the first group of runners and will have to make his move before the expected on rush from the late drivers.

FORTY SKYS – pp 11 (A.P.Indy x Forty Niner) Lightly raced with only eight starts- he has been to the winner’s circle five of those starts.  His last win at this distance prompt ownership to return to same track.  He may be coming around and finding his niche, so a repeat performance may put him in-the money.  Being only three, one has to remember that he will be going against a field that is older, stronger, and more experience.

For a sprint event , this field is loaded with runners of diverse styles.  RAUL’S PROSPECTOR will most likely go the lead, but expect SHUMINSKY, HOLY HOUSE, HOTTEST HOTTY to be pressuring.  FORTY SKYS and MY SHEBA T will be tucked in behind this front pack with the following bring up the rear – TROUBLE WATERS, WHERE’S THE OIL(AUS), GOLDEN PATHER AND BARNEY THE DRUNK.

The stretch drive may be a site to witness with some of the early runners tiring and a whole group of late runners trying to replace the tiring ones at the head of the pack.  I like MY SHEBA T in this event because of the previous level of competition that he has encountered.  GOLDEN PATH should be flying in the stretch and barring no traffic jams, should be in position to finish close. WHERE’S THE OIL(AUS) should continue his pattern of finishing near the lead. 

-deajai