Can TACTICAL RAT Snatch the Purse Snatcher Cup?

The PURSE SNATCHER Challenge Stakes
Five and one half furlongs on Fast DIrt
$95,000
Fillies, 2 years old

It is just starting to feel like autumn in the rolling hills of Eastern Kentucky. A beautiful place to watch a horse race and especially nice this time of year to see which two year olds are finally coming into their own. We are gathered for the PURSE SNATCHE Challenge, named for 11 time winning mare PURSE SNATCHER. It should be a beautiful weekend for a race so let’s take a look:

#1 CRYSTAL SEER, trainer – PBorrow2, ( 7/2), Jockey – W.DeSantis (14%), Avg Sp # (76.7)
This nice looking SILVER DEPUTY filly had a nice streak of three in a row going from her first race but entered a GI last time out and disappointed trainer PBorrow2 with a 12th place finish. Was the seven furlongs a bit too long? Dropping back to this distance will help decide that. Jockey DeSantis will help as well as he knows how to handle these youngsters.

#2 GNOME FOREST, trainer – KYClocker7, ( 3/1), Jockey – J.Caves (19%), Avg Sp # (75.8)
This will be only the third race and first Stakes outing for this FOREST WILDCAT offspring but she has won the first two nicely with come from behind, down the stretch wins. Her 79 SPF in her last race is a nice improvement and could translate into a strong showing here for trainer KYClocker7. Caves will be holding the reins and has one of the best percentages at the track.

#3 MURUA, trainer –Zambaygo2, ( 9/5), Jockey – T.Rharfoman (13%), Avg Sp # (78.4)
After two straight Stakes races at a bit longer distances, this SPEIGHTSTOWN offspring will drop back down to the shorter trip here where trainer Zambaygo2 feels she will be more comfortable. She has shown nice speed but has nothing left at the end to push down the stretch. Jockey Rharfoman is handy with a whip and will get her moving at the end.

#4 ROYAL RITUAL, trainer – STRStable8, ( 9/2), Jockey – M.Shabazz (8%), Avg Sp # (74.3)
This BELONG TO ME filly had two great trips in a row before stumbling badly in a GIII last time out. Trainer STRStable8 knows that may be one to throw away as she stumbled out of the gate and ran an unmotivated 12th. She had been showing steady improvement before that outing so it is a real head scratcher. She likes this track, winning here three back so the familiarity may help out.

#5 TACTICAL RAT, trainer – EdenRidge, ( 3/1), Jockey – E.Sabatinez (8%), Avg Sp # (73.0)
Our only entrant ranked in the top 50 is this TACTICAL CAT out of RUBBING FROM RAT offspring. That mating doesn’t exactly sound kosher but it has worked out nicely for breeder and trainer EdenRidge. She is already a two time Stakes winner at this distance and may be the one to beat. She stepped back a bit last time out with an 8th in a GIII at a little longer distance.

#6 OUT N OUT KIRBY, trainer – PonyBaby, ( 30/1), Jockey – H.Head (10%), Avg Sp # (56.5)
It would be quite a story if this bargain bred went from winning a Maiden Claimer last time out to a Stakes race this weekend. Trainer PonyBaby has just that scenario in mind but may have to convince a few other horses in this race. She came from 12th to first in her last outing but will have to bump up the SPF substantially to compete with this crew.