COMPETITIVE FIELD READY FOR THIS TRIP
A group of six veteran fillies and mares should not have problems in finding the finish line in Saturday’s ARE WE THERE YET Stakes for Saturday, September 30 at the Bayou Downs in
The field for the ARE WE THERE YET Stakes consist of:
HIGHAROONI(IRE)–pp1 (High Chaparral(IRE) x Stravinksky) Bloodline is heavily influenced by Northern Dancer. She ships in off of two consecutive gate to wire stakes wins. Obviously, her best running style is on the lead.
NERF HERDER –pp 2 (Macho Uno x Ela Mana Mun(IRE)) Carries a lot of momentum and an impressive resume into this event. Winner of five of her last seven outings, she was victorious in the Pensacola Oaks (gr. I) last-time out. Her running tendency is “off the pace” early on.
OBSCENE QUEST- pp 3 ( Sky Classic x Rainbow Quest) She will be stepping up to “stakes competition” in this event, but that has not prevented her from being the co-morning line favorite. Her chances would have received a boost if it some moisture had fallen from the sky. Her last two outings have been wins over “yielding” surfaces. She should remain competitive but will have company in that role.
NASARA – pp 4 (Sadler’s Wells x Cryptoclearance) A three years old filly going up against some older girls in this event. Losing the lead in mid-stretch in the last two races has not discouraged ownership. Her two previous stakes events resulted in runner up finishes, so ownership is hoping the third try does the trick. She may be on applying early pressure to HIGHAROON(IRE) early on for the lead. She may be hard pressed to stay the distance against this field.
ELEPHANT –pp 5 (In the Wings x Taiki Blizzard) She has been running in the money lately, but the thirst for another visit to the winner’s circle looms. The absent of a recent win did not prevent her from being listed a co-favorite. A brisk pace will aid this “come from behind” runner.
HER PHONES – pp 6 (Enemy Number One x Lyphard) 2006 has been good to this eight year old mare. Strangely, she has only been to eight races. During the year, she has visited the winner’s circle six times. Her success rate is a bit misleading with many of the wins coming in starter allowance trips. She did win the Blue Labelle Stakes, so I would not discard her completely. Her times are less impressive as the rest of the field; thus her 10/1 odds.
HIGHAROONI(IRE) will be expected to go for the early lead, but acquiring it won’t be easy. I would expect her to receive a challenge from NASARA and HER PHONES. OBSCENE QUEST and NERF HERDER will probably settle behind the front three, while ELEPHANT(GB) will be in the rear. OBSCENE QUEST may find the footing a bit unfavorable, and may not pull up into contention. I would expect HIGHAROONI(IRE) to remain strong with NERF HERDER and ELEPHANT(GB) coming strong in the stretch.
Selections: NERF HERDER ELEPHANT (GB) HIGHAROONI(IRE)