Spotlight Race of the Day: Italy Allowance 8/14
Rain Rain go away has been the chant in Italy but that is not enough to scatter the clouds away from the race track. The race featured in this article is an allowance race open to non-winners of 2 races over the past 12 months. It is restricted to fillies and mares that are of the age of 4 and up. 6.5furlongs is the distance and it will be run on a slippery and wet turf track. So, if the dirt version of a dirt runner is a “mudder” what is the grass version called???….a “sudder”??? Anyway, here’s a look at the field.
1-White Sock Rocker 13/1-A rough year for this filly finishing off the board in all four starts this season. Doesn’t look like too much in this field as she hasn’t established any serious threat in any of these four appearances. She did show some stamina last year when encouraged to go for the lead and may need to change to this style.
2-The Comrade 4/1-Speeds have been very good this year, ranging from 93 to 100 and she has not finished worse than fourth. The wet track should not be an issue for this eight year old as she has won twice in three outings. Should put in a good effort.
3-AXO 4/1-Ran in listed stakes in last and returns to alllowance class after poor results. Has one win in three starts this year in allowance company and sparkled with a 98 speed in the victory. Racing well but the results haven’t been top notch but fits in with this bunch and could reap a top three finish.
4-North From Slew 4/1-A nine year old mare who is still cranking out speeds in the 90 range but things seem to be slowing up a bit. After a handful of 100 speeds last season, the numbers have notably dropped. Looks to me that the better days may be slipping away but this gal will still put up a fight and can get a few more wins and she has won all three off-track races.
5-Deerinheadlights 17/1-She has a very tough task to overcome as it’s been a long drought, since 2013, that this lady last won a race. Speeds were in a competitive 90-area early in 2015 but have diminished considerably. She has been on the board twice in three starts in poor weather conditions which could be her salvation.
6-Sham Election 4/1-On the board in both starts this year, which were separated by a five month gap. This front running lady has been racing on the dirt for over a year and will swap to the turf and is the home town girl, racing in Italy for the past two years for race sponsor Tapit. And she likes the turf and will put in a competitive effort.
7-Rich Raving Ramble 5/2-Five year old won her first race in two years in last start and clocking a 103 speed in the process. She finished second in prior two starts, missing by a head in one of the races. Seems to be in good form. On paper, she’s the one to beat but this will be her first offtrack appearance so she’ll be showing whether she likes the wetness.
8-Not Paid For 23/1-After winning back-to-back races this time last year, this lady has falling on horrible times. She has not been on the board in the 10 races after that and it looks doubtful this streak will end soon. Looks to be in need for some class relief.
Rich Raving Ramble gets my top spot, only wet track could foil effort.
Sham Election goes well on turf in past, cannot discount.
The Comrade has done well on offtrack and can improve on current form, third choice.