THIS WEEK IN MINNESOTA—3014
Well the minny beat and residence is back in full swing as I am recovering from my summer ailments while suffering both a heart attack and a stroke. I am doing well now and am happy to be back in simland and writing again for the BTB.
This weeks feature at Minnesota Downs is the 10th race The Secret Siphon(BRZ) Special Stakes to be run over 8.5f on the dirt for 2YO open company with a purse of $55,000. Secret Siphon(BRZ) was owned by whirlaway and had 6 wins including 1 stake win in 47 career starts earning over $250K and was best in dirt routes.
Lets take a look at todays field.
1) GOLDEN EARNING–9/1–candyman sends out this HANSEN colt with a 6-2-1-2 and $45,200K record. He recorede back to back wins in weeks 2881 and 2923 in MSW and Allowance company and comes in to this race of a 10th place finish in a Grade III turf mile where he faded in the stretch to be third. That start was his only turf start to date and turf to dirt players may like this horse for an angle play. Stinson gets the ride with his 12.1% winning rate this year.
2) CRYSTAL PEAKE–7/1–lastfarm send out the only filly starter in this race with this DIXIELAND BAND filly who sports a 3-2-0-0 $24,625 record. She comes into this race with back to back wins in MSW and Allowance and closed in last 8f race to win with an 84 speed rating. Ritorto is aboard with his 10.5% winning rate.
3) LAGOON OF LOVE(IRE)–4/1–wabred sends out this SWAIN(IRE) colt with a 4-2-0-0 $47,830 record. He won his debut race buth then was 7th in a Grade II and 4th in an open stakes company race. He did bounce back to capture an ANW2L last time out with a 79 speed rating over 8 furlongs. Top jockey Bowen at 18.9% gets the call and with him aboard you have to check this one out carefully.
4) THE MAN RAIDER–9/1–comeonmom sends out this AP VALENTINE colt with a 7-2-1-1 $15,363 record. Both of his wins have come on the turf so far in his career and his dirt starts have been very lacklustre. Klein at 6.1% is the jockey. I would think that one would have to wait for this one to return to the turf to see his best run.
5) FEARSOME–4/1–avalanche3 send out this blue blood FUSAICHI PEGASUS colt with a 5-1-0-3 $26,186 record. This stalking colt took 4 tries to break his maiden. His last race was his stakes debut osting a lifetime best 85 speed rating running 3rd in a 5 horse field at 8.5 furlongs. It may be important to note that this one has already run at today’s race distance. Zandofsky with a 5.7% winning percentage gets the call today.
6) EXXON–5/1–dailyracin sends out this MOBIL colt with a 7-1-2-1 $46,388 record. He is 0/3 in stakes starts so far. His only lifetime route at 8 furlongs saw him lead up to the stretch and then fade to 5th when the real running started. He does possess a lifetime best 86 speed rating and if he can conquer the distance would be very competitive today. Foster at 4.7% winning percentage is up today.
7) KINGS CONCERT–21/1–corza has this CONCERTO colt entered here with a 6-2-0-2 $12,714 record. Corza claimed this horse for $7500 last time out and has jumped way up in class for his debut with this 2YO colt. A couple of questions for this colt is can he handle the class rise and can he handle the xtra distance. If you believe he can then a big payday awaits at the wickets. Gardocki at 2.3% winning percentage gets the call.
8) LIL ROB–7/1–lilscoobi sends out this STRAVINSKY colt with a 5-3-1-0 $68,820 record. Won first 2 starts on the turf and then 2nd and 5th in stakes on the turf. Switched to the dirt last time out and displayed a 30 point speed rating increase by posting a 90 speed rating in an Allowance NW2X over a mile. Shows a versatile running style and is this writers pick to win this race. Top jockey Friar at 19.4% winning rate is aboard today.
9) R. CRUSOE–7/2–tothetop has this SELKIRK colt in today with a 7-1-1-2 $43,210 record. This colt is the morning line favorite. Won dirt debut after 1st race turf disaster and has raced in 5 straight stakes races since. Speed ratings and results have been improved since adding distance (to 8.5F) in his races and is a closer. Posted a lifetime best 89 speed rating last time out and should be the main competition for LIL ROB in this race. The veteran rider Upertoy at 13.3% gets the nod in the irons.
Good field with my choice being #8 LIL ROB.
HERE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE MINNESOTA DOWNS RESIDENCY
The Minnesota Downs Residency is back in full swing after going in hietus due to the managers illness and all contest are back in full swing. The residence will be hosting the Minnesota Festival Day of Racing on December 23 this year highlighted by the $1,000,000 6th running of the Minnesota Derby.
The latest trainer contest run over 13 weeks had Cothill win his first title with his BEDFORD stable. Jkj was second with TENPIN6 and Bigrick came in third with his BABYFARMS stable.
The Mountains of Money contest (16 week contest where each week members nominate a horse and get to accumulate any payouts horses receive) was wond by Randy this time out.
Randy was also succesfull in reaching the peak in the Mt Everest contest by getting to the top without slipping in the 6 race categories. He earned a whopping 1000 credit prize for his feat.
Last weeks speed rating contest winner was Dundey with his horse HAIL INDY who posted a 101 speed rating in an Allowance race.
Minnesota Downs Residency is alway accepting new members so check us out from the sim residency page. We have contests for every player to enhance their sim playing, new and old players are always welcome.
See you next week.
THEO
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING