The Bald Under Rapid Bonanza

Today’s feature at South Dakota sees 7 young colts lining up in The Bald Under Rapid Bonanza over the sprint journey of 6 furlongs on a fast dirt track.  The bookies are having a tough time sorting the field out with all the runners under double figures so let’s have a closer look at their credentials and see if we can’t find a winner for the weekend.

1- TENNIS BALLS (hook) – Aptly named colt by Wimbledon out of a Forty Niner mare with the good record of 3 wins in 6 race day appearances.  Deserves his shot at a better race after 2 good allowances victories in his last 2 starts.  Has raced best when he settles midfield and makes his move at the top of the stretch so look for him to be sitting 4^th or 5^th trying to conserve energy for a big finish.  He will need to take another step and improve his times but at 7/1 he is not without a chance.

2- WESTERN ROMP TED (apacolypse) – Scratched bred colt by Gone West out of a Blushing Groom(FR) mare that has been steadily improving as the season has progressed.  Tried the unusual task of breaking his maiden in allowance company and was successful at his second attempt scoring a comfortable win over 6 furlongs.  He has been unable to add to his win column in his latest 3 starts but has jumped dramatically in class competing in graded and stakes company.  Two starts ago he ran a great 3^rd over 6 furlongs in a grade 3, recording a speed figure of 88.  A repeat of that performance will make him very hard to beat today but his knack of running great times without winning must be starting to concern his trainer apacolypse.  I would love to see him tackle the grass at some stage with his breeding but while his performing so well on the main track it makes it hard to change. 

3- WELLINGTON (betterdays) – Colt by Eddington out of the good broodmare Hungry Sam, who has already thrown a stakes winner from 3 offspring to date.  Jumping straight from his maiden to stakes company is a big ask but he won well on debut over 6 furlongs leading from gate to wire.  Speed can be dangerous in 2yo races but is unlikely he will have everything on his own up front with Raider Fable likely to push forward and several other runners racing handily.  Needs to step up today but did everything right on debut and it would not surprise to see him duel down the straight if he improves.

4- RAIDER FABLE (raider93) – 3rd offspring of Forty Niner mare Soshe by Alydar stallion Alysheba.  One of the more experienced colts this will be his 8^th race day start and he has the good record of 2 wins and 3 placings.  He has really stepped up over the last 2 months with 2 good runs over 6 furlongs, earning speed figures of 83 and 87.  That last run was also in stakes company where he fought to the line going down eventually by 1 and a ½ lengths.  Look for him to go forward early with Wellington and then fight down the stretch as the swoopers close.  Tough, seasoned colt that should be in the finish.

5- TRACK ANNOUNCER (cigarfan) – By the strong stallion Aptitude out of the moderately performed mare Farmafarma Quest, he has yet to miss a place in 5 attempts, winning twice.  Attempted a mile 3 starts back but found it a bit further than he appreciates and since then has had 2 good runs back sprinting.  Should be sitting just behind the pace makers biding his time until the stretch where he will look to come out and make his run.  He is in good form and always runs an honest race, I can see no reason why today would be any different. 

6- PERSIAN LYRIC(IRE) (thematrix) – 2 times stakes winning son of Peintre Celebre(IRE) out of a Gone West mare.  He was bred to be a good horse and he hasn’t let thematrix down winning his first 3 races, 2 of them stakes, before stumbling slightly last time out in graded company over 8.  That “failure” was still a great run where he finished 4^th in a hot field, all vying for a spot in the Breeders Bowl Juvenile.  Back to the sprint journey today where he is yet to taste defeat and with top jock D. Zorditch aboard he is a worthy favourite. My only concern, and it is a slight one, is the run over 8 last time out hasn’t taken away his sharpness or sprint.  The one to beat.

7- MUCH APPRECIATED (proxy) – Classy looking son of Crafty Prospector out of the Storm Cat mare Much Off The Cat.  Another that is putting his perfect record on the line after winning his first two races, a maiden and allowance over 6 furlongs.  He looks like the only deep closer in the race but there should be ample speed provided by Wellington and Raider Fable for him to have a shot at them in the stretch.  I am a bit worried that he will be giving well performed horses like Persian Lyric and Western Romp Ted a start and may not be able to close the gap in time.  Should be closing when it counts and if the front runners slip up he is the one to make them pay.

Another quality, even field to face the starter today.  I like Persian Lyric(IRE) to keep his perfect sprinting record in tack.  Looks like a horse that will find a way to win even if everything doesn’t fall his way.  Raider Fable is a seasoned colt that will sit on the pace and make his own luck.  Not a lot of speed for him to contend with today so I think he will be in the mix when the whips are cracking.  Much Appreciated is the closer of the field and will be storming home down the stretch.  Today’s distance may be a little short for him to pick up the top couple but if they are off their game he will be coming home all over them. 

Good luck to all the trainers.