Spotlight Race of the Day: California Claim 11/11
A field of nine have been entered into this field which is restricted to non-winners of four in the past year that are age four or older. The race is 12 furlongs in distance and will be contested on a turf raceway. A claiming pricetag of $8,000 has been slapped on each of these runners.
1 Schrenk 3/1-second choice has seen speeds heading southward from 90 in July to 76 in last start in late October. Last start was long 16 furlongs and shorter distance should be beneficial. Able to run late and this field lacks front runners in it and drops to lowest claim level for year and these may equate to a huge advantage.
2 Dallas Green 11/1-horse made barn switch after four ITM finishes in first three months of 2015 but just has not responded since making the transfer. Racing conditions have been similar over last seven start but he just hasn’t got his act together. Undoubtedly frustrating for current trainer and unlikely to make turnaround in this field. May need a break.
3 Phantom Fame 7/1-Best speeds of career have been set in last two starts popping an 88 at 9f in September and 87 last month going 12f. He’s the one that will be running on the lead and has good chance to break away from the field. Could be a gate-to-wire winner.
4 Twisting the Night 2/1- Has fired off speeds of 90+ in two of last five races with other three starts in mid-80 range. These were at distances of 8.5f up to 10f so he’ll add a couple of flanks in this event. He has 37 career starts and only one has been on the grass and he returns to the turf for the first time since mid-2012. Going to be tested.
5 Played Out 9/1-Last two have been on California track and at 12 furlong distance. He finished third in September with 83 speed ($12,500 claim) and was 11th in October with 74 speed ($20,000 claim). Reaches lower claim level here and maybe can find some form.
6 Java Gem 6/1-put in nice third in September going a mile but since then has suffered. Three weeks later ran way off the lead and ended in back end of field going 9 furlongs. Another three weeks later and he was 7th in mile distance. Seems to be looking for more of a break between races but doesn’t get it this time out.
7 Leary Brian 26/1-has made a habit of finishing last as he has a streak of 7 in a row which dates back to 2014. Will be racing 12 furlongs for first time which is more of a test to see if things can change. But could be benefited with drop to low claim tag and a 7-month layoff.
8 Niall 7/2-this one runs at two temperatures…hot and cold. He’s hit 91 speed four times this year and that may be good enough to win this race, making him a hot contender. But he’s not consistent making him a cold contender which is evidenced with a 70 speed over this track at 12f in September finishing 26 strides back but running second with 91 speed in same conditions in October only two off leader.
9 Firing Time 133/1-long distance races are not this ones favorites. From July to August he ran three races of 12f to 16f and was distanced in each event. Needs a big spark to fire off something but the timing just is not there for this guy.
Schrenk gets top spot as I think he’ll reel in the pace setter.
Phantom Fame could run off with it, if he can build a lead.
Niall may be inconsistent but if he gets hot, he could take this race.