Spotlight Race of the Day: Washington Claimer 3/16
Another sunny and cheerful day for the Spotlight feature and this time we are off to Washington and the eighth stop in the Western Americas region with only Wyoming remaining. A $3,000 claiming race is featured which will be run at a distance of one mile on the dirt surface. The race is open to all horses age four and up.
1 ALLEY DANCER 8/1-Nine year old is lightly raced and making 20th career start. This will be first time at mile and he has finished fifth in his last three starts. Had a nice start in early 2015 and will need that spark here for his first 2016 race.
2 PRIZED OF COURSE 22/1-Has not won nor had top-three finish since 2014. Speeds have been low and might be better suited for the turf. Not much appeal with this one at the moment.
3 NEWPORT PLEASURE 3/1- Last six races have landed on-the-board finishes including a pair of wins. Last two outings were at 8.25 furlongs where he surrendered the lead going into the stretch but did land 94 speeds which are very attractive.
4 NET 150/1-Big longshot makes fourth start and does have one win under his belt taking a 10-furlong claimer at 10/1 but with 65 speed. Needs big time boost but will unlikely get it in this event (edit note: the BTB writer was the original breedeer to this horse)
5 KNITWELL 56/1-Broke maiden at 10f distance last month on turf with 65 speed. Ran on March 11th with improved speed of 79 going similar distance but finishing well back fifth. Moves back to dirt for fourth career start and less than a weeks rest is rather concerning.
6 BIGSPLIT BABY 37/1-Nine year old has only three wins in 71 starts and has never won at a mile or longer distance. This horse was shut out during 2015 from having a top-three finish. Takes nose dive from high claim levels for this race but has been in low claimers before without positive results, unlikely things will change.
7 EASY DEPUTY 3/1-Only one win in 2015 for this five year old who hit the board in six of 10 starts last season. This year he has two starts and was off the board in both, not being much of a threat in either race. Capable of 90-speed range and has decent speeds, better than most in this field but recent form is a bit suspicious.
8 EL NUMERO UNO TB 7/5-Ran 7th with 20K claimers last month making return to track after a three month layoff but scored a speed of 92. Could see benefit with drop in the claiming ladder and second start after layoff could be nice booster.
9 BAIL 5/1-Earned pair of wins in first three starts in 2015 but those wins have become elusive over subsequent 13 races. Times have been tough lately as he’s hit the board once in those last 13 outings. He has displayed impressive late run ability but may be in great need of a rest before he shines again.
Consistency is the name of the game and Newport Pleasure has it. Gets top pick.
El Numerou Uno TB can get top spot with best effort.
Easy Deputy looks to best of the rest.