EQUINICS: RIP Comedy Central 6f Turf
Three year old fillies will be running on the turf at a distance of 6 furlongs in the Equinics race which is sponsored by Comedy Central. This turns out to be the last race the residency will sponsor as it will become extinct like the dinosaur at the completion of the Equinics. This race has been named as a memorial for the residency RIP COMEDY CENTRAL. All residencies are paying tribute as the field is full with 20 runners, one from each of those competing in this tribute event. Here is a look at the participants:
1 STORM QUALITY 18/1
Minnesota Testbarn Residency may have had an easy time in selecting this filly as she is ranked 2nd. Sired by Pivotal, she has already amassed over $700k in career earnings plus a Grade 1 win that came last September in the More Glare. But she may have lots of question marks as her subsequent wins have been in HOT races with one in her last start in late June. Despite that, it cannot be ignored that she has had top three finishes in four other stake races (two were grade level) since her G1 win. She’s most dangerous when she is near the front.
2 NETWORK DREAMS 5/1
GR Simsters have found a gal that has over $380k in winnings to represent their residency. She is an Oasis Dream bred filly who has a very nice 6-3-1 record over a dozen starts. Over her last five starts, she has won three times and finished second twice and this includes a G3 victory in the Darling Fred Stakes. The other four races were listed stake events and she definitely has the experience and has the ability to take this one, currently ranked 12th overall.
2 NETWORK DREAMS 5/1
GR Simsters have found a gal that has over $380k in winnings to represent their residency. She is an Oasis Dream bred filly who has a very nice 6-3-1 record over a dozen starts. Over her last five starts, she has won three times and finished second twice and this includes a G3 victory in the Darling Fred Stakes. The other four races were listed stake events and she definitely has the experience and has the ability to take this one, currently ranked 12th overall.
3 DABIRIN 14/1
On the board in all 13 starts with a 5-4-4 record, the All-Stars Racing had a solid selection in the horse ranked 22nd as of this writing. The Dabirsim sired lady has amassed a purse totaling $320k thus far, largely from the seven listed stake starts where she has a record of 3-3-1. She has set the pace in the past but has also played the stalker roll which may be her best place to be. Tons of front runners and if this one can sit back and find a hole, the race can be hers to steal.
4 HYPER VOICE 15/1
This is Comedy Central’s choice for the race they are sponsoring. Just shy of $100k in winnings, the Dutch Art bred three year old has fared well on the turf, sporting a record of 2-2-1 in five starts. Just another one who will battle for the lead she comes off a career best speed of 103. This race marks her first start in any stake level which will be a challenge stepping up against better. But maybe she will let out her voice one last time for the residency sponsoring the race.
5 KARMA CADET 7/1
Empire State Racing selected a Tapit bred filly who recently switched from dirt to turf. This gal does not have any early speed and will likely be on the back end. But she does sizzle coming through the stretch. She is 1-1-1 in three turf races and comes off a win in the allowance group going a mile. She shortens up in distance which is a concern as she looks formidable going longer. But with three sprint wins in four tries, she can be tough in the smaller distances too and looks to add to her $200 in earnings.
6 STAR OF THE YEAR 68/1
The NWRC believes they have found a star in their representative, other than the name. This lady is the child of Star Witness and has the lowest lifetime earnings in this group ($36k). She’s lightly raced with five starts and made the switch to the turf in mid-March where she won two consecutive sprints. Her last race was a throw-away as she was out matched and ran too far going 11f in the G1 Diana Grand Prix and finished well back. She’s back to sprints and she enjoys sitting in the mid-field, a place that won’t be too congested. Comes off a two month rest which should be beneficial after the tough race in her last start.
7 I’M AN ANGEL 13/1
A blazing hot filly who has won her last two, both listed stakes, represents the Blazing Saddles residency. She’s ranked in the top 100, sitting 77th as of this writing with over $210k in lifetime winnings. This lady may end up to be the caboose in the field, but her late run talent makes her a dangerous threat to the field that is plentiful with early speedsters. Three in a row is definitely a target this Dark Angel sired lady can achieve.
8 LET’SDOITRIGHT 26/1
A converted turf runner is the selection to represent the DellPenn residents. She’s sired by Article of Faith and with only three turf starts, has accelerated to be ranked 75th. This comes from winning an allowance race back in April, finishing second in a listed in May and winning her last start in June. Just a slice over $270 in earnings to her credit, she does have front running ability but also has displayed some patience and laid off the early speed. They say ‘patience is a ‘virute’ and that may be the right thing to do
9 VT PRESIDENT 14/1
The representative from the Vermont residency just completed a pair of listed race victories and has won four of six turf races which includes a third. The Redoute’s Choice bred runner has over $200k in earnings and is nicely ranked 95th as of this writing. Early speedster will give it her all to wire the field once again.
10 AT LEAST THAT MUCH 21/1
Megalopolis has chosen an Exceed and Excel sired filly to represent their residency. This lady has just shy of $100k in earnings. She’s a bit of a rarity in this field with three wins. She has one win on each surface (dirt, turf, poly) with her last race resulting in a win on the poly. She has ten career starts with only two being in sprints, her first two lifetime outings. She’ll be one of a few horses running on the backside of the field and hoping to fire up the guns late to catch the fast running rabbits in this event
11 EXCEL OF GIBRALTAR 15/1
The filly representing the Sim Hispano residency loves the turf as is evidenced by her wonderful 3-3-2 record on the surface. She’s earned over $120k and kicked off 2016 with a three race win streak that came to an end in her only stake race where she finished second. As a 2/1 co-favorite in her last start, she was a bit disappointing finishing third and not making up any ground, running rather flatly. Gal has potential and should find good positioning early on to keep her within striking distance of the leaders. She’s sired by Exceed and Excel.
12 NONPAREIL PUMPKIN 18/1
This 27th ranked Giant’s Causeway filly will be representing the Racing HQ residency. Despite over $260k in earnings and four career wins, this gal has had a tough time of late. She won the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes back in April but the last three starts (all G3) have yielded poor results. She likes to stalk the early runners and then run them down in the stretch, a strategy she’s used in each of these G3 races. Prior to these starts, she battled to be the pace setter. Being the stalker in this race may be a good idea as there are so many pace setters, they burn themselves out, giving this one an irresistible opportunity.
13 MARCI’S THE BRIDE 27/1
Starting her career in late December, 2015 this representative of the Midas residency got off to a rough start, finishing fourth and fifth in her first two starts. But the headlights were turned on as her racing style changed from running in mid-field to running at the front end where she has won three straight races. The New Approach bred filly comes in off a three-month break and whether or not she will be fresh for this big event will only be shown on the track as she tries to add to her earnings that are slightly below $100k.
14 KINGDOM OF WIRE 13/1
The East-West Connection brings a daughter of Animal Kingdom as their representative. She’s been in excellent form, winning four of her last six starts. Her last two outings were wins which includes her first venture into a listed stake race. She is just a shade shy of $150k in lifetime winnings and looks to be another one that will be engaged in the front end battle. She’s never lost a race where she was in the lead at the half-way marker.
15 EVIL BEING 20/1
An interesting entrant who will represent the Unversal Race Club is the Touch Gold filly who has only raced twice in sprints in 13 races. She comes off a dirt win in a HOT race at 12f which was more of a prep race to keep her in condition coming into this big event. She loves to be up front and may engage in a multi-horse battle for the top spot. Her last start was a second place finish in her only stake try where she was caught in the final furlong going a mile. She drops back to sprint for the first time since September, 2015 looking for her fourth career win and some cash to add to her $146 earned so far.
16 ANGANBODA 13/1
A front runner who will desire to set the pace, the Euro residency has made this lady their choice. She changed her race style in the last start, running in the mid-field and closed to finish third in the listed 7.5f race. Just over $160k in winnings, she has collected a bundle of wins in her 10 starts. Four have been in sprints with one in routes for a total of five. There may be other better options to go with in this field, but this Candy Ride filly will be grinding it out all the way.
17 DARCI IMPACT 21/1
A nice selection made by the Elite residency going with a 62nd ranked sprinter sired by Darci Brahma. She’s got a nice 3-4-0 record in 8 turf outings. Her last three have been listed stakes where she has won twice and beat by a head in her last event. The winner of over $250k is a gal who wants to command the way the race goes by being the pacesetter. Her form has been very good of late but will need to outbest a lot of others who also want to be in that top spot early on.
18 SAY SAYONARA 20/1
Queenland is sending a Rothesay bred filly to be their representative who has just surpassed $100k in earnings. She has only six starts picking up four wins and a second. The only off-board finish came in April where she raced with older horses and was surpassed in the stretch. Liking to run up front is her style and hopefully she can say ‘sayonara’ to the others by crossing the line first.
19 MONTEX 16/1
The British and Nordic Racing Club, after considering all nominees, voted this winner of $250k as their representative. The Excelebration bred filly has had a lot of success on the turf track as shown by her 5-3-1 record in 11 starts. She has won three of her last four and is on a two race win streak. Hard to tell where this 38th ranked filly will be spotted in the early stages as she will either run mid-field or strive for the front end. There are enough front runners in this race, so I think her best shot is from the mid-field location.
20 LEVINE 12/1
The daughter of Pivotal and representing the Ehteam residency may proof to be underrated. She’s been terrific on the grass and has a record of 3-6-1 in ten career starts. Last two races were in listed stakes where she finished second and is coming off a win with an impressive 104 speed. Earnings have surged through the $210k level and it looks like she’ll be one of many battling for the lead in this one.
My Picks:
The favorite Network Dreams will be tough, flashing a top speed of 108 in last, has a G3 win earlier ths year and is out of award winning game mare Network News, gains top spot.
Levine, one of the speed rockets in the field, has finished first or second in nine of ten races. Hates to be beaten and gets second choice.
Kingdom of Wire will be near the lead and could benefit greatly if she doesn’t duke it out with others. Won four of last five equals formidable opponent, third choice.
I’m An Angel has very strong late run ability and ran down the field in last two for wins, can repeat, fourth choice.
Like Bob Hope said ….
Bob Hope? Showing your age itch.
Nice work
Expecting my filly to be there abouts somewhere