SISTER DUMB: THE SECOND ACT
Back for more, are ya? The bottom half of the field get their due in this 2nd of 2 installments of the SISTER DUMB preview. But before we begin, a little historical perspective is in order.
I had never heard of Sister Dumb myself. Kinda figured it was just a sly reference to an inexplicably popular film franchise about a singing pseudo-nun or some such wacky scenario. But thanks to the miracles of modern simulatedsports, I was able to dig up a tasty morsel or two. SISTER DUMB is actually a 9 year old mare by Dare and Go who raced in the SIM way back in the 2001 campaign. Of course, not every mare that goes 0 for 16 in her career gets a Graded Stakes race named after her…but this one did it in style. The only blemish on her record was the even 3rd she ran in the Homebred-restricted (remember those?) maiden claimer back in week 1138. Otherwise, she was a consistent non-threat, equally inadequate on turf or dirt, earning $690 for her career with a 59 speed rating plateau. At just over $43 in earnings her start, she almost paid her way (assuming $2.56 is a reasonable day rate). But enough about her…you want to hear about the other contestants. Too bad, you’re going to have to read instead of listen (unless you have some Stephen Hawking robot-voice software).
Teamfoppa stables usually shoots for the stars with Aim For The Moon, and has been on target in 11 of 32 attempts. She was absolutely unstoppable last fall when she reeled off 4 straight victories, 3 at the Graded level, with bigger goals obviously in sight. But she faltered in the DelPenn race against Birds of Paradise and has not been the same since. Supporters will say that she didn’t like subsequent off tracks, and ran a respectable 100 SP in a residency contest at a flat mile. Detractors will say that she simply has fallen off due to age (5 years) or wear and tear (17 races in 2006-2007). I will say that this daughter of Woodman sports the Cigar-stopping Dare and Go as her Dam’s Dam Sire, who just happens to be the sire of this race’s namesake. Isn’t it cool how I tied it all together? Please try to restrain your unbridled admiration. Hunch players’ special illuminates the toteboard as the other 6-1 co-favorite.
Speighed Deputy is the relative neophyte of today’s field, having only 11 career starts to prepare for this her toughest test to date. A couple of promising allowance scores at 3 hinted at better things to come for the 4yo daughter of Speightstown, but the mothertwo trainee spent 4 months on the bench before making her inauspicious return to the races in a listed stake route race. A close 5th in a long sprint was a big improvement off the rust-buster race, but she’s still a ways away from competing at this level…or at least showing that she’s ready to do so. There’s still time, potential, and plenty of conditions to explore. The darkhorse of the bunch, she’s 32-1.
Golden Peach is definitely the “less is more” candidate of today’s contest. The brassylass bred and trained daughter of Impeachment was very likely a bargain-bred who has provided many happy returns…she worked steadily through the allowance ranks and was stakes-placed her in Sweden in her last start at 7 ½ panels. She may have gotten away with an easy lead but the speed figure spike to 99 must have inspired some hope for this hard-knocker to ascend. Methinks she’d like to try her front-running ways at a mile or more, but today’s pace figures to be a step or two quicker than that. 24-1 shot is a pass, but one to keep your eye on for next time.
South Dakota hails from the embarrassment of riches-laden Lenbrenner empire, so of course she has a monster pedigree (Silver Ghost and some blue-blooded friends) and the best jock in the race (21% boy P. Jones). Yet another win-machine speedster who runs big races after sub-par efforts, she’ll crack the magical million mark with a win today. Could not get the lead in that DelPenn race of note, but has had two starts to recoup and regroup…you’ve got to think Lenny was pointing her for this spot all along. I’m not fooled, but she could conceivably run her best race and still get beat. 10-1 is a nice price if you think she’s ready like I do!
Danzig is represented again here with Bolt of Zeus, who has won 50% of her 24 starts for proud trainer umeacity. The 6yo mare is lightly raced due to her stints with a retired owner and the infamous CPU stable. The latter resulted in some ridiculous race placements in short field marathons, and when she debuted under the umeacity silks in an allowance sprint, she beat 9 foes at the low low price of 388-1. Since then she’s been lightning quick, collecting a trio of stakes wins and triple-digit speed figures, but no success at the Graded level as of yet. Classy and consistent lady warrants a look at 8-1.
Mail Order Bride rarely runs a bad race, and when she does, there’s a legitimate excuse. Trainer zapspride is the adventurous sort, trying out the Gone West filly on the turf or against the boys on more than one occasion, with minimal success. But it’s those other times that’ve got me thinking. When she gets a fast track, against the ladies, look out – she hasn’t been worse than 2nd in over a year! Throw in that 109 SP in her first start as a 4yo, and you have yourselves a star in the making. Shipping and handling is included in the 8-1 morning line impost. Don’t forget the prenup.
On the far far far outside we have Supreme Team, the best offspring to date of the Broad Brush sire Include. The fairyking pupil has a past performance page that looks shockingly similar to that of #8 Aim At The Moon’s…she reeled off 4 straight, faltered a bit, and is right at that 30-something race threshold that has trainers entering with one eye fixed on the “horse ticker”. Again, excuses can be made for the two off-tracks and the lack of pace before that, but it’s anyone’s guess if her stretch kick will be effective at 6 furlongs from the fourteen hole. I like this horse a lot for the bottom of my imaginary superfecta tickets, but there’s not a lot of value at 7-1.
So there you have it. All you could possibly want to know about the SISTER DUMB. Well, maybe not…but you’d like some picks, right? I’m using Mail Order Bride and South Dakota over Hancock Pond, Birds of Paradise, Bolt of Zeus, and Supreme Team. A couple of others could even win it all…but they’re no Sister Dumb, now, are they?