Orange Blossom(G1) stars K’s Joan Bach, Wild Chick, Bush Wins Again
Arkansas– Despite divisional leaders Otto History and Armed With Money running against the boys at Dubai this week, we still have some great Older Mare Classic Dirt action going on in the graded ranks. Here at Arkansas, we have the Grade 1 $500,000 Orange Blossom Stakes going 8.5 furlongs on a fast main track.
And quite a powerful trio prepares to duke it out too — BB Distaff runner-up K’s Joan Bach faces recent Original Margarita(G2) heroine Bush Wins Again and very swift Grade 1 winner Wild Chick. Toss in graded trooper Master And Command(IRE), and bright 4yo fillies Carol of the Bells, Stormy Breeze and Glorious Morning and we got a fabulously competitive showdown. Golden opportunity for these fillies and mares to pick up stakes points on their ambitious divisional leaders. Let’s get to it………………………
The Faves
4/1 – K’s Joan Bach (verdugote)
Absolute glorious racemare, nominated for the 2006 Sim Eclipse Older Mare on Dirt title. K’s Joan Bach absolutely sizzled towards the end of last season, winning the premier Three Smokestacks(G1) in her final prep for the Breeders Bowl. She chased Armed With Money home on BB day, but you can’t keep this girl down for long. K’s Joan Bach rebounded in her final ’06 bow, bagging a two-length laugher in the sponsored Horatio Luro(G1).
Both of those Grade 1 races came over 9f. The 5yo daughter of Forestry can more than handle a sixteenth less though as she did when placing in the Superfilly(G1-8.5D) last autumn. This season, Ledwith (verdugote) took his time bringing back K’s Joan Bach. The mare actually made her ’07 debt in a Friday RODOTS ALW late last month, where she finished 3rd in a easy gallop. I’m sure the mare will be sharp as a tack this time around and ready for 100% effort.
Look for K’s Joan Bach somewhere around the back of the pack. She needs to hustle a little bit though from the dreaded 12-hole. Will need racing position, but hopefully jockey A. Arthur gives her a clean outside trip, steering clear of trouble. Easy winner if on target. Ranked #4 in division.
4/1 – Wild Chick (airjordyn)
Wild Chick is so fast, she’s a photographer’s nightmare. The Wild Again 5yo changed her gritty luck late last season, romping in a pair of 9f grades that left the clockers spinning. The mare stormed from midpack to win the Jump Town(G2) with a 113. Wild Chick then followed it up with an equally fabulous 107 SP# in the sponsored Beldame Handicap(G1). The victories rocketed her up the rankings and she wasted no time, jumping right into the ’07 action.
This season, Wild Chick won a 10f listed level stakes and then shortened up to a flat mile, nabbing a runnerup spot in the Jakes LD Challenge(G3). The mare wheeled back after that effort to race in the Minnesota vs Vermont residency challenge. She inhaled the flat mile with a 109 SP# victory. Moral of the story: Wild Chick has totally blossomed for airjordyn. She’s lightly raced at only 18 starts, but counts 11 victories to her resume already.
This mare’s one to watch this year. She’s pretty much a closer, but doesn’t like to rally from downtown too much. Top jockey V Jennings in the irons. Ranked #6. The only problem I see with her is that she’s had a vigorous schedule with tough races this season. Only three weeks rest. Could possibly be due for a “bounce,” but, then again, maybe I’m just looking for a reason to discount her. Still, major threat.
5/1 – Master And Command(IRE) (scream)
Oddsmakers like this gal and she really deserves a second look. Master And Command enters here fresh off of a 9f listed level victory. The 5yo daughter of Montjeu(IRE) is a very consistent filly — if she doesn’t win, then bring home a big share of the purse.
Master And Command finished 2nd to Wild Chick in the Jump Town(G2) last season with a 111 SP#. The mare ran into another buzzsaw in her next, finishing bridesmaid again to a splendid classic distance mare named Waki Notion in the Girls Cap(G3-10fD). That was an excellent effort and highly receommend trainer Scream to consider another 10f graded try. It’s not like Master And Command loses all the time — she did win the 9f DelPenn Distaff(G3) with a 111 SP# last summer.
Very experienced runner with a 10-for-31 lifetime record and #20 ranking. I kind of like her better going 10f or 9.5f, but ‘Master can mix it up in all her feisty milerishness. Due for a victory. Cushy 6-hole post. So-so jockey. Rallies from about midpack. Definite factor for the board and minor share. Possible for winners circle too. Keep an eye on her if the faves have “off” days.
7/1 – Bush Wins Again (waremblem1)
Bush Wins Again merits heavy respect after taking the Original Margarita(G2-9fD) three weeks ago. The 5yo Tiznow mare positively romped from behind the lead, extending her advantage by three lengths at the wire and becoming a millionairess in the process. She actually raced a couple times against K’s Joan Bach last season, garnering a 2nd spot in the Horatio Luro(G1).
Probably her most satisfying triumph for Waremblem came on GR Simsters Championship day. Bush Wins Again totally dominated the race, winning under wraps. At the graded level, she turned a lot of heads when capturing the Rio Secco Handicap(G1-9fD) with an ethereal 110 SP#.
Marked credentials then for Bush Wins Again, a formal stalker through and through. She attracts top jockey A Weldon and the pair will have quite a challenge Saturday breaking out of the 13-hole. Ranked #7. This gal’s red hot. She’s probably better around nine panels though. Definite factor for at least the board.
In The Wings
10/1 – Carol Of the Bells (deyoto3)
Pretty swift 109 SP# winner last season of the Gowader(G2-8fD) versus her age group. Hennessy 4yo finished off a very promising sophomore season with a runnerup cheque on DelPenn Champions day. Loves these milerish races. Ran pretty even in ’07 listed stakes debut though. Should be ready to fire on three weeks rest. Outsider, but interesting chance with her back class. Is she ready to upset the top mares? Green at 13 starts, but not without a shot. Possible from midpack, but maybe better chance for some minor dough.
10/1 – Glorious Morning (seekin49er)
As a sophomore, Glorious Morning won the Sister Hen(G1) and a Smackdown day event. The latter came very swift with a 107 SP# rally over 9f. The filly extended her form with a fine runnerup spot in the Grace Kelly(G1). Unfortuantely, the daughter of Johannesburg went on a slide afterwards, flopping against colts in the Northern Derby(G3) and racing forgettably in the BB Distaff. This poor filly even lost a short field ALW in her final ’06 start.
Perhaps ’07 will pick this gal up. She rallied handily from midpack to win a 106 SP# 8.5f ALW a month ago. Has she indeed returned to her old form or has seekin49er rushed her into this race? Classy gal, but many questions. We’ll see how she answers them Saturday.
12/1 – Stormy Breeze (lenny2)
Storm Cat 4yo joins the stalker fray, but can also press the pace. Stormy Breeze was a Grade 3 winner over this distance versus her age group last season. Strong 105 SP# time too signaled brighter things to come. Unfortunately, the filly kind of sea-sawed for the rest of the season, hitting the board a couple times over 9f-10f and competing well in a Grade 1 sprint. Don’t get me wrong though — she’s actually quite talented and consistently runs a solid race. Just races ahgainst top-level company and can’t find the winner circle at that level of late. Also very green with only 11 career starts. Outside chance for all the marbles if she shows up. Additionally, there’s no real true blue speed in this group either — we could see on her on the lead. Better than her odds indicate.
13/1 – Troubled (smokers)
Fit To Fight 5yo mostly specializes pretty much in this 8.5f distance. The mare recently threw a 102 listed level number over it and bagged a 99 SP# ALW LTO too. Honestly mare, hitting the board in 12 of 16 lifetime outings. Doubtful she’s ready for the big time though with those numbers. Has to put it all together in a hurry. Slim to none chance at the winner circle. Maybe a minor share at best. Joins midpack.
The Longshots
16/1 – Waki Cause (shangrila2)
Grade 2-placed over 9.5f last season. Miswaki 5yo used a 103 SP# 9f ALW score to test the grade 1 level in the Original Margarita(G2-9fD) three weeks ago. The stalker ran evenly, but was outclassed, finishing 5th of 9. Solid BP earner at the listed level shortening up. Doubtful she’ll be much of a factor for the money positions in this tough spot.
16/1 – Thinkmywaypass (graywolf9)
Trainer famous for ambitious graded entries. Saarland 4yo 1-for-11 lifetime in routes. Downtown rallier picking up ground of late — but those speed figures don’t fit in here. Not this time.
17/1 – Arrivals (graz628)
AP Indy daughter steps up in class in 17th career call to post. Arrivals recently entered the stakes ranks after winning up to her NW3x late last season. The stalker has had mixed results though in black type company. She picked up a couple minor shares over 8f-8.5f with 99 and 91 SP#s respectively before spitting out the bit three weeks ago when asked to go 9f. Precarious spot — would rather see Arrivals win and prove herself in the overniters before attempting the likes of K’s Joan Bach, et al. Nice filly, but appears overmatched at this point in her young career.
22/1 – Take The Car (ontarget2)
4yo granddaughter of Rainbow Quest was somewhat average over the lawn as a 3yo. Trainer Ontarget then tested the dirt and the midpacker won two straight miler ALWs. Huge leap up in class totally ambitious. Agree with the distance, but why all the way to a Grade 1? Could surprise with a minor share, but odds indicate she’s bound to be also-ran.
35/1 – Storming Bird (graywolf20)
Former $5k claimer could go for the lead. Marquetry 4yo makes 31st career start after placing in short field black type sprints. Shouldn’t be a factor.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Glorious Morning is a wildcard in this race — classy filly, but don’t know if her best days are behind her. Same with Carol of the Bells — lackluster ’07 debut has me wondering. Of the other 4yos, Stormy Breeze merits consideration, but needs to put it all together. I don’t like any of the other longshots.
Instead, I think the 4 favorites are the class of the field and should sweep the board. K’s Joan Bach should win this race hands down, but I’m gonna go with someone near the lead (since there’s a lack of true blue pace): Bush Wins Again. She was red-hot for a spell last year and, with her Grade 2 score LTO, I’ll gamble she’s back in that same ol’ form. Buch Wins Again then holds off the late charge by K’s Joan Bach. Wild Chick and Master and Command duke it out for the show. Glorious Morning grabs the final money spot.
Win: Bush Wins Again
Place: K’s Joan Bach
Show: Wild Chick
Good luck to all.