Equinics 2016: Pekays of Queensland Memorial

Nineteen accomplished distaffers are signed up for the Grade 1 Pekays of Queensland Memorial. Carded on the dirt in the beautiful Green Mountain State, this $1,000,000 event will feature fillies and mares four years old and up racing 10 furlongs.

#1 Sabiduria (20-1)

20-4-1-6-$126,433

Uncle Mo x Woodman x El Prado

lopezi for DelPenn

This four-year-old hasn’t contested a stakes race in over a year. Did have three straight triple digit speeds while finishing in the money in allowance company before a fourth place finish at 11 furlongs last time out. Today’s distance suits better, but we don’t think she’s the one.

#2 Yarraman (13-1)

17-7-3-2-$282,770

Alkaased x Riverman x Kris S.

bbudgieslong for East-West Connection

An English-bred five-year-old, Yarraman has finished in the money four times at the stakes level in a nice career. Was a disappointing 13th in the Grade 2 First State Distaff at today’s distance when she last raced in early July. We’re looking elsewhere for the winner.

#3 Tete Gabriella (14-1)

25-9-6-4-$628,474

Rock of Gibraltar x Galileo x Deputy Minister

sabbath6 for Euro

One of the most accomplished runners in the field, this Grade 2 winning Irish-bred mare leads all of the entrants in career earnings, and is tied for first with nine wins. Posted a career-best 110 speed figure back in March, so this five year old still has it. One to respect based on her excellent career, but I think she would appreciate a little more distance than she’ll get to run today.

#4 Corral Canyon (13-1)

17-6-6-0-$255,528

Malibu Moon x Danzig x Alydar

xpansion4 for Vermont

This beautifully-bred four-year-old filly is racing for the host team of Vermont. Has posted five consecutive triple digit speeds after topping that figure just once in her first dozen races. Has never won at the graded level, but I wouldn’t throw this one out when considering exotics, especially at a fairly generous price.

#5 Lavish Lady (7-1)

18-9-4-1-$437,479

Ghostzapper x Seattle Slew x Nijinsky 2nd

summerset4 for Elite

The morning line favorite, it’s hard to find much to fault here.  Impeccable pedigree? Check. As many wins as any other horse in the event? Check.  The top speed figure (116) in the race in her last trip to the post? Check. The only question is her ability to step up in class, as she finished off the board in her only previous attempt in graded company. Could be the one to beat.

#6 Purvor (106-1)

5-3-1-0-$79,791

Pure Prize x Glitterman x Sir Ivor

brandinioh2 for British and Nordic Racing Club

An interesting dynamic, as the horse with the longest odds in the field also has the second-highest career winning percentage of any horse in the race. This lightly-raced filly posted a career best 96 speed in her first attempt on the dirt last time out. Has never run this far before, and may not appreciate the extra distance. Trained by a newer stable with only 37 career starts. Will need to take a big step forward to compete with this crew, but still may be worth a couple bucks in the win pool in an attempt to pay for a nice dinner at over 100-1.

#7 Summer Saint (39-1)

29-6-2-4-$177,481

Summer Bird x Saint Liam x Smart Strike

hardhead for NWRC

The most experienced lady in the race, this five year old will race for the 30th time in her career in the Equinics. Finished seventh in the Star of the North Dirt Mare Endurance last time out, and hasn’t hit the board in stakes company since May 2014. We’re looking elsewhere.

#8 Coffee Toffee (21-1)

16-6-4-2-$180,375

Medaglia d’Oro x Candy Ride x Smart Strike

3wide for Megalopolis

This nicely-bred Australian filly has hit the board in eight of her last nine tries on the dirt. Negatively, the one time she missed was her first career attempt in stakes company, where she finished tenth. Would need a career-best effort to be a factor today.

#9 Poignant Passion (10-1)

18-8-2-3-$477,565

Point Given x Unbridled’s Song x Distorted Humor

willbeglue for All-Stars Racing

One of just three Grade 2 winners in the field, and unlike most of today’s rivals, has experience in Grade 1 company. A duplication of her career best 114 speed figure would likely make her a factor. Probably not the one today, but with six wins in the last twelve months, still hard to completely discard.

#10 Depiction (12-1)

17-6-4-1-$211,468

Medaglia d’Oro x Distorted Humor x A.P. Indy

paynter for Blazing Saddles

Certainly has the pedigree to attract some attention in the pari-mutuel pools. Coming off a career-best 112 speed figure at today’s distance. Has won five of her last six on the dirt, posting triple digit speeds in each race. Seems like a generous price for all this one has going for her.

#11 Partera (14-1)

18-9-4-1-$337,604

Drosselmeyer x Ela-Mana-Mou x Damascus

argentino7 for Sim Hispano

Like the unique old-school pedigree on the dam’s side of this five-year-old. Has raced just three times this year with mixed results, winning a stakes race, but finishing off the board in a Grade 2 event and in allowance company. Won five in a row from late 2014 through September of last year, but we think her best racing days might be in the past.

#12 Outback Nimbin (11-1)

19-6-3-2-$235,465

Frankel x Kingmambo x Encosta de Lago

outback10 for Midas

Well-bred English filly has won twice in 2016, but also finished up the track in her two attempts this year in graded company. Winner at today’s distance in her second to last start in May. Could be a factor with a career best effort, but hasn’t yet shown enough for her to be our pick in a Grade 1 event.

#13 Mesa Strike (16-1)

17-6-2-4-$276,803

Sky Mesa x Tiznow x Smart Strike

mleafs for Eh Team

One of the hottest horses in the race, has won three in a row, and has hit the board in all four of her starts this year. Also trending in the right direction, with improving speed figures in her last three races, culminating in a career-best 112 last time out. A lot to like here, and the price should be attractive.

#14 Material Strike (13-1)

16-5-3-2-$223,910

Cat Strike x Our Emblem x Buckpasser

babies6 for Universal Racing Club

Humble Louisiana-bred has had a nice career, and will get an opportunity to beat the blue bloods at their game in the Equinics. Finished in the money in three straight state-bred allowance races before finishing up the track in stakes company her last time to the post. Has posted triple digit speed figures in 11 straight races. Could be a factor with her best, but we’ll probably put our money elsewhere.

#15 Get The Blame (31-1)

22-3-6-6-$159,061

Blame x Sadler’s Wells x Riverman

missymoo for Queensland

Tied for the fewest wins of any horse in the field with just three victories, but has finished in the money more than 2/3 of the time. Competed in stakes company for the first time in her career one race back, finishing sixth. Seems a little better suited for a slightly shorter race, and hard for us to recommend this one.

#16 Roaming Charges (19-1)

17-5-2-1-$216,040

Harlan’s Holiday x Alkaased x Vindication

shagfarms8 for Comedy Central

Five year old has been a successful turf runner, but has not been in the money in her first three attempts on the dirt preparing for this race. Turf to dirt seemed to work at first, as she posted a career-best 109 speed in her first try off the grass, but has regressed since then. Would be a big surprise if she’s in the photo at the wire.

#17 Vic Gotta Go (10-1)

8-5-1-1-$135,550

Ghostzapper x A.P. Indy x Unbridled

icbomber10 for GR Simsters

Lightly-raced filly waited until Novmber of her three-year-old season to make her debut. Broke her maiden first time out, and has steadily progressed through her conditions. Posted a career best 115 speed while placing in stakes company last time out, and probably would have gotten up for the win if the race was at today’s distance rather than 9.5 furlongs. Hasn’t faced the likes of these before, but pedigree suggests some class. A live one, especially with the accomplished L Radzinski in the saddle.

#18 Halt Order (8-1)

20-9-2-3-$510,636

Dunkirk x Medaglia d’Oro x Vindication

saga28 for Empire State Racing

Winner of three in a row, including the Grade 2 D-Day Distaff last time out. Ten straight triple digit speed figures, and has missed the board just once in her last seven starts. Has never raced longer than nine furlongs, but recent performances suggest she may like the extra distance. Certainly one to consider.

#19 Gin N’ Seven TB (11-1)

12-5-1-2-$220,151

Giant’s Causeway x Affirmed x Roberto

hoodnik22 for Minnesota Testbarn Residency

Finished fifth at today’s distance last time to the post in her first attempt at the graded level. Won two non-graded stakes before that, recording a career-best 115 speed at a mile and a quarter in May. Probably won’t put this filly on top, but feel free to use liberally when betting the exotics.

POINTGUARD’S PICKS:

GOLD – #5 Lavish Lady (7-1)

SILVER – #17 Vic Gotta Go (10-1)

BRONZE – #10 Depiction (12-1)

BEST LONGSHOT – #13 Mesa Strike (16-1)