The DANCING FOR GOLD Handicap
The DANCING FOR GOLD Handicap
Stakes
A mile and one eighth
Fast Dirt
$40,000
Fillies and mares, 4 years old and up
Well, let’s not beat around the bush about this race. When the #4 ranked mare in the division drops down in class for a prep race in a shortened field, she’s going to get all the attention. There’s no denying that Wild Cat Tales is the class of the field and it almost seems unfair for the other to be competing here but she has shown signs of weakness in her last few races. Are we starting to see a trend here or is just a bump in the road? Going up against her are four other hopefuls led by 5/2 A Bowl And A Mare. Can any of them stay with her down the stretch? On paper it doesn’t seem likely but again, this is racing. Anything can happen.
PP 1
5/2 A BOWL AND A MARE
(STORM CAT x FORTY NINER x BOLD RULER)
Trainer: squirrel
Perhaps the only entry capable of taking down Wild Cat Tales, Squirel’s A Bowl And A Mare is hoping for little luck and an open lane to the early lead. She drops down in distance today and I like that move. Her front running style has done her very well as she is a mutli-stakes winner and has shown some impressive speeds in the past over 100+. She’ll benefit most if she can get out to the lead early and unchallenged but more than likely Forty Nine Red will go to the front with her which could set up nicely for the late charging Wild Cat Tales.
PP 2
3/5 WILD CAT TALES
(TALE OF THE CAT x
Trainer: champions4
Much as he did this time last year, Stoners has dropped Wild Cat Tales down in class to prep his mare for the upcoming season. No doubt the #4 ranked Mare in the division is making headlines this week with her entry here. She was making noise last year as well after pulling off a string of four consecutive graded wins but she fell apart in her last race the Razorback Distaff-G2 where she finished a disappointing 9th with a 95 SP. It was her worst performance since September of 2005 and perhaps the drop in class will jumpstart her season this year. No question she’s the one to beat here but if she returns to form today she’s in a class by herself. Perhaps only Bowl And A Mare has a chance to beat her if the pace sets up right.
PP 3
6/1 FORTY NINE RED
(FORTY NINER x NUREYEV x PROVE OUT)
Trainer: verygooday
Forty Nine Red was very lightly raced last year with only nine starts perhaps in hopes that she would develop late and makes only her second start of this year. This Forty Niner daughter competed well in allowance company but her two last starts in at this level have not been that impressive. She did manage a distant third in The Neurotic Dane Challenge two races back but the 94 SP that she earned won’t be enough to compete with the favorite. At best, I think she’s competing for 2nd or 3rd place money as she along with everyone else seems outclassed by you know who. Look for her to challenge for the early lead with A Bowl And A Mare but she has shown signs of weakness down the stretch.
PP 4
4/1 GREENSLEEVES
(
Trainer: ruok
Breaking from gate #4, Greensleeves makes her second consecutive start at this level. Although she finished 4th in The Beastie Peak(SAF) Challenge, she was closing hard but simply ran out of track. It’s a trend that you’ll notice that she’s all too familiar with. This filly just seems to me to be screaming out needing more distance. However, she has won at this distance before back in December with a very nice 100 SP in an open allowance race. However, a change in tactics might be in order for her today. She is known to give up as much as 15 lengths before making a move and Wild Cat Tales is another mid to back of the pack closer but usually doesn’t give up as much distance. She’ll need to stay a little closer to the favorite if she is to make her move at the same time.
PP 5
15/1 QUISP
(PHONE TRICK x
Trainer: booberry
Even at 15/1, Quisp really isn’t as far off the other as you might think. She got a very late start in her career and didn’t make her debut until this past December as a three year old. Although it’s taken her a few races to really get going, she’s coming off a lifetime best 96 SP in an NW2n allowance that she won tactfully. She makes her stakes debut in this race but really couldn’t have asked for much worse luck. However, with such a short field and career that has yet to be determined she may cash a check of some type today.