Class, Pace or Speed?

Stakes action at Oklahoma this Saturday starts off with the Queen of Longchamp Handicap.  It is to be run over a mile and five eights over a fast track and it is for Fillies and Mares 4 years old and up.  The purse is a solid $55,000 and it is the 10^th Race on the card.

Let’s look at the field of 6.

ELAINE BENES (9/2) This 5 year old mare comes off a career best 100 speed figure posted in a gate to wire win in the Putrid Capote Challenge.  This lady has been improving rapidly under the excellent care of trainer seinfeld1.  Seven straight ITM finishes in the 12-13 furlong range shows this horse is at the top of her game.  She gets quality jock C. Schell and although she seems to do best on the lead has show that she can come off the pace if the conditions require it.

IN THE BURG (14/1) This 5 year old mare stretches out under the guidance of trainer ironstable.  The last few performances have been a bit below par but maybe this added distance will wake her up with Na. Lewis in the irons.

PJ STRONG LEGS(IRE) (11/1) This 6 year old mare is a winner of over $250,000 and tries to add to it this Saturday.  Trainer oddbreeds is thinking the switch from Turf to her favored Dirt surface will get her back on track again.  I. Newberry has been slated to ride and looks to use these Strong Legs to get a 9^th victory for this lady.

BLACK PLEASURE (7/2) This 4 year old mare looks to find her way back to the winner’s circle on a fast track.  She has had a few rough races on off tracks but steps back on a fast track today.  If you toss the off track races you end up with 3 straight wins on fast surfaces including 2 stakes and a 104 speed figure.  Trainer semi must be happy to find a fast track today and you cannot discount this horse with C. Higdon riding.

XTREMELY GOLD (1-1) This 6 year old mare will come ready to run.  A winner of over 3 million and 21 wins out of 30 races surely deserves the even money odds.  Trainer grracers has done an outstanding job of playing this lady where she needs to be.  After claiming this one for just $25,000 grracers managed to get multiple Grade 1 victories from her.  Truly the class of the field and a 100+ speed figure should be expected with excellent jockey G. Wendorff in the irons.

RANDY BREEDER (4-1) This 4 year old mare is here to run today.  A winner of 2 of her last 4 stakes races, she seems to be on the climb for trainer bmr001.  She will need to boost her speed figure a little today but has had a month off and gets top jock W. Cahill to do the duties.  A horse that should not be dismissed lightly in this contest.

My take: Xtremely Gold has to be thought of when considering the winner here.  I think she is vulnerable though.  Elaine Benes is in a good spot today.  The only real front end speed in a short field.  She also has been improving lately and may be able to hold onto the early lead and go gate to wire.  Another one in the mix if Elaine Benes does not steal the race is Black Pleasure.  The track is fast and lately that means a 100+ speed figure for her.  Should be a good race, class vs. pace vs. speed.