Eleven Two Year Olds Gunning For Massachusetts Feature

Ten colts and one filly will be gunning for a $65,000 purse in The Dancer Bluegrass Special, a race for 2YO’s at a distance of a mile over the main track.

1. Friends First – A 2YO colt by Friends Lake out of the mare Dark Magician. Running all his races in New York for the moneymaker stable, he began his career back in the spring with two short sprints. Finishing out of the money, but collecting checks, the connections gave him nearly 4 months off before putting him back on the track on July 30th. Stretching him out to a mile worked wonders as he settled mid-pack before winning by a length and a half going away. Having a run at the distance will help, but will need to step up to have any chance of taking home the top prize.
2. Rains All Night – A 2YO colt by Rainbow Quest out of the mare Limping For Beef. Running for the holyfire stable, he began his career early summer racing in sprints on the turf. After finishing 3^rd in his debut on a yielding surface, this durable juvenile finished up the track on a firm surface. Switching to dirt, and stretching out to a mile did the trick as he settled mid-pack before winning going away by a length and three quarters. His prospects in this race are similar to the one horse.
3. Jupiters – Sired by Smart Strike, and out of the mare Hermione(IRE), this is the only filly in the race, taking on the boys for the first time. Running for the rascal stable, she began her career late winter. After a 2^nd place finish in her debut, she won next time out in a full field. In her first stakes race, she finished 3^rd in The Glory Boomer(GB) Special three races back. After a lackluster performance LTO on the turf, she returns to dirt, and tries two turns for the first time. Could be a factor if she likes the extra distance.
4. Personal Concern – Despite still being a maiden, this 2YO colt by Personal Hope, out of the mare Princess Concern, is the morning line favorite. Running for the 24flat stable, he began his career late spring running big FTO in a sprint, and finishing 2^nd at 6 furlongs. After a disappointing effort next time out, the connections shipped him here and stretched him out to a mile. He responded with his best performance, and another disappointing 2^nd place finish. He looks tough, and may well live up to favorite status.
5. Mt. Zabeel – This 2YO colt by Forestry, ships up the coast after winning at first asking at a mile in DC. Running for the galloper stable, he bolted to the front, building a six-length advantage coming into the stretch, before coasting in for a two and a half length victory. If he improves on that first effort, he could be dangerous.
6. Pleashko – This 2YO colt by Pleasantly Perfect, out of the mare Puerto Banus, is the most experienced in the field. Running for the zoshka stable, his first five races were all sprints trying both surfaces with modest results. LTO his connections stretched him out to a mile resulting in a two and a quarter length victory. He will need to improve on that performance to be a factor here.
7. Tessa’s Topper – This 2YO colt by Exchange Rate began his career in early spring. Running for the landen2 stable, he has shown steady improvement, winning LTO by a nose. He comes into this race off of a layoff of a little over three months. He has yet to try two turns, and will need to like routes better than sprints to be a factor.
8. Maple Leaf – This is a 2YO colt by Stravinsky, out of the mare Canadian Score. Running for the 2ofus stable, he began his career in late winter running in three very short sprints, trying both surfaces. In each of those races he took the lead out of the gate, holding the lead into the stretch, and finishing 2^nd in all three. LTO his connections brought him to this track, and stretched him out to a mile. True to form, he took the lead out of the gate. This time however, he built a seven-length lead and held on for a two-length victory. If he runs as well as he did LTO, he will be tough to beat.
9. Main Street(IRE) – This is a 2YO colt by El Prado(IRE), out of the mare Texas Storm II. Running for the torrential stable, he began his career in a short sprint with a modest run. In his second race (LTO), his connections stretched him out to seven furlongs, and he responded with a two-length victory. If he continues to improve with added distance, he could make some noise here.
10. Azroc Sare Hard(aus) – This is a 2YO colt by Magic Of Sydney(AUS). He will be making his debut here for the corzak stable. If you like longshots, this is the guy. The morning line odds are thirty-seven to one. But his chances here are slim.
11. Strike It Rich – This 2YO colt by Touch Gold, out of the mare Go Lightly is the only multiple winner in the field. Running for the topicount3 stable, he made his debut in late winter as an odds on favorite by wiring an open allowance field of four. After two similar efforts with less spectacular results, he stepped up LTO by winning his second allowance. All his races have been short sprints to this point. Will need to prefer the longer distance to have a chance.