Medaglia Quest slight fave in Red Raise Challenge
North Korea– Ten distaffers punch the clock for this week’s featured $60,000 Red Raise Challenge. We’ll go a lean, mean Monster Mare Mile over a lightning fast main course…………………
Surfer’s Medaglia Quest lead sthe way at 9/2. Medaglia Quest won two of her last three starts — both hot ALW contests with 100 + speed figures. The 4yo Medaglia D’Oro daughter clearly is at her best in these short routes. ‘Quest brings her quick form into a great spot for a much-needed black type victory. Speedsters or stalkers fray, take your pick.
Superdaddy’s Girl (5/1) recently had her three-race victory streak snapped. The Silver Charm 5yo benefitted from a return to the ALW ranks. She wasn’t doing much in black type company prior, but clearly enjoyed a lighter mile trip. The resulting victory rekindled the mare’s fire and she won two straight short route stakes contests with 100+ speed figures. Trainer superdady had to give their prized charge a breather after the mare tired badly in a Febraury allowance. The stalker is fresh to jump back into her old winning ways.
Daqt2 stretches out Traffic Stop (5/1) again. The 4yo Pulpit filly splits her time between one-turn and two-turns running. The filly was successful around seven panels late last season. She recently ran a couple slow numbers, so her trainer tried 8.5f LTO. It was a strong 102 SP# runnerup ALW effort for Traffic Stop. Very well spotted. She’ll get some honest pace to run at and is more than capable of pulling off the victory.
Dixieland Band daughter Southern Woods (5/1) joins the speedsters duel. The veteran 5yo mare earns mucho BP for trainer hoffiebarn in the ALW ranks. Southern Woods records 3 victories in her last 8 outings. She’s a true Monster Miler specialist. Must overcome a kind of “bounce” in her last start where she stopped badly down the lane. Solid trusty dusty mare should run her race — remains to be seen whether or not she can effectively step up to black type level at this point in her career.
At 7/1, PJ High Roar rides high on a two-race win streak. The Exchange Rate 4yo has only 13 lifetime starts, but she’s exhausted her conditions well in these short routes. Love to see a positive climb in speed figures to the low 100s. Trainer pjfarms has this filly blossoming into a mature racemare. Stalker has a shot at all the marbles from post 9.
Salamander stable sends out thier AP Indy royal bred Rakharo (8/1). Top jockey P Clinger pilots the 4yo starlet who relished the milerish routes late last season, exhausting her conditions. Rahkaro unfortunately threw a clinker in her 2nd start this season. She recovered nicely however with a nice runner-up effort over 7 furlongs LTO. An improving sort still learning the ropes through 14 starts. Possible to play the spoiler’s role from about midpack.
The rest of the field:
- Kepler Of Kongo(GB) (7/1) won 3 of her last 8 in miler ALW company. Upper 90 SP#s could see the closer grab a minor share if the faves fall badly. Honest 4yo Kayf Tara filly maybe has a slim chance for the winner’s circle with those speed figures. She has youth on her side too. Must scale the class leap. Some chance. Races for ceclaim2.
- Frosty’s Matroni Et Moi (8/1) switches over from the lawn where she hasn’t done a heckuva. Veteran 6yo Cat Thief mare has spent most of her 32 start career over main track where she’s won over $200k. No 100 SP#s though. Maybe a bit mismatched at this point.
- Mt. Livermore 5yo Mt. Ararat (12/1) brings success going 9f-10f in ALW company. She won a NW1s over a mile a ways back, but was nowheresville over 8.5f stakes company two starts ago. doubtful she’ll improve much beyond that Saturday.
- Cupinski (23/1) from zeppelin stable is way in over her head with 80 SP#s. Sired by War Emblem. Honestly, she’s running claimer numbers. 🙁
Snowchief’s Picks:
Win: Medaglia Quest
Place: Traffic Stop
Show: Superdaddy’s Girl or Sothern Woods
Good luck!