Top-ranked Explosive Storm eyes Bluegrass Distaff Sprint(G2) prize
Kentucky– She’s the #1-ranked main track sprinter in the distaff division and she’s back against the gals. Explosive Storm earned that ranking the hard way — through 33 career starts, the 6yo sure has paid her dues from Maine to Spain. Saturday she leads a fine group of fillies and mares three years old and upwards in the Grade 2 $200,000 Bluegrass Distaff Sprint.
Explosive Storm (7/2) began the 2007 season in spectacular style. The mare reeled off three straight stakes scores. She’s an absolute sizzler from far back. The gal adores seven panels too — the extra furlong gives Explosive Storm just a tad more to work with and thensome. She inhaled the Manta Sierra(G2) at Nebraska and gobbled up the Distaff Breeders Bowl Cap(G2) too. Scoring 105 and 108 speed figures respectively, trainer pjlracing must’ve been whooping and hollering over how Explosive Storm was at the very pinnacle of her career. The mare boldly entered against colts last month and the effort was foregettable. She should be back on her prowl verus distaffers. Did I mention she’s by Storm Cat? A win here makes Explosive Storm a millionairess. Mmhmm.
But we still gotta run the race Saturday and Explosivce Storm faces some firery speedsters. First up, we got an absolute sizzler and barbeque of a pacesetter named Just As Well (9/2). Chops27 has got this 4yo starlet running mucho macho speed figures. The Rahy daughter splits time between Monster Mare Miler competition and one-turn spectacles. She’s nifty in both divisions, but that huge 110 SP# stakes score two back sure has got ’em talking. Just As Well made mincemeat of her 7f foes in that contest. She also proved that she can whip it up in a speed duel and still have plenty left for the drive to the wire. What a gal and what a spot! And, oh! She won a 6f stakes too last time out just for kicks. Delicious.
But, ya know, Just As Well faces a dazzling frontrunner competitior. Her name is Cheyenne Gold (6/1) and she’s won over $600k in 20-some starts. The gal’s got plenty of blueblood too being by Seeking The Gold. Trainer ozioziozi makes sure Cheyenne Gold specializes in seven panels. The 4yo fillly laughed her way around such two back with a 101 SP#. She may not have the big flashy 110 like Just As Well, but Cheyenne Gold brings major class and frisky fight. And, indeed, she grew terribly upset after losing a photo finish last month. ‘The Gold feels she’s owed big time. I can see her easily mixing it up in a suicide duel with Just As Well.
Now, if you don’t like speedsters going all crazy, then how ’bout a couple of closers who might outrun Explosive Storm at her own game? There’s Bite The Bullet II (6/1) from way on the far outside. The 6yo veteran got suckered into the nasty numbered 13-hole. But don’t feel bad for her or trainer korn — the pair have won near $600k through 35 starts (that’s a lot of black type dough!). Jockey F Gossett sure didn’t care about # 13 — he rides Bite The Bullet II and hopes to shake up the Red Ransom mare’s downtown running style. You see, Bite The Bullet wins some and loses some, off and on. But, boy, that 107 SP#, three back sure means business. Bite The Bullet’s a big closer threat any day of the week.
And then you got another closer who needs to make up her mind. Silver Strav (6/1) used to enjoy midpack sailing. Recently however, the Stravinsky damsel has taken to a wee bit of downtown and thensome. She fell far behind LTO verus the colts, but made up the ground to finish some three lengths from the winner. The 4yo filly placed in a couple distaffer grades, including a snappy 2nd to Explosive Storm herself in the Distaff Breeders Bowl Cap(G2). She’s in a fine groove and makes her 16th call to the post this week. I think Silver Strav shall sit more midpack this time around for trainer emb2. Big threat!
The rest of the field looks pretty much overmatched (at least on paper). Anything can and will go though around one-turn:
- Falkish(IRE) (13/1) at least has a stakes-placing with a fine number LTO. The Falbrav(IRE) 4yo filly had been competitive but not a winner in the ALW and minor stakes levels. Only 2-for-25 lifetime. Who knows if she’ll duplicate the number again. Races for pisanof stable.
- The 9yo mare Your Czar (12/1) was pretty good in her old days. The Grindstone old timer recently returned to the races for boldego stable aftr a year or so’s layoff. Nice 4th place LTO, but doubtful she’ll be much of factor other than for minor money.
- Moonglow Dancer (8/1) joins the downtown closers. The 6yo Machiavellian daughter has a few 100+ SP#s in her recent background. Fine racemare who’s well earned her feed. Factor for the board at best though — and maybe better suited to minor money. I think the other 3 lower-odds closers seem fresher at this point. Not without a shot though. Races for ernie.
- This is Ted’s 2nd Western Groom clone that I’ve written about today! LOL! Groomed To Romp T (12/1) of course by Gone West x Blushing Groom x Creme dela Creme. Worthy and fruitful combo — this 4yo filly has won Ted over $500k. Hasn’t won many races in 30-some starts though, but nevertheless valuable. This gal’s running average speed figs and just looks mismatched on a prayer in this spot.
- Miss Sticky (22/1) has proven to be quite useful for goody4. The Dixieland 4yo only has 17 starts and she recently exhausted her ALW conditions. Unfortunately, she can’t transfer that form to the listed level and has been well-beaten there. Doubtful she’d suddenly blossom in this graded spot. You’ll win some races with this gal, but not Saturday.
- Hi, Keely!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Keely gets in on the action with a Lion Heart 4yo lassie named Thetis (26/1). Oh wow, this gal’s got a lot of stamina in the female family. I’m surprised you’ve never tried a route again — her lone mile outing came at age 2 versus colts. You can see that Thetis has some back class though winning a sprint stakes and finishing 2nd in a Grade at age 3. She’s won two straight in time-restricted ALW company since, but interesingly has never broken through the 100 sP# barrier in 20-some starts! Hmmm….. might be a factor (if faves fall) for some minor money from off pace. Persoanlly, I’d return this filly to the ALW ranks and try a couple 8f, then 9f-10f routes with her. If not, then listed sprint stkaes level. Good luck!
- Candyland sends out a sophomore filly by Waquoit. Rutherford Ondirt (44/1) is 5-for-8 lifetime so far and looks very talented. But those 90 SP#s just don’t match up to the older distaffers at this time of year. Vies for the pace against classy Just As Well and Cheyenne Gold. Needs to grow up in a hurry. Sometimes we’ll see a 3yo step up and win against older in the grades at this time of season — but it’s very rare. Wait till mid-June or July.
- Graywolf7 has been slipping of late! LOL! No prayer at all for outclassed $4k 4yo Saarland claimer Seeking The Band (41/1). Major props though for getting her through claims without being claimed as broodmare material!
Snowchief’s Picks:
Explosive Storm and Silver Strav both come off tough races versus colts. Perhaps that took a bit out of them. Just As Well and Cheyenne Gold might get into a duel — but if either one seizes the lead on their own, then theiy’re capable of wiring this race. I’m gonna go with the other closer Bite The Bullet II by a whisker over Just As Well and Cheyenne Gold. Good luck to all and Happy Derby Day!