The GP2 PEA SHOOTERS HANDICAP $250,000

This week-end sees South Dakota staging its eighth running of the $250,000 Grade 2 Pea Shooters Handicap for three year old sprinters. This year’s race has attracted a promising field all hoping to be the next big thing, and while at this stage of their careers most are showing potential the list of previous winners in not so kind. Of the previous winners none have gone on to Grade 1 glory after their win here; however Snow Squall did achieve that feat prior to his win in this race in 2002. The 2005 winner, Final Thought, did manage a repeat win at Grade 2 level and 2003’s I Like Rain and 2004’s Zigs Educated Risk both won at Grade 3 level afterwards. Last year’s winner Big Poppa Pump is still without a win in seven race track appearances since.

PP1      KITTY HEAVEN (ARG) – onemore                           11/1                 V.Berwick (6.7%)                   

Has been doing most of his racing at Stakes level and after some near misses finally broke through for first stakes win last start when recording career best SP of 100. Only unplaced run to date in ten starts was at Graded 2 level and will need to be further improved on last start’s effort to be in contention here. Sired by Southern Halo out of a Storm Cat mare, Jennah’s Horsey, who has two winners from as many runners to date.

PP2      VELOCITY ROGUE (KY) – seedly                            15/1                 T.Price (12.9%)                      

Comes here with three wins from 13 starts including six starts back when winning first Graded race in the GP3 Booty Call Stakes over 6.5 furlongs on turf. Placed twice at Stakes level before last start’s failure over this distance in the GP2 After Shave Sprint. Has been doing most of his racing on turf and having first dirt start since two-year-old season. Home Bred sired by Silver Ghost who amongst his many Grade 1 winners has the Grade 1 sprinters Digging the Grave, Once Haunted, Ancient World and South Dakota to his credits.

PP3      BUSTING TO LEAK (KY) – jarrod5             26/1                 MC Nay (6.3%)                      

Only win from 11 starts was at Grade 3 level when taking out the GP3 Trixy’s Delight Special as a two-year-old. Five starts this season has resulted in a 2^nd in the GP3 Special Bid Stakes behind Bermuda and a third at Stakes level. Two starts back finished last in the GP1 Flordia Derby over 9 furlongs before last start’s failure at Stakes level over 6 furlongs. By the highly successful Gone West sire Eclusive Quality out of the Storm Cat mare Sun Shower.

PP4      BOOGIE WOOGIE B (KY) – thunderg99                   8/1                   C.Naole (0.0%)                      

Winner of five from 11 starts, only race twice over a sprint journey with both resulting in wins including two starts back when winning at Stakes level over 7.5 furlongs. Likes to race handy and was in a good position last start before fading in the straight when finishing 6^th over 8 furlongs in the GP3 Barbara Walters Special. Home bred sired by Victory Gallop who has the Eclipse Award and multiple Grade 1 winner Cold Storage amongst his credits.

PP5      GRAND ARBITER (JPN) – lender2                            9/1                   M.Bouwens (14.5%)               

Six times winner from nine starts who has been given time to progress through the grades. Finished two-year-old season with a win at first attempt at Stakes level before beginning this season with a win in the GP3 Super Bowl Stakes beating today’s rival Bermuda.  Two start back recorded career best SP of 105 in winning at stakes level before failing last start when favourite. Home bred who is sole graded winner of his sire, Agnes World, in five seasons at stud.

PP6      BERMUDA (KY) – super7                                          11/1                 F.Leghorn (15.3%)                  

Three times Grade 3 winner over the sprint journey from a career of five wins from 12 starts. Opened his three-year-old season with a win in the GP3 Special Bid Stakes over this distance and surface before being tried over more ground. Has mixed results last four starts and is returning to a distance more to his liking here. By the sire Speightstown out of the Storm Cat mare Driving For Saint, who has produce five winners from as many runners including two graded winners and a stakes winner.

PP7      ALBA SEA KING (IRE) – turfwins                             14/1                 G.Thorn (0.0%)                       

Comes here as one the more experienced runner having had 13 career runs, best run this season was three races back when recording career best SP of 103 in finishing 2^nd to Whoknowsme in the GP3 Swale Stakes. Failed in his last two starts in the GP1 Sand Castle Derby over 9 furlongs and at Stakes level over 6 furlong. Sired by King of Kings (IRE) out of the Mr. Prospector mare, Wet Lois whose produce four winners to date.

PP8      EARLY PEAK – stupor8                                             13/1                 B.Sullivan (7.5%)                    

Grade 2 winner as a two-year-old and started three-year-old season with two wins at stakes level before failing over 9 furlongs in the GP1 Sand Castle Derby. Failed when returned to sprint distance last start but managed to record career best SP of 100 in finishing 9^th at Grade 2 level. Sired by In Excess (IRE) out of the Storm Cat mare More Steer, who has three winners to runners including two times stakes winner Bulgaria.

PP9      SMARTY JOCK (KY) – freddykins                            9/1                   K.Stelle (11.4%)                     

Has won three of his nine starts and four starts back won at Grade 3 level before being tried over more ground where he failed in the GP1 Sand Castle Derby over 9 furlongs. Returned to sprint distance last start where he ran a much improved effort recording career best SP of 101 when finishing second when beaten easily by Mad Dropper.

PP10    WHOKNOWSME (JPN) – amvg                                8/1                   N.Hamill (7.9%)                      

Recorded fourth win in career of 10 starts when four starts back took of the GP3 Swale Stakes with career best SP of 103. Last start finished down the track when 12^th of 14 in the GP2 Bluegrass Sprint when taking on older horses for the first time. Is yet to race over this distance and racing pattern to date suggests it should suit. Home Bred sired by the multiple Grade 1 producer, Forty Niner out of Secretariat through Nijinsky II.

PP11    GROSSE ISLE (FL) – wolverine                                  12/1                 S.Green (12.9%)                     

Has five wins from ten starts and two starts back won at first graded attempt when winning in the GP2 Hutchingson Stakes with career best SP of 99. Failed last start over route distance and looks to be better suited over the shorter journey but inconsistent form is a concern. Sired by the successful sire Essence of Dubai, out of the Mr. Prospector mare Sister Pro who has had moderate success from four attempts.

PP12    LEGAL OPTION (KY) – wiscojoh                             14/1                 B.Oneightytwo (12.9%)           

Five time winner at allowance level before winning first attempt at stakes level with a career best SP of 100 over this surface and distance. Followed that win with a disappointing 5^th at Stakes level before returning to allowance level when caught at the post to finish 2^nd. Sired by Successful Appeal out of the Storm Cat mare, Storm Devil who won seven sprint races on dirt during her career.

PP13    MAD DROPPER (KY) – shorblue4                             7/2                   D.Zordich (26.1%)                  

Has the impressive figures of eight wins from 11 career starts including six at Stakes level and one at Grade 3 level. Comes here having won three of last four and last start collected the GP3 Dallas BB Stakes when recording career best speed rating of 107. By promising sire Eavesdropper out of the Theatrical (IRE) mare Mad Person (IRE) who herself was a Stakes winner over the sprint journey. Looks to be the class horse of the field and is yet to finish out a place.

PP14    COREY’S BULLET (KY) – roscoe8                           11/1                 A.Frank (10.4%)                     

Has the impressive figure of seven wins from eight starts including winning three straight at stakes level before last start’s victory in the GP3 South Bronx Stakes, at first graded appearance. Last start ran a career best speed rating of 100 and while he is having first attempt at the distance all indications suggest he is more than capable of winning here. Home bred by E-Dubai who has sired multiple Grade 1 winners including three times Grade 1 winner Echoes.

1^st        – Mad Popper             2^nd       – Boogie Woogie                    3^rd        – Corey’s Bullet