Buckeye Blitz – 8/29/17
Hello, and thanks for reading the Buckeye Blitz, your premiere insider to Ohio racing. These articles will give you some quick commentary on the runners you will see contesting the races, as well as some bold predictions.
There are three races for your viewing today. Track has turned up fast even though our forecasters are calling for thunderstorms (what do they know anyway). The high will be around 76 degrees. Let’s dive in and look at the runners.
Race #1 (Post Time 11:45am)
Allowance NW3L, 3yr & 4yr Olds
6.5 Furlongs – Dirt
#1 SJ’S CARSONBURG (16-1) – He’s the third offspring from G1 millionaire and EOY honors owner SJ’S Carsonado. Has one attempt over the dirt surface, back in February 2016, and it was his worst performance to date. Gives it a second try, as his recent runs on turf haven’t landed him ITM. Pedigree suggests he should take to the dirt, but will need pace to run at. Trainer sjmeola5 tries to shake this one up a little and return him to turf next out. Pass.
#2 MAJESPECTOR (11-1) – This lightly raced, 4yr old colt out of Majestic Warrior, is only making his 5th start of career. Comes in off a 9 month layoff, and is still eligible for NW2L races. All that being said, he comes from a G3 winning mare that has produced some nice foals. His last two were off of a layoff and they produced declining SP numbers. Hopefully, trainer bertaal3 has this one geared up for a nice 4yr old campaign. Wait and see.
#3 OUT OF AFRICA (4-1) – Sports a nice win two back over the course, but loses rider to SJ’S CARSONBURG. Improving colt by Pioneeerof The Nile, that runs his best mid-pack, and must not get too far behind in a race that lacks a true speedster. Out of a Graded Placed, Stakes Winning mare, so he is more than capable to tackle this level for trainer equistable. Worth a long look.
#4 WORLDS UNSEEN (72-1) – Runs for trainer slimdude, sired by Kentucky Lucky. This guy was in for a 3k claiming last out in OR, and offered up nothing out there to show he can run with this bunch. Shows two attempts over the course, but was never in either one. Would need an SP boost of 30+ to contend, and I don’t see that coming. Pass.
#5 JAPOLIA (3-1) – Gets L. Herren in the saddle today, which can only increase his chances of winning. He’s a scratchbred, 4yr old colt by Liason, that runs for trainer georgescott. Climbs back into ALW company, but seems suited for todays trip Another that will have to position himself right, to come out victorious. SP numbers put him right in the thick of this. Use!
#6 QUIET KENO (9-1) – Trainer joekidd sends this 4yr old son, out of Kaneko, back to the dirt where he has been ITM in 4 of 5 races. Makes his second start of the year, after returning to action from an almost 7 month layoff. Attempted speed last out for the first time and didn’t look too bad doing so. Will probably want to try that scheme again, and it could work out. Maybe.
#7 LUNAR TOWN (3-1) – Tied for first choice in the morning line favoritism, is this nicely bred, 4yr old son by Malibu Moon. He’s trained by raceck4. Sports the second highest SP number in the field, and that was ran just two starts back. Last nine races have all come over this strip, showing a come from behind running style. Has regular jockey aboard and can’t be left off your tickets.
#8 SJ’S DANCING GHOST (30-1) – Nicely bred son of Zensational, by G2 winning millionaire SJ’S GHOST DANCE. Sjmeola8 trains this slowly improving gelding. His numbers are still well behind the majority of these, so we will have to wait for his best effort. Might be the lone speed if QUIET KENO doesn’t go. Can wake up in a hurry, and get brave, if left alone on the front.
#9 ROBUSTER (12-1) – 4yr old scratchbred colt by Scat Daddy. Ran a hard closing, career best, 93 SP last out win in a NW2L Allowance in MN. Was over todays track and distance two back, finishing second, beaten by 1.75 lengths. Gets the jockey change for trainer trotter12, in hopes to find the winner’s circle for two in a row.
#10 YOUGETINTHEBOWL (4-1) – gangly3 trains this 3yr old colt by Sidney’s Candy. Gets third start back in the states, coming in from Europe which saw him contend in the G1 Blue Diamond Road as a 2yr old a year ago. Has only one second from three starts on the dirt surface, but all were increases from his previous turf form. Contains the top SP number in the field, and will be around to make noise at the wire.
Swami Selections: 10 – 5 – 7
Race #2 (Post Time 11:45am)
Allowance NW3L, 3yr & 4yr Olds
6.5 Furlongs – Dirt
#1 THE WHITE SKY (3-1) – Took attempts at stakes in each of his last two races. He was well back in both of those but continued a streak of 100+ SP numbers that began in KY on June 4, 2016. This will be his first start of the year, and faces a tough field for trainer ziklag6. A son Speightstown, by the G2 winning mare Sloppy Prospector. Gets co-favoritism.
#2 GIVEN LEMON DROPS (6-1) – oldmoonfarms16 trains this 4yr old gelding son of Point Given by G2 winning mare Lollipop Lies. Recent form shows three hot races and a claiming race from his last five, with mixed results. In for a tough assignment today. Has a shot to hit the board with a quick tempo up top. Needs to find more.
#3 THE TERMITE (198-1) – Will need a thunderbolt coming out of his rear to keep pace with these. Trainer keithtrosclair might want to think about an alternative to allowance races with this son of Puchi’s Special Fx. He’s only reached the 70 SP plateau in two of his last 9 races, and that’s about 30 less than what it would take to win here.
#4 COIN DROP (6-1) – Johannesburg sires this 4yr old colt for trainer thesteam. Broke out of the NW2L class two back, then threw out an absolute clunker in the stretch out vs NW3L last out. Has speed if he chooses to use it, and looms the main pace threat. Picks up M. Grunhard for first run in the OH. Could go a long way.
#5 SOUND DOCTRINE (7/2) – Picked win number two last out over this strip, and now steps up the class ladder. Jockey jumps off for this run, but I don’t see that hurting much. Has a nice mid-pack kick and will be in contention nearing the wire for trainer billzpaid1. He’s a son of Broken Vow, by Stakes winning mare ON A SERIOUS NOTE.
#6 THE HORSEHOE INN (3-1) – We actually have one of these in Columbus…. Oh wait, thought that said Horseshoe. Anyways, this guys a nicely scratchbred, 4yr old by Scat Daddy. Liam3 trains this one as he makes his 4th start against NW3L company. No early speed in the last two left him with too much to make up in the stretch. If he stays a little closer to the leaders, no doubt he can cross the line first..
#7 THE BONE TREE (9-1) – It appears trainer ernie44 is still trying to figure out what surface and distance is best for this 3yr old scratchbrad son of Bodemeister. Has 10 runs and 1 win on both dirt and turf. Showed brief speed and then faded halfway through the last one. Could improve in start 21 of career, but best thought of as an underneath player.
#8 OUT AT THIRD (8-1) – Has two wins in three races over the local dirt here. Not quite sure what happened two back as he just gave up at the 4 furlong mark, and the jockey from that day is back aboard today. Last out’s win for trainer southernwild2 was very good, where he made up nearly 5 lengths in the final over a sloppy track. Unsure of how to read this one, your call.
#9 MAGIC AND COMEDY (11-1) – A 4yr old colt by Straight Man. This guy has failed to hit the board in 11 of his last 12 races. The one race he did, was a third place finish on turf at the VA track for trainer bperry5. Seems destined to go back to the claiming ranks as the ALW company has shown to be too much for him. Not today.
Swami Selections: 5 – 6 – 4
Race #3 (Post Time 12:50pm)
Claiming NW4L, 4yr Olds +, $125,000
8.5 Furlongs – Dirt
#1 THROUGH THE ALLEY (12-1) – Sports career best efforts in each of his last two. Unfortunately for this 4yr old colt by Scat Daddy, the competition he faced in those were too tough for him. Drops into the claiming ranks for the first time for trainer repaper, and should find a little more comfy spot to make a run, but no too much. Needs more.
#2 PUMPKIN BAR (7-1) – Baronial sires this 4yr old colt out of the barns of jdmrki1. Very consistent runner here that always seems to have a piece of the pie since returning to dirt. But just a piece, as he is 0 for 10 in the win column on dirt. Another first time claimer. This will be a tough contest, but can win with the right trip.
#3 SEBRING CITY LIMIT (17-1) – Hard closing second last out at these same conditions. Jockey M. Garry is retained after the career best effort in hopes to get home first this time for trainer roscoe3. This son of Sebring will need a solid pace to run after as he does his best in the late stages. Not out of it at a price.
#4 TUSKER FARMING (22-1) – Trainer kaner9 hasn’t had much success with this offspring of Snitzel. Dam was a Graded Placed sprinter over the dirt. His best races have come on the front end, over this surface, but seems up against it here. This is asking too much for a horse still eligible for the NW2L class.
#5 EUCLA DUO (5-1) – Been in contention every start on dirt since moving to the barn of erendira. This 4yr old colt is sired by Ghostzapper, out of G3 winning mare, BERRI DUET. He’s ran a 100+ SP in each of the last 9 races, and should be considered one of the favorites here. Very versatile, showing effective races from the front end, and mid-pack. Jockey Ingersoll picks up the mount.
#6 RAVEN GOD (14-1) – A son of Raven’s Pass, by Graded Placed mare BILLY’S SLEW. Hasn’t really contended for quite a while now, and the last two were awful vs similar. A deep closer for trainer Stockton, will probably pass some tiring horses in the stretch at best. There doesn’t seem to be a pace battle coming for the race to fall apart for him. Looking elsewhere.
#7 UNCLE CHUCK (9/2) – Trainer shorestar brings this nice looking son of Street Boss to the gate here in race 3. Has really stepped up his efforts recently, back to where he was last year around this time. Another mid-pack runner, with a strong kick, that will need accurate timing to launch his run. Posted a 111 SP two back in KY, and anything close to that puts him in the thick of it.
#8 STUPID STORMS (6-1) – Intriguingly named, gelded son of Stormy Atlantic. Showed a model of consistency this year with encouraging stretch runs in each. He’s another with a lot of late kick that must get the jump on some of his rivals. Won last out in a $150k claimer for NW3L last out. First time against this level for trainer redhill17. Maybe.
#9 TAJANTE (39-1) – Although this 4yr old son of Drinkwiththedevil has been ITM in 6 of 8 on dirt, he’s never faced competition of this nature. Was in for a $2k claiming race last out on turf, and lost ground in the stretch to finish third, beaten by 2.5 lengths. Latest win came three back against Local Restricted breds from IN, in a $7.5k NW1y claimer. Not happening.
#10 URBAN INSURRECTION (7-1) – Broke through last out for his 3rd career win. This colt, by Afleet Alex, has been facing the upper tiers of the claiming ranks lately, and should fit in nicely. Has some speed, but most of his races he’s sat just off the pace, which could be a good fit here. Trainer mtkswagger will hope that his colt will have enough in the tank to hold off the late closers. Possible.
#11 SPILL (29-1) – Apriority sires this 4yr old colt by the Stakes Placed mare THE RAVEN’S SONG. Took the win in a $100k claimer last out in AZ that was for NW2L. Seems up against it here as he has never cracked a 100 SP number, which some of these do seemingly in every race. Doesn’t look like a bad colt for trainer meguire, but this isn’t the right spot for him. Pass.
#12 FANTASY GOLD HF (12-1) – Making career start number 24, and still has only 1 win to his credit. Jumps down in purse money, but double jumps in restrictions. Has great pedigree, being sired by Medaglia D’Oro for trainer hemarfarm2. Not sure if the cut back in distance here will help or not. Can’t endorse given the restrictions.
#13 IL GATTINO (10-1) – Comes in off 2 disappointing efforts against KY restricted claimers. Ran a nice 108 SP three back in a $100k claiming race in MD at this distance. Sports 2 wins from 13 starts on dirt, but the last win came in April of 2016. Black type pedigree being by Kitten’s Joy, out of a Galileo sired mare for trainer rubiano07. He’s going to have to sustain a run to finish on the board.
#14 NOBLE REVOLTER (13-1) – bosox trains this 4yr old colt by Revolutionary, out of the Graded Placed, Stakes winning mare NOBLE BRUSH. Last two came here in Ohio and were both good. Moves up to the NW4L after winning in the NW3L last out. A lot to like, and has speed, but will need to build upon his career best last out to be on the board at the finish.
Swami Selections: 7 – 8 – 5 – 10