Six Runners Looking to Capture THE BARGAIN DERBY(ST)

 

While December is usually an uneventful month in the world of horse racing, the Bargain Bred Racing Series (BBRS) will have their biggest day of races during the season on Saturday in California.

The main event will be THE BARGAIN CLASSIC (ST), which is run at 9.5 furlongs on the main track.

Great weather all week has produced a fast track as six runners will emerge from the gate. Let’s take a look at the field:

 

1) OPEN TO ALUMNI (5/2)

6yo Chestnut Gelding

25 – 9 – 5 – 0 (.360 W, .560 ITM) – $492,570

Jockey: M Staples

Owner: mtkiscrabbyinmd

BELLAMY ROAD x ALUMNI HALL x DARE AND GO

By mtkpa in Kentucky

The experienced competitor tried to run away with the BBRS BARGAIN SUMMER CLASSIC(ST), but he had to hold off a late rally from GALAH SHOW in order to capture the victory in August. A close second in a restricted allowance event earlier this month shows the horse is in form entering Saturday’s contest. In fact, the six-year-old has posted 113SP and 115SP numbers earlier this year making him an intimidating force in this race.

 

2) LAISSE TOMBER (3/1)

4yo Bay Colt

18 – 3 – 4 – 4 (.167 W, .611 ITM) – $234,444

Jockey: M Wallace

Owner: plano17

MAHLER x TORRENTIAL x PROVE OUT

By planoaxius in Ireland

His last BBRS victory came in THE CHESAPEAKE (ST) during his sophomore season in May of 2016. There have been a few close calls since then – including his battle with GALAH SHOW in THE COPPER CUP (ST) where he was edged out down the stretch. Consistency is key for the colt who has ran over 100SP in his last four races, and is rarely under the century mark in that regard.

 

3) CHEBRE TACHDANE (3/1)

4yo Bay Colt

25 – 11 – 5 – 5 (.440 W, .840 ITM) – $446,550

Jockey: O Brim

Owner: lglong4junk

UNTACHABLE x CALIFORNIA DANE x SEATTLE BOUND

By brundlefly in Trinidad and Tobago

Adding some Caribbean flavor to the mix, he captured the LOCAL CHAMPSIONSHIP STAKES(ST) in Argentina last month, running an impressive 111SP in the process. The versatile colt has shown he can compete at a variety of distances with nine of his wins coming in contests run shorter than a mile. However, he has not tried out the classic distance since he ran in the BBRS spring and summer events during his sophomore campaign.

 

 4) BOTTOM END (5/1)

4yo Bay Colt

21 – 5 – 3 – 5 (.238 W, .619 ITM) – $322,420

Jockey: S Takahashi

Owner: txbred

COMMANCHERO x DESERT DARBY x IKARI

By txbred in Texas

He failed to factor his last time out in THE COPPER CUP(ST); jumping out to the early lead, but eventually finishing more than ten lengths back of GALAH SHOW. Prior to that, the colt posted three consecutive 3rd place finishes, hitting the triple-digit SP threshold on each occasion. He experienced early success winning four of his first seven races including THE OZARK DERBY (ST) during his sophomore campaign, but he has not hit the wire first in a BBRS event since that occasion.

 

5) GALAH SHOW (7/2)

4yo Bay Colt

17 – 5 – 4 – 3 (.294 W, .706 ITM) – $182,176

Jockey: F Duffy

Owner: bargainbowlben

GALAH x SPECIAL RATE x COMEDY SHOW

By salron in Australia

He scored a victory in THE COPPER CUP (ST) his last time out in late October. With a strong effort down the stretch, he outdueled rival LAISSE TOMBER as the pair were adjoined for virtually the entire race. It was his first victory in a BBRS event in three attempts, and the 110SP in his previous run suggests he can post a number capable of winning the marquee BBRS event.

 

6) KAHAL’S HEART (7/1)

5yo Bay Horse

29 – 4 – 4 – 3 (.138 W, .379 ITM) – $149,205

Jockey: C Morten

Owner: safbb1

HEART’S CRY x KAHAL x ELLIDOR

By safbb1 in Japan

The veteran runner will journey across the pond looking to claim his first victory since January where he won a local restricted starter allowance. Running primarily on the turf (27 of 29 races), his connections appear to be hoping for a change of fortune with a switch in surfaces. The limited main track experience will certainly be the big question mark for handicappers and the odds reflect that apprehension.

 

CHEBRE TACHDANE appears to be poised to take THE BARGAIN CLASSIC this year coming off of an impressive performance.

OPEN TO ALUMNI will certainly be there at the finish.

As mentioned, the consistency of LAISSE TOMBER cannot be argued with as he will challenge for a spot at the top of this event.

 

Derbyfever.com PP’s…

http://djet.hearusplay.com/multihorse_inline.asp?raceid=1931219