The Legendary Stampede
SOCALSLEWS LEGENDARY STAKES 4.5f fast dirt, $75.000, F&M, 3yo & up |
By Post Positions…
pp1: THE I INSIDE, 6yo by Coronado’s Quest X Cure The Blues X Valid Appeal, odds: 61/1, Trainer: petermich
Okay, so you will have to scratch those two most recent (marathons) races off her list. The two starts after those were sprints, but unimpressive mainly (one was a 2nd after battling for the lead). Basically, the mare hasn’t done much this year and I would be surprised if she broke into the top 5 finishers.
Running Style: from behind
pp2: THE FLEET’S GONE, 4yo by Afleet X Runaway Groom X Gone West, odds: 17/1, Trainer: pmjstable
Her speed figures aren’t going to cut it in this field especially with the favorite routinely tossing out mid to high 90’s with the occasional 100+sp. However, she does like the lead and will battle as far as her legs can carry her. Her best start this year was last time out in a restricted allowance race going 6f; she finished 2nd with a 94sp.
Running Style: frontrunner
pp3: MAYAMA, 4yo by Afleet X
Hands down this is the fastest filly in the field. She rarely misses the break, running head first like a possessed beast towards the wire. Her best career race came four races ago in the Deed La Stakes over 6.5f; she won by a nose, wiring the field, and collecting an amazing 110sp. Most recently she trekked through a 5.5f open allowance race to win by one after shaking lose from those pressuring her. She’s not one to dodge a dogfight which will be in her favor on Saturday in the all-out cavalry charge to the wire.
Running Style: frontrunner
pp4: MISS CHARM, 6yo by Wild Again X Mr. Prospector X Northern Dancer, odds: 11/1, Trainer: browneyes
The beautifully bred mare has been struggling in short sprints all year, but who can blame her with her deep closing tactics it’s hard to get a win. I think if she runs her best A-game and makes a quick early move she may have a chance of getting into the top 3.
Running Style: from behind
pp5: ALY CAT AGAIN, 6yo by Truckee X Storm Cat X Alydar, odds: 10/1, Trainer: lindsypark
Here is the most experienced mare in the field with 48 lifetime starts. All those races have started wearing on her legs, though. Once a good frontrunner she now struggles to hold off fellow speedsters. Last time out was her best performance of the season – she wired a full field in restricted allowance company over 6f, winning by 1 ¼ lengths with a 93sp.
Running Style: frontrunner
pp6:
Another lady that loves the lead. This one has a little more speed to keep up with the favorites. Her last race was a 2nd with a 96sp, she lost by ¼ lengths in the open allowance. If she duplicates that race then she could turn the tables.
Running Style: frontrunner
pp7: THE NIGHT STALKER(ire), 3yo by Night Shift X Seeking The Gold X Capote, odds: 10/1, Trainer: focusforce
I love her name & her breeding & that she has won 6 of her 11 (9 for 11 ITM) lifetime starts on the dirt sprinting. Reviewing her past races this season I think that she is the fastest out of the gate. She tends to open up daylight between her and her foes and then digs in to try to hold on for the win. In Saturday’s cavalry charge those tactics may come in handy.
Running Style: frontrunner
pp8: EDGAR’S HERO(ire), 3yo by El Prado X Blushing Groom X Nureyev, odds: 8/1, Trainer: padrebri
Here is another young filly with 5 wins from 11 starts (9 for 11 ITM) lifetime. Like the one breaking inside of her she is a natural-borne frontrunner. She doesn’t have the turn of foot that #7 has, but she is tuff in a duel and only gives way grudgingly. Her best race this year came in the 6.5f Uptown Weezy Challenge; she ran 3rd with a 101sp.
Running Style: frontrunner
pp9: CHATEAU ZAL(co), 3yo by Frontier Gold X Zalazl X Northern Prospect, odds: 66/1, Trainer: seplatt01
This frontrunner may never see the lead as her speed figures just won’t cut it in this bunch. But she will definitely try; she’s successfully gotten the lead in 7 of her 8 last starts. Winning will be out of the question, however, unless she has a 20 to 30 increase in speed ratings.
Running Style: frontrunner
pp10: MEAFORLI, 5yo by Silver Ghost X Meadowlake X
The post position shouldn’t bother the 2nd-choice filly, Meaforli one bit as she prefers to break leisurely from the gate, relax just behind midpack, and then make a drastic move around the turn into the stretch. Can that running style get her a win over 4.5f? It has before, just two races back where she caught the leaders and won by ¼ length with a 95sp.
Running Style: from behind
pp11: OIL UP THE BUSH II, 6yo by Silver Charm X Mr. Prospector X Riverman, odds: 8/1, Trainer: superdaddy
Ooh! Let me guess! Yep, another frontrunner! Who would have thunk in a short 4.5f event such as this? Haha this mare will be up with the rest on the lead. I don’t believe she will actually get her nose in front, but she is a self-proclaimed fighter and has 41 races of experience to pull from. If she runs her best race she might break top 5. She has not won all season.
Running Style: frontrunner
By Running Styles…
Let’s try to piece this together…
I think that The Night Stalker will get her nose out in front first. The favorite Mayama will take up position to The Night Stalker’s inside, pressuring the filly, but still conserving some for the final drive. Edgar’s Hero will be on the outside of The Night Stalker added more pressure. Just ¾ lengths back on the rail will be
Two lengths back will be The I Inside waiting for her turn to pick off any stragglers. Second-choice Meaforli will be another two back, but as they pass the 2f pole she’ll be pricking her ears looking for her first targets.
Bringing up the rear initially will be Miss Charm. The mare prefers to run way back. Hopefully her jockey doesn’t let her get more than 7 lengths behind.
Who hits the wire first is truly a toss-up. I have no idea. I would imagine that Mayama has this race in a bag. Meaforli looks mighty good to sneak up for the place. And Edgar’s Hero or The Night Stalker could hold onto the show in front of later charger Miss Charm.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL! ~Keely J