Leather Lion, Any Time At All Head Undercard Stake
The DEFIANT SURPRISE Memorial
Stakes
Six furlongs
Firm Turf
$80,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
PP Horse ID Horse Owner Jockey Odds
1 LEATHER LION tazdevil I Swanny 5/2
2 PRINCELY TREAT twinhollow A Edwards 5/1
3 THE SEVENTH ONE nsw T Nugent 7/1
4 ED’S LEMON CAR funnyfello G Montoya 4/1
5 ANY TIME AT ALL theforce R Harzheim 7/2
6 JISEI(IRE) blaznbarn C Jericho 6/1
7 LISTEN TO GOVE repository S Shady 5/1
The appetizer for Epsom’s featured Hearty Appetite Sprint Grade II is the Defiant Surprise Memorial. Seven older fillies and mares will be traveling three quarters of a mile on the turf in quest of the lion’s share of the $80,000 purse.
Well positioned to get the lion’s share is Tazdevil’s veteran turf sprint mare, Leather Lion. The lukewarm wagering choice has won only once in the last year but is close often and finished a sharp third in the North Jo Ann Challenge last time out. The six year old has won at least one stake in each of her first three years on the racetrack. Could this be her first 2005 stakes score?
Princely Treat won as much the best in a German allowance test last time out. The Princely Pleasure mare was stakes placed once in 2002 but has been a middle to upper level claimer throughout most of her career. Simply outclassed in this spot.
The Seventh One has won three of seven starts since being claimed by trainer Nsw. The pretty Septieme Ciel mare missed all of 2004 and much of 2003 but has developed into a solid runner for her new barn. Finished fourth of ten in the 7.5 furlong Sadler’s Unbridled Challenge following an unsuccessful foray into graded competition. Chance to surprise a few.
Dropping from the clouds to take a Denmark allowance in dramatic fashion last time out was the stone closer Ed’s Lemon Car. Funnyfello’s fleet four year-old filly is bred to run all day but has shown no interest in negotiating more than one turn so far. Finished far behind in her only stakes try thus far and, despite her 4-1 odds, seems a bit overmatched against these veteran lawnmowers.
Trainer Theforce sends out his classy Lear Fan filly Any Time At All for this test. The flashy chestnut exits an impressive allowance tally in Australia. She has put up triple digit speed figures more than once and is a turf sprint stakes winner. Clearly the one to beat in here.
Jisei(ire) finished fifth in the North Jo Ann Challenge last time out. Blazenbarn’s Giant’s Causeway filly has been stakes placed twice in her career and is always in the hunt. Clearly has the talent to contend if she fires.
Breaking from the outside gate is the red hot Listen To Gove. Repository’s gray lightning bolt took four straight allowance contests, each in wire-to-wire fashion, before settling for second after setting all the pace in the North Jo Ann Challenge last time out. Ignore her 5-1 odds as she never gets respect at the windows despite her impressive form spree. Catch her if you can.