Bitter State Special
(SP)Wyoming-Once again the early favorites are finding it hard to compete here on the high plains. The Sky Charm Challenge last weekend almost went that way except for Lexington Park II an early favorite. True to form this nice looking chestnut sat at the back of the pack watching all the others struggle away. Everyone knew he would come charging up and there was great anticipation to watch his steam rolling charge. Needless to say there was a little anxiety from his trainer because Lexington left his charge until very late in the race. Something he had never done before. All that did was make his close a thing of power and beauty leaving all the other racers in the dust for an easy three length wins. A semi long shot eased his way into second with a steady run with no flash or dash. At the outset it looked like this former claimer would not have what it takes, but the trainer had faith and it paid off when Bestest(IRE) did what he always does, runs a consistent if uninspiring race. Still it was enough to place by half a length over the next competitor. From the outset it looked like Fire And Rain was set on putting the past behind him and prove he could run well against many of these former competitors. He broke from the gate and blazed out to an early lead and looked to be extending his lead with every stride. All was in his hooves, but the jockey R. Pickel pushed him too hard and too soon. In the end F&R died, not literally, but figuratively when he tired so badly he lost a total of five lengths. He tried valiantly right at the last to hold on to second, but just didn’t have enough left and had to settle to show.
Up this week is the $65,000 Bitter State Special. Once again the WRC has fallen on their collective tail ends. They bring in a previously named stakes race from last year, but not one that was in Wyoming. As a matter of fact there were two last year, one in Georgia and the other in Tennessee. Both were sprints on the dirt for females, as is this one. This has WHOA up in arms clamoring for a change in the way the WRC selects stakes races. They maintain that the commission is doing little and are ignoring the racing public. These races should reflect our western heritage and show some originality, not just go through old race forms looking for a race then setting it up. It looks like the antagonism between the to bodies will not cool any time soon. Anyway, there is a full field that has shown up for Wyoming’s running of the Bitter State Special. It would be best to take a look at the ladies and see who will be running.
Go For Twine entered by gowand7. Starting on the rail is this brown Twining filly from the gowand conglomerate. She likes to close on the lead and has had some success with it, but is still a little inexperienced to use it effectively. This will be the first time coming out of the one chute and history is on her side, as all but one of her wins came from starting close to the rail.
Sweetest Heart entered by ddahl. This chestnut filly of Anziyan is one of a very strong crop of 2003 females by this sire. She comes into the race ranked 47th on dirt sprints in the sim world for her age. She likes to close on the field but is slightly inconsistent. Like her winning half sisters, you never know who will come to run. If she shows up with fire in her eyes, she can be deadly.
Cleo’s Asp entered by bigdog. This chestnut mare of Kris S. comes into the race ranked 45th for her age group on dirt in sprints. She has had a spectacular year being on the board or in the money in every race. Her only win came at the beginning of the year and she is looking to end that drought in this race. She likes to stalk the pace and tries it with a sprint this time in Wyoming.
Appealing entered by jumpinjack. The brown Louis Quatorze filly comes into the race with a relative light racing schedule this year. She does have a fine race for a win earlier in the year but has been having a hard time since finding her form. She likes to run with the leaders but has been having stamina problems. She definitely needs a good break from the gate or she will struggle here.
Learntolaugh entered by snowdancer. This brown grand dame by Distorted Humor comes into the race still churning out the speeds and wins. The trainer is keeping her on a strict regimen and giving her plenty of rest between races. The combination has been effective and she comes into the race off a win last time out. This will be her first visit to Wyoming.
Leilia entered by thebigo. This brown Danehill filly comes into the race a very consistent runner. She has four stakes wins so far this season, but has stumbled the last two times out. She will be entering her twelfth race of the season and she could very well be getting tired and somewhat burned out. She will be trying to get a win on the dirt this time in Wyoming.
Crash Bang Wallop(IRE) entered by prufrock. This Irish chestnut mare by Darazari comes into the race clearly having lost a step. Her attempts at stakes level earlier in the year were a complete disaster. She still has the ability to churn out wins at the allowance level and that is probably where she would be best served. She likes to stalk the pace but with no clear front runners in the race this could cause trouble for her.
Gold Ringer entered by guyinchlt1. This brown mare by Touch Gold comes into the race as seeming the only pace setter of the group. She took all of the 2004 season off and came back running about the same as where she left off. She will probably set the pace in this, her second attempt at stakes level. She will have to set a blistering pace or will get run down by this field of closers, like what happened in her other stakes race.
Clever Decree entered by bond77. This heavily worked brown Chester House filly will be starting her thirteenth race of the season. She has been very consistent so far this year hitting the top two places in all but two races this year. She has a stakes win so far and is looking to add another to her list. This will be her first time in Wyoming and has done well coming from an outside lane like she has drawn here.
Maple Shipment entered by good. This grand dame mare from Aubrey’s Goal started her racing career very late in life. She is considered a sophomore racer and so far has succeeded in fulfilling her trainer’s expectations when he bought her last year. She comes off a stakes win last time out and may have to be one of the pace setter as there are few in this full field. How she will respond will be interesting to see.
Fantasy entered by sprinter2. This chestnut mare by Thunder Gulch seems to be struggling the more races she adds to the season. She has two stakes wins to her resume, and always seems to be near the leaders at the finish. She likes to run with the leaders and it could get very lonely at the front with a decided lack of them in this race. A slow pace could benefit her here.
Immigrant’s Song entered by simonlee. This brown filly by Danzig comes into the race a clear allowance runner. It is nice that her trainer is this ambitious, but it doesn’t help the horse’s confidence racing above her head. Yes, she does have a stakes and that was on an off track. The track will be fast for the race and she is one of a number of closers in the field. Frankly, this will not be to her best advantage.
Silver Medal entered by loubrown. This light gray filly by Silver Ghost returns to stakes level after some solid work at the allowance level. Since she was claimed by the trainer earlier in the year she has gone on to four wins under the saddle and a couple of strong finishes at stakes level. The trainer feels the hard work has paid off and she is ready to re-enter stakes level. One drawback, she like to close, and you guessed it, so there is no need to write further.