Running Scared to Turn Off The Alarm
A field of thirteen fillies has arrived in Newmarket to compete for the winner’s share of the $150,000 purse. They will also be competing to have their name listed in the history books next to the likes Elsinore, Guadenzia, and Seattle Paste. Those three past winners all went on to win over $1 million in their career, a monumental task for turf sprint fillies. One starter in today’s field, Running Scared, is already a millionaire, and it’s little surprise that she is the solid favorite. Here’s a look at the entire field.
1 – Dubai Rose has won over $500K in her career, without ever winning a Grade Stakes. She did come close just 3 starts back with a runner up performance in the G2 – Triangular Sprint Cup. But she’s had trouble down the stretch in her two starts since then. That may not be a surprise considering her 45 career starts. It would take the run of her life to get up for the win here, but she could easily be in the mix for the 4th or 5th place check.
2 – Prabha(aus) is a G1 winner who has had a rough time in 2007. After winning the Green Bullet last August she went nine starts without getting back to the winner’s circle. However, she may be coming into this race looking for a return to glory as she’s won two straight, including a Stakes last out. Even at that she’ll need to step up her speed to be a factor here.
3 – Inflection(GB) comes in looking for her first Graded win. She’ll definitely supply the early speed in Saturday’s race, but hasn’t been able to hold on through the wire lately. She has won twice in Stakes company, but would need to display a rather large improvement to do so here.
4 – Hollaback Girl looks to be coming into this race in good form. She’s posted three solid performances in a row in Stakes company, even though she failed to earn a win in any of them. Her latest speed figure does match up well with the favorite, but she may need to take one more step forward to come out on top.
5 – Running Scared(ire) is the deserved favorite here, and looks primed to earn the victory. She’s been consistently fast lately, posting speed figures of 105+ in five of her last six starts. A repeat of that type of performance will make her extremely tough to beat.
6 – Ziggy Indy(ky) was impressive in a return to turf in her last start. She earned a Stakes win with a 107 speed figure, and with just 15 starts to her name she could still be improving. If she can run back to that race she’ll be in the mix, and cold take the win with just a little improvement.
7 – Barb Dylan(ire) is another who’s coming in after a big outing. She posted a big 110 speed figure to earn her third straight Stakes win last out. If she can match that she’ll be in the battle, and with her preferred running style she should be first to hit the lead down the stretch. Running her down in the lane could prove a tough chore for the rest of the field.
8 – Secret Santa(gb) is another who looked to be improving lately, but she took a step back in her last outing. Recent history says she’ll have to get the lead early to have any shot at the win, and that will be tough against this field. Still she is lightly raced and could prove that her last start was simply a throwaway.
9 – Dolphin D’Inverne(ire) comes in as the longshot and will need to take some big steps forward to best this group. She’s had some luck when getting the early lead, but looks overmatched here.
10 – Charming Chase is a veteran nearing the finish of her career. She’s shown the talent to compete with this group on occasion, but she’ll have to be at her absolute best to be in the mix this weekend.
11 – Colorful Cadeaux(gb) has been fast enough on a couple of occasions to compete here, but her normal outing will fall short against this field. If a speed duel should burn up some of the field she might have a chance to pick up the pieces down the stretch.
12 – Another Form O Man appears to be over-matched in this field. She has been consistent in her career but will probably need to look elsewhere for her first Stakes score.
13 – Morve De Demon falls in that same category. Her normal performance just won’t be enough in this crowd, but a big run to compete for a small check is never out of the picture.
The winner of this one should come from the middle of the starting gate, as Running Scared, Ziggy Indy, and Barb Dylan look to be the best of this bunch. Good luck all!