THIS WEEK IN MINNESOTA—WEEK 3441—THE MINNESOTA FESTIVAL DAY OF RACING
This week in Minnesota features the 6th edition of THE MINNESOTA FESTIVAL DAY OF RACING at Minnesota Downs. There are 16 races restricted to Minnesota Downs horseman on tap including 8 Championship races and 8 races purchased by various residents. The staff at Minnesota Downs are expecting a record crowd on hand at the track this year and with huge fields in every race wagering should be at record levels and extra staff will be on hand to handle the crowds.
With the BTB staff all on assignement at Deleware and Pennsylvania this week this writer has returned to Minnesota to provide a quick race synopsis for all 16 events featuring coments on the top 4 or so horses according to the morning line odds. Deadline issues have limited coverage today but rest assured that all 16 races should be exciting events this Saturday and with up to 20,000+ credits available in prizes as well as 16+ prizehorses up for grabs should make for the biggest and most exciting festival yet.
Let’s take a look at the moring line favorites for today’s races.
RACE#1—THE MINNESOTA FUTURE TURF STARS ALLOWANCE—2YO OPEN-8F-TURF—PURSE $50,000
#17-KING OF INDY(SAF)-ROBERT(theatrical)-5/1—won restricted stake race at now defunct DUR rez but has finished top 3 in 6 of 7 turf races with top speed rating of 95 posted last time out.
#8-LURSA(KY)-WENLOCK(wenlock)-6/1—this CAT THIEF mare is 2 for 2 lifetime and posted a 90 speed rating in only her 2nd lifetime start.
#12-FLOWERATS(KY)-DARNATH2(darnath)-7/1—won 5 of 6 on the turf including 3 Graded stakes in a row but started on the dirt last time out after finishing 10th in the BB Juvenile Filly Turf. Returns to turf today and may be tough here even running against the boys.
#19-CREDIT CASTLE(KY)-BRENTUK(brentuk)-9/1—4 wins and 2 seconds in 6 lifetime races including 2 stake wins under his belt.
RACE#2—THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES SPECIAL 15K STARTER ALLOWANCE-3YO+ OPEN-7F-DIRT—PURSE $75,000
#13-SAARSLEW(KY)-SDOZA(doza)-7/2—this $10k claim has finished in the top 3 in 6 of 7 starts for new trainer including back to back wins most recent with 103 speed ratings in both.
#10-WILD AIM-NEWDEEL(deelynette)-6/1—has not won since may but has posted two 2nd place finishes with 99 speed ratings in two of his last 3 starts.
#4-SADDLE OF GOLD-COTHILL(cothill)-8/1—$2K claim has a pair of second place finishes in 4 starts for new trainer and posted 95 speed rating last time out.
#17-FINE PLACE(PA)-APHILL6(aphill)-11/1—claimed for $10k by current trainer for this spot here today and has posted 90+ speed ratings in 4 of last 5 starts.
#8-LANGARA-ETS6(theo)-11/1—$4K claim has posted 2 allowance wins in 7 starts for new trainer including top speed rating of 100 but must overcome problems from most recent race.
RACE#3—THE WHITE ROSE TURF STAKES-3YO+-F&M-12F-DIRT—PURSE $75,000.
#1-DYNAHIGH(IRE)-BURNIN(randy)-5/1—4 time stakes winner this year including Grade I Queen Cersei is probably more comfortable at 10F but should be tough here today.
#5-SPOOKY BALLET-APMCCOY(johnno)-6/1—6 year old veteran with 22 wins and over $1.4 million earned showed he can still run 2 starts back winning stakes with 105 speed rating.
#17-SINNDEE SLEW(IRE)-GOODY5(goody)-6/1—has cashed minor cheques in 4 straight Graded starts leading to this race posting triple digit speed ratings in his last 3 starts.
#10-HOT SAUCE DEMOSS(AUS)-ETS(theo)-7/1—$20k claim has picked up 3 allowance wins and several second place finishes in stakes over the 2007 season.
#7-AWESOME EMPIRE-RICHGINS(richgins)-9/1—speedy mare will try to wire them here today and that 107 speed rating 3 starts back would look awfully good here today.
RACE#4—THE IHM MEMORIAL STAKES-2YO OPEN-7F-DIRT—PURSE $75,000.
#20-BANKING FEVER(TUR)-DUNDY(dundey)-5/1—5 time winner including Grade II North Fork and 8th place finisher in BB Juvenile this year.
#8-CK NUTRITIONIST(KY)-CKSTABLE(teamck)-6/1—two time winner including ovenite stake win posted a 94 speed rating in last outing.
#7-I DON’T GET IT(KY)-TSEALS1(tseals)-8/1—3 time winner including a pair of dirt sprint stakes and has a 2nd place finish in Grade II Faber College Juvenile.
#6-CATRIO(IRE)-THEATRICAL(theatrical)-9/1—only win is lifetime debut in MSW but did post 90 speed rating in his last start.
#2-CAPE HALO ETS(KY)-THEODORE1(theo)-11/1—2 time allowance winner with top speed rating of 86 recorded so far.
RACE#5—THE MOUNTAIN OF MONEY STAKES-3YO+ OPEN-5F-TURF—PURSE $75,000.
#16-BE SHARP ER-ERRACING(cothill)-5/1—stake winner earlier this year posting 110 speed rating in Arizona.
#4-JUST TEASING(KY)-DOZAA(doza)-7/1—comes into this race with back to back allowance wins and 110 speed rating last time out but seems to prefer 8 furlongs over today’s sprint distance recently.
#6-HOLLOW HAWK(GB)-REMINDER(randy)-7/1—won stake with 107 speed rating 3 starts back and broke string of 8 straight cashing a cheque in last outing.
#2-SONG OF THE SOUTH-DESPERADO2(desperado)-10/1—steady allowance campaigner did have a 3 race triple digit speed rating streak earlier this year.
#13-GLORY B GOOD-RHFARMS(bigrick)-10/1—another veteran allowance runner who had a triple digit speed rating streak earlier this year including a 107 rating.
RACE#6—THE MINNESOTA MARATHON TURF STAKES-3YO+ OPEN-16F-TURF—PURSE $125,000.
#9-THIRD STRING-ASHOKFARMS(bigrick)-4/1—veteran allowance sprinter will try to go around twice in his first route start since August of 2006.
#1-ALL FED UP-BRANRG(richgins)-9/2—winner of 5 of 8 starts this year and has won 16f turf stake already and will be attempting to wire this field today.
#2-FOZ DE LUMBIER(IRE)-SANSEBAS(rafa)-6/1—hopefully this 3 time stake winner this year comes back with a good run today after the scare in Grade I Japan Classic last time out.
#3-FEVER BURNING-DUNDEY4(dundey)-6/1—switches to the turf after racing last 4 on the dirt but he has won on the lawn before in his career.
#12-DANE EXPERIMENT(AUS)-LEITER(chuckrock)-6/1—allowance winner has been coming close in turf route stakes recently.
RACE#7—THE MINNESOTA DISTAFF STAKES-3Y0+ F&M-14F-DIRT—PURSE $125,000.
#11-DESPERADO’S MAMBO-DESPERADO4(desperado)-4/1—2 time stake winner this year has posted triple digit speed ratings in 5 of his last 6 starts.
#3-OROWELL(KY)-SAM(theatrical)-5/1—comes into this race on a 3 stake race win streak with a 108 speed rating included in that feat.
#14-VALELLA-GBCDEUCE(chuckrock)-5/1—a 7 time winner this year including 3 stakes wins who looks like the extra ground will be appreciated today.
#12-FLAMING BED-BEDFORD(cothill)-6/1—has started in stakes races in last 5 starts with a 1-2-1-1 record and 3 straight triple digit speed ratings posted.
#15-MOVIE IN A TUX RYRY(IRE)-RYRY(cothill)-9/1—defending champion has won 2 stakes races this year including a Grade II contest at Deleware.
RACE#8—THE MINNESOTA MISS JUVENILE-2YO F&M-8.5F-DIRT—PURSE $250,000.
#12-CK GHOST PROSPECT(KY)-CKSTABLES3(teamck)-4/1—#1 ranked dirt sprinter is a 4 time stake winner including restricted Grade I World Cup and finished 6th in the BB Juvenile Filly race.
#4-RATTYBURG(KY)-DARNATH3(darnath)-6/1—while she broke her maiden on the turf she has come back to win back to back dirt allowances entering this race.
#11-BASEBALL FEVER(KY)-DUNDEY(dundey)-6/1—4 time stake winner this year has posted back to back 90 speed ratings coming into this race.
#3-GULCH QUAY ETS(KY)-SIMCUP07(theo)-10/1—3 time winner has a stake win and a top speed rating of 87 so far in her career.
RACE#9—THE MINNESOTA JUVENILE-2YO OPEN-8.5F-DIRT—PURSE $250,000.
#13-ALY’S OASIS(ENG)-RICHGINS(richgins)-7/1—3 time allowance winner is stakes placed and posted 92 speed rating last time out.
#17-WEEBALA(MD)-DUNDY(dundey)-7/1—2 time stake winner including Graded victory posted 96 speed rating 2 starts back and obviously did not like the off track last time out.
#12-PRAYER TOWN(KY)-HIDDEN(pazjazz)-8/1—has cashed a cheque in every start so far in his career but will be looking for first stakes win here today.
#9-GHOSTRATTY(KY)-DRDI(darnath)-9/1—broke his maiden in 3rd try last time out posting an 89 speed rating.
#19-CAPPERS CHOICE(KY)-THEODORE12(theo)-9/1—has won 2 of 4 starts lifetime and has yet to post a speed rating below 80 in his career.
RACE#10—THE MINNESOTA SPRINT-3YO+ OPEN-6.5F-DIRT—PURSE $500,000.
#18-ROCK N ROLL HEAVEN-DUNDEY7(dundey)-6/1—14th ranked dirt sprinter has 7 wins including 3 stakes of which one was a Grade II so far this year.
#7-LITTLE DUKE-JOHNNO(johnno)-9/1—will this be the day this veteran allowance campaigner becomes a stakes winner?
#1-FOREST ROYALTY-ETS5(theo)-10/1—this $50K claim earlier this year has won 4 races including 2 stakes and was a 2nd place finisher in a Grade II race in Nebraska earlier this year.
#10-STONYBROOK LAKE-ZAMBRANO(chuckrock)-11/1—finished 17th in this race last year but prepped for this race last time out with a stakes win right here in Minnesota.
#11-DEPRAVITY-FUNSTER(theatrical)-11/1—has won a pair of allowance races this year but has been so close in getting a stakes win with many top 3 finishes.
#15-SCOTIAN GIFT-RRLOGAN(randy)-11/1—his only win this year was in a Louisiana sprint stake but that 111 speed rating would look awfully good here today.
RACE#11—THE MINNESOTA MILE-3YO+ OPEN-8F-TURF—PURSE $500,000.
#5-WOODYNA-ONEWORLD(randy)-5/1—has really woken up since switching to the turf 7 starts back with 4 wins of which 3 have been Graded stakes.
#11-MAVERICK-DESPERADO2(desperado)-8/1—3rd place finisher in last years race has won 4 races including a 9 furlong turf stake so far this year.
#15-TEDDY’S DUBAI—ETS5(theo)-8/1—has won 5 races this year including 2 stakes and posted lifetime best 113 speed rating last time out.
#2-DEMPTOS(KY)-ANDROS(rafa)-9/1—has won 3 out of 5 on the turf and comes in to this race off win in Grade I Kingab Mile on off turf posting 116 speed rating.
#14-BODHISATVA-ETS5(theo)-9/1—$5K claim earlier this year has won 4 times including Grade III Harry Carrey Memorial 2 starts back with 114 speed rating.
RACE#12—THE MINNESOTA TURF-3YO+ OPEN-10F-TURF—PURSE $500,000.
#3-CAMPILLO-RAFITA(rafa)-9/2—3 times stake winner this year who comes into this race off 109 and 110 speed ratings in his last 2 starts.
#9-LOOKADAT VON-THEODORE5(theo)-6/1—$35K claim this spring has won 3 allowance races and posted 3 straight triple digit speed ratings but will be looking for 1st ever stakes win here today.
#15-DEROCKERY(IRE)-THEATRICAL(theatrical)-6/1—3 year old filly has had great season with 8 wins including 3 Graded stakes but she will be facing the older male ranks today and we will have to see how she holds up.
#8-SEEKING NESSY(KY)-RLOGAN(randy)-9/1—3 year old has won 6 of 11 on the turf including 3 stake races and is currently on a 2 race win streak coming here today.
#12-E DEMA-DUNDEY2(dundey)-9/1—5 time winner this year including a stake victory and triple digit speed ratings in 6 of his last 8 starts.
RACE#13—THE MINNESOTA CLASSIC-3YO+ OPEN-10F-DIRT—PURSE $1,000,000.
#1-TRIPLE A PRAYER(KY)-PAZBARN(pazjazz)-6/1—6 time stake winner this year including a pair of Graded wins for this 3 year old who has posted 7 consecutive triple digit speed ratings.
#5-MYLEDES(IRE)-ETS9(theo)-6/1—this 20K claim has won 3 races this year including a Grade III stake and finished 6th after some brief speed in last years race.
#13-DISTANT SHADE-TWISTER(randy)-7/1—4 time stake winner this year has posted triple digit speed ratings in 6 consecutive races and 7 of last 8 starts.
#10-BE AUROR SONG(KY)-AUROR(fernando)-10/1—3 time stake winner including a pair of Graded wins comes into this race off a 9th place finish in BB Classic after showing speed early.
#18-ATAUN(KY)-PALMISLAND(rafa)-11/1—while his form may not be at the top right now he has posted 7 straight triple digit speed ratings and did win the Bluegrass Derby this year which is alot more than anybody else in this field can match.
RACE#14—THE MINNESOTA OAKS-3YO F&M-8F-DIRT—PURSE $500,000.
#8-REINA JADE(IRE)-2AUSSIE(rafa)-6/1—has only raced on the dirt 4 times of which 2 were wins including stake win last time out while posting 107 speed rating.
#6-THIS CHIP’S CRAFTY(KY)-DOZAA(doza)-8/1—7 time winner this year including 2 stake wins posted lifebest 109 speed rating 2 starts ago.
#7-GRANNY’S SINS(IRE)-SIMPUBHDCP(theo)-8/1—this $1 auction buy has turned into a gem posting 3 wins and 3 seconds in 6 starts and posting a 108 speed rating last time out earning her a rags to riches start in this stake today.
#17-FART NO MORE(KY)-DUNDEY4(dundey)-10/1—this mare was 2nd in last years Miss Juvenile and has 6 wins this year including 3 stakes hilited by Grade III Little Evil Sophomore.
#10-MY GODDESS(KY)-LEARFAN55(dundey)-11/1—4 time allowance winner with top speed rating of 102 will be looking for 1st stake win here today.
#13-THEO’S MESA(KY)-THEODORE1(theo)-11/1—6th place finisher in last years Miss Juvenile has 3 allowance wins this year and posted lifebest 106 speed rating last time out.
RACE#15—THE MINNESOTA DERBY-3YO OPEN-10F-DIRT—PURSE $1,000,000.
#16-EDDIE RU KIDN(KY)-RRLOGAN(randy)-4/1—only 1 stake win so far this year but has been constantly close and has posted 7 triple digit speed ratings in last 8 starts.
#8-BELISARIO(KY)-FERNANDO(fernando)-6/1—2 time stake winner early this spring but his most recent races have shown this one is getting ready for a breakthrough.
#15-PERFECTION FORME(KY)-CVD3(chuckrock)-6/1—4 time allowance winner this year had 3 race win streak broken last time out even though he posted 114 speed rating/
#9-WILD RUMPUS(GB)-THEODORE4(theo)-7/1—this $20k claimer has 3 allowance races since but his only stake start last time out was poor and hopefully that was on account of the sloppy track.
#2-CK NATIVE MESA(KY)-DOCOZ(teamck)-8/1—4 time allowance winner has posted 5 straight triple digit speed ratings coming into today’s race.
#13-CATAPULTED(MD)-THEATRICAL(theatrical)-9/1—4 time winner including 3 stake victories has found the going tougher in his last 2 starts.
RACE#16—THE MINNESOTA ELDER STATESMAN ALLOWANCE-5YO+ OPEN-8F-DIRT—PURSE $50,000.
#14-COSMO N WANDA-DOZA(doza)-9/2—5 time allowance winner this year has a high speed rating of 113 which he posted 3 starts back.
#16-WIDE ANGLES-HIASSEN(tseals)-5/1—has posted 7 straight top 3 finishes in allowance races with triple digit speed rating in each of his last 5 races.
#6-ALY TORNADO-DUNDEY4(dundey)-7/1—has won 4 of his last 6 races and posted triple digit speed ratings in 3 of his last 5.
#9-PILLBOX-DECKER(bluehorse)-7/1—has turned into a nice $7500 claim pick up with 4 allowance wins since the purchase.
#10-BOBBY CLEMENTE-WNRSCIRCLE(richgins)-8/1—has won 3 of his last 6 starts and has posted triple digit speed ratings in 5 of his last 7 races.
Well that is a brief look at the 16 races on this year’s festival card. We hope to see you come out to Minnesota Downs this weekend pull back a chair, grab a beer and enjoy the festivities that marks the biggest day of racing on Minnesota’s calender.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING
THEO