Four Try The Turf In Arizona

Four Try The Turf In Arizona

Arizona – A small field of four will take their places in the gate on Saturday afternoon for the mile and a quarter Abberley Bonanza Stakes.  A $70,000 purse enticed four owners of 3 YO’s to try their luck on the firm turf course here in Arizona.  The race was named after Abberley by Seattle Slew who had seven wins, including one stake from 25 starts.  She has one foal to race – a winner.  I caught up with the four entrants as they took their morning exercise on Thursday.

Solomon Islands (4/5) is a grand looking individual and he was well into the bit when he galloped by under a tight hold.  By A P Indy, his bright red coat gleamed with good health and he looked like the one to beat.  Owned and trained by Runninlast, he is ranked # 40 and although he hasn’t won in awhile he has picked up a check in every one of his last eight races and should park to this bunch.  Top Arizona rider Nancy Gardner will be in the irons.

Oostende2 will be hoping to see Shasim Hollandia (2/1), a 3 YO colt by Dixie Union in the winner’s circle.  The copper chestnut with the white face has plenty of speed and the rest will have to catch him.  He went by for an easy mile gallop and was hitting the ground well, but his groom admitted the horse didn’t like to go much over nine furlongs.

Blue Explosion (4/1) is the only filly in the group and she jogged by going the wrong way of the track.  Owned and trained by Avondale, she has two wins from 15 starts and comes into this race off a third place finish in the Stormy Hannah at longer.  She was unplaced in her only start on the grass but is very consistent with only one bad race in her last eight.

Vermacht will send out Glengary (4/1) a 3 YO son of Awesome Again.  He was also unplaced in his only turf start and has only hit the board once in his last eight starts.  A dark brown colt he smelled of a furacin sweat when he galloped by under a tight hold. 

These horses have all been well placed by their trainers to pick up some black type and some purse money.  Good luck to all the entrants.