Coochoolain Challenge up for Grabs
Good weather is predicted for this weekends running of the Coochoolain Challenge in Louisiana. The race will be contested on a turf track, at a distance of 12f.
1. Meetball 9-2. Meetball has won 17 of 52 on the turf, amassing just shy of $600k. In last 10 races, Meetball has scored the top spot only twice, despite drawing top riders. This 6-year old maybe a step off his best stride.
2. Mustard Head 7-1. Another 6 year old with a nice win record (18 of 36). Mustard has only run in 5 stakes races, never finishing better than 6th. Mustard loves to be on the front end, however, is overmatched here.
3. Greeley’s Prayer 7-2. Greeley has finished on the board in 3 of his last 6 races (all stakes) with speeds over 100 in 5 of these contests. Greeley is running over 10f for first time which will be an obstacle he must overcome.
4. Seeking An Empire 5-1. Seeking has won 6 of 10 turf races. This colt has also won 2 of 5 stakes, with both at 12f and times no worse than 2:31 in those victories. You will see Seeking at the front end and may turn out to be the one to catch.
5. S R Silent Rampage 16-1. This young 4 year old takes a liking to the turf. Silent is stretching out to 12f for the first time. This colt ran his first stakes race last time at 10.5f and led to the 3/4 pole before tiring back to a decent 5th place effort. He likes the front end, but has yet to break the 100 speed level. A bit outmatched here.
6. Shimishimishake 35-1. The racecaller will have a tongue twister calling this greylings name. Shimi is in need of class relief. Shimi has lost last 3 races by over 20 lengths in each try, and the stakes level no longer seems to fit this horse. The last time Shimi won was a year ago against Allowance Non-winners. The winner’s circle is miles away for Shimi.
7. Ollie’s Gone 2-1. Ollie enters the race with over $875k in lifetime earnings and has 7 wins in 21 attempts under his belt. Ollie has nice speed ratings showing 12 of his last 13 to exceed 100. Ollie has been racing against graded stakes company and has put in some fair efforts. He is on the drop in class for this race and will be chasing down the leaders. The concern is whether Ollie can handle the 12f distance, which he tries for first time.
8. Infinite Wisdom 5-1. Infinite likes the longer routes and also loves to charge from the back of the pack. Infinite, however, has been inconsistant lately. His most recent efforts show him spotting the field over 15 lengths at the midway mark and his struggles to catch the field. With all the speedsters here, this will be a burden he needs to overcome.
My top pick is for Seeking and Empire. Seeking likes this distance and fits nicely with this group. Ollie’s Gone is on the drop and has lots of class. He will be set loose late to run down this field. Timing this will mean everything. Greeley’s Prayer is showing good efforts lately and the distance may be a bit of a challenge. He looks to be the best of the rest.