Blinding Ego may get in the way.
VT, Race ID 3497.3703 : THE LAURA STORM Memorial Stakes Fillies and mares, 4 years old and up, A mile and one half on the Firm Turf Course, Purse : $65,000
This weeks feature the Laura Storm Memorial Stakes attracted a field of nine to go to post, normally scheduled as the 10th race of the day, we’ve decided to shake things up a bit and run the featured race earlier on the card (Race #3).
#1 THE WAR DEPARTMENT 12/1
Breaking from the rail is a longshot out of War Chant, the 6yr has 8 wins in 29 tries, but has yet to win a stakes. Last time out she finished last in a field of six at this level, before that she did have back to back allowance wins over 13f’s proving the distance is not a problem, will have to step up today and prove the competitve isn’t a problem if she’s to earn a piece of the check.
#2 HOLLYWOOD HORROR (IRE) 4/1
The second choice in the field is another eight time winner, this one out of High Chaparral. This three time stakes winner at 11-14furlongs, is no stranger to the stakes level, but more recently hasn’t been able to get the win. A pair of 2nd’s and a 3rd in her last three make her a legit contender for the win, and services of leading Jockey W.McClendon doesn’t hurt.
#3 DRUNK IN DIXIE (KY) 9/1
Daughter of Dixieland Band, makes her first stakes attempt here. She’s still eligible for NW4L, but is coming off her career best race, an allowance win at the distance with a SP95 where she wired the field. Seems she likes the distance, but will have to once again run a Career best to beat this field.
#4 FLAMING ANGEL (AUS) 9/1
This daughter of Desert King is another thats still NW4L eligible, however she’s not a stranger to stakes company as she’s placed 2nd in two of here five stakes attempts. Coming off a disappointing 5th at two miles, the cut in distance should help, but she’s yet to post a SP100+ so she’s need her best to win.
#5 ABSOLUT EGO (JPN) 3/1
Our favorite, is an eight time winner (7 Stakes Wins), and is coming off a solid 10.5 furlong win with a SP101, and won at 8.5 furlongs in December with a SP105, both of which were wire to wire. The only question is she’s never went past 10.5 furlongs, and she has been caught in the scretch before. If she gets an easy lead early look for her to wire the field, otherwise she be fading in the scretch.
#6 HIGH DRAWS (IRE) 5/1
Two time stakes winner out of High Chaparral, is coming off an allowance win at 9 furlongs with a SP96, and before that ran a solid 2nd in a 17 horse Owner Restricted field at this distance with a SP95. Capable runner, has as good of a chance as anyone else in the field.
#7 BATTLE ARDENNES (IRE) 5/1
Another eight time winner, by Black Sam Bellamy? She has one lone stakes win which was over a year ago, she ended last year with three stakes top 3’s before finishing 7th of 17th Owner Restricted field at this distance (that High Draws placed 2nd in), started off the year with an allowance win at the distance, and has a solid chance here.
#8 STALIN 19/1
A five time winner out of Silver Ghost is the another huge longshot in the field, she’s yet to win a stakes, and worst yet is she’s only posted a SP over 90 once, and that was only a 91. A see her having to run her career best just to earn a piece of the purse her.
#9 BLINDING 9/2
Completing the field is our third choice at 9/2, and is the 5th eight time winner in this field of 9. The daughter of Pulpit X Danzig X El Prado started off her career on mainly on the turf with a record of 7/3-1-2, but has spent the last year of the dirt (10/5-2-2; four of the wins where in stakes). Her last two turf tries where at 11 & 12 furlongs against allowance company, and she won both with SP90/91. She’s well enough bred for the turf, that I think she’ll take right back to it, and I’ll take her to Win a 9/2.