Short Field Battles in Rotten Ant Challenge

This weekend, in Upstate New York, a field of 6 are entered into the featured Rotten Ant Challenge. In the 16 race program, this race is scheduled as the 10th race, to be run on the dirt track, at a distance of 8.5f.

1. Grandstand Delight 9-1
Last 3: 3-6-1
Grandstand makes her 2008 debut starting in her second career stakes. Last time out, Grandstand finished 3rd in a large stakes field of 20, but over a distance of 6.5f. Looking three back, Grandstand put in an excellent race at 8f, coming from 6 back to rally and pull away from the field. Grandstand hasn’t shown the speeds that will be necessary to take this one.

2. Obtrusive 6-1
Last 3: 1-3-2
This Storm Cat bred mare loves to attack from the rear. She has proven she can handle this distance, breaking her maiden in last, going 9f in a speed of 82. She jumps right into stakes competition, and will need to improve vastly to be victorious here.

3. Fatale 3-1
Last 3: 4-1-2
Fatale has won 3 of 8 career races thus far, picking up a paycheck in each race. She is comfortable in stakes competion. Her last outing, the North Stock Stakes, she set the pace before tiring, ending with a respectible 93 speed rating, at 8.5f. She should be out on the lead early, but does have a habit of tiring late.

4. M P Jo 4-1
Last 3: 6-1-8
Trainer Jo returns MP Jo to the dirt after a poor showing on the turf. MP has won 5 of 10 and earned over $150k in her career. She has also won 3 of her 5 stake appearances. She is capable of handling the distance and may battle Fatale early on for the lead.

5. Massive Impact 5-2
Last 3: 5-1-2
Massive likes the dirt and has been running well lately. Her last 4 efforts have produced speed ratings in the 90-range. Massive has been on the board 6 of 7 dirt races, with 3 wins. She also likes to run on the lead, but I suspect if she lays off the lead, she will be dangerous.

6. Miss Hennypenny 5-2
Last 3: 9-5-2
The last 2 races were disappointing outings over an 8.5f distance, however, the outlook isin’t dim. Both of these efforts were in tougher graded stakes races. Hennypenny has run 9 stakes, but 6 of these were against the graded level. In the non-graded stakes, she has 3 races with a win and two seconds. She drops back to this level and will be competitive.

My top pick is with Miss Hennypenny who benefits with the drop to a softer field. She should be able to launch an attack against the early leaders. Massive Impact has put in excellent times lately and the distance suits well and is my second choice. Fatale has record of tiring, but should hold on to take the third spot.