THIS WEEK IN MINNESOTA—WEEK 3504
The 10th race feature at Minnesota Downs this week features a field of 9 3 year old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs on the main dirt track. Local Minnesota Downs trainer Dundey sends out his filly Baseball Fever(KY) as the morning line favorite and will face off against 8 others shipping in from around the sim world. A purse of $40,000 is on the line and the forcast calls for a clear cold crisp Minnesota day which will have the track listed as fast.
Let’s take a look at today’s field:
1)SUICIDEPLAYDATE(ENG)—5/1—danmancan sends this filly out of CACIQUE(IRE) with a record of 10-4-2-0 and lifetime earnings of $200,600. She is out of the mare SUICIDEISPAINLESS who has a record of 6/25 at the track and who has 2 foals on record of which this Graded stake winner is the only winner so far. This 32nd divisional ranked filly races out of the Worldwide stables based at the NWRC. This filly was a 4 time winner last year in her 2 year old season including The Grade III Arizona Shoot-Out Special in her 2nd lifetime start. She posted her lifetime best 93 speed rating last time out in her 2008 debut while finishing 2nd in a dirt sprint stake in Michigan. All 4 of her wins have come while she has shown early speed and she has failed to get the lead out of the gate in her last 2 starts since trying the turf for one start. If she can get to the front against this field today she should have a better shot at victory. The rider for today’s race will be Bowen (16.2%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—90
2)BASEBALL FEVER(KY)—3/1—dundey sends this filly out of STORMIN FEVER with a record of 12-5-3-1 and lifetime earnings of $205,776. She is out of the mare BASEBALL BABE who was 1/19 at the track and this is the only foal on record to date. This 26th divisional ranked filly races for the local Minnesota Downs outfit of Dundey acres and will surely be the fan favorite for this race today. After a failed debut on the turf this filly picked up 5 wins in 9 dirt starts of which 4 were overnite stake races. She ended the year finishing 2nd to RATTYBURG in the $250,000 Minnesota Miss Juvenile. She has finished in the money in both of her starts so far this year, each a stake race, and posted her lifetime best 92 speed rating in her season debut. This frontrunning filly has had difficulty finishing when running at 8 furlongs or more and should enjoy the drop back down to a sprint in this start today. The rider for today’s race will be Friar (24.6). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—91.
3)OXYTRIPPER(KY)—4/1—oxymoron2 sends this filly out of GULCH with a record of 6-5-0-0 and lifetime earnings of $98,040. She is out of the mare ST DENURE who was 5/36 at the track and this is the only foal on record to date. This 77th divisional ranked filly races for the Mano stabes based in Vermont at The Pastures of Green. This filly took a perfect 4/4 record into her last race last year, The Grade I Thxmsslew Handicap where she rallied from last to finish 6th, 3 length back in the 6 furlong dirt sprint. She did not repeat that mistake in her season opener when she again utilized her late closing style and won The Torridlye See Handicap in Michigan while posting her lifetime best 95 speed rating over the 6.5 furlong race. I suppose the question that is to be asked is whether or not 6 furlongs is enough distance for her and if the pace will be hot enough for her to be able to exploit her fast last quarter. The rider for today’s race will be McDowell (20%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—92.
4)PLAYFUL JESTER(JPN)—8/1—nagnagnag sends this filly out of AFLEET with a record of 8-4-2-0 and lifetime earnings of $116,965. This 150th divisional ranked filly races for an unafilliated group of stables headed by this fillies barn. This filly won 4 of her first 6 starts in her 2 year old campaign before bouncing in her final freshman start. She recovered well from that start while finishing 2nd in a restricted allowance prepping for this race today and posting her lifetime best 90 speed rating over the 6.5 furlong race. She is another speed horse in this race today and should have quite a bit of company vying for the early lead which should make it a fairly fast and honest pace. The rider for today’s race will be Stinson (12.5%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—87.
5)SEEKING THE PRINCE(KY)—7/1—princessj sends this filly out of SEEKING THE GOLD with a record of 5-3-1-1 and lifetime earnings of $67,505. She is out of the he-mare STORMY U who was 3/25 at the track. This 293rd divisional ranked filly races for the Ldyssecret Stables based in Vermont at The Pastures of Green. This filly has never finished out of the money yet in her career and finished 3rd in her only other lifetime stake start so far. She posted her lifetime best 85 speed rating while winning a restricted allowanc race in her 2007 finale and then prepped for this race in her 08 debut in another short sprint allowance in AZ. While her speed rating dropped for that race she did win it as the 3/2 favorite. She is a stalker pace presser who would be best advised to sit just behind the abundance of speed horses today and then make her move when they show signs of tiring. Whether or not she is fast enough to compete with others here today still remains to be seen. The rider for today’s race will be Green (3.8%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—83.
6)PROCLAMOTION((ENG)—10/1—sugarhill sends this filly out of PROCLAMATION with a record of 13-1-3-7 and lifetime earnings of $69,363. She is out of the mare PROCLAMATION(IRE) who was 2/26 at the track and this is the only foal on record to date. This 75th divisional ranked filly races for the Fortune500 racing stables. This filly had a heavy 2 year old schedule running 11 times and managing 1 win in those races. She did in the money in many stake starts last year but it should be noted that many of those races had very short fields. In a pair of races so far in 2008 she has continued her pattern of top 3 finished without a win by finishing 3rd in both of those starts. She posted her top speed rating of 88 last October and that mark will need to be improved upon if she wants to have a top 3 finish here today. She is a front running filly, and may find it difficult to get to the top here today with many others running a similar racing style. The rider for today’s race will be Beasley (25%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—81.
7)ESPRIT DE CORPS(AUS)—9/2—kevoman5 sends this filly out of ENCOSTA DE LAGO(AUS) with a record of 3-2-1-0 and lifetime earnings of $39,150. This divisional unranked filly races for the Coolk stables of the EAAA racing residency. This filly was a late bloomer making her debut in December last year while breaking her maiden in Ontario. She has raced twice already this year, both allowance races where she finished 2nd posting her lifetime best 87 speed rating and last time out winning wire to wire in a 6 furlong MA race. That win has earned her a stake start today. Her racing style so far has been a frontrunning speed style and as mentioned earlier that is a very popular style among starters in this race today. She has posted 80+ ratings in each of her 3 lifetime starts and will be looking to crack the 90 barrier here today. The rider for today’s race will be Merwitz (19%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—86.
8)MACHO NACHO(FL)—11/1—lamana88 sends this filly out of MACHO UNO with a record of 8-3-0-3 and lifetime earnings of $64,423. This 143rd divisional ranked filly races for the unafilliated Erik88888 stables. This filly broker her maiden in her 4th lifetime start last year that started off a 3 race win streak capped by a win in The A.P. Goodbye Memorial Stakes over 5.5 furlongs on the dirt in Kansas. She posted her lifetime best 88 speed rating in her 07 finale finishing 3rd in another dirt sprint stake. In her first race this year she chased the leader and ended up 3rd in a 7.5 furlong dirt stake and it looks like she may prefer the shorter distance in today’s race. She would be best advised to lay off the early leaders here today for her best shot at the win. The rider for today’s race will be Boothroy (18.2%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—86.
9)MIDNIGHT JEWEL(KY)—10/1—marksund sends this filly out of MINGUN with a record of 10-1-3-4 and lifetime earnings of $75,552. She is out of the mare PURPLE STARS who was 8/46 at the track and this is the only foal on record to date. This 154th divisional ranked filly races for an independent and unafilliated stable. This filly broker her maiden in her 4th lifetime start, 3rd on the dirt, and then closed of her freshman year with 4 straight top 3 finishes in overnite stake races. She posted her top speed rating of 87 in the last of those races, the 7.5 furlong Side Top(VEN) special in MO. She made her debut this year in Kentucky in a restricted allowance dirt mile but was never a factor in that race. Her connections hope the drop back to a sprint will have her back on the right track today. She would best be advised to use the tactics as a closer as displayed in her MSW win last year to be most succesfull here in this race today. The rider for today’s race will be Cothill (12.9%). PROJECTED SPEED RATING—82.
One thing about this race is that there is probably going to be a fast pace with the abundance of speed horses here today which may be to the liking of #3 OXYTRIPPER(KY) today and if she can get up in the 6 furlong distance today may be able to take advantage of the expected fast early fractions to pass them all in the stretch drive.
NOTE #2 BASEBALL FEVER(KY) IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE MINNESOTA DOWNS RESIDENCY 200 CREDIT PURSE SUPPLEMENT SHOULD SHE WIN THIS RACE TODAY.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE MINNESOTA DOWNS RESIDENCE THIS WEEK
THE 2008 SPECIAL RACE CALENDER FOR MINNESOTA DOWNS WAS RELEASED THIS WEEK WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES HILITED ON THE RACING SEASON.
JULY 5/2008 (3637)—SMACKDOWN IV CHALLENGE VS GR SIMSTERS AND DEL/PENN NATIONAL—21 RESIDENT RESTRICTED RACE COMPETITION
JULY 12/2008 (3644)—2008 CLAIMING CROWN RACES—7 STARTER ALLOWANCE RACES FOR THE CLAIMING CHAMPIONSHIPS OF THE YEAR—THESE RACES WILL BE OPEN TO ALL SIM PLAYERS AND THE WINNERS OF EACH RACE WILL RECEIVE A 2YO HOMEBRED COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DOWNS. IN ADDITION THE MINNESOTA DOWNS RESIDENCY WILL HOLD 7 CLAIMING CROWN RACES OF THEIR OWN RESTRICTED TO REZ MEMBERS.
AUGUST 9/2008 (3672)—SUMMER EQUINICS 2008—MINNESOTA DOWNS IS PROUD TO BE PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT AGAIN THIS YEAR AND WILL BE RACING FOR THE MAYO FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AS THERE CHARITY.
SEPTEMBER 9/2008 (3700)—THE FIRST ANNUAL MINNESOTA FALL DIRT FESTIVAL WITH 6 $1,000,000 GRADE I DIRT CHAMPIONSHIP RACES OPEN TO ALL SIM PLAYERS. IN ADDITION THERE WILL BE 4 REZ RESTRICTED DIRT STAKE RACES FOR REZ MEMBERS ONLY AND 4 2YO STAKE RACES FOR RESIDENTS TO TEST THE WATERS WITH THEIR UP AND COMING JUVENILE STARS.
DECEMBER 20/2008 (3805)—THE 7TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA FESTIVAL DAY OF RACING WITH 16 REZ RESTRICTED RACES HILITED BY THE $1,000,000 MINNESOTA DERBY AND THE $1,000,000 MINNESOTA CLASSIC. THIS IS ALWAYS THE HILITE ON THE MINNESOTA DOWNS YEARLY RACING CALENDER.
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL OUT ON THESE BIG DAYS OF RACING AT MINNESOTA DOWNS.
BIG GULP RYRY MAKES IT KNOWN THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT BY WINNING THE 15TH LEG OF THE SERIES. RIDIN’ SHOTGUN ENDS UP 2ND WITH THE PACE SETTER STORMINA ETS HANGING ON FOR 3RD.
THERE ARE 4 RACES LEFT IN THE SERIES AND THE PURSES JUMP UP TO $100,000 FOR THE REST OF THE RACES.
THE NEXT RACE WILL BE IN WEEK 3518—8 FURLONGS ON THE TURF.
HERE ARE THE STANDINGS
1)FRED—RIDIN’ SHOTGUN—$407,750
2)COTHILL—BIG GULP RYRY—$236,250
3)DOZA—ONE MORE SHOT—$122,000
4)THEO—STORMINA ETS—$117,500
5)NAMELESS—FURBALL—$46,500
6)CHUCKROCK—GO GULCH GO—$16,500
7)BIGRICK—TARNISHED RECORD—$14,000
8)CITATION—MAMBO GAL—$6,000
WE ARE DOWN TO 5 HORSES IN THE LAST MAN STANDING CONTEST WHICH WILL BE RUN AS THE 16 AND FINAL RACE ON THIS SATURDAY’S CARD AND THE REMAINING HOPEFULLS ARE VYING TO SEE IF SOMEHOW THEY CAN BEAT MR HAGAR WHO HAS BEEN NEXT TO UNBEATABLE IN THIS SERIES SO FAR.
MINNESOTA DOWNS RESIDENT MANAGER ADDED A GRADE II RACE TO THE MINNESOTA CARD THIS WEEK FOR 3YO OPEN GOING 9 FURLONGS ON THE DIRT AND A NICE CARD OF 14 COLTS HAVE ENTERED AS THEY TRY TO MAKE THEIR WAY TO KENTUCKY FOR THE BLUEGRASS DERBY. LOCAL HORSES BERNIE ETS, CAPPERS CHOICE (WINNER OF THE 2007 MINNESOTA JUVENILE) AND SMRAT RIDGE WILL BE FLYING THE LOCAL COLORS IN THE RACE WHICH GOES OFF AS THE 13TH ON THE 16 RACE CARD ON SATURDAY.
RANDY WON LAST WEEKS HIGH SPEED RATING CONTEST WHEN HIS HORSE NUREYMAN POSTED A 107 SPEED RATING. A TOTAL OF 8 HORSES ENTERED IN THE CONTEST POSTED TRIPLE DIGIT SPEED RATING MAKING IT ONE OF THE TOUGHEST CONTESTS YET.
NEXT WEEK MARKS THE DEBUT OF THE MINNESOTA BINGO CONTEST WHERE PLAYERS RECEIVE A BINGO CARD AND THE NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO TRACK NUMBERS IN ATTEMPTS TO GET A LINE, TWO LINES AND THEN A FULL CARD TO EARN CREDIT PRIZES.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RACING
THEO