Petunia Handicap Could Be Coming Up Roses for DANZIG THEATRE!
Petunia Handicap Stakes
Grade II
A mile and one half on the Firm Turf Course
$200,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Stakes record – 2003 – Kristeene S., 2:30, SPF 106.3708
We have lots of the top 25 ranked turf fillies here so it should be quite a ride. This is time of year that you sometimes see a changing of the guard so to speak where the four year olds may be starting to hit their stride and the five year olds may be going the other way. There is no definite clear cut favorite in this race so it could be a ton of fun. I can hardly wait so let’s take a look:
1 – ON LEAVING(KY) ODDS OWNER WIN% JOCKEY WIN% TOP SPEED EARNINGS RANK 8/1 Seedly 17.8% F.Stephenson 39 – 6 – 4 – 4 – 15% 98.90 $ 139,715 115
( SMARTY JONES x FAPPIANO x STORM BIRD) This pretty four year old chestnut mare seems to have done just about everything that trainer Seedly and the UFO Testing Center Stables have asked to this point. She has finished on the board in eight of her ten turf races and a Stakes win to her credit. She seems to like this distance although it’s been nine months since her last try at it. I’m just not sure she is quite ready for this class though. She has a nice jockey up in Stephenson who has been rock solid this year. The inside post won’t give her any advantage as a deep closer. She will need to step it up to compete here.
| 2 – DEROCKERY(IRE) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/1 | Theatrical | 19.7% | P.Jones | 155 – 42 – 19 – 38 – 27% | 112.07 | $ 1,345,080 | 3 |
( ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) x DEPUTY MINISTER x MR. PROSPECTOR out of MINESTERIAL) Last summer this four year old mare ran off a streak of winning three straight Graded Races. She has not been quite as dominant since then and this will actually be her first Graded outing since last Thanksgiving when she finished second in a 10f GI. She has been running more at a mile and a quarter lately and trainer and owner Theatrical who hangs his hat at the Minnesota Downs Rez is stretching her back out a bit here. She won a short field Stakes race two back and needs a kick to get back to her earlier glory. Jockey P.Jones might be just the tonic as he has been red hot this year, eclipsing even his own usually gaudy numbers. It will take a smart race from the rear for this group to get there.
| 3 – SET THE CLOCK(KY) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/1 | DeanTroops | 13.8% | M.Mason | 147 – 24 – 32 – 19 – 16% | 103.81 | $ 614,840 | 6 |
( MINESHAFT x RED RANSOM x SADLER’S WELLS out of ARBUSTER LOCO) Another big four year old chestnut girl who had a fanstastic summer last year. She was the winner of the GI OAKS DE ENGLISH and looked really great right up until the Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff where things seemed to start to unravel a bit. Trainer DeanTroops and the Murray1 Stables have been trying everything trying to get her back to that glory. I’m sure they are getting opinions from the NWRC Rez too. She seems to have gotten her ducks in a row to some extent with a Stakes win last time out at 13f. She has Mason in the leather and he is quite capable of bringing it all together for a race. Perhaps this will be it.
| 4 – EAAAXMASGIFT(IRE) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/1 | Bevron | 6.3% | M.Jones | 60 – 2 – 5 – 5 – 3% | 104.41 | $ 550,040 | 79 |
( KING OF KINGS (IRE) x SEATTLE SLEW x KINGMAMBO) We finally have some early speed from the inside posts from this four year old nicely bred mare. She likes the front and should get out in a hurry under jockey M.Jones. He would love to stay there as well as this has been a really sloppy year for him with more mistakes than wins. Trainer Bevron and the Crandy Stables are logically hanging around the EAAA Rez with the name of this girl. She need to find some consistency as a four year old. She jumps between triple digit SPFs and 90’s and can’t seem to put a nice streak together. She has two Graded wins to her credit and even those were fronted and followed by mediocre races. At least she didn’t win the last one.
| 5 – SILIANE(IRE) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/1 | PlanoAxius | 12.3% | S.Jacobsson | 51 – 3 – 8 – 6 – 6% | 105.87 | $ 148,451 | 170 |
( MANNDAR (IRE) x STRAVINSKY x JADE HUNTER out of THE VIOLIN GIRL) Owner and Trainer PlanoAxius from the EAAA residency has done a really nice job in bringing this lightly raced four year old along. She has only ventured out fifteen times and hit the board eleven of those with a solid record of seven wins. She has continued to show improvement every step of the way and recently won two consecutive Stakes races. This will be her second Graded outing and will also be her first race as long as a mile and a half. Jockey S. Jacobsson is up and needs to show a bit of improvement himself as he as struggled this year. It will take more improvement on her part to contend here but she could be ready for a breakout race.
| 6 – GHOSTHORSE(KY) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19/1 | BestOBene3 | 13.4% | W.Farthing | 87 – 10 – 8 – 7 – 11% | 105.98 | $ 330,475 | 26 |
( NORTH LIGHT (IRE) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS) I expected to see a GHOSTZAPPER Pedigree with this name but found NORTH LIGHT who went from over 11% Stakes winners as a freshman sire to less than 1% last year. Are they late bloomers…this mare could help answer that. Trainer BestOBene3 of the Belgium Stables gave her a nice long layoff since right before Christmas then prepped her with an allowance over a mile five weeks ago. She is back at 12 furlongs where she excels and should be rested and ready. She will have the capable hands of Farthing on the reins and if she comes back from the layoff strong she could surprise here at long odds.
| 7 – KNEEL BEFORE ZOD(KY) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/1 | Willyam40 | 15.2% | J.Jacobsson | 125 – 15 – 15 – 17 – 12% | 111.17 | $ 1,001,480 | 8 |
( ROCK HARD TEN x FORTY NINER x ROBERTO) A great name from the Superman stories, this nicely bred four year old mare had them all kneeling last year during her run to the Breeders Bowl where she finished third. That race seemed to take a lot of out of her and trainer Willyam40 of the wfstables3 over at the GR Simsters Rez has only raced her twice since then but with disturbing results. In those two Graded races, her high finish was tenth place. You have to worry that the tough three year old campaign took it’s toll on her however, I’ve seen many times when they are able to bounce back and this girl certainly has the talent. J.Jacobsson may be just the tonic with his riding style and may be able to bring this million dollar winner back in line.
| 8 – THE OIL ACADEMY(KY) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/1 | TyeDye | 14.4% | R.Douglass | 27 – 1 – 2 – 4 – 4% | 105.00 | $ 340,836 | 56 |
( GRAND SLAM x ROYAL ACADEMY x THEATRICAL(IRE) out of PYE ON THE CAD) This will be the thirtieth race for the four year old, the most of any of the horses entered. She has consistently raced well for trainer TyeDye and the infamous Big Oil Conglomerate stables but has never really shone in her two Graded outings. They would love to turn that stat around here. She tends to like the front end and that may be to her advantage without a lot of early speed in this race. One thing she may have to overcome is the heavy handedness of jockey Douglass who has been downright terrible this year. Hopefully he can lighten up for this race.
| 9 – DYNADRAGON(KY) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/1 | Zboro | 11.2% | K.Griggs | 30 – 3 – 3 – 1 – 10% | 104.36 | $ 203,718 | 121 |
( KITTEN’S JOY x DYNAFORMER x BUCKPASSER out of DYNAPASSER) One of the comparatively rare winners from sire KITTEN’S JOY, this four year old charcoal colored beauty has wowed trainer Zboro, the Tees Stables and the boys back at the EAAA Rez. She continues to improve and last time out won her first Graded in fine style. She is on a roll and could be a dark horse (no pun intended!) in this race. She looks to me like one of those that hit their stride at four and turn it on. She has Griggs in the leather and he is capable of bringing her home. Watch out for this group as they could definitely surprise at nice odds. Meet me at the window!
| 10 – DANZING THEATRE(IRE) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/1 | WABred1 | 19.5% | R.Lyles | 46 – 5 – 3 – 4 – 11% | 110.61 | $ 779,910 | 4 |
(THEATRICAL(IRE) x FORTY NINER x DANZIG out of CRABBY NINER) Since April of last year, this pretty four year old chestnut has only finished off of the board one time and that was a fourth place in the Breeders Bowl. She won her race in last fall’s World Cup and has had three straight second place finishes since the BB. Trainer WABred1 and the Snappa Racing Syndicate have to be proud of this girl as she has taken her immaculate breeding and done well. She is the daughter of unattached retired mare CRABBY NINER who has foaled two Graded winners so far and has a really nice looking two year old in the Super Stables this year. Lyles is in the irons and should be able to bring this girl down the stretch as a contender in this race.
| 11 – TRUE DREAM | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/1 | KevoMan2 | 23.8% | W.Turnbull | 62 – 11 – 10 – 4 – 18% | 108.75 | $ 461,417 | 22 |
( SADLER’S WELLS x NIJINSKY II x LYPHARD) After her last race, you can bet that trainer Kevoman2 and the CoolK Stables were doing a rain dance but it appears that it will be to no avail. This five year old mare is our seasoned vet in the field and knows how to get there on a fast course as well. This is another entry that hangs out at the EAAA residency and it looks like a convention here. She lookes like a late bloomer as she has done her best racing in the past three months after a solid ten win career to that point. She has one of the tracks best riders in Turnbull and it looks like it will be highly possible for her to make a few dreams come true of her own in this race.
| 12 – THE WITCHING HOUR(JPN) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/1 | Buffy8 | 20.6% | A.Alm | 28 – 3 – 5 – 1 – 11% | 107.11 | $ 436,020 | 92 |
( FANTASTIC LIGHT x DANZIG x PRIVATE ACCOUNT out of BAKU) A very lightly raced four year old with seven wins in her twelve races. She has never ventured off of the grass for trainer Buffy8 and the Winterfell Stables. She has never run a race this long either, although she threw a nice 107 SPF at 10 furlongs last time out. She looks to be ready to take that next step in her career and jockey Alm should be able to help in that regard. She has a habit of fading at the end after being among the frontrunners and he will have to make sure that she has enough pace left at the finish here.
| 13 – SUSANA RINALDI | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/1 | Zledwith3 | 25.7% | F.Stephenson | 39 – 6 – 4 – 4 – 15% | 104.69 | $412,180 | 47 |
(MINESHAFT x NIJINSKY II x PRIMORDIAL (ARG)) Since trainer Zledwith3 and the Pompeya Thoroughbred Racing Corporation moved this lightly raced five year old to the grass she has won an amazing nine of twelve races. That includes three Stakes wins. They are members of the Hispano Parlante Residency and everyone there is certainly excited about the prospects for this girl. She has had one Graded outing and that ended in a fifth place finish. Will she be one of those regular “Stakes only” kind of girls or is she ready to step up to the next level. Jockey Stephenson strongly hopes it is the latter and he has an excellent record of choosing his mounts. She has moved into the top fifty rankings wise but could possibly make a big move here. One thing to consider, she has never lost at this distance in three tries.
| 14 – NERF HERDER | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | EARNINGS | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/1 | FatFlab | 17.0% | P.Ibrox | 53 – 3 – 3 – 3 – 6% | 113.04 | $1,609,248 | 2 |
( MACHO UNO x ELA-MANA-MOU(IRE) x PLEASANT COLONY) Apparently named for the pop-punk band that did the theme to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this pretty five year old cream colored mare is a little bit famous herself. With three Graded wins to her credit, she started quite a run last summer with four straight Stakes wins leading to second place finishes in both the World Cup and Breeders Bowl races. She has won more than one and half million for trainer FatFlab and the Jef’s Thoroughbred Club stables and I’m sure they’ve spread some of that money around at the Northwest Racing Circuit residency. As a five year old, she has won a GI but that was on an off track. Last race she stumbled a bit and didn’t look like herself. Is she on the downhill side of a great career? This race can either add to or dispel that rumor. It may not help that she has Ice Cold Ibrox in the saddle. We’ll be watching.
Morning Line = 14-2-12-13-11
Paz Picks = 10-13-9-14
If you want the truth, and I sure hope that you do, I have absolutely no idea who will win this race. There are lots of possibilities and it appears that there are some ladies on the rise here and some on the decline as well. So I looked into my crystal ball and shook it a few times and here is what came out. I like NERF HERDER to finish fourth although she may finish much better. I don’t like her last race and I don’t like her jockey. That doesn’t bode well in my book. DYNADRAGON is going off at nice odds and is showing enough to finish in the top three. The South American lady with the Latin flair, SUSANA RINALDI looks like an up and comer to me and may come up just a bit short but could bring it down to the wire. That leaves the win for DANZING THEATRE who will get over that second place hump and head to the winners circle.
Good luck to all runners!
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