The Eighty Nine Pigeon Special
The Eight fillies and mares will hit the track for this year’s edition of the Eighty Nine Pigeon Special. These hard-running gals will duke it out over ten furlongs Michigan’s turf course. It’s promising to be a typical early March day – overcast and humid with a biting wind, but with no rain predicted.
1 THINGS NEED DONE Sunrunner 5/1
This mare is capable of running a huge race, having earned over $850,000 in her career so far. She hasn’t won a stakes in over a year, but she is almost always on the board. Her last race was a poorly-run fourth in a stakes at this distance, but it was a rare slip-up for her at this level of competition. Although she’s generally on the board, there are several mares in this field who may be just enough faster than her to keep her from doing it this time. She’ll be in the mix, but may not be quite up to dealing with the best here.
2 LANDALOOSH Cozyfarms 5/1
This will be a new distance for Leesnyder’s Dynaformer filly. She’s never been past nine furlongs, but she looks reasonably likely to enjoy it. She’s not a stakes-winner yet, but she seems to be improving as she matures and the added distance could be just the bump she needs. Has a decent shot if she’s happy to stretch out, but this lightly-raced gal definitely has some questions to answer yet.
3 ULTRA CAT Pinerivers 5/1
Another solid filly who will benefit from a good jockey. This FuPeg daughter is capable of running well at this distance, though she was a very beated fifth last time out. She hasn’t won a race in over a year, so I’m not too excited about the notion of her winning, but she has it in her if she runs a big race. Look for her to hang a few lengths back and try to catch the leaders at the wire.
4 BEATBOXER Bombfly 9/2
Brundlefly’s mare has been on the board in 14 of 18 starts, but hasn’t yet won a stakes. I hate to sound like a broken record, but she’s yet another mare who’s at the right level of competition and who could do very well with a big race. Her speed figs have been averaging a bit higher than the mares to her inside, so I’ll give her a slight edge over them on that basis. She likes to be a little off the pace in the early going and has a decent jockey in the irons.
5 GREEN GAL T Knightbred 15/1
Next up is Knightmare’s terrific starter allowance mare. She was an absolute monster for him in longer starter allowances, but now her tag is gone. She’s fared quite well in allowance company, too, and is stepping up. Unfortunately, I don’t think this is her race. Although she’s competent at ten furlongs, she’s much better going longer and I doubt she’s up to stakes-level competition at this distance. I think she won’t do so well here, but will continue to tear up the track in longer races.
6 LOTUS IN MUD NSW 3/1
Then there’s the co-favorite, High Chaparral’s daughter, Lotus in Mud. She’s run respectably at this distance, but seems quite a bit happier with about 1/16 less to run. She posts the consistently highest numbers of the field, but, again, her strongest races are a little shorter than this one. It’s quite reasonable that she’s the favorite, but at this distance I think she’s a vulnerable one.
7 WOODMANS CAT Russ 19/1
Russ sends this fabulously-bred daughter of Storm Cat to the post. She’s a solid runner who hits the board regularly in small-field races. Ultimately, she just doesn’t put up the kind of numbers it will take to be in contention here, but she’s a useful mare nonetheless. Having a jockey who’s winless this year doesn’t help.
8 BITER Uppherhand2 3/1
Last up is Given’s Kingmambo x Sadler’s Wells mare. She could be setting up for a big run here. She’s coming off a lousy run on the dirt and may be very happy to go back to her preferred surface. The biggest question mark for her is that this is her first run past nine furlongs. She ran poorly at nine panels, but given her bloodlines, I have high hopes for her ability to go ten or more. She’s likely to be near the front for most of the race and will try to seal the deal midrace. She has a competent rider aboard.
It’s an interesting field, with a lot of competent runners, but no one who’s anywhere near a lock. This race should answer some questions for some of these fillies and it will be interesting to see how they respond.
Good luck!