Chief Crown Challenge
The Chief Crown Challenge, held in Georgia this coming weekend, features a field of seven running on the turf at a distance of 6f. The race has a purse of $40k, and if Indiscretion can finish first or second, he will win enough to boost his career earnings over the $1 million threshold.
1. Darling Harbour 7-1 Last 3: 1-8-4
Kaleigh enters this Gulch-bred colt after setting a career best speed of 105 at 6.5f. This was Darling’s first win since June ’07. He has been struggling quite a bit since his June victory. If he is able to show the form he did in his last outing, he will be a factor in this race.
2. DriveoftheDay 9-2 Last 3: 3-2-3
Trainer Unbeatable enters this horse in for his second try in stakes competition. His first attempt resulted in a disappointing 8th place finish. Since June, Trainer Unstable has witnessed good results from this horse, hitting the board in each outing (except the stakes outing). The last two races were rated at speeds just above 100 and I believe that Driveoftheday will put in a better effort in this race than his stakes premeir.
3. Rattling Rebel 5-1 Last 3: 6-1-4
I expect that we will see Rattling set the pace in this race. Trainer Buckbean always sends this one to the lead and he’s capable of stealing the race. Rattlin has won 5 of 12 races, all gate to wire victories. If he’s got enough coal burning late, he can run off with this one.
4. Lit De Sky 7-1 Last 3: 1-5-3
Trainer Meganc enters this horse into his first stakes after forking out the $75k claiming price in his last race. Lit De Sky is another horse that likes to run on the lead and, unless Trainer Meganc has changed strategy, we should see him fighting for the lead. Lit has a good record in allowance races, primarily at the lower dollar amounts and seems to be at a class disadvantage in this race.
5. Father African 6-1 Last 3: 10-8-6
Trainer Rocket24 seems to have his hands full lately with Father African. The horse was running well until Fall came around and when he went into hibernation. Normally, Father African stalks the pace setters from up close, but hasn’t found that footing in a long time. I would take a pass here until his form returns. As a side note, Daylight Savings time is this weekend, maybe that will brake Father African out of hibernation.
6. Indiscretion 9-5 Last 3: 7-2-1
Trainer Bobcolt is hoping to have a celebration party this weekend. Indiscretion needs only to win $8k in purse money here to be the latest horse to join the Million Dollar Club. Indiscretion has been in good form lately, running 7 of the last 8 at speeds rated over 100. He enjoys running up front and normally doesn’t tire where he drops way back. Don’t put much weight into his last race, that was in a big Vermont Special weekend that attracted many classy horses.
7. GW Has No Kahones 5-1 Last 3: 7-3-2
GW has been a bit inconsistant for trainer Lgbost2yo. He’s been putting in one or two good efforts where he hits the board, then follows up with a boner of a race. However, there is good and bad news. First the good….his last race was a boner, and if the trend holds true, this race is due to be a good one. Now the bad news…GW has only 3 wins in 28 starts, the last back in June ’07. He should be a factor, but may not turn out to be the winner.
I’m backing the heavy favorite Indiscretion. He is solid, consistant and has the class edge. I hope I will be invited to his million dollar celebration after the race. My second choice is to GW Has No Kahones who is due to follow his trend with a good race. With no real late closers entered, I’ll go with Rattlin Rebel as my 3rd choice, who should most likely lead the other front runners.