The Death Valley Distaff
The Death Valley Distaff is a stake race going a mile over fast dirt for fillies and mares 3 year old and up. A tough field looks to take on the mile and as they begin the post parade the horses look to be a mixture of nerves and some of the veterans look confident. A field of 14 will take the gate and let’s get a look at them.
1. (19/1) CUVEE POWER – lglong – (Schossberg X Dancing Minstrel) This 5 year old mare is on a winning streak winning her last two starts covering 9 furlongs with speeds of 95 and 93 respectively. Both those races were won very easily, she will like the mile having some of her best speeds as a younger filly at the 8 furlong distance.
2. (34/1) OCEAN CAIRO (TUR) – db2 – (Ocean Crest X Dahyah) This little 4 year old filly has a sire I recognize, Ocean Crest is good at throwing horses that are consistent on both turf and dirt. After running on turf her last few starts this filly has been putting in some nice works on the main track and looks ready to go. The mile is definitely her distance and the turf dirt switch should give this girl a boost.
3. (99/1) CARNIVAL SECRETS (ENG) – lifeline – (Carnival Dancer X Ne Coupez Pas) This little 3 year old filly is facing the big girls again today. Her first time was also her last time out when she ran on turf. Trainer lifeline said that the turf race was a goal for a few reasons, one it gave the filly a chance to see if she liked turf, and two to give her a good prep for this race. With an easy race where she never fired the filly looks fresh for today race and will enjoy her favorite distance of a mile.
4. (7/2) SADLER’S PRINCESS (FR) – vampire2 – (Thowra X Prince Stanley) Two races ago this little diamond was cruising to a win over the mile distance with a 101 speed. Having faced harder competition last time out she finished third but there was trouble. A bump in the stretch. This filly looks strong today and she has been eyeing the others with a look that say, “stay out of my way.”
5. (7/1) BEROSUS (NY) – fritzieqk – (Best of Luck X Ago) Though this 4 year old mare appears to like the longer distance she also likes a mile. In the 8.5 Bargin Summer Distaff she finished a nice second at 40/1 odds. She is not much of a long shot here and looks ready to shorten it up again. Speedy going long should favor well for the shorter distance here.
6. (13/1) TAP DANCER SEMVI – popsracing – (Fred Astaire X Groom Dancer) Her last race is a throw out having run on the sloppy track and not handling it well. This filly seems to like 9 furlongs and longer. Though no real tries at a mile as both were on off tracks on turf and one dirt, with that being said this filly could prove to be a surprise.
7. (7/1) GOLD MANIA – leolh – (Unreal Zeal X Encino) This graded placed filly has many starts to her credit and it shows. She is relaxed and calm not at all concerned with the other horses. She has not won a race in over a year but has posted some good speeds and has been on rest since December. This long break is not due to injury but to age. At 6 years old this filly was looking tired. With a good rest she looks strong and could show her winning form today.
8. (6/1) RUNDO(KY) – runvus1 – (Wando X Sort) This girl has won her last three allowance attempts easily posting good speeds and looking very sold. Trainer runvus1 has been trying to step her up but the filly gets nervous and doesn’t fire, with a nice rest between her last race and now. The filly looks good and strong and if she is on today she will be tough to beat.
9. (10/1) SO DO I – plong – (Krusenstern X Alwasmi) The winner of the Cemetery Winter Distaff with a 101 speed looks good after her last race on turf. Trainer Plong said that the filly didn’t bounce back right and that they were hoping a run on turf would get her fit for this race, and it has. This little girl looks ready and full of spice today.
10. (42/1) ANTICIPATING SHARK – phoneshark – (Hishi X Anticipating) This little filly took a break from the main track and has been running on turf, showing not much love for the surface she has had one start back on dirt where she ran second in the Never Trust a Horse with 30 Wins allowance race. It was only 4.5 furlongs long but trainer phoneshark was treating it as fast work out. After that race she came out good and has been training well and is ready for today.
11. (18/1) AMBERLEIGH FLAME – leeclaim – (Flame Thrower X Double Honor) At one time this filly was quite the winner but recently she has been sore, so trainer leeclaim gave her a good long break and is bringing her back slowly. Gave her a prep where the jockey was told not to run her all out, and she finished 4th running easily. With that prep she came back happy and will be on the ball for today’s race.
12. (99/1) BEST HOUND AROUND(IA) – lifeline – (Deerhound X National Assembly) This three year old filly looks a little upset as she walks behind the gate. With her ears flicking and sweat breaking out on her neck she looks like the California heat is getting to her. With 10 starts to her name she has only one over a mile but she finished 4th and earned a paycheck. Hopefully she isn’t running her race before she gets in the gate.
13. (9/2) SHADOWY MUFF – deadman – (Shadow In the Dark X Al Mufti) A 6 year old mare is catching the eye of the audience as she prances next to her pony horse. 3 white socks and a blaze this mare looks tough. She has only run in races over a mile 6 times but hit the board in three, and has recently been asking for more distance closing but not getting quite there. Will like the mile distance here today.
14. (5/1) GYRON – verywide – (Our Emblem X Mr. Sparkles) This dynamite mare is ready for this distance. She loves a mile having some of her best races over this distance, her most recent three starts at a mile resulted in 2 wins and a second with respectable speeds of 98 and 95. The 98 was a hand ride and she won very easily by almost 3 lengths. Tough competitor here.
The 4 fights her way through the race, 5 enjoys a shorter distance and the, 8 fires and makes a solid bid for the win. These three look tough here and either one could get that nose under first.