Ozark Diamond
A field of 10 fillies are entered into the owner-restricted Ozark Diamond Stakes. This field features those darling bargain bred horses running on a good track at a distance of 7 1/2 furlongs. A very generous purse of $75k is up for grabs.
1. Rendezvous Rate 7-5
Trainer Foxon6 gets the rail and top rider V. Jennings for this event. Rendezvous has won 3 of 10 races and been on the board 6 times. Four of her last five races were rated 86 and over. Her last was a disappointing 4th on a good track where she faded back after the half mile marker, but was run against allowance company and a speed of 90. She must be respected in this one.
2. Altieri Sort 4-1
Trainer Hawkz3 has to be pleased with Altieri’s record of 8-2-3-3 thus far. She has run on the dirt only twice with a place and show and returns back for her first dirt outing since August. She is very stable and consistant. She likes the lead and should be out there early on. I believe she will be a factor, but she needs to be at her best to topple the favorite.
3. Cheryl’s Big Peaks 99-1
Cheryl’s Big Peaks has only one outing and that was a dismal last going 10 furlongs. Trainer Lifeline1 drops her in distance to the sprint which should help. Also, with the track being slightly off, who knows how she will respond. However, with her speed of 38 in her debut, I think the filly will find this event a challenge.
4. Back of the Iron 42-1
Trainer BonnyD enters Back of the Iron into her first career race. With no history to look at, it’s your guess on how she will perform. I tend to avoid horses until I can see how they run first and these are bargain breds, so there is always a surprise factor that can spring up.
5. Tyler’s Summer Sky 99-1
Trainer Lifeline’s second part of a two-horse entry comes in after finishing 7th at over 900-1 odds. Her last was at a distance of 8.5 furlongs and takes a small drop in distance. She does seem to be the better half of the entry and would light up the board if she scores.
6. Wariuz Legion 8-1
Trainer Wariuz2 also has a pair entered into this race. Legion has been improving with each race with her speed ratings increasing from 50 to 82 in her last race. She broke her maiden in the last race closing hard. She has been on the board in all 4 dirt outings, with 3 close seconds. I expect we will see her closing late and picking up a check.
7. Twazzo 5-2
Here is another hard closing filly who has improved each race. She has won 3 of 4 starts, winning the last in a rated speed of 90 for trainer Txbred. She drops back to a sprint and she will be a foe to contend with.
8. Wariuz Corp 8-1
The second half of trainer Wariuz2 entry has been on the board 3 of her 4 starts. She finished sixth in her last going against allowance company, never being much of a factor. She has been running speeds rated in the 70’s lately and her sister looks to be the stronger part of the entry.
9. You Bring Me Joy 9-1
You Bring Me Joy set a career mark by winning her last for trainer Public in a speed rating of 83 going a mile. She has been improving each race and tends to position herself slightly off the lead, but close enough to make a move. She’s hit the board in all 4 career starts and could realistically surpise here.
10. Monster Bargain 31-1
Monster Bargain will need to be at her very best here for trainer Kinggocash. She has two starts and finished 10 lengths back with speeds under 70. The track is labled as good, so maybe the moisture will help.
Twazzo is my top selection in this affair. I believe she is capable of upsetting the favorite here. She will be charging late and as long as she can avoid traffic problems, she should be able to run down the leaders.
Rendezvous Rate has an edge with her recent runs over the 86+ level and that cannot be discounted. The level of competition looks a little bit easier than the allowance class she has been running in lately.
Wariuz Legion keeps improving each race and is the better half of the entry. She’ll be moving late and should be considered in the exotic wagers.