Here we are in Arizona, originating home of the “Fast Dirt,” and Saturday’s races will be no different. Arizona will host ‘The Doctor Fruit Bonanza.’ I don’t know about you, but I would never go to a doctor’s office if his name was Dr. Fruit. Hmmm, makes ya wonder, huh??? Well, anyway ‘The Doctor Fruit Bonanza’ hosts a field of 2yo fillies going 6 ½ furlongs on the “fast dirt” for a $65,000 purse. Read on to find out who is the ‘Fruitiest’ of the bunch.
(PP1 – 7/2) One F Jef, of the Unreal stable, is one of several in this one making their second trip across the track. This Birdstone X Gone West X Green Dancer filly finished up in 2nd in her debut running against a full field in California. She was flying down the stretch, but couldn’t beat Kissin Sista who won it by a length. One F Jef fired a 77 SP # in her debut, the 2nd fastest SP # of any entry in the field. Look for the Unreal stable to run her according to her form in her last where she ran about 3-4 lengths back and closed down the stretch. She will have closing company in this one, but I expect to see One F Jef somewhere in the mix.
(PP2 – 3/1) Alyacademy’s Cat G(IRE), of the Wassie stable, won her debut in Nebraska in MSW company by 1 ¾ lengths. In that race, she fired a 74 SP # and wired the field. The question I have in my mind is whether she didn’t go all out in that one since she pretty much had it in hand the whole race and only expended what she had to to win it. This 2 year old filly out of Giant’s Causeway looks to be a contender in this one since she is going up against a pretty even field of runners. She will be the early speed in the race, and she will try to keep the closers at bay as they come screaming down the stretch to catch her. If she still had gas in the tank in her debut, she could be one of the top 2 entries in this one. Safe bet here.
(PP3 – 12/1)Wooden Me, of the Slowracers stable, will be making her racing debut in this one. This Menifee X Arazi X Soy Numero Uno filly will have to be ready for stakes company right off the bat to compete here. Every other entry in this race has had success at the MSW level prior to entering Stakes company. She is in tough here. I am not saying she can’t compete, but she is running uphill here. If she doesn’t fire big like Slowracers hopes she will, I think a quick step down into MSW Company to give her time to develop is warranted.
(PP4 – 6/5) Beste Don’t Smoke, of the Frankie stable, is the class of the race. This Smoke Glacken X Coronado’s Quest X Buckpasser filly is another entry that won her debut. Talk about a closer!! Beste Don’t Smoke was 5 ¼ lengths back at the 3rd call in her debut and went on to win it by 1 ¼ lengths, against a full field!! Not only that, but this filly holds this field’s record SP # so far = a 91 SP # – IN HER DEBUT!! The only thing that could really bother the Frankie stable prior to this race is whether or not that race was a fluke. I am not buying into all that. I will be placing my hard earned cash on Beste Don’t Smoke. You should too.
(PP5 – 3/1) Unbridled’s Spirit, of the Burn1down stable, claims the other entry with opening 3/1 odds. This Unbridled’s Song X Pine Bluff X Seeking The Gold filly is the most experienced runner of the field. She has hit the board in all 3 of her career races, winning two and finishing 3rd in her last out. Unbridled’s Spirit broke her maiden in her debut in Kentucky wiring the field in the slop with a 74 SP #. Her next race and next win was a step up to Stakes company where she proved she could run off the pace. Her SP # of 75 was an improvement, but it isn’t the number that jumps out at me. A 75 SP # in Stakes company is a lot different than one in MSW company. A couple of things concern me with Unbridled’s Spirit, though. This will be her first race on “fast dirt.” How will she fare?? Will her SP # go up or will she falter? She is also running against MSW runners that have fired SP #s higher than she ever has, so how does she really stack up?? I think she could compete here, but I think she is really gonna have to show up on that “fast dirt” to hit the board.
Bigbaba