Peach State Classic
Peach State Classic
Grade III – 10F on dirt – $125,000 purse
This Georgia grade III includes a great mix of accomplished racers and talented up-and-comers. At first glance it appears that decorated champions Solar Song and Gracepointe Prayer are on one level and the rest of the field on another. But races are run on the track, not on paper, and a there are some horses who just might pop a big race at the right time and suprise some people.
Solar Song (2/1) – owned by squirrel4 – This is one classy mare. She was last year’s Breeder’s Bowl champion and has nine career grade I victories. Song typically utilizes a dramatic come-from-behind style which is exciting to watch and tremendously effective. If you are looking for a chink in the armor, it is that she is six years old and, though she has run well, she has not won yet this year. I’d be hard pressed to pick against this tremendous mare, but there is talent in this field that can beat her if she’s not at her best.
Gracepointe Prayer (5/2) – owned by pazfour – This five year old mare seems to be peaking this year. She won the grade I Californian with a 117sf and followed that brilliant performance with a third place effort and 114sf in the grade I Sand Castle. She is a front runner and will likely be out in front when they turn for home. Whether the closers can run her down may depend on just how much the other speed horses push her early.
Adhara (6/1) – owned by tmachine – This horse will be an interesting one to watch. The line has her as the number three choice, but most of this five year old colt’s success has been at a mile. He has consistently run 100+ speed figures with big late charges. It does make it appear that more distance could be helpful, but in his only race at 10 furlongs Adhara struggled, fading badly and finishing fifth. His chances of making noise in this race hinge on whether that was one bad day or an indication that 10 furlongs is just too far.
Summer Wine (7/1) – owned by kingman – This four year old colt has a mid-pack running style which may set up well in this race composed primarily of front-runners and deep closers. He has run 110sf in two of his last four races and has consistently finished near the front, race after race. If the big guns falter, Summer Wine is a real contender to grab the suprise win.
Inside the Machine (8/1) – owned by vicsouth – What style this four year old runs and how well he runs will have much to say about the final result of this race. Machine is a horse with bigtime talent, as evidenced by his 116sf in the St. Niner Handicap and is a horse that runs best on the lead. This sets up a fascinating battle at the front between Gracepointe Prayer and Inside the Machine. With both running their best on the lead, it could turn into a duel that hurts both their chances. Regardless of where this horse ultimately finishes (which I really think could be anyhwere from first to last), I see Inside the Machine being a key factor to the ultimate result in this race.
Duet (11/1) – owned by slwcityslw – This four year old seems to be improving this year and may be ready to take a leap forward. He ran 100+ figures for the five races prior to his poor outing last time. I wouldn’t be suprised to see a big bounce back effort in this one. He has preferred going a mile and a half or more, but has also shown enough speed to compete at a mile and a quarter. Should be interesting to see if he battles Gracepointe and Machine on the lead as that is his typical style or if he uses his distance ability to sit just off the lead and try to run down the tiring speed.
Slewed Choice (13/1) – owned by tsunami363 – This four year old colt runs a stalking style and certainly has some talent, but may just be in over his head in this one. He had some strong success in allowance company, but was inexplicably dropped into a 10K claimer by his former owner. Tsunami363 very astutely snagged this stakes quality horse from that race and now has him running here. As I said, it is difficult to see him figuring in the top three in this one, but maybe a new trainer and newfound confidence will add up to a big suprise.
Touch Um All (13/1) – owned by ourepeat – With five straight runs of 100+ speed figures, including a career best 106 last time out, this colt seems to just be coming into his own. Most of his success has been against allowance company, so this is a significant jump in class. I’m not sure he is ready for this kind of field yet, but the only way to know for sure is to put him in there and watch him run.
Paul the Apostle (15/1) – owned by theprofit5 – This colt has not been particularly consistent, but has shown enough talent that he just may factor in this race down the stretch. He popped a 108sf in a come-from-last effort to snag third in the grade II Bertrando Handicap two races back. Despite the talent that is obviously there it is hard for me to see him running by Solar Song, but maybe running in her wake will be good enough for a spot in the money.
Overall, I think this will be a facsinating race with Gracepointe Prayer, Inside the Machine, and Duet battling out front early. My guess is that Gracepointe survives that battle at the front, but it takes enough out of her for Solar Song to fly by in the stretch, with Summer Wine sneaking into the trifecta for third. Good luck to all the horses and owners in this one.