A Simply Electric Challenge
(SP)Wyoming-The Baylee’s Dream Bonanza is in the books and once again it proves that the sure bet is not always the correct bet. Case in point, Quincannon came in to the race a clear favorite and everyone felt was the class for this race. Well he came into the race flat and listless not his usual perky high stepping self. It could have been the altitude or the fact that he was brought late in the week to the track, whatever the case he tired so dramatically that it looked like he was walking across the line when he finally got there. The winner was a horse that hadn’t been performing well lately and came into this race and exploded back to where he had run many times before. It was clear Hollow Mission(GB) was defiantly on a mission as his name implied, not even letting an outside lane hinder his determination. He ran the race to perfection breaking for the front at the right time and cruising to over two lengths for the win. Mr. Niner Again came into the race never doing well on an outside lane. All of that changed last weekend when he rounded the bend and found himself heading for home with breathing space. It was obvious he would not catch the leader, but it was also obvious he would have to fall down to lose second which he took by an easy four lengths over the next horse. Rounding out the field was the show horse Rock Wood Flow(IRE). He ran at the front as was his style but faded badly and can be lucky only two horses passed him and that he had just enough to hold off one more horse so he could hit the board.
Before we look at this week’s stakes offering we will take a quick look at the nightcap race. It is a residence race sponsored by Northwest Racing Circuit for two year olds. I do not know if only a couple of owners are allowed in the race or if it is open to all their residents. In any case it has a poor turnout with only five entries, like so many previous races they have sponsored here in Wyoming. The WRC and WHOA both actively support any organization willing to sponsor races here. Although, WHOA has been hinting at backing away from the NWRC if they continue to not promote their sponsored races better in the future. It must be stated that there are three fine youngsters with stakes experience running. They are Tricky Missy, Ad Astra, Stylish Performer in no particular order.
Up this week is the $55,000 sophomore sprint, the Simply Electric Challenge. It will cover seven furlongs in the dirt with almost a full field vying for the honors. It will also be a bettor’s race. There is no real clear favorite in this week’s race and the betting should be heavy and the payoff will just as heavy. To help the action along I will introduce everyone to our competitors, many of which have Storm Cat in their breeding.
I’m Rick James entered by sophs. This dark grey Silver Ghost progeny comes into the race struggling at stakes level. He has the ability to perform well and did so in the middle of the year. He drops back to his desired distance and that should help a lot in how he will perform this week.
Tabasco Mark entered by cdonofrio. We have a dark brown son of Tabasco Cat coming out of gate two. This colt struggled last time out in a stakes race and is out to prove he belongs at this level. He has cracked the hundred barrier and has been very consistent. He likes the distance and will try to set the pace.
Apt To Be entered by squirrel2. This brown son of Deputy Minister is apt to be anywhere in the race. He has a lot of experience at the top level and even pulled down a couple of wins, but has a tendency at inconsistency. He has a history of not doing well when he is slow out of the gates. He will need a good start here or get boxed out of the money.
Forestal entered by sansebas. A light brown son of Forestry comes to Wyoming to try a shorter run. This may be a good move by the trainer, as this horse seems to have a stamina problem. He has be able to hold on to the lead only one time this year while running at the classic distance so shortening up may just be what he needs.
Cat Of The Tail entered by graywolf3. In this gate we have a nice chestnut son of Tale Of The Cat. He has been routing most of the season and only recently dropped back to sprints. He has the speed but to compete but he likes to close on the leaders and that is more effective for him in a route.
Bubble Toes entered by inhalers. The son of Aptitude comes into the race a clear classic runner. He ran a respectable race in a G1 last time out but is better suited to churn up the dust at a mile or mile and an eighth. He needs the extra distance to unwind and come charging to the front and may run out of track before he really gets going.
Four More Years entered by bezza1975. A sprinting chestnut, son of Mountain Cat, comes out of gate seven. This colt has notched up four wins under the saddle so far this year, but has a slight muscle pull a few runs back. He won last time out at allowance level, but there is still concern about his health. If he is one of the last ones out of the gate with this full of a field he can pretty much give a pass on a win.
Golden Banana entered by cr. This chestnut son of Seeking The Gold slipped up badly in a G2 race last time out. He would like to forget his last effort and concentrate on returning to his normal form. He is a slow starter but makes up for it with a strong finish. The trainer has been working hard to combine the two and may be a reason for his last poor showing.
People Who Died(SAF) entered by mrblacktie. This South African son of Horse Chestnut returns to the US after his little jaunt on the other side of the big pond. This colt has been sold many times and the new owner is hoping to get him back in the stakes winner circle, which he has yet to do this year. He seldom runs well when he must do so against a lot of company and may have trouble here because of it. Will try to stalk the pace.
King Of Dance entered by coolk. This chestnut son of Kingmambo has been slowly improving all year. This is his rookie year and already he has notched up three wins and the trainer believes he is ready to make the plunge into competitive stake racing. He likes to set the pace and challenge the other racers to run him down.
Shuminsky entered by highpoint. This brown son of Stravinsky comes in well rested. This front runner has had better results at the allowance level and maybe that is where he would be best served. He likes the distance and has been quite consistent at seven furlongs.
K’s State Of Mind entered by vertigo2. This brown son of Storm Cat returns to the US after some solid work at Ascot. The trainer believes this has helped the horse and made him stronger and ready to tackle stakes racing again with a better chance at success. Likes to be near or at the front when possible.
Proven Awesome entered by wer4fun. This front running son of Awesome Again want to put the last race behind him. He has already chalked up nine wins this year and would love to put one more in the win column. He will take the lead and dictate how the race will be run and has proven very good at doing so. It will put the other horses on notice and could make this a very exciting race.