Opportunity knocks for veteran racemares
Puerto Rico– A short field of six invades the Puerto Rican turf course this Saturday for the $35,000 Perfect Water Memorial. It’s a close-knit group of older fillies and mares and one sophomore testing the grassy 10.5 furlongs.
Riding a three race win streak, stormcat55’s Rainah (2/1) hopes to capitalize again. The 6YO mare pocketed her 18th career win here at Puerto Rico over the summer and has since followed that victory up with a similar short field score at Argentina. The Fusaichi Pegasus daughter is still going strong after 55 career outings — she predominantly enjoys shorter routes, but is more than capable of winning at the classic distance. The closer attracts a great jockey and has the SP#s to bag this race handily. We’ll see if she’s rarin’ to go on just two weeks rest.
Meanwhile, Bandicoot (2/1) drops down from the graded level. Tejanorun2’s daughter of Dixieland Band tries to stretch out after running a decent fifth in the Other Spa BB(G3) over 8.5f. The 4YO filly seems to appreicate short routes though….. she couldn’t muster much over 9f several starts ago much less a more recent off track 9.5f attempt. this is not a superior field of course, so she might be able to hit the board, picking some nice pocket change by default. Up against the distance ropes, she’s gotta prove herself in her 28th trip to the post.
A pair of veteran pacesetters check in at 7/2 each. Ozstable’s Mile High ‘AUS’ won authoritatively over 9.5f recently wire to wire in honest time. The Spinning World 5YO has either won or hit the board in her last 8 starts too — can get the distance, but seems to falter down the lane. She also faces foxon4’s Lone Gunman, who can likewise stay the ground. By Fantastic Light, the grand old mare chases millionairess status — she’s pretty even with Mile High and thus the pair will duke it out on the lead.
At 7/1, iant7’s lightly raced 4YO filly Noble Jenelle(IRE) presents longshot enticement. The El Prado(IRE) daughter’s pretty green, but improving. Won over 12f three starts ago and might be best over 10f. Doesn’t have the big SP#s yet, but, in absence of a hot fave here, she’s a live sleeper.
Fianlly the 3YO filly Barb’s English (12/1) breaks from post 6. The Sadler’s Wells daughter leaps from the ALW ranks — and switches from mixed results over the dirt. Really looks overmatched for trainer heffbarn. Hasn’t passed the distance test, nor class level versus her own age group. Not much of a chance.
Snowchief’s Picks:
I’ll gamble that Rainah bounces on two weeks rest — but she’s the winner if she can overcome that. Instead, will go with mild longshot Noble Jenelle(IRE) as upset winner on a hunch over the two pacesetters Lone Gunman and Mile High ‘Aus’. Bandicoot could suffer due to distance limitations.
Good luck to all.