Small field in SILENT STEER Challenge

This weekend marks the seventh running of the SILENT STEER Challenge, a twice-yearly listed stakes race that runs at the 7.5-furlong distance once a year in New Jersey and a 7-furlong leg each year in Kansas. Cote Bonneville(KY) won the NJ race earlier this year, and Baba Buie(CAN) was victorious last year here in Kansas.

This year’s running features four juvenile horses that are looking for a share of the $50,000 purse as these fillies and mares go head-to-head on the 7 furlongs of firm turf.

Here’s a look at the contenders:

PP1      You Go Girl(KY)                  monica                         M Arnold                    5/2

Borrego-Sui Generis, by Rahy

This light grey filly goes for trainer monica for the third time overall and the second time on turf. After an unspectacular career-start, You Go Girl seemed to find her comfort zone last time out, running six furlongs on the turf and running a 70 speed figure on her way to a maiden-breaking win. She now wastes no time in jumping straight into stakes action. She may end up setting the pace in a field of closers after she stalked just off the lead in her winning run. If she continues to improve with the stretched distance, she could win from the front.

PP2      Oriental Express(ENG)        kingsworld                  L Buchholtz                6/5

Orientor-Rolling Rumble(AUS), by Flying Spur(AUS)

Fortune500 Stables enters this brown female as the most experienced runner in the field. Oriental Express has already run five races in her career, including three stakes runs. She has only one win — her third time out in a maiden special weight — but has shown improvement each time and has finished no worse than fourth. Her last run at the beginning of August was in the Danarazi Bonanaza, when she finished third with her best speed mark of 80. She is the favorite in a race full of possible winners thanks to her previous stakes experience and high speed figure. Her win was a run from the back, but her last run saw her go straight to the lead before fading a little in the 7.5-furlong race. I like that she has shown some quality over the longer distance.

PP3      The Demon(KY)                   kingkong                     B Coates                     5/2

Point Given x Diesis(GB) x Wild Again

Qwikvett Stables and the Northwest Racing Circuit have high hopes for this brown filly after she finished in the top two in two out of her three career races. The Demon broke her maiden in June at the MSW level on a slightly off turf track over five furlongs. Her 73 speed figure was her best by far. Last time out she went 5.5 furlongs in the Jack’s Adelita Stakes and finished second despite a lackluster 55 speed. She will most certainly look to close from the back of the pack. It’s interesting that her best speed number by far came on an off track and thus far has been an anomaly. Her run here may go along way in determining where she should be racing.

PP4      Lady Tristram(ENG)           qwikvett                      B Clark                        5/2

Loup Sauvage x Sir Tristram(IRE) x Be My Guest

Qwikvett Stables doubles its chances of winning with its second entry of the race, this brown filly that is going for the first time ever. Her sire’s stud usage has been down over the past two years, despite a somewhat successful group of offspring prior to 2007. It seems Loup Sauvage has had less success as a father over the past two years, which leads me to believe that perhaps his progeny are late bloomers. Traditionally he has produced more dirt runners than turf runners. As a dam-sire Sir Tristram has had fine success, producing a very balanced group of runners that have hit the winner’s circle at a nice clip. This seven furlong run may be a bit of a stretch for this first time runner, but she still has a shot in this small field.

The odds-makers give every horse on the track a shot here, and it’s hard to argue with that when you look at their histories and consider that there is a very small field. There are no horses here that scream speed, so the pace may be slow and provide a good opportunity for whichever horse does take an early lead.

I have to agree with the bettors and go with Oriental Express. She seems to be getting better with each run, and had her best speed last time out. The fact that it was at 7.5 furlongs encourages me to believe she could go to the lead and last the duration. I like You Go Girl to finish second followed by The Demon and Lady Tristram. The latter could surprise, seeing as she has never run before and may come out superbly, but I think she may be pushed to far here. The Demon had one nice race, but otherwise did not match that and the inconsistency scares me. She should show her true colors here, which could end in a strong result.