QUICK SEATTLE Challenge Proves Speed Kills

I realize it’s cliché and not very original, but the saying ‘speed kills’ is about as accurate of a description available when describing this past Saturday’s QUICK SEATTLE Challenge.  Maybe it was the nice weather in Sweden which resulted in a firm turf surface for the seven and a half furlongs, or maybe it was something else, but whatever the case, all who witnessed agreed that the tenth race was exciting and very fast. 

Out of the gate was the lone front runner in the race, CHILL OF A JOURNEY, followed by RED SPARKY (this writer’s pick for the win), FASTNFIRM ROCK, and the final three starters, CIVIL WAR GENERAL, SOLARIS SNOOP, and I HATE THE MAILMAN all in a back group.  This placing remained with CHILL OF A JOURNEY opening almost a three length lead until the second call.  At this point, FASTNFIRM ROCK and CIVIL WAR GENERAL looked to make a move to the front.  These moves were not all the successful as CHILL OF A JOURNEY just kept pouring on the speed and only FASTNFIRM was able to move up to second.  At the top of the stretch, CHILL OF A JOURNEY just kept pouring on, but both FASTNFIRM ROCK and RED SPARKY finally started to close the gap.  At the wire, there just was not enough closing speed to catch the winner and CHILL OF A JOURNEY ended up winning his first stakes level start by a head over a hard charging FASTNFIRM ROCK.  RED SPARKY finished up third back just under two lengths.  Both CHILL OR A JOURNEY and FASTNFIRM ROCK secured a top twenty five speed for the week running speed ratings of 87.66 (21^st fastest, 1:30 3/5) and 87.30 (24^th fastest, 1:30 3/5) respectively. 

Payout was $5.10, $2.80, $2.30 for the win, $6.80, $4.00 for place, and $2.10 for show.  Exacta paid out a $17.80 and the trifecta $39.70.  Hopefully you, the reader, did not heed this writer’s advice as it did not pay out much at all.  In fact, if you did, I’ll see you at the local soup kitchen.