The Manni’s Bandari Bonanza

D.C.’s feature this Saturday is the Manni’s Bandari Bonanza, for fillies and mares three years old and up. The race is 1 3/4 miles on the firm turf, and the purse is $45,000. Four fillies and mares will go to the post.

1 (4/5) – VANALSTINE (ENG) looks like the horse to beat here. She did very well to finish second in the Corporate Jewel Memorial (a two-mile marathon). In 12 and 11-furlong routes, she often runs numbers in the high 90s. As a three-year-old, Vanalstine probably has more room for improvement than her older competitors. She will be looking for her first stakes win Saturday – she came in second in two previous tries.

2 (4/1) – REVENTO EN SANGRE, a five-year-old mare, looks to be well-placed here. Her preferred surface is clearly turf and she becomes more competitive as the distance lengthens. Her speed figures are usually considerably slower than Vanalstine’s and Ela Mini Moo’s, but she did run a 97 on one occasion – just a touch slower than Vanalstine’s best performance.

3 (7/2) – Nine-year-old mare ELA MINI MOO (IRE) has won going against males before, in the Out to Pasture Special for horses nine and up. Like Revento en Sangre, she thrives on distance running, but may not be fast enough to challenge Vanalstine on her best day.

4 (5/2) – ZALDUENDA THIEF is an entrant from the CPU. She hasn’t run on turf since her first two races, but she didn’t seem to indicate a strong preference for either surface. She’s run decently in the past, and isn’t the oldest horse in the race at six, but this is her first race off a two and a half year layoff. It’s highly unlikely she’ll factor in – her best efforts have been in the mid-80s and it’s hard to imagine she’s been trained for this race.