A hot race for a short field

OK Bayou BB Handicap
Grade III
A mile and one eighth
Firm Turf
$150,000
Fillies and mares, 4 years old and up

Race ID:3868.0514

This is a pretty decent field even though there are only 9 runners in this race. It should be an interesting affair.

ALPINE WINGS (IRE) AZAMOUR (IRE) x IN THE WINGS (GB) x RHYTHM

This filly has done well. Her recent form is excellent with 2 graded wins in her last three starts. They include a win over 9f as well. The filly therefore has no issues with trip and class which is always a positive factor in graded races. She has been well handled by her owner and has an outstanding chance of winning again in graded company.

LUFTHANSA HEIST (KY) KINGMAMBO x A.P. INDY x SADLER’S WELLS

This mare has been running well of late. She won a graded race recently over 10f as well. She therefore does not have to worry about class. Her speed figures are also solid and constant of late. This is another added bonus. Her recent form ahs been over slightly further and it would appear that today’s trip is short of her best. This could leave her slight exposed and likely to find one or two horses here too good for her.

THE WITCHING HOUR (JPN) FANTASTIC LIGHT x DANZIG x PRIVATE ACCOUNT

This horse has an interesting real life breeding. His sire and dam sire have both been disappointing in there respective fields. In the case of Danzig more so because of his outstanding record as a sire. This mare though is tough and honest. She usually posts triple digit speed figures as well. She is a graded winner over this trip an added bonus. The owner has managed her racing very well, never the less I have a feeling that as with so many horse the change of year appears to have seen this horses ability level drop. This is a shame and I hope I am wrong but there does appear to be a developing trend I am seeing over the past weeks write ups.

LA GREY ZULIANA (VEN) ERSHAAD x FORLI x ROUND TABLE

This horse has an interesting pedigree the mare would have been worth serious money in the late 1970’s as well. The sire was trained in France by the Englishman J Hammond and was half decent. This horse in truth has done well to be this good in the sim. The horse ahs won five of eleven posting it’s first triple digit in it’s last run. In truth this is a hot race and as you can see above there are a lot of graded winners in this race. This is a very tough ask for the horse and in my opinion at this stage is likely to be beyond her.

CTHRAG GORU (KY) NORTH LIGHT (IRE) x NIJINSKY II x BLUSHING GROOM (FR)

I am surprised this horse does not need 3 1/2miles to be honest. Nijinsky and North Light in the pedigree offer’s very little speed. That being said this is a nice mare. She has been placed well and the owner has done a great job so far. She is improving with nice speed figures. She has three wins in her last four starts another pop at a graded race is worthwhile. The mare’s only other try was a fourth placed finish one of only two times she has not made the frame. With the change in year some horses improve others fall back. This filly has the profile to have a nice 2009 and it would no surprise to see her run a very big race.

TRUE CHANT (KY) WAR CHANT x MISWAKI x SEATTLE SLEW

This is another multiple graded winner in this race. This for a nine runner field is a hot affair and some horses have to come unplaced. This filly on present form is likely to be one. There are excuses for her last two start namely the 8f trip. I believe that the 9f will bring out improvement in her. The problem is in this race it may not be enough to trouble the judge. There is some evidence this filly has peaked as well as her form in all age races is lower than that restricted to 3yo’s only.

GUINEAS TOAST (KY) KINGMAMBO x NIJINSKY II x NUREYEV

This horse has only had eight races. She is already graded placed though which is a good sign. The filly has a lot of ability and is on the upgrade as well. The trip seems to be ideal as well. This is a hot race and you have to balance the on the board form with potential. This filly needs to improve when others fall back. This seems to be happening a lot at present so she does chances. I do suspect she will find a few to good for her.

BEST THERE IS (IRE) KING’S BEST (IRE) x DIESIS (GB) x SADLER’S WELLS

This is another graded winner in this race. The filly in the past has been best at 8f. Her form has been somewhat lackluster of late. The owner is trying something a little different try to light the spark again. She was a very good early season horse running second in the 1,000 Guineas. You have to be concerned that maybe as with so many of these good early season 3yo types the best may have been and gone. In this race I will pass the filly over for selection.

DANGEROUS WATERS (KY) A.P. INDY x NORTHERN DANCER x BUCKPASSER

You would have to assume the Buckpasser mare is as Quick As Lightening. This filly is also a graded winner as well. That was in her last start but over 10f. This was the best run of her life and it would appear that a good 2009 is on the cards for this mare in 10f races. I would suspect she will be tapped for toe in this race and struggle. The main positive factor she has is that she has proven herself in graded company this year.

This looks like a hot race and hopefully should be fun to watch. As for my selections:-

1 Alpine Wings in form and likes the trip
2 Cthrag Goru on the up and this seem to be the trend so far this year
3 Dangerous Waters on the upgrade