THIS FIELD MAY BE CHASING BROKEN DREAMS
With the weather forecast of glorious sunshine and a track rating of fast for the turf, Eastern Kentucky will play host to the time honored The ANGEL FRANCISCO PARRA Grade II this coming Saturday. The race is held over 7.5 furlongs on turf for fillies and mares and a fine looking field has assembled for this years race for a crack at some of the $250,000 purse. Let’s see how they stack up;
1 – SUBTLE(KY) – cheadle – 5/1 – This 4yo filly, a daughter of Elusive Quality, was a last start winner at this trip in stakes company and has managed 2 wind and a 2nd at her last 3 outings all at that level. Has performed ultra consistently at the long sprint/short route distances and looks ready for a crack at Graded level racing. Will be near the front and probably look the winner at some stage.
2 – GOLD NOBLE(JPN) – stupor4 – 19/1 – Was just pipped on the post over this distance at Stakes level last start when beaten a head after opening up a 3 length break down the stretch. Also normally a bold front runner, this daughter of Forty Niner will have to be on her very best form to hold out this lot.
3 – BETSY(AUS) – Amsterdam – 9/1 – An Aussie bred daughter of Zedative who has won 8 from 19 all over the sprint trip. Form of late hasn’t been her best but it has been in the top grades. She is yet to really impress as a 4yo in her two starts and it may be worth just keeping an eye on her here for some positive signs before investing on her. She will be back in the field early and could give a sight if she finds her best.
4 – REPEAT PERFORMANCE(KY) – metallinut – 11/1 – Has finished top two in 5 of her last 8 starts which includes a Grade II win over 7 furlongs. She was outclassed in Grade 1 company last time out over 6.5 furlongs and prior to that ran second over 8.5 furlongs. Looks to be another one who will be in the speed battle up front but will have no troubles running out the trip.
5 – K’S BROKEN DREAM(KY) – wrecks – 5/2 – Jockey J.Caves was quoted through the week as saying “I’d be surprised if this mare doesn’t win this one” and you can understand his confidence based on the fact that this daughter of Awesome Again is coming of back to back Grade 1 wins over 6.5 furlongs and 7 furlongs, both times with very strong finishes. Ranked number 3 in dirt sprints and a winner of over $1,000,000 in prizemoney, she is the obvious class runner of the field and very hard to go past.
6 – AUDIO SKAN – orrrdago – 16/1 – This 8yo mare is winner of 9 races who has finished in the top two at 6 of her last 8 outings. Has the added bonus of proven versatility to race both on the pace or further back with good results. The downside is that all of her recent racing has been well below this class in Allowance and even Starter Allowance company. On the basis of that this looks like a big step up and it may be a bit much at this time.
7 – CRIME STORY(KY) – super8 – 9/2 – A 5yo daughter of Pulpit and regular Stakes competitor who is never far away from the money. Has finishes top three at her last 6 outings including a second at this level and distance 2 runs back. Add to that the experience and guile of hoop W.Desantis and this girl has the recipe to be very competitive here.
8 – I AM GONE(KY) – sophs – 8/1 – a 4yo filly with the imposing record of 11 wins from 18 starts and a winner of her last three. Normally a 6 furlong specialist who races on the pace she turned a few heads last time out by racing midfield and swamping them over 6.5 furlongs at stakes level. If she races to that pattern here it may be beneficial to her chances. This daughter of Speightstown looks to have a bright future and is poised to be close when they hit the line.
9 – MANATEE APPEAL(KY) – london1 – 6/1 – Has led and been run down in her last 3 races over shorter trips than this. That said her SP# last time out was a staggering 111 which would go close to winning a race like this. A 5yo mare by Successful Appeal, she loves racing up front and trainer london1 is confident she can lead the whole trip here but is not writing the possibility of a tactical surprise off. With so many potential on pace runners this will need to be a super effort to see her win.
10 – SMOKIN LOIS – molwr – 8/1 – a 7yo mare who has not won in her past 3 outings but did go back to back prior to that. One positive is her run two starts back where she was running on well over 6.5furlongs and produced a speed figure of 107 when beaten 3 ½ lengths. A daughter of Smoke Glacken, who could run home into a top four finish but would surprise if she took this event out.
In summary this event looks to have the makings of a great race, with a potential speed battle from as many as 5 horses up front looking to lead all the way and some classy swoopers biding their time back in the field.
I’m going for 5-7-1-8
Good luck and Good Punting
Butcha