The Ozark Diamond Stakes (Bargain Bred Series)
The Ozark Diamond (Bargain Bred Stakes for 3 yo fillies)
11 Bargain Bred fillies assemble in Arkansas to contest the 7.5f Ozark Diamond Stakes. The Ozark Diamond kicks off the three year old only bargain stakes series and is the major prep race for the Bargain Oaks which is the next race in the series. Last year’s winner Meat Cleaver ran an 82 speed figure and destroyed the field by 2 ¼ lengths. She went on to finish second in the Bargain Oaks and has stayed consistent in the filly division into her 4 yr old season. Expect this year’s winner to post a faster figure as today’s field is very accomplished and its going to take a big figure to win this race.
1. Good Solo Reward – Three year old filly by Storm Cat son Good Reward has not yet broken her maiden after 7 tries. She fired her best shot back in February in a 10k maiden claiming race when she ran a hard closing second but she has regressed since then. Might become an earner but has too much to do today.
2. CTR’s Storm – This is just the 2nd lifetime start for this Storm Walk filly and she ran an uninspiring 9th beaten 22 lengths in her debut. Although she is due some improvement in her second lifetime race odds makers have made her the 80-1 long shot in today’s affair.
3. Secret Inn – Two of her three lifetime races on dirt have been quality runs and she just missed breaking her maiden in both of those contests settling for the place spot. Ran better at 6f vs. 6.5 so today’s distance is a major question but she has shown enough talent to offer trifecta appeal at 21-1.
4. Les Bigbird – Sired by Florida sire Mr. Bigbird this filly has been the consistent sort for trainer Hawkz despite not yet breaking her maiden. She’s never finished worse then 4th and her inspiring 2nd place finish in the MSW Bargain Filly race last out should serve as a nice foundation for today’s race.
5. Tin Buck Slew – Bargain pres knightmare has a real nice daughter of Slew City Slew in his care. Not many bargain runners have graded wins to their credit but she accomplished that in just her third lifetime race when she won the Solar Sweets against a field of 8. Went on two finish second in the Bargain Bowl in the Class Ack Juvenile and continued her fine form into 2010 when she debuted in March. Now that I got all of those accomplishments out of the way I’d be remiss if I failed to mention that all of those accolades were accomplished on turf. Today she will be trying the main track for the first time and will be facing Bargain 2 yr old star Rewa Dreamin in the process. Oddsmakers love her class and she has been listed as the 5-2 second choice.
6. Rewa Dreamin – Talented daughter of Woke Up Dreamin was the two year bargain star of 2009 winning both the Giner Ale and Charlie’s Tiger Juvenile both in mixed company. Her only race this far in 2010 was in the Equinics sprint race where she finished a respectable 9th just 5 lengths back. With her proven dirt form she is clearly the one to beat and should fire big today on her way to the Bargain Oaks.
7. Golden Mogok – Has already competed in 3 Bargain series restricted events in her young career but has failed to make major noise on the circuit yet. She has a 3rd and a 4th to her credit in those efforts but will need a major jump up to be competitive in today’s feature.
8. Secret Award – Daughter of Desert Secret has shown ability on both surfaces but if the last few races are any indication she likely prefers turf as indicated by her 80 speed figure last out. Finished 5th beaten by 8 ½ lengths in last year’s Bargain Bowl won by Rewa Dreamin, she is going to need to use her early speed to get to an uncontested easy lead to hope to fair much better today. I have a hunch she has a bright future but its asking a lot to expect today to be that day.
9. Nzed Thrill – Debuted with 2 straight place finishes but failed to follow up those big runs in her last 2 attempts. She has done enough to earn her place in today’s showcase race but its gonna take a major run to even pick up a slice of the pie today.
10. Mileish – Daughter of Kheleyf broke her maiden last out and did it with a solid 82 speed figure. She ran a nice off the style pace to capture that win and I love the fact that it was at today’s distance. I view her as one of the ones to watch off of that key race and feel confident she will outrun her 9-1 odds.
11. Edge of Seventeen – Named after the famous Stevie Nicks song this daughter of The Cliff’s Edge finally broke her maiden in her 6th attempt but did it in a smashing way winning by 1 ½ in the Bargain MSW race in Jamaica. She has broken the 80 speed figure barrier in 3 of 6 lifetime races and to me that makes her the best of the next set of contenders after the Big Two. User her in your exotic wagering.
Outlook:
This is a heck of a feature race since two up and coming Bargain Series stars are colliding when Rewa Dreamin and Tin Buck Slew do battle on the track today. I have to give the edge to Rewa Dreamin due to the proven ability on the main track but Tin Buck Slew just oozes class so if she were to win it would not be an upset. It is hard to see any other horses breaking up this exacta but if one of the Big 2 does not fire my choices to round out tickets would be Edge of Seventeen and Mileish.
Good luck to all of the connections in today’s race and as always thanks to knightmare and all of the regulars in the Bargain Series.