Claiming Crown-The Steel Horse
The Steel Horse
Starter Allowance ($7,500)
A mile and one sixteenth
Fast Dirt
$50,000
All horses, 3 years old and up
Our Claiming Crown day gets started here with our first race, the $50,000 Steel Horse. We have a full field here and the word of the day is Teejay as in the Teejay Racing Stables who swallow the field with six starters including the heavy 7/2 favorite Avenger Unbridled. The back stables were whispering foul with so many entries but hey….that’s racing. Looking to pull the upset will be the Maverick Racing Stable’s Prime Rib and Gowans’ Hope For Rain. Looks like a nice start for our yearly event.
PP1 64/1 FAT CAT TAVERN(KY)
Trainer: silkworm
At 64/1, Fat Cat Tavern brings up the rear. This lightly raced four year old Scat Daddy colt is fresh off his maiden win in $2k mcl. However, with a lifetime best sp of 87 in six races he’s cannon fodder at best.
PP2 7/2 AVENGER UNBRIDLED(KY)
Trainer: leechy7
Our top pick for the first of the Claiming Crown races makes for a worthy top choice. Avenger Unbridled comes in to this race a first time starter for the Gowans Inherited group of stables. This Unbridled Song horse has really come on in the past three months but was a surprising drop in claiming company last time out in a $7500 claimer despite the multiple 100+ SP’s. Look for him to stalk the pace before making his move at the half mile pole. Should leave everyone in his dust under a hand ride.
PP 3 18/1 FIREWORK CAT
Trainer: teejay02
Not much to speak of here. Firework Cat hasn’t won since September of last year and really has been a disappointment for Teejay in his six start for them. Hasn’t hit the board and comes off a ridiculously looking 76SP on an off track. Probably placed here by his connections to block for his stable mates.
PP 4 11/1 ITALIAN LINK(KY)
Trainer: zeasyguy
Coming out of gate number four, Italian Link is the talk of glory past. This Lion Heart six year old had his best days in the early part of 08 but not much to speak of lately at this level. He did manage three wins in a row at the first of the year but two were with extremely low SP’s with small fields. Wish I could say more but don’t see a lot of value here.
PP 5 7/1 PRIME RIB(NY)
Trainer: kkat127
After our 7/2 favorite, it’s a huge drop to the 7/1 Prime Rib trained by myself, Maverick Racing Stables. Although ran mainly as a sprinter I have had some success at this distance three races back after this horse posted a career best 102 SP and a 98 SP last time out at 9 furlongs. However, it may take another life time best to catch the favorite. Looking for second place money here.
PP 6 8/1 HOPE FOR RAIN(KY)
Trainer: gowans5
With their second entry of the day, the Gowans Inherited stables hope to see a part of the purse with the 8/1 Hope for Rain. This is the second start for the Gowans group with this horse and is coming off a strong win last time out in a $40k NW1x claimer where sat behind the leaders before wearing them down. Although not near the caliber of runner as Avenger Unbridled, they could be hoping to complete the exacta here with their two entries.
PP 7 8/1 LOVE SHACK BABY(KY)
Trainer: teejay02
Continuing on with the Teejay Stables runners, Love Shack Baby makes its debut here and is good money as third choice on the board. He’s winless dating back to March but has posted some nice SP figures lately while hitting the board consistently. Only has one 100+ SP which isn’t near enough to compete with the favorite but like everyone else has an inside edge to hit the board again.
PP 8 25/1 TIME TO SHINE(NY)
Trainer: ozonepark
Even at 25/1 I can still find some positives here. This Sunriver mare is two for her last three starts on dirt but finds the class of the field here probably more than she’s accustomed to. She’s fresh off a win but will need way more than the a 90 SP she posted to hit the board.
PP 9 11/1 CRUEL TO BE KIND
Trainer: quikone
Don’t be surprised to see Cruel To Be Kind do better than expected. This CVBear stable horse is 8 for 38 lifetime and is coming off two consecutive wins. However, his best days were in his 07 and 08 campaigns. It’s been 13 months though since he posted anything over 100 in speed ratings so it will take a return to glory to get any part of the purse today.
PP 10 9/1 MAY CLASSIC
Trainer: teejay01
Coming out the ten hole, May Classic hopes to rebound after a huge flop last time out in a $2k claimer where he 9 ¼ length back of the winner while posting an ugly 84 SP. This seven year old Bahri horse may have seen his better day with 58 races under his belt but this crafty veteran may still have a little juice left evident by his race two back when he posted a 101 SP while finishing 2nd. Tread lightly here with any bets but you never know.
PP 11 9/1 AERODYNAMICS(AUS)
Trainer: chiolacola
This biggest distinction that Aerodynamics has is that it’s the only Teejay Stable here not named Teejay. Seriously though, not a bad colt here that seems to be moving along nicely but needs to rebound after posting an 89 SP last time out in an ugly showing at $7500 claiming company. However, looking back the race before that he popped off a lifetime best 103 third place finish at the allowance level. He moves back down to 8.5 furlongs and that seems to suit him better.
PP 12 10/1 NORTH VISION(KY)
Trainer: teejay103
I have a hard time agreeing with the track handicapper here. 10/1 seems a bit of an overlay for this entry. North Vision hit his best stride over a year ago but hasn’t done much since. He has struggled back and forth with high 80’s to low 90’s speed ratings. Surely not enough to get the job done here. Sorry Teejay.
PP 13 22/1 MADE AFTER
Trainer: teejay04
A 67 SP last time out Teejay, really? Actually, not a bad move while having a top choice on the board. Take as many slots as possible to block any threats that may try to enter. Worked here pretty well. Make that six Teejay entries all together. Not much here.
PP 14 8/1 OJAI SILLY GURL(KY)
Trainer: reno911
Sleeper pick of the race here with Ojai Silly Gurl. At 8/1 this Scat Daddy filly has come on since turning four this year. She’s 3-3-1 in her last seven races and won here last two starts with ease. Trained by the Hawkz Woftam Racing stables she could surprise many and could be ready for a huge jump and that could equal a good payday for someone if she does. She’ll probably set way back of the pack and make a last second charge at the finish.