Bargain Series Summer Distaff

 A talented field of 11 line up for today’s Bargain Series Summer Distaff. 2009 winner Slave to Tradition seeks to defend her title but will have to both run down early speed runners like Rundo and have enough left in the tank to hold off late running freight trains like Cuvee Power who is dying to turn the tables on her rival today. Here is a look at today’s field:

1. Omoplata – 46-1 longshot drew the pine and this 3 yr old gal is in way over her head today. Daughter of Kitalpha did run a strong 3^rd in the Bargain Oaks but has not progressed since that effort and is really up against it talent wise today.

2. Fine N Happy – 5 yr old California breed was claimed last out by trainer gold4ever and will be making her first start in Bargain Series events. She has been little more then a claimer her whole career but her recent form is quite good, she can get the distance and we have seen upstarts make noise first off a claim before. All of those factors say exotic players could have a live value play at odds of 8-1.

3. Cuvee Power – Lgbost’s 7 year old mare by Schossberg (Broad Brush) is the 7/2 co-favorite for today’s race. Cuvee Power has been running high 90s speed figures and loves a route so she is very dangerous today but will have a lot to do since her late running style puts her at a big disadvantage to rival Slave To Tradition’s tactical speed. She definitely is going to get there one of these days though so ignore her at your own peril.

4. Rundo – Hawkz’ now 6 yr old daughter of Wando has been a strong contender in the Bargain Series ever since her debut a loss by a head in the 2007 Bargain Oaks. 2008 was her true coming out party as she was division winner finishing 2^nd in the Summer Distaff and capturing the Bargain Bowl Winter Distaff. Her form had been off until last race where she ran a big 102 speed figure out of no where. If she does not bounce too much from that effort I like her chances to land in the money at generous 5-1 odds.

5. Meat Cleaver – I love to tease trainer Axe that she is DEAD MEAT when facing my filly but in truth this 4 yr old daughter of Beefchopper has been a really solid runner and very competitive in the series. Has run 3 straight nice races which included 2 wins and she really seems to be in top condition overall. Likely peaking at the right time and seems dangerous at perplexingly generous odds of 15-1. Seems like there is some value here..

6. Scapola – Plano’s daughter of Blazonry (son of Hennessy) has 13 ITM finishes in 29 lifetime races but her form has been very inconsistent as of late. She ran a big effort two back posting a 97 but followed that up with a regression last out over a less then fast track. Perhaps she can regain her footing again today and turn in a solid effort as her fastest speed figures say she has an outside shot.

7. Rare But Done – Newbie bargain series trainer but sim vet Desperado just claimed this 5 yr old in a turf race and immediately entered her in the big dirt event today. Knightmare and other trainers have used that strategy successfully in the past and this filly has speed figures and enough dirt ability to think its not outside the realm of possibility. Her tactical speed should serve her well in a field of primarily speed or deep closers so jockey G Daniels will deserve a lot of credit or blame for the result today.

8. Salton Sea – Trainer Zman3 claimed this 5 yr old 2 back for 5k in what looks like a real sharp claim. Perplexing thing to me is why she was not entered in The Bargain Princess race since all of her proven form on is on turf and she seemed to fit quite nice with that field. She has only one dirt start under her belt and failed to hit the board so it is tough to get too excited about her prospects today when there are proven commodities to back.

9. Amberleigh Flame – Seven year old daughter of Flame Thrower is a hard knocker with a lot of races under her belt and some solid finishes in the series. Her recent form appears off and her lack luster effort last out in The Sugar & Spice doesn’t give much help for a miraculous return to form today. Could be a strong pace factor but there is other speed in the race so it is hard to be overly enthusiastic about her opportunity to wire such a deep field.

10. Wonnaby Marooned – Hawkz has this relatively lightly raced 7 yr old mare back in the bargain fray after partaking in primarily allowance races. She had been a legit open stakes distance runner earlier in her career but those days seem long gone and her respectable but unremarkable 5^th in last years version of this race and iffy recent form offer little reason to believe today will be much different.

11. Slave to Tradition – Bargain legend in the making Slave to Tradition is the 7/2 co-favorite in today’s race after finishing a hard closing 3^rd last out in the Sugar and Spice. Today’s distance is much more to her liking and she looks to add to her  7 bargain series triumphs today. All of the divisions big rivals are here today minus upstart Tin Buck Slew who headed to the turf race so it is no walk in the park but if she runs her race she should win quite easily.

Outlook:

Until someone beats her in a dirt route event Slave to Tradition must be respected as the win favorite. Hard closing Cuvee Power is my choice to round out the exacta and I would box the 4/5/7 in the show spot to round out the trifecta.

As always good luck to all of the connections and thanks for making the Bargain Series a fun event all year long!