Spotlight Race of the Week-Minnesota

This is my first of what I hope many “Spotlight” races.   While many of the articles written for the BTB cover the big graded races, and rightly so, I’ve checked with the powers-to-be (Thanks Squirrel!) and have obtained approval to start this series.   The intent of the “Spotlight Race of the Week” is to randomly pick a non-graded race and do a race review, and hopefully pick a winner.   At the same time, hopefully trainers that don’t have horses racing at the high levels will have a chance to have some recognition given to one of their entrants.

With that said, the initial race I’ll be covering is in Minnesota, a 15,000 Starter Allowance to be run on the dirt track at a distance of 7f, open to fillies and mares age 4 and over.  This is a bid race for Trainer Slowjet who enters Hoochie Glide and hopes for a repeat win in the same race he had last month.

 1.  Hoochie Glide  10-1  -Been racing at allowance level much of 2010 and took drop to claimers in September.  Last race in starters with nice closing move to gain win in speed of 92.  Has home field advantage.

2.  Blue’s Riff  52-1 -Dirt bred horse that just has not executed.  Won her first race but has been shut out in last 16 starts.  Ran mostly allowance, dropped to $4k claimer in last with no results.  Speed numbers are low and looks unlikely.  Maybe time to try out the turf.

3.  Profound   5-2 -She’s been putting up great speed numbers throughout 2010, mainly 93 up to 106.  Claimed by Heckleb in June after winning 4 in row for Tsunami20 for mere $5k.  Rough start for new connection in first 2 starts running at higher starter levels.  Dropped in October and responded with win.  Fits here.

4.  Parce Que  20-1  -Parce Que has had a hard time finding a stable to stay in.  Trainer Simpride1 is the fifth one trying their luck with this girl this year.  She’s been heavily raced this year with 15 starts already with a record of 3-2-1.  Much of that success was at lower level claimers and at the 9 furlong distance.  Doesn’t seem to fit in this moderate level starter race but does have recent win at 7.5f. 

5.  New Fallen Rain  38-1 –This mare last visited the winner’s circle at the end of 2009 and has been winless in her last 14 starts.  She hit the board once this season, a recent third.  Going off at 38-1 are highest odds she has seen and it looks like her woes will continue.

6.  Princess Roy  10-1 –There looks to be value in this entrant.  Horse has been lightly raced this year with 6 starts to date.  From February to June she raced on grass 3 times with fair results.  Switched back to dirt in September and has won two straight with speeds of 90 and 99.  Longshot players dream!

7.  Talladega Gal  10-1 –Talladega like to run near the leaders but has history of tiring in final furlongs.   She has one win since April 2009 with most of the races at allowance level.  Not looking to promising.

8. Woette’s Holiday  40-1 -5 year old is on to 7^th trainer, Thestable, who has tried her at a variety of distances and class levels.  Still winless since the end of ’09 and has only 3 wins in over 40 starts.  Speed numbers are low and her best results have been at the $2k level in both claimers and starters.  Overmatched here

9.  Smart N Lucky   6-1 -5 of last 6 races with speeds of 90 or higher with 3 thirds and 3 fourths in those races.  She shows some late speed, class level fits nicely and could be a factor in the triples

10.  Camp Out  15-1  –Camp Out has been struggling most of her career with only 3 wins in 22 starts.  She is able to pop speeds in the 90’s but not with any regularity.  Seems to run best on wet track.  Could get a piece of the pie if she can get the speed going.

11. Saints Town Honor  5-1  -Started ’10 season on turf with decent results, hitting the board regularly.  Continued with success when returned to dirt in August.  Won last two going mile +.  Speeds are good but may not have enough time to execute late speed with drop in distance

12.  Lake Pal  8-1 –Ran well on wet track earlier in career.  Last 3 were on wet surface and she just couldn’t last in higher claimers.  Probably pace setter who has done well on dry track this year and could put in a game effort with a bit of a break in class.

13.  Heart n Dixie   7-1 -Heart hasn’t one a race since July, 2009 and been on board only 3 times in 14 starts since.  Best shot looks to be if she can set pace, and that doesn’t happen much.  Tough times look to continue.

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Profound has her act together lately, speeds are good and has won 5 of last 7.  Gets my top pick.

Princess Roy looks to be making a positive turn for the better since returning to the dirt and offers nice reward at 10-1.

Hoochie Glide won on this track in last start and showed good late speed.  Worth a shot.