Bargain Bowl Classic – Bargain Series Racing

A surprisingly small field of 7 take to the gate Saturday to contest the 500,000$ Bargain Bowl Classic. The field is led by 2 time Bargain Bowl champ Spare Key who seeks to make history by becoming a three time winner in the biggest event on the calendar.

1.        Quart Low – Six year old Texas breed is trained by Bargain president Knightmare. Has a very solid Bargain Series resume that includes back to back Bargain Summer Classic wins and a strong 2^nd in the last year’s Bargain Bowl Classic. Last two allowance efforts have been duds but look for the veteran to regain form today on the biggest of bargain stages.

2.        TopHatter – Six year old by Millenary (Rainbow Quest) has been a warrior finishing in the money in 31 of his 55 lifetime races amassing 340k in the process. Made his debut in the Bargain Series last out and it was a smashing one as he won the 16 furlong Wombat Cup with a bold late move finishing with a 92 speed figure. That wins shows us he has the class to hang with these and since he is a very capable dirt runner I expect him to be flying late in the race. His chances may very well depend on the pace but ignore consistency like this at your own peril.

3.        Spare Key – Elenalag Stables trained 6yr old by French Envoy is a Bargain Series legend after having scored back to back Bargain Bowl Classic victories in 2008/9. His form has been terrible since his last Bargain Bowl win with really nothing in his form that would suggest he can win a 3^rd straight today. That being said he always seems to fire big in the Bargain Bowl so perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.

4.        Colonial Golds – Hawkz’ trained 6 year old by Golden Snake leads the field with 32 stakes points and has been as good as winning an open stakes try back in May. Ran a game 2^nd two back in The Bargain Summer Classic but struggled in his return to open stakes competition last out finishing last by 19^th lengths. Fits better back in bargain company and looks a strong candidate to finish in the top 3 and is a must use in big ticket bets.

5.        Textbook Case – Three year old by Freud is the youngest of today’s challengers but has already made some significant bargain noise in his short career. He built off of his 3^rd in the Bargain Juvenile and became quite good at 3 winning the Ozark and Bronx in the process. Has not progressed off of that Bronx win so that is a bit of a concern so it will be interesting to see how he does against much older established veterans in today’s race.

6.        Alhone – Yet another battle tested 6 yr old this one has 14 career wins including his first bargain series score which happened 3 back in the 13 furlong Hinterland race. It is a bit perplexing not to see him in the Marathon event given that ability but The Bargain Classic is a big $ glory race so trainer lgbost has every right to go for the big one here today. Look for him to get out of the gate quick and it will be interesting to see if he can keep up with his younger rival Textbook Case who should get out quick and set a wicked pace.

7.        Slewpent – Four year old by Repent has plodded along in the allowance ranks since his heartbreaking near miss in the Bargain Derby back in 2009. His connections know what they are up against in today’s race but knightmare always seems to have a knack for making good entries so on that alone this one offers some intrigue today even if my head tells me no.

Prediction: Bronx winner Textbook Case gets out quickest of all and leads for the majority of the race before reluctantly giving way and settling for 2^nd to winner Colonial Golds. Spare Key fails in his bid for a 3^rd Classic but rounds out the show spot to pick up a nice check.