Spotlight Race of the Week-Iowa

Aerolink, the 11-1 longshot won last weeks spotlight race.  Although he wasn’t one of my top selections, I did denote that her was coming off a much improved 72 rating in his second grass start and that her siblings all seemed to like the grass.  What a race as she bumped her speed up to 81 and beat the heavily favoried Montjeudar (who was making her 2^nd lifetime start) by more than a length

Iowa is this weeks chosen track and a 13,500 claiming race is the focus of this weeks Spotlight race.  It is a conditional race that is open to all horse 4 years and older that are non-winners of three races over their lifetime running a mile on a fast dirt track.  This race is also a bid race which is sponsored by Bobcat.  A full field of 14 will be going to the post which will make finding a winner a little harder, but here we go:

1.  Road Wings  5-1-This guy is winless in 7 starts on the dirt, however, last two races averaged 82 on the surface.  Road has been productive on the grass (in the money just under 50% of starts) and hit speeds in mid 90’s during 2010.  He looks better suited for the grass but still maybe a factor in the triples as his speeds have been better than many in this race.

2.  Chachin B   29-1-Horse has had been in a terrible drought.  On board once in 2010 and speeds since April have been below 80.   Not much to get excited about with Chachin, he might be worth another try on grass, however, the dirt has not been his friend.

3.  KP ST Roar  10-1-The top three speeds during 2010 were a pair of 90’s  and an 87 which resulted in a win, place and show for KP.  The other seven starts during the racing season fluctuated from the mid 70’s to mid 80’s.  Hard to tell what he’ll do.  He’s been off the board since July and this is the longest gap he’s had, so the time might be right.  But be aware that he’s on 2 weeks rest.

4.  New Bluff   5-1-Colt is on a big drop in class.  His last 5 races have been in a mixture of allowance and higher end claiming races.  Speeds over this span has averaged an 86.  All the right moves that could spell winner.  But caution is in the air…last race saw speed drop from 94 to 81 with 3-weeks between races.  On another 3-week gap between races.

5.  Ankle Sox  5-1-5 year old who won her only 2 races at tail end of 2009.  Has hit the board twice during 2010 in 9 starts.  Last 5 races she averaged a speed of just under 87.  Drops to lowest level since being maiden and off a 3-month rest.  The rest might be the right thing, but has faced boys twice before, finishing 5^th each time.

6.  Inca Legend  8-1-Entrant of race sponsor Bobcat, Inca has been sporadic.  Hit the board last summer in pair of races but out of the money since.  Dropped from allowance to $50k claimers in last with speed improvement to 88, but not getting desired results.  Larger drop here might be the right thing.

7.  Natural Light  16-1-This colt may be in the right place.  He’s only had 4 career starts, winning twice and averaging a speed of 85.  Ran in allowance last start and was overmatched.  Back to claimers where he should be competitive in this race.  Don’t be surprised if someone puts up the money to claim this one.

8.  Hushwing Highway  21-1-With Mr. Greeley and Dixieland Band in his bloodline, Hushwing hasn’t lived up to expectations.  This 7 year old has won twice in 49 starts.   It’s going on 2 years since he last hit the board and in 23 route starts he hasn’t been in the money yet.  Hushwing performs better in sprints and looks best when on the lead.  Hard to see things change for him in this race.

9.  Jack’s Back   24-1-Took long time, but Jack broke maiden this past September.  Followed by racing in NW2L at higher amounts and most recently dropped to lower claiming levels.  Hit top speed of 80 in early December, but Jack has had tough go of it going against NW2L.  Don’t see NW3L being any easier.

10.  Bahama Storm Ted   4-1-Amusing that favorite has one win in 40 career starts, and that came on the turf.  Seems to fit well into this field with his speeds on dirt during 2010 ranging from 84 up to 93.  This could be the spot that he’s been longing for.

11.  Geronimo Hope  23-1-As an 8-year old this horse has only 23 starts with a checkered past of racing with long breaks in between.  New trainer Puroquiso is testing this sprinter out to see if improvement can be found in route races.  Last race was at two miles finishing 4^th in field of 6.  Gets to try mile this time, but I’m not keeping my hopes to high on this trip.

12.  Val Razi   53-1-This gal has been struggling since she won a cheap claimer this past March with a speed of 81.   Her speeds haven’t hit this level since her win and her charts don’t show any rest breaks, which might be what she needs.

13.  Guernsey  16-1-Picked up 2^nd career win this past October closing well with speed of 80.  Last three dirt starts have averaged an 80 speed.  Last race was disappointing at 6f but returns to mile which could work in his favor.

14.  Scipion Summer  13-1-Horse was on a long layoff from June, ’09 through Sept. ’10.  Since returning, he’s had 4 starts and hit three of his highest speeds which includes a 91 in his September race, defeating cheap claimers.  Might be ready to strike again.

New Bluff is my top pick and I think he can improve off the 3-week rest.   Jockey O. Brooks off to quick success this year winning 8 of first 31 rides.

Bahama Storm Ted has the speeds that look best in field.  Just has to find a way to be first to the wire.

Inca Legend is on nice drop in class and also gets a hot jockey in O. Parker who is 10 for 34 this season.  Speed in last was good too and could reward backers with decent price.