Spotlight Race of the Week-Indiana

The heavily bet 2-5 Forty Niner’s Gold collected an easy win in last weeks Spotlight race in British Columbia.  She easily wired the seven horse field, winning by 2 in a speed of 83 and was the only horse claimed out of the race for $15,000.   Tiz Kirby’s Candy closed with a strong effort, finishing second at 8-1.  Both of these were by top two picks and rewarded investors with a $16.10 exacta.  I missed the triple as Missle Command was able to outlast the closing Camp Sixton for third.

The first race in Indiana has been chosen for the Spotlight race of the week.  This is an allowance race open to all horses age 4 and up with no other conditions.  The race will be run on the dirt going a distance of 7 furlongs.   Out of 12 entrants, 6 are at either 6-1 or 7-1 with the favorite tagged at 9-2.

1. Failed Diplomacy  35-1-In November made move from China to the states.  In two starts on dry dirt has win and 2^nd in speeds of 96 and 101, both conditional races.  Tougher field here with better speeds that he needs to master.

2.  Honorable Risk  29-1-Speeds have been in 90’s since switching barns last spring with decent results, however against local breds.  Yet to break 100-barrier and will need to in this race.

3.  Department H  6-1-Has won 5 consecutive stake races below the graded level.  Takes drop down to allowance level and has been on a desirable rest break.  Could pay off nicely.

4.  Erratic Invasion  6-1-Ran second in last start at this track with speed of 107 in very similar race.  Could have home advantage but rider switch isn’t for the better.

5. Eighth Deadly Sin  5-1-Drops back down to allowance after mixed results in non-graded stake runs.  During 2010, was 3-3-0 in 6 allowance races.  Dangerous at this level and speeds averaged 105 in these races.

6  Ami and Daddy   8-1-Had heavy campaign in 2010 with 16 starts.  2011 not any different with 4 starts already.  Won last start going mile in speed of 102 and not showing signs of tiring out yet.  Drops to sprint for rare race.  Taking wait-n-see approach here.

7.  Equibridled  57-1-Recent races have been against softer local bred allowance races with good results.  Although the results have been there, the speeds haven’t been with a career best in November at 94.  Needs to boost that quite a bit.

8.  Diabolic Carson   9-2-Very consistent results in last five allowance runs collecting 2 wins and 3 places while averaging a speed of 106.  He’s a player in this race.

9.  Wild Silver Skunk  6-1-Extremely competitive in allowance races, so much so that he hasn’t finished worse than 4^th in this level dating back to April, 2008.  Ten of last eleven starts had speeds over 100, topping off with a 110 in September.   Front runner who needs to find a way to stay up front late in the race.

10.  Fins   7-1-Four of last five starts were second place finishes at allowance level.   Average speed is 102 over that stint.  This 6-year old has had tough time getting to winner’s circle which he last achieved in April, 2009.

11.  Grub Steak  6-1-Last four starts at allowance level have all been wins with an average speed of 104.  Extending this streak would not be a surprise at all.

12.  Chantili Cumni  17-1-Moves up into allowance after claimed while finishing nice 2^nd.   During 2010 has done well in claimers, finishing on board in each start while off the board in each allowance race.  Class jump looks to be an issue.

Department H coming in with rest and drop in class and gets my top pick in competitive field that could go to several runners.

Diabolic Carson has the speed numbers and has been hot lately.  Gets the second pick.

Grub Steak shows a liking to this class level and earns the third spot.