Seven for the Sandy Ray
The Sandy Ray Handicap, GII for four year olds and up is the first of two graded stakes being hosted in California this week. A compact field of seven has been entered to run in the mile and a half turf event. The race will be run over a firm turf course, and is worth $200,000.
Breaking from the inside post is Dingleberry Dance, a five year old son of Danehill Dancer, out of an unnamed Quiet American mare. In twenty four starts Dingleberry has won and placed seven times each, finishing third four times earning over $160,000. Dingleberry Dance comes into this race off of two consecutive wins, with the last one being at this distance. Dingleberry is a front runner, in most of his races he hits the lead out of the gate and tries to run his competition off their feet. In his last two starts he’s won with a 100 or 102, which is acceptable for the longer distances, however it has been against allowance competition. At 12/1 he has a tough task ahead of him with the massive jump in class. He isn’t the only horse in the field that likes the lead either.
Grabbing the two hole is Wolfram And Hart, a five year old son of Empire Maker, out of Tess Carlisle, a daughter of Rainbow Quest. Tess Carlisle as a racehorse was grade one placed, and has produced five racehorses, all winners, including two graded winners, and a stakes winner in Wolfram And Hart. In twenty four starts Wolfram has won eight times, placed six earning over $1.2 million. Winless in over three months he’s still in good racing form, missing a win last time out by less than a length, with a 110 speed figure. Generally a mid-pack runner, expect Wolfram to sit third or fourth most of the race, and be closing like a bull at the end. At 3/1 Wolfram needs to get out of his always a bridesmaid situation. Definitely qualified to be in this field, but has been having some tough luck in graded races lately.
Deathsmilesatusall, a five year old son of Giant’s Causeway out of an unnamed Roberto mare, has drawn the third post position. In twenty four starts Deathsmiles has won seven times, placed five, and finished third four times, earning over $1.6 million. Winless since March of 2010, Deathsmilesatallofus has been running just evenly at a mile and a quarter. He finished second last time out in an open allowance race which was his first placing in about nine races. It looks like his trainer switched up his running style to being closer to the pace. That or he’s just been outclassed and not able to get to that position in his other graded tries. At 7/2 I’m going to pass on this one, not sure why his odds are so low. Needs to run a big race to get it done.
Post position number four goes to Soldier On, a four year old son of Oasis Dream, out of Clutch Hitter, a daughter of Nureyev. As a racemare Clutch Hitter was a stakes winner. As a broodmare Clutch Hitter has produced seven foals, all to race and win, including four stakes winners, and a graded placed runner. Soldier On is one of the four stakes winners, now looking for his first graded win. In twenty one starts Soldier On has won nine times, placed six, and finished third once, earning over $180,000. Soldier On comes into this race off of four consecutive wins, three of which have been listed stakes at this distance. Of his last eight starts he’s been first or second, so progressing to a graded stake seems reasonable. Soldier On generally runs fairly close to the pace, and in a paceless race will take the lead. Saturday’s race will not be paceless, so look for him to sit in second or third about two lengths off the pace. At 6/1 I like Soldier On more than some of the lower odd horses. He will need to be able to handle a quicker pace to make it in the end.
Covering Fire, a four year old son of Monsun, out of Kyle Of Lochalsh, a daughter of Unbridled’s Song has drawn the fifth post position. As a racemare Kyle Of Lochalsh was stakes placed, and Covering Fire is her first foal. Covering Fire has raced eighteen times, winning three, placing four and finishing third five times earning over $125,000. Winless in over three months, Covering Fire is a graded placed allowance winner. Most of Covering Fire’s races are at a mile to ten furlongs, and he likes to go to the lead. He hasn’t shown the stamina or speed as of late to compete with this class of horses. At 8/1 he’ll need to step it up big time if he wants to have a chance at winning. Two or three other horses, with more speed want the lead, he won’t be able to get the lead unless he digs deeper.
Post position six has been drawn by Rapid Approach, a four year old son of New Approach, out of an unnamed Mill Reef mare. Winner of six races in sixteen starts, Rapid Approach has five places and three shows, earning over $100k. Rapid Approach is taking on a drastic change in completion, an allowance winner who has never seen the likes of a listed stake jumping into grade two competition. Rapid Approach has won four of his last five races, with his last race being a loss, but a second with an impressive 112 speed figure. Rapid Approach will likely be near the lead, or even pressing the pace. At 5/1 the oddsmaker seems to think he’s ready for the jump, but there are graded horses running the same speeds, which in general makes them faster than a 112 allowance.
Breaking from the outside post is Crackle, a four year old son of Curlin, out of an unraced Storm Cat mare. In fifteen starts Crackle has seven wins, two places, and four thirds, earning over $400,000. Crackle is a graded stakes winner, with six wins out of his last eight races, with the only two losses being thirds. Crackle is the main threat to the other front runners, as he usually runs on the lead, or presses the pace closely, and has won with speed figures equal to or greater than the horses who have yet to win a graded stakes race. At 5/2 he’s favored to win on paper and in this article.
That wraps up the field for the Sandy Ray. It really is a wide open race, with many allowance horses looking for an elusive graded stakes win. Crackle is my pick to win, with Soldier On for the place, and Rapid Approach for the show. Good luck to all, may your horses run fast, and return to their stable safely.