Spotlight Race of the Week-Maryland

Picked up another winner last week as the pricy 3-1 favorite Absolut Zero came roaring home and drew clear of the field by nearly 3 lengths paying $8.20.  Also got the second place finisher Flash Portrait who also closed strongly to complete the $26.20 exacta.  Missed the triple as Seeking a Jet never got things going, finishing a flat seventh.  Taking the third spot was the 17-1 pace setter Lady Cosmonaut who put in a much better race and just got nipped out for the place position.

This week se shuffle off to Maryland and focus on the 12^th race.   It’s a long one, a mile and a half on the firm turf course open to all horses age 4 and up.  It does come with a restriction as only non-winners of two races lifetime are eligible.  It is a claiming race with a tag of $25,000. if you’re interested in taking any of these into your own stable.  Here’s a look at the field:

1  Fireworks Display   5-1-Broke maiden in January on 17^th attempt.  Has not finished worse than 6^th in over a year.  Distance suits but nudges upward in claiming levels.  Looks capable of getting purse funds and breeding points.

2  Tabula  21-1-Game dam Ampuria was used in breeding this mare and offspring has won only 5 races in over 75 starts, Tabula having one of these wins.  Makes first start of 2011 after switching trainers.  Moves back to grass for first time since last May and extends quite a bit in distance.  Looks like an ability test but game-dam history is not favorable.

3.  Secretheadquarters  3-2-Switched to grass last July with 5^th place finishes being the worse since changing.  Set career best speed of 94 going 8.5f in last vs. NWL3.   Has averaged speed of 87 in last five starts.  Colt is front runner that has history of tiring out.  Extends quite a bit in distance and I’m not sure that will help. 

4.  Sweet Cyane   10-1-Has raced on Maryland turf twice finishing 2^nd both times and established career best on same track in October with 88 speed going 10f.  Broke maiden in December going 12f with 78 speed, but last two were sub-70 at longer 14f distance.  Still could be factor on track that has been working for him.

5.  Tafarshaan   15-1-Horse looks to be over-raced.  Has been going every 2-3 weeks and results have been reflective of this.  Speeds have yet to hit 80, which the winner of this race most likely will achieve.  I feel horse needs some time on the barn and try in sprint races, something he has yet to attempt….and dirt might be worth another go too.

6.   Arosefromconcrete    6-1-Front running colt who has done well on turf-offtrack races, breaking maiden in November at 12f on good surface with career best of 84.  Put in decent second place finish on this track going rigorous 2 miles in what turned out to be 2-horse race.  Claiming level suits as does distance.  Could be the one.

7. Dalastar  52-1-11-year old mare who made first start in nearly 3 years at end of March putting in a career best speed of 79 over turf while breaking maiden at 7f.  I expect that she can put in a few more good races before retirement, but the added distance may be too much too soon.

8.  S R Fruit   25-1-Looks extremely doubtful as has been on board once in 24 starts and that was back in 2008.  Rarely hits speeds in 80’s and looks like the type of horse you just cannot figure out what he likes.  Low end claimers look to be best place for him and this level strikes him out.

9.  Fire Bielema  2-1-Has been racing in Maryland since changing barns in mid 2010.  broke maiden in October with impressive 93 speed for 10f.  No excuse in last finishing well back with 76 speed going 10f.  Disregarding that race, previous six under current trainer have averaged 89.  Looking for better run this time.

Fire Bielema gets top selection and should improve off of last.

10-1 Sweet Cyane is my second choice and could be a nice price making return to preferred track.

Secretheadquarters is a question mark with added distance, but speeds have been best in this field and jockey Elliott (22% win) could make a difference.