Forty KT Gold aims for 3-in-a-row; Baby Capote, Leilia close matches
Oregon– This week’s featured $55,000 Arctic Clown Challenge boasts a short but competitive field of 5 sprint distaffers. There doesn’t seem to be natural speed with this group, so anyone’s guess as to who shall inheirt a solo lead………
On the rail, david77777 sends out the hot Forty KT Gold (5/2). The 4YO daughter of Forty Niner currently rides a two stakes race win streak that includes a trimuphal trip here at Oregon last month. In that 7f contest, Forty KT Gold pedaled gamely behind the pace to to pull away much the best with a 104 SP#. She had previously scored in listed company over the lawn. The wonderful filly has captured over $800k for her trainer from 27 calls to the post. She gets her adoring seven panels again Saturday to try and make it 3-in-a-row.
Buzzsaw’s Black Avenue presides as the longest shot on the board at 9/1. The sophomore filly by black Minnaloushe hasn’t won much (3 for 20 lifetime), but enters Saturday well poised after a 100 SP# 7f dirt ALW score. Predominantly a stalker, the filly switched to pacesetting in that effort and that tactic could pay off dividends again since there isn’t much true speed in this race. However, Black Avenue needs her career best to match these more classy older mares.
Racetime favorite Baby Capote (6/5) breaks from post 3. The 5YO graded stakes winner took a two-race win streak into her last and just missed over 6.5f. Blaster6’s Capote daughter is certainly the class of the field with over $1.1 million in career earnings. She’ll need to bring her late-closing running shoes this week though — not a lot of pace to run at here, so if she falls to far behind, that’ll be all she wrote. Still, the one to beat hands down.
The Meadowlake sophomore Lake Forest CA (5/1) could spoil the show in a mild upset. The youngster is already a stakes winner after 10 outings and has been awfully close in her last two versus her elders. Versatile little gal still learning the ropes for mistabone stable. ‘Lake could settle back from the pace or even sieze the lead from fellow sophomore Black Avenue. She has the SP#s to be right there for the prize, but can she accept the 7f?
Finally, Danehill daughter Leilia (5/2) was a merry gal earlier this summer, winning listed sprint grades left and right. The performances earned her a go at the graded level and the 4YO filly fared honestly too (beaten 5 1/2 lengths in fine Grade 2 company time). However, it took a couple of starts for thebigo trainee to get back on track and her trainer is to be commended for dropping back to the ALW level. It resulted in a superb 101 SP# confidence-boosting score from off pace. Leilia still has places to go — top jockey in the irons makes her one to watch.
Snowchief’s Picks:
The sophomore pair of Black Avenue and Lake Forest CA should duke it out in a mildly set pace. Forty KT Gold though will overcome them easily at the top of the stretch. Closers Baby Capote and Leilia chase her home with Baby Capote much the best in deep stretch.
Win: Baby Capote
Place: Leilia
Show: Forty KT Gold
Good luck to all.