G3 PANHANDLE OAKS ATTRACTS TEN

Florida-Twas the week before Breeder’s Bowl and all was not calm at the track.  Ten promising fillies went to the post in the Grade III $175,000 Panhandle Oaks.  These ten nice fillies did not qualify for this year’s turf distaff, but visions of future BB’s danced in their heads and not a better time to take that next step forward, but in this contest.  Nine furlongs the race distance and the track was firm when the sparkling dew evaporated from the verdant lawn.  Airjordyn’s Hip Hip Hurrahy was the 5-2 early morning choice, but there was plenty of other quality to give her a test.  As always, Official Hong Kong Track Handicapper, Pete ‘The Hatchet’ Wang is present to separate the wheat from the chaff and his analysis may cause you to cash a check.  Enjoy this race as it should be much better then my prose and check back next week when we cover the turf distaff.

PP1, Unwilling’s Play Nice(Ire)(13-1, Case).  “Closing daughter of Bad As I Wanna Be shortens up a great deal for her stake and graded debut.  In her last three races she has raced with success at 11 or 12 furlongs and now drops back to nine.  The switch in distance should give this closer a deep base for her effort.  Her last stab at the distance came in week 2482 when she was third with an 87 speed rating.  I think she has matured since then and will put a higher figure then that number.  I’ll use her underneath in my exotics because I think this bargain bred is improving and has a good chance to hit the board.  As an aside, she has sprinted six times and routed six times and has two wins when sprinting and when routing.  She has almost earned the same amount of money doing both.  Sure can’t pigeonhole this filly as to whether she is a sprinter, a miler or a long distance runner.  I find that very unusual.”

PP2, Resting’s Song Of Lago(Aus)(21-1, Anderson).  “Song of Lago is a daughter of Helenus out of an Unbridled’s Song mare.  She has raced 17 times and is still 1x eligible.  Her last race might have been her best race as she was third in a *330 allowance with a 92 speed rating.  She will probably enjoy the distance and she will probably put up a career best speed rating, but the improvement will not be good enough to hit the board when compared to others in this race.”

PP3, Markan’s Not A Moo Cow(6-1, Mayberry).  “Daughter of Luhuk was claimed three starts ago by his current connection.  In her first race for markan she ran a 94 when finishing second in a nine furlong starter and in her last race she won a mile starter with a 99.  Big step up to a Grade III from a starter allowance and I have to question her nine furlong form as compared to her ability to perform well at the shorter distances.  Outside early speed could also compromise her overall chances.  I believe this race will be a terrific experience for her and I look forward to backing her when she races in a mile stake.  I think she earns a minor share of the purse.”

PP4, Andycapper’s A.P. Andy(6-1, Barrett).  “I previewed this A.P. Indy filly in the G1 St. John and made her my Tsing Tao longshot.  The St John was her first stake and graded race and she performed very creditably, finishing a close sixth (beaten four lengths) to the phenomenal La Pata Daisy.   That effort marked the first time she was off the board in ten turf starts.  I think she rebounds from her St John effort and runs a big race.  Two starts ago she won a nine furlong allowance in hand with a 97 speed rating.  I think this tough closer tops 100 today.  Use her top and bottom in the exotics.”

PP5, Devil01’s Adios Amigo(9-1, Baumann).  “Daughter of El Corredor is a solid closer and she has experience in graded races, finishing fifth in the G1 Adeline Oaks.   Best speed rating at the distance is a 95 earned two starts ago in an allowance that she finished second in.  I don’t know if this 2x eligible horse can win this race versus this particular field, but I can see her having a great deal of future success as she matures because her dam is Lyphard and her dam’s dam sire is Pleasant Colony and this is only her 11^th career start.  I expect a huge four year old season out of her.”

PP6, Lenny14’s Inflation(Ire)(7-1, Boggie).  “Stalker early speed sort has been pretty steady in her last five starts.  Daughter of High Chapperral has put up her some of her best figures when racing nine furlongs.  Had a 97 when finishing second in an allowance two starts back and had a 91 when she was fourth in the G2 Full Moon Handicap.  This race could be her ‘breakout’ race.  Use her top and bottom in any exotics.”

PP7, Stalpipo’s Urko’s Pirate(Ire)(5-1, Darling).  “16^th ranked filly has been struggling since her big G1 win in the West Point.  Closer’s times have really flattened out since the win.  In her last two races she was 8^th twice while running nine furlongs in some G1 races.  Does the daughter of Sligo Bay want to race longer distances, shorter distances or on the dirt?  I think her huge nine furlong G1 effort was caused by the cutback in distance rather then her being a nine furlong filly.  I believe she is a mile, mile and one sixteenth type of filly unless she races long and then shortens up (see also 2538 vs. 2552 (10 to 8.5 and her improvement).  Has the class and ability to gain a piece, so I’ll use her under.”

PP8, Leolh’s Benelux Special(18-1, Marshall).  “Daughter of Van Nistelrooy has been struggling as bad as her namesake.  Claimed two starts ago for $75,000, Benelux Special’s last win came in week 2461 in a one mile allowance.  She earned her career high speed rating of 91 in that race.  Since that race she hasn’t broken 86 in six starts.  I think the winner will win with a speed rating of about 100 and I can’t see anything that would cause her form to spike that high.”

PP9, Airjordyn’s Hip Hip Hurrahy(5-2, Gardner).  “Favorite is a daughter of Rahy out of a Mr. Prospector mare. Solid stakes performer is taking the next logical step forward by competing in a graded race.  Career has been a bit unusual.  Her first eight starts came on the dirt and she had a 3-2-1 record when doing so.  Switched to the turf, she has won four and finished second three times in seven races (all stakes).  Only time she raced nine furlongs she won with a 94 speed rating.  She had a career best speed rating of 102 that came in her last turf stake start at a mile.  Must respect this filly’s chances with Gardner aboard even if you think she is a better miler then a mile and an eighth filly.  Running style will complement projected pace scenario and improves her overall chances.  Use top and bottom in your exotics.”

PP10, 19thhole’s LPGA Brass Sword(5-1, Ferguson).  “Another balata stable?  The filly is named like she is a member of those elite barns.  Quality daughter of Brahms is the primary early speed.  In her last race, a nine furlong stake, she took a huge lead only to end up finishing second with a 98 speed rating.  That number could be good enough to win this race.  Has prior Grade I experience and is a stake winner.  This is a filly that may want to race twelve furlongs rather then nine as she was not caught when she raced ten panels.  I’ll use her top and bottom in my exotics, but I really figure her for second or third.”

Until next time, may the racing Gods favor you.