Spotlight Race-Berkshire
Ka-CHING!!! We started off the New Year by ringing the register!!! In last week’s Spotlight race, I went with 8-1 Chatty Bandit, who came off a good previous effort. He rallied and paid $18.40 for the top spot. Sky Lodge, my third pick, took over the lead just past the halfway marker, but couldn’t hold on, finishing second at 9-1, the result was $166.50 exacta, not bad if you boxed all my selections. Second choice I’m Not To Blame ran flat in the race finishing fifth. Powerundercontrol took the show spot, and if anyone had the triple, they pocketed $1,059.30.
Time to test the luck and see if I can make it two weeks in a row. Berkshire is the chosen track and race #6 is the focus. It is a bid race which is sponsored by Planobrgn2. It is a turf race for fillies and mares, age four and up. They will be running a distance of 11 furlongs and only non-winners of four races lifetime are eligible to enter the race. The race is a claiming race with a tag of $30,000. if you are interested in acquiring any of these.
1. Flavorite Flavor 6-1 -Sponsor Planobrgn2 enters this mare who won over this track at same distance, wiring field with career best speed of 87. Distance looks right for her and she will set the pace. Chance of repeating.
2. Before She Shines 7-2 –Scored career best speed of 91 going 11 furlongs and finishing third . Race before that was over this track with uneventful 7th. This one has around 20 races last year, far too much for my liking which can take a toll on a horse. Winless on turf thus far and don’t see that changing in this race.
3. Dynamic Pioneer 6-1 –Throw out last, disliked 16 furlongs. Has been racing every two weeks, much more than I care to see. However, drops out of allowance level down to claimers where she has shown ability in past, although it was in sprints. Risky wager that may just pay off.
4. Golden Heroine 7-2 –Has been racing well under new trainer going longer routes with speeds mainly in mid-80’s. She also is race quite frequently and I have a feeling she could perform better with longer rest between races. She has shot against these.
5. Indian Powwow 10-1 –Last win came ten races back which was at 11 furlongs, with speed of 69. Speed numbers have been lower than rest of field, making her the longshot of group, averaging a speed of 74 over last four. Speeds have been dropping from 80 at beginning with races every 2-3 weeks. Has a bit longer break which may result in improvement of numbers.
6. Devine Retribution 5-1 -Since winning in April, this girl hasn’t had any luck at all. Off the board in 7 straight starts despite trying different distances, conditions as well as a dirt run. Current condition is hard to get excited about.
7. Gathering 2-1 -Moved to long distance running in June and has been first or second 7 times in last 8 starts, although these have been short fields for the most part. Speeds have topped 90 in three of last five, not dropping lower than 85. Three races in December may have adverse effects, still looks to be one to beat.
Lots of frequent runners in this race adds to difficulty in figuring this one out. Have to give the edge to Gathering who has been on the board 12 of 15 turf starts.
With a decent chance of wiring the field for the second week in a row, Flavorite Favor gets my second choice. She had nice effort in last after a rest of six weeks. Second race back often shows increased improvement.
Golden Heroine has had the board in last five starts. Worth adding into exotic wagers.