Spotlight Race-Washington
All good things must come to an end, and so it did. After nailing two weeks of boxed trifectas, I could not make it three in a row trying in last week’s feature allowance race. Putting in a very nice run was Cotes Du Rhone, who picked up a second straight win with a career best speed of 114, which happens to be the 11th fastest race of the week. I would guess you will see this one in a stakes event next time out. Cotes Du Rhone paid $11.80 for the win.
Taking the second spot was Capt.of Quarantine put in a very fine effort finishing second also with a career best speed of 112, and an exacta that paid $52.10. Finishing third was 10-1 More to Kin, who was my top pick in this race. This colt ran a speed of 114 two races back and I thought he could return to that level. He pretty much did and was beat by better efforts. He added a bit the trifecta, which paid a nice $417.40.
My second choice, Run For Glory finished a well back fourth and was never a factor. Third choice Payard has been racing well over this oval and pretty much walked around the track finishing sixth.
This week the Spotlight feature is a claiming race in Washington, the third race on the card. It has a tag of $25,000 and is open to all horse that are three years old. The dirt track will be fast for this mile and an eighth distance race.
1. Tangles Curse 4-5 -Has won two races in eight starts, both coming in his last outings scoring speeds of 78 for 6.5 furlongs on the dirt and 77 for a mile on the turf. Sired by Marcus Andronicus who had 61% of 2011 offspring win a race. Looks to be pace setter in this race and has reasonable chance to make it three in a row.
2. The Wax Vampyre 12-1 -One of two horses bred last season out of sire Milan. Finished an OK third in debute in short field, which came just a week ago. Speed in race was much lower than foes in this field, and extends over mile from 6.5 furlongs. Has only one week of rest and that will work against her here. Mare has too tough of a task against boys in this one.
3. Adjunct 6-1 -Son of Heatseeker, who saw 50% of 2 year olds last year pick up a win. Finished off board in first three starts before going mile in last and picked up win beating short field of four as heavy 3-5 favorite. Speed in that race was 55 and is significantly lower than the favorites in this race. Hard to see that much improvement, but does come in after long rest.
4. King Duba 3-1 -Out of sire King of Happiness, with 33% winning clip for last year’s 2 year old crop. Makes third start of 2012 campaign, somewhat aggressive. Switches back to dirt after two grass starts without favorable results. Tries route for first time. Has two career wins, both coming against small fields, where he happens to be again in this race. Speeds are better then some, but could be victimized by making his fourth start since mid-December.
5. Vampyre of Tenebra 5-2 -Sire Turtle Island has only one winning child in the last eleven bred horses. This one could be the second as he comes off his only start with a strong second going a mile with a speed of 75. This could be a good spot for him to improve, but he’s taking a shot with only one week of rest, and I’m not sold that the speed number will improve significantly.
Tangles Curse should have the ability to make it third straight against this bunch.
Vampyre of Tenebra would have been top choice with more rest. Still, numbers look better than the rest and may be able to get second spot.
King Duba looks like the best of the rest, gets third spot.