{"id":9419,"date":"2011-07-13T22:47:54","date_gmt":"2011-07-13T22:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=9419"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","slug":"oldbtb_1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=9419","title":{"rendered":"Spotlight Race of the Week-Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri>Due to personal<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>time restraints, I was unable to do a Spotlight race last week, but we\u2019re back and ready to go this week.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Before we start, just a quick recap from the last Spotlight race two weeks ago in British Columbia featuring $40k claimers.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = \"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\" \/><o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri>In that race, I felt there were quite a few speedsters in the race and no strong closers and my top pick went to Shoot and Scat who turned out to be the correct choice, wiring the field by picking up his twelve career win and also being targeted as a claim from the race.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN><o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri>I Am Luis ran second in the latter half of the race and finished right there with Millennium Bug, who ran second in the first half of the race, finishing third.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>My second choice Gum Drop Mountain came up empty and finished fifth, however, I Am Luis as my third choice helped complete the exacta.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri>This week we are exploring the 12<SUP>th<\/SUP> race at Michigan.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>This is a bid race sponsored by Beng who has chosen a $4,000 claiming race going on the dirt at a mile and a quarter.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>This is open to all horses age 4 or older but is restricted to those that are non-winners of one race in their last nine starts.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow\">1.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Hyperbaric<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>5-1<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>This colt is onto his seventh trainer since this time last year.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Seems to attract a lot of attention from trainers with the low odds he tends to be sent off at.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Has four career wins in over 40 starts, last winning in December, 2009 where he had a three race win streak going.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>With five starts in races at 10 furlongs, best finish was a second and speed of 89 last August, over this same track.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>He\u2019s been off the board in last five but change in barns could make a difference.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: lime; mso-highlight: lime\">2.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Burning Crusade<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>5-2<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>This is the entrant for our race sponsor Beng.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Horse has been racing every month with no significant rest since early 2008.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>But that has now changed as he\u2019s coming back from an 8 week layoff.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>He put in respectful second two races back on turf going 10f on this track.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Takes large drop from $25k claimers and should be competitive with the rest and class drop.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua\">3.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Fight for Ami<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>11-1<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Hasn\u2019t seen winner\u2019s circle in last 21 starts.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>This one is capable of hitting speeds in the 90\u2019s and has exceeded 100 before, but has not hit the 90\u2019s since January.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>I believe this race will require a 90 speed or higher to win and this guy may be wearing down a bit and in need of a decent layoff.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>He\u2019s had some nice outings on the grass and I think that surface might be worth a shot too, but in this race, I\u2019m taking a pass.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia\">4.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Reach for the Gold<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>2-1<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>From the fall of 2009 to the fall of 2010 this horse was hitting speeds of 100 and greater with regular frequency.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>His last win was last August where he won three of four races with speeds of 104 up to 113.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Since that last win, he\u2019s been kept at bay and dropped in class ranks from low end stake races, through the allowance level and down through the claimer ranks.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>His last race was an 11f Starter Allowance finishing well back with a speed of 75, the lowest speed he\u2019s charted since his maiden days.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>This came with only two weeks rest between races.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>He\u2019s been sitting on the sidelines for two months and could quite possibly return with a big race, but distances of 10f and up have been a problem for this horse.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: red; COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-highlight: red; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\">5.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>El Roy<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>32-1<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\"> <\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/SPAN>Looks like a steep longshot in this race.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Has one win in 20 starts, on board only three times.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Top speed of 80 came in sole win in maiden race in the spring of 2010.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Has one race at 10 furlongs and finished well back running on the slop, which this horse despises.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Last start was at 9f on fast track with no improvement.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Hard to make a case for this guy but I do love his name and I love the Jetsons!<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: navy; COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-highlight: navy; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\">6.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Endless Winter<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>5-2<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\"><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Last win was at tail end of 2009 racing season.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Has 9 races so far this year, going to the post roughly every two weeks through June and failing to hit the board each start but with some respectful mid-90 speeds.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Was racing allowance and upper claiming levels throughout this year.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Has switched barns since last race a month ago.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Big drop in claiming level from $50k<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>and gets a month rest this time.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Improvement is expected from this one despite going longest distance of career.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: black; COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-highlight: black; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\">7.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Rocka By Slew<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>18-1<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\"><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Enters race after two month layoff.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Speeds had been dropping throughout 2011 and looks to me horse was asking for a rest.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>He\u2019s had it and returns but faces tough task with only one career win under belt.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Past history shows competitive performances at 9 and 9 \u00bd furlongs.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Should be okay with 10 furlongs and potential surprise factor.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN style=\"BACKGROUND: maroon; COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-highlight: maroon; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\">8.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Marmalade<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>13-1<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"COLOR: #ebf1de; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themetint: 51; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #EBF1DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: 'lumm=20000 lumo=80000'\"><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0<\/SPAN><SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0<\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Has won 9 races in 34 career starts on the dirt course.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Interestingly, has never won a race with odds over 9-2.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Came in second going 12 furlongs in last at 8-1 with speed of 82, which is the best thus far in 2011 and this came in $2k claiming field.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>That came after a near 2-month rest and this is second race back which can lead to a pop.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>While the rest was due, I\u2019m not sure she will get the big pop she needs as top career speed is 87 and I believe the winner will need a speed in the 90\u2019s to gain victory in this race.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Added, this is the only girl in the field.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>In this race, it looks to work against her.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri>No speedsters in this race.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Looks to me that Marmalade will link up with Fight for Ami for the front spot.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Neither really look like they will last on the front to me for the entire race.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Burning Crusade looks to be best suited for this race.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Distance fits well and speeds have been competitive getting my top selection.<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri>Rolling the dice on my next two choices.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN>Second spot going with Endless Winter with hopes he can handle the distance and benefits from the drop in level.<SPAN style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/SPAN><o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT face=Calibri>Rocka by Slew gets third choice and may bet good journey after rest break .<o:p><\/o:p><\/FONT><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><P style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>\u00a0<\/FONT><\/o:p><\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Claimers Compete In Route<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":363,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/363"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9419\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}