Fourteen relatively inexperienced yet promising 3-yr-olds are entered for this Saturday’s Minnesota Derby, a million-dollar listed-stakes race that is one of the top features of the Minnesota residency’s annual Festival Of Racing. The 14th race on a strong Minnesota card, this race has a couple of established Sim stars and several more who are looking to use this race as the springboard for huge 4yo seasons in 2012.<\/p>\n
Of course, those of you (probably most of you, I’d guess) who know what a Residency is also will understand that these special “Rez-Day” races are much more than a bunch of races held at one track. Big days like this are the result of much concerted effort by “Rez” managers and members along with the generous help of Mike, the wizard behind this great game.<\/p>\n
Also involved is a member competition based on results of all of the races in this special event.<\/p>\n
Anyway, back to the race… Let’s have a look at who’s running in this deal.<\/p>\n
NESSY BREEZE<\/b> is trained by rlog<\/i> for Oneworld Stables, a 25-stable group managed by rcdlogan<\/i>. This son of lightly-used Illinois sire Shore Breeze has improved nicely with a number of triple-digit speed ratings since being switched back to the dirt, but has only managed one allowance win in those efforts. He gets 11\/1 odds and a fairly solid rider has taken the mount. Mixed signals, but it would be no surprise to see this one in the hunt as the wire approaches.<\/p>\n
ON THE QT<\/b> comes from the 8-stable Zman Stables group and goes off at 12\/1. The son of A. P. Indy seems to be just finding his stride, but makes a big leap up the class ladder here for trainer jimch8<\/i>. Not without a shot, but will need a huge effort. Has a solid rider aboard.<\/p>\n
MINOR REGRET<\/b> represents the Prebola group of 10 stables and is trained by smubs<\/i>. A 26\/1 longshot, he has yet to hit triple figures on the speed gun and looks like a “rabbit” in this bunch. A son of the lightly-used Aussie sire Turffontein, he has a strong rider aboard; looks like a tough spot for this guy.<\/p>\n
From my own 13-stable Kiddman Stables operation comes KING VICTOR I<\/b>, installed by the CPU oddsmaker at 5\/1. Back in the spring, I thought I had a true superstar on my hands after the Admire Moon colt took the Grade 1 Wooden Indian, his third graded-stakes title. However, he bombed out in the Bluegrass Derby and ran only a decent 8th in the Middle Jewel, and hasn’t won since. No idea what this guy’s gonna do here.<\/p>\n
The second entrant by Oneworld Stables is the 23\/1 shot SKY’S STORMY<\/b>. Yet to break through the 3-digit speed barrier, the rlogan<\/i>-trained son of Stormy Atlantic has several allowance wins but has never tried stakes company; will need a lifetime-best run to compete with this bunch.<\/p>\n
DIRT ROAD ANTHEM<\/b>, of the Zman Stables group, is the kind of 20\/1 longshot that scares the connections of favorites. After three pretty-good turf runs, the Galileo colt was switched to the dirt and responded with two straight impressive allowance wins. How good is he? Nobody knows; he hasn’t faced stakes company yet, but undefeated is undefeated…<\/p>\n
RADIO RIOT<\/b> comes from the busy Oneworld Stables group and goes off at 11\/1 for rlogans<\/i>. Like many in here, this son of Lion Heart makes his stakes debut and will need to be at his best to compete in this spot.<\/p>\n
HUNTER NATION<\/b> comes from the 27-stable Nighthawk Stables group, and goes off at a low price of 6\/1 despite running a distant 4th in his only stakes try. Why? Look at the speed ratings! The Curlin colt has a snappy 116 top speed while winning 4 of 6 in his career. Will be tough despite his inexperience.<\/p>\n
From the 15-stable Dundey Acres group comes 9\/2 co-favorite LOOKS GOOD ON YOU<\/b>, holder of the top speed figure in the field, an impressive 117 earned while winning his stakes debut last time out. The Belong To Me colt, trained by unshaded99<\/i>, has an impressive 3-race win streak going and will be a tough beat in this spot.<\/p>\n
The other 9\/2 co-fave also comes from Dundey Acres, this time the barn of dundey5<\/i>. LUCK BELONGS<\/b> is a Brahms colt with a good bit of minor-stakes experience, winning three. He has also run strongly in three starts at Minnesota and gets top rider K Friar (24%). The consistent colt should be in the hunt here, too.<\/p>\n
From the 8-stable Cothill Stables group comes 20\/1 longshot BLUE TRAIN BED<\/b>, yet another who makes his stakes debut. Trained by bedford<\/i>, the Bluegrass Cat colt has been cracking the triple-digit speed hump lately, but will need to add a good bit more speed to keep up with this group.<\/p>\n
CK BLURRED IMAGE<\/b> is trained by docoz<\/i>, owner of the Team CK group. The North Light filly has won 3 of 5 since a return to dirt racing but goes off at 17\/1 odds, reflecting the fact that she has cracked 100 on the speed gun just once. Makes her stakes debut in a tough spot.<\/p>\n
LESS MR P EM<\/b> goes off at 19\/1 for eman<\/i> of the Cothill Stables group, and will need a shot of Jolt Cola to have much success here. The Stormy Atlantic colt has only been able to find the winner’s circle on sloppy tracks, and the track in sunny Minnesota will be fast for today’s racing.<\/p>\n
KILLA KAT<\/b> is trained by <\/i>wegotgame<\/i> of my Kiddman Stables group and goes off at 15\/1. This Ghostzapper colt came to life with a strong 111 speed figure last time out, and is 2-for-2 in fast-track dirt races around 2 turns. Makes his stakes debut here; was that 111 a fluke, or is he that good?<\/p>\n
This one is tough to handicap, with so many inexperienced stakes runners and a large contingent of early-speed types; however, I’ll give it a shot…<\/p>\n
LOOKS GOOD TO YOU<\/b>: Well, he looks good to me…<\/p>\n
HUNTER NATION<\/b>: Lots of high speeds, could make amends for last.<\/p>\n
DIRT ROAD ANTHEM<\/b>: Scary longshot could upset this thing<\/p>\n
Good luck to all!<\/p>\n
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