they're offering a special on maidens today- the menu has several varieties to choose from- claimers, special weights, sprinters, routers, turfers, and dirt maidens. take your pick. not quite sure what this says about me, but i tend to do fairly well on these types of days. here goes, pre-scratches.
r1: cat's rule. this one has been training forever for kent jensen, who is up from turf paradise. this is a moribund bunch of two year old cal claimers, and i'm giving the benefit of the doubt to this daughter of sir cat. with the low profile trainer, i'm hoping to get 4/1 or so, which is tantamount to a bone fide bargain in this field.
r2: bourbon party. always liked matt g on the track (think he's a half to monster turfer star of cozzene and stakes winner jf williams) and i wouldn't be surprised to see him have decent success at stud as a moderately priced stallion. anyway, only horse to beat in here is the returning tribal trick with low percentage mick ruis. if that one doesn't fire, or gets a poor ride, this race is screaming to be won by the only first time starter. bourbon party need only to get away from the gate in good order to contend. van berg has had limited success with debut runners in the last few years, but don't fret, this guy can train and perhaps we'll see julie in the winner's circle for the first time in months. we'll know right away if this horse can win; if it breaks mid-pack or better, i like my chances. if he's off slow, we're in deep trouble.
r3: poweroyal. hey another maiden race. well, at least this one's on turf. power royla is bred up and down for the green (royal academy was champion turf miler and sire of many a monster on the weeds, including BC Mile hero, val royal, who won with jose valdivia in the irons, no less!). anyway, tsgalakis has put up good numbers from limited starters and think this one will come out running. again, hope he doesn't break slow b/c that means we're coming about 7 wide with jose up, but i'll take my chances. the only other two in here to consider are comebacking elan who is bred for turf, and kewen, who is NOT bred for turf, but seems to have keen speed in the mornings.
r5: there's no speed in here, so early arrival has a shot to steal it at a jumbo number, but i'm mentioning this race only b/c i bet hazen last time. flores put her in the shuffler and that was it for her chances. she's probably going off favored in here, and with the lack of pace, i won't touch her, but i'd be surprised if she doesn't find her way into the winner's circle after this race.
r6: congressional run. i'd flip a coin (i.e., take the better price) between 'run and my best prospect, both paddy gallagher trainees and take a stand against the two bafferts, consecrate and quiet cash. 'run is by outstanding win early sire, cherokee run (who sired swaps stakes winner during this past sunday), and valdivia can have himself a big day if he wins this one as well. i'll also look at my best prospect, who gets victor epsinoza's services and has good win early breeding as well.
r7: varnished. there is no doubt in my mind this is the best horse in the race. can she beat desert view? i don't know, but if they make 'view the fave, i'm going to take off the rubber band to find out.
r8: kissin ty. let's end the card with another maiden event. 'ty will be a big price as tyler chooses the other o'neill, legendary traitors. 'ty has been training well of late and is better than the last race looks on paper. 'traitors comes off a speed and fade, and will take some beating in here, but i suspect the price will be right on 'ty.
good luck.
r1: cat's rule. this one has been training forever for kent jensen, who is up from turf paradise. this is a moribund bunch of two year old cal claimers, and i'm giving the benefit of the doubt to this daughter of sir cat. with the low profile trainer, i'm hoping to get 4/1 or so, which is tantamount to a bone fide bargain in this field.
r2: bourbon party. always liked matt g on the track (think he's a half to monster turfer star of cozzene and stakes winner jf williams) and i wouldn't be surprised to see him have decent success at stud as a moderately priced stallion. anyway, only horse to beat in here is the returning tribal trick with low percentage mick ruis. if that one doesn't fire, or gets a poor ride, this race is screaming to be won by the only first time starter. bourbon party need only to get away from the gate in good order to contend. van berg has had limited success with debut runners in the last few years, but don't fret, this guy can train and perhaps we'll see julie in the winner's circle for the first time in months. we'll know right away if this horse can win; if it breaks mid-pack or better, i like my chances. if he's off slow, we're in deep trouble.
r3: poweroyal. hey another maiden race. well, at least this one's on turf. power royla is bred up and down for the green (royal academy was champion turf miler and sire of many a monster on the weeds, including BC Mile hero, val royal, who won with jose valdivia in the irons, no less!). anyway, tsgalakis has put up good numbers from limited starters and think this one will come out running. again, hope he doesn't break slow b/c that means we're coming about 7 wide with jose up, but i'll take my chances. the only other two in here to consider are comebacking elan who is bred for turf, and kewen, who is NOT bred for turf, but seems to have keen speed in the mornings.
r5: there's no speed in here, so early arrival has a shot to steal it at a jumbo number, but i'm mentioning this race only b/c i bet hazen last time. flores put her in the shuffler and that was it for her chances. she's probably going off favored in here, and with the lack of pace, i won't touch her, but i'd be surprised if she doesn't find her way into the winner's circle after this race.
r6: congressional run. i'd flip a coin (i.e., take the better price) between 'run and my best prospect, both paddy gallagher trainees and take a stand against the two bafferts, consecrate and quiet cash. 'run is by outstanding win early sire, cherokee run (who sired swaps stakes winner during this past sunday), and valdivia can have himself a big day if he wins this one as well. i'll also look at my best prospect, who gets victor epsinoza's services and has good win early breeding as well.
r7: varnished. there is no doubt in my mind this is the best horse in the race. can she beat desert view? i don't know, but if they make 'view the fave, i'm going to take off the rubber band to find out.
r8: kissin ty. let's end the card with another maiden event. 'ty will be a big price as tyler chooses the other o'neill, legendary traitors. 'ty has been training well of late and is better than the last race looks on paper. 'traitors comes off a speed and fade, and will take some beating in here, but i suspect the price will be right on 'ty.
good luck.
