What can you say about "The Iron Lady"? This powerful gray daughter of
the legendary Secretariat was an absolute monster on the racetrack,
winning 25 of her 45 career starts. She won 10 of her 17 starts at 3,
all 10 being stakes races, then 10 of her 15 starts at 4, again all
being stakes efforts. Her four year old campaign was especially
brilliant as she was never worse than third and won both the Whitney
Handicap (beating the boys) and the Breeder's Cup Distaf, f and was
voted Horse of the Year, a rare honor for distaffers in North America.
She was the most talented offspring of the most celebrated racehorse in
U.S. hostory.
#1 Nana Under Ham(GB) - The Terrapin Jockey Club - handily- 37/1
7yo Mare by Bering(GB) is capable of throwing spf's in the mid
90's, not likely good enough to take this. Has been running exclusively
in conditioned allowances and looks to be a bit overmatched in here.
#2 Lea With Palace - Germany - jayjay99 - 25/1
This mare, by Palace Music, is quite consistant and has a nice
race over the local strip back in week 1110. Lightly raced of late,
only once since 1166, her last was a furious finish over 5 furlongs in
Indiana. Should lay just off the pace here and make a middle move for
the lead. Rates a shot should she fire her best this week.
#3 A.P. Strawberry - East West Connection - simond2 - 13/1
This fast closing daughter of A.P. Indy loves the one mile
distance she gets this week. Comes in off a 7 furloong prep in Ontario
where she made her usual late move to finish 6th of 14. Gets a much
needed extra eighth of a mile now andwill be hoping for an electric pace
up front to set up her late run.
#4 Vrad's Storm - Vermont - airjordyn - 14/1
The local representative is a 5yo Storm Bird mare who comes off
the bench for Vermont after a very nice third in the trial. Has since
made a useful trip to New York where she never threatened but did cover
slightly more ground which should help her stamina this week. Loves the
local strip but of obvious concern is the losing streak which has
continued for almost a year. Should be another in the flight just off
the leaders, lookinf to pounce with about 4 furlongs to go.
#5 Voleur Du Nord - Nexis - smitten - 24/1
A 4yo homebred by Tomba(GB), this girl has won 6 of her 11
lifetime starts and when she wins it's by daylight. Equally capable
sprinting of stretching to near classic distances, she is very dangerous
here, coming off a loping 3.5 length win in a Wyoming stakes at 9.5f.
Look for her laying aroun 9th or 10th for most of the early
going.....but she won't finish there.
#6 George's Burglars - Viking Racing - wishun - 3/1
The morning line favorite, by Sky Classic, is a multiple graded
stakes winner and otherwordly on the front end. She demlished some of
the best in the SIM back in week 1138 when she shook free early and
coasted to a 3 3/4 length victory. She has won half her races when
routing and almost 1.5 million dollars over her career and hopes to
fatten that this week. Her only troubles seem to occur when she can
make that early lead, but can anyone here eyeball her in the opening
half mile and still be around for the finish?
7th Tricky Squaw - Northwest Racing Circuit - nabbs - 6/1
If you're trully only as good as your last race, this girl could
be a winner this week. Her last two were conving wins in one mile dirt
affairs, a conditioned allowance in California and a stakes in Montana,
and both by an impressive three lengths. Will not be too far back
early, but will need to continue her recent efforts to be a threat at
the end.
#8 Babe's Sheep - New South Wales - cream - 11/1
A veteran of 48 races thus far, this Risen Star mare will likely
be contesting the early pace of Goerge's Burglars and that could be a
costly mistake. Is flexible enough to take back a bit early but does
her best running when on or just off the lead and that will be a tough
assignment the time out. Has bankied over half a million dollars so far
but would claim her biggest check to date were she to wins this week.
#9 Senorita Brooke - Team Independent Unity - bennyhill - 13/1
This 5yo Hennessy mare stretched her legs over the Vermont surface
last time out, finishing 5th in the 1278 special. She was likely just
getting a solid work in before the big race and get acquainted with some
of our unique locals hanging around the track. The last time she
shortened to a mile she took third, 6 lengths back of a sparkling 1:33
3/5. The problem is the winning time this week should probably be
around that mark and she'll need to improve to impose her will on this
field.
#10 Alyacademy Academy - Missouri - wassie - 14/1
Has improved quite a bit over her last few races, the last being
the aforementioned Vermont 1278 Special. She took third in that one
after setting some quick early fractions. Will be another to test the
favorite's resolve early on but I think she's in a bit over her head
this week, but most of mine are over their heads in claimers so who am I
to talk? She does get one of the best in Vermont in the saddle, top
notch W. McClendon.
#11 Swift Jade - Queensland - lowrider - 85/1
The odds say it all on this one :) Probably better suited to
sprinting but will give it a go here against some of the best matron
milers in the SIM. All I can say is GOOD LUCK!
#12 Murf's Ray - Nebraska - browns2 - 6/1
4yo filly by Nureyev has won almost two million dollars so far,
with seven wins and a no.7 ranking amongst older females in the SIM.
Was a good third here in week 1208 when she led most of the 10 furlong
A.S.R. Oaks, a Grade I race. Another with loads of early foot and
ability at varied distances with emerging star R. Lilbitfarm in the
irons. If he(?) remembers to drop the buzzer WELL past the finish line
(we all remember Billy Patin and Valhol) she may take first and keep the
purse money :)
#13 Doctor Flag - DelPenn - 5heffsbarn - 13-1
Doesn't shy from stakes company but seems to lack a finshing
puch, with a tendency to make a winning move without following through
in deep stretch. Will have a fast pace to set her up but will likely be
swallowed by other closers that will be flying late.
#14 Nicole Deposit - Ireland - gustav - 9/1
A late runner by Deposit Ticket, this 4yo filly just couldn't
catch up to George's Burglars last time out, finishing a well beaten
fourth. Has a powerfurl late run and much early speed to help her out,
but she may get too far back early to contend for the win, a definte for
exotics players though.
#15 Shananie's Swamps - Minnesota - medusa - 10/1
Won the GII Jump Town 'Cap three back in Kentucky, but that was
over 9 furlongs and this seems to prefer those longer distances. Shows
plenty of early foot when running past one mile but can't match the all
out speed of a crack miler and she faces several on saturday. Has B.
Langhorne in the irons this week, a Vermont favorite that has booted
home many a stskes winner in his career. If anyone can get her home in
front he can.
Analysis and Bet: I think the questionablew jock and addition of some
serious speed in here lends doubt to the abilty of the 6 to take this
one wire to wire. Having said that, I don't think she'll be worse than
second....she's just too good, so we'll play her with a few longshots
and hope for the best. I'll try $10 exactas 3-6, 4-6, 5-6, 12-6, 14-6
and 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-12, 6-14 as well as a $2 trifecta 5-6 over 5-6 over
1-2-3-4-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15 and $20 to win, place and show on the 5
for a total of $212.00! Best of luck to all the competitors this week,
both here and in Japan. May your horses run swift and injury free :)
