Hawthorne 20 December 2008
Instructions
Please click on the “View Full Racecard & Odds” button to get the full racecard information.
PUMPKIN BLUFF faces pace pressure in her search of a quick fire hat-trick but such is her sharpness she may be able to handle the rise in class. Camptown Lady has yet to conclusively prove she can show her form on the dirt but is of interest second time back after a lay off. Both Who's Counting and Stephen's Reason need to bounce back from modest efforts but may get involved late if the early pace is hot.
This could be a weak maiden at the mercy of CLOUD CASTLE who has turned in a couple of fair efforts since reverting to sprinting. He is a nine time loser but it seems a case of lack of gears rather than lack of resolution and his grinding style may be sufficient. Little Brother has shown some speed in his workouts and gets a speed rider for his debut. That may be enough to go a long way in this field. Hello Sailor is bred for further than this but did show some pace on his first career start.
HOUSE OF USHER has been in sharp form in Kentucky winning his last two races and should go well here. He has been working well in preparation for this race and has a couple of wins on this track. Best Buddy won well at this level last time and warrants consideration. He should get a projected fair pace to chase which suits his running style. Win Me Over walloped lesser types by seven lengths last time and although this is a massive hike in class, he has competed well at this level previously.
ROUNDUP JADE just came up short at this level last time and holds several of these on that form. He has shown a tendency to be placed in his career but showed there is nothing wrong with his resolution two races back when winning by seven lengths. Cool Lover was one of those who finished behind the selection in his latest but did have a troubled trip and should get closer on his third run since a break in late summer. J. Pa has been in sharp form since a claim and should be forwardly placed throughout.
WAYOFF has been taking on much tougher opposition and not performing too badly.This is a massive drop in class and he should go well. Happiness dropped in class and spat the dummy out on the lead last time but he is on the short-list on his first run for a yard which often does well at this level. El Kabong could make the frame.
THE LORD'S FACTS was caught late when a well backed favourite at this level last time and, although the extra distance is a slight concern, he is the most talented horse in the field, hails from a top stable and is ridden by a top jockey. Cricket's Legend is more exposed and has over four lengths to find with the pick. He looks the obvious exacta play in here. Toby K drops to this grade and is on the short-list.
CURE was claimed for $25,000 in the summer and three runs and no wins later is for sale for $4,000. Not exactly good business but seems to retain enough ability to look a standout against this opposition. Sands Red B has early speed and that may take him a long way against this lot. Storm On the Block has run evenly in three races at his level and in the context of this race his last effort looks good enough to go very close here.
FLIRTIN' WITH FIRE beat many of these in a similar race last time. She is a ten time winner who has some pace to chase down here. Mom Cat won an allowance race latest but was helped by a furious pace. It is hard to ignore anything on this track for her owner/trainer combination. The last time Landers ran on dirt she led from pillar to post at this level. There are others who have designs on the lead so she will need a clever ride.
GLORY TO SPARE has not routed for a long time but such is his pace advantage over this group he is worth the gamble in the hope that gets an easy lead. He drops in class here and his last run was solid enough. San Saba made all last time but probably will have to be a stalker behind the pick. He has run well in that role previously. Dollar Diplomacy was a runner up at this level last time and should be thereabouts at the finish.
CANOODLER took ten attempts to break his duck but often a victory can be a springboard to another with these types and he should be involved here. Shore Breeze Icon has rounded into form with a couple of solid efforts at this level. Maybe the jockey switch to Chris Emigh will be the key for that elusive second win. Powerful Dose might be the best horse in the line-up but would not be one to take a short price about from the outside berth.
