Philadelphia Park 06 December 2008
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The aptly-named shipper GONE CALIFORNIAN has not raced since June so there are fitness doubts but this is such a weak race that she is worth the gamble on her readiness at first asking. She was competitive at a higher grade in California and is capable of doing her running from behind which looks an asset in this field. Spanish Spirit almost went wire to wire last time at this level and looks a prime contender. Semichi won her last start at Suffolk in October by six lengths and doesn't look over faced.
This is a salty group of claimers with many capable and in-form horses. NEED THE WRITE OFF has come up short against entry level allowance company and although this is a drop in class will have to run one of his best race to win. With the only pace rival to this frontrunner drawn inside he should relax on the lead and have something left for the stretch. El Campo is a very consistent type, although up in class, and should go close while Pure Granit could be competitive here.
It's not easy to choose between the two market choices, Z DAY and Rhyad. The former has a pair of runner-up efforts at Delaware Park, showing improved form on the latter occasion. His barn excels at Philadelphia during the winter months. Rhyad stalked fast fractions on his career unveiling and only lost by a neck in a fast time. He has come back with a nice four furlong work since that race. Newcomer Chain Mover has been working up a storm in preparation for his debut.
SHORT SOME has not been offered for sale since winning on his debut and should be more competitive against this group than the starter allowance types he's faced in his last pair of starts. Any moisture in the track will not be a disadvantage. Judiths Event also drops in class and if able to transfer her polytrack form to dirt has fine prospects. Don't Pass Em (better on a wet track) and recent maiden winner Lite Up the Nite make this a wide open race.
SASSY IN STRIPES put a dozen lengths between her and modest rivals last time and although facing winners for the first time could be a filly to follow. She had previously shown ability in fair maidens so that run was not a flash in the pan. In Green Pastures has been facing higher priced claimers at Delaware Park and looks a strong contender. Lightening Rod has not run as fast as some of these but is lightly raced and is dropped in class for a barn who places their horses where they can win.
At their best most of these gals have prospects. The nod goes to BAFFLED who is blinkered for the first time in an effort to keep her closer to the pace in the first half of the race. Bank'n On Gold one of a pair of Scott Lake runners and comes off a career-best effort. She is a factor on or near the pace. Marie Soleil and Stephaningrid are worth considering.
OFFICER IPOD has not been out of the first two in four career races on dirt and was runner-up in a Grade 3 at Monmouth.He beat similar types to this in a stakes race at Penn National and looks the obvious choice here. Baystormrising ran no sort of race at Penn behind the selection when away slowly. He had previously looked a nice prospect when winning his maiden. How Far Heaven showed improved form for a new barn last time and, although a maiden, is worth considering for the exacta.
GLORIOUS SMILE broke her maiden in some style when winning a similar stakes race at Penn National in a time far superior to the colts division on the same card. A repeat effort and she wins this by daylight. Blank Inivition won her only start going wire to wire from the rail over six furlongs. She is a logical alternative to the favourite. Henbird ran well on her only start and with second-time improvement is just the type to outrun her odds.
This is not a great race and TROPIC TIGER has prospects on or near the lead in his first start for new connections. A wide draw, which is often a negative going two turns at many US tracks, is often not the case at Philadelphia and the booking of Joe Rocco suggests the selection may fire first time back off a short break. Barn mate Coyote Trust bounced back to form on his local debut last time and should go close. Meadow Blue goes for a barn struggling for winners but did hint last time that he can compete at this level.
