5 April 2021. Edition 4
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Back again after a busy weekend of poring over unheralded racing beauties. These are the maiden claimers or the tier B/C msw types. We will highlight the horses that have made an impact within their class range and are perhaps worth tracking later.
While most of you were tucked away in a deep sleep on Friday night the 2nd, we watched Arnaldo Bocachica pull a Ron Turcotte in the eighth race at Charles Town. Callinghercollins was a huge favorite, only paying $2.20, and for good reason. She took command immediately, was never pressed hard, and blew them away by 14 1/2 lengths. This was a $12,500 maiden claiming event and her eighth try at graduating. We will keep an eye on this gray beauty and see what's in store for her next.
The next race is from Golden Gate Fields on Sunday night, a $20,000 maiden claiming event for fillies and mares three years old and up going 8.25 furlongs on the turf. As you can see, the end became exciting with the ultimate winner, Vegas Palm just nosing out Lemon Drop Tini. This was Vegas Palm’s 16th try at breaking her maiden. In the final furlong, Vegas, Palm and Lemon Drop Tini duked it out all the way with neither willing to let go. I am going to look for Lemon drop Tini the next time out, as she is proven to be a very game filly.
Next on the agenda is from Saturday, March 3, at Hawthorne. This was a $6,250 maiden claiming event going one mile and 70 yards. The winner, To The Bank, stumbled out of the stretch, regained his composure, took the lead, dug in, and would not let go. It was surprising to see him go off at 7-1 odds, considering that it was his third race off a layoff and a big class drop. Speed has been prevailing at Hawthorne, so look for him in his next race to take the lead and maintain it throughout. When he steps up in class next time, if he goes a shorter distance, he will be a live bet.
Saving the worst for last, is the lowly Fonner Park. This was race 2 on Saturday, March 3, and it was a maiden special weight. Bear in mind that maiden special weight races are supposed to be for the better maidens out there. However, at Fonner Park, you just never know. Equibase gave this a rating of 40. The lowest I have ever seen is a 32, so, for an open company maiden race, this is as bad as it gets. The winner, Streaknsilverstone, came four wide into the turn and, as my brother would say, went to the grandstand looking for popcorn, before eventually moving inward and passing tired horses to win. This was another horse that was third off the layoff, third at Fonner third at this level and just raced eight days previous. At 6/1, it was a betting opportunity.
Unequivocally NOT fitting the tenor of this article, we do have to say congratulations to Essential Quality. What a battle tested gladiator he was in the Bluegrass Stakes.