Let's take a look at our bulky field of nineteen in random order.
Representing Vermont is Dixiedotco's multimillionaire, Mon Coup. Between her and her mom, the great race mare Seattle Hit, they've won over eleven million dollars. Mon Coup raced in this event back in 2008 in Beijing and finished second. The six year old Montjeu mare may be a step or two slower than she was in her prime and hasn't won a graded stake in almost a year. But the 2008 Breeders Bowl Distaff champion is still racing tough and good enough to medal on her best day.
Trainer Mrbigb sends out four year old Solar Explosion for The Great Plains Residency. The daughter of Galileo and multiple Grade II winner Battlefield Earth (Diesis) can run all day as evidenced by successive allowance scores at fourteen and sixteen furlongs respectively in her last two outings. She is an up and comer with the potential to be a good one if she continues along her current path. But she has never faced the kind of mares she will meet on Saturday. It would require a giant step forward to compete at this level.
Ohio's representative is the War Chant filly, Off To War. Zman's four year old is in good form now. And she can run this far with no problem. But her speed figures aren't truly competitive so it is not likely that the former claimer will be able to keep up with this world class field for the entire trip.
Khartoum Killer arrives in British Columbia in rare form. The URC stalwart boasts a win and two seconds in her last three races, all graded events. Her victory came two back in the Grade I Los Angeles Turf Cup. Qwikvett's speedster opened up a long and lonely lead early on and cruised to victory over a stellar field. The four year old Sadler's Wells filly is equally adept stalking if others are inclined to blaze the trail. Major factor any way you look at it.
DelPenn rep Artiste has been struggling of late. The big Ghostzapper mare has banked over 1.5 million dollars in her career and won four graded stakes including the Grade I Sydney Oaks. But the Super Stables' enigma was beaten a total of thirty five lengths and failed to raise a hoof in either of her last two trips postward. I have to believe that the deep closing filly will be much better this week. She's too classy to have this form slide continue much longer.
The NWRC banner will be carried into battle by the versatile Vaanda. Rafa Stables' Hennessy five year old was not at her best in her last two starts. But four back she won a graded stake and three back won the prestigious Minesweeper Stake, a race named in honor of the multiple grade I winning millionaire who ended Horseshoe Bay's record grade I winning streak. In the Minesweeper, Vaanda defeated the fine Storm Cat mare, Raging River Cat, in that one's final race before becoming a mommy twice in two weeks. If she's over her recent woes, this one could prove troublesome. Having veteran reinsman NBonus in the saddle is a huge plus.
Will Taffy have the Midas touch with her streaking Celtic Mist? We shall find out soon. The regally bred (Empire Maker x Mr, Prospector x Bold Ruler) five year old owns a three race winning streak which will be on the line. Even though her speed figures are relatively slow and she's never run in a stake, Celtic Mist is the kind of mare you cannot toss. She is in great shape and is brimming with confidence. Another step forward could see her get close at big odds.
Sim Hispano will be represented by Venezuelan based Otto Haack's Alondra Haack. The four year old daughter of Sadler's Wells had a four race winning streak snapped last time out in Victoria's The Eloquent Lady Handicap. But her solid third place finish and 108 speed number don't put her too far off the top ones in here. Needs her best try and a little bit of luck to contend.
This race is named by Queensland. Beautiful one day, perfect the next is her motto. And her delegate for this event is Fitzgerald Racing's Shamadamadingdong. Fitz's Shamardal filly has been racing exclusively at home in Queensland. She won a thirteen furlong listed stake three back and was second in the owner restricted Crocodile Hunter thereafter. She stumbled in the Mrs. Claus and was eased. She's been training forwardly for this test but looks to be a bit overmatched on paper.
German bred Flammen Sehen carries the GR Simsters' hopes into battle. Given has prepped his Monsun mare perfectly for a big run toward Equinics gold. Two back she crushed a killer field including eleven graded winners on DelPenn day (109 SP). Last time out, in a Virginia allowance race, Flammen Sehen won by almost six lengths while posting an eased up 107. Surely sitting on a huge effort.
Hong Kong Racing Club's Singing Ella is facing a tall task. Although Lebo's Dalakhani chestnut has won three times in seven career starts, her only stakes try was not encouraging. The four year old shows a second in allowances at the distance but her speed figures need to improve significantly to be given a serious look.
High Beams is not to be taken "light"ly. The cleverly named (NORTH LIGHT (IRE) x FANTASTIC LIGHT x MAJESTIC LIGHT) Comedy Central rep is 6 for 14 lifetime with winnings in excess of $220,000. Grouchy's lightly raced five year old won her first stake two back and shows a 108 speed figure in her recent past. High percentage barn sends them ready.
Skunkbarn's black and white colors (what else?) will adorn jockey Al Darling who get's the call aboard The Blazing Saddles entrant, The Skunk Queen. Queeny, as she is known around the barn, arrives fresh off a Queensland allowance win at this distance. The King of Kings mare needs to take a big step forward off that victory in order to compete at this level. Who says she can't?
Shamran's enigmatic The Xmas Spirit is the EAAA Racing standard bearer. I don't really know what to expect out of the High Chaparral speedster. Last time out, in her dirt debut, she failed miserably at seventy cents on the dollar. Prior to that, she was a well beaten third over a good turf track. But looking back a ways, one finds a grade III win, a grade I placing, and other graded in the money finishes. Which Spirit will show up this week? Tune in Saturday to find out.
Give Me a Chill, The Emerald Isle starter, has a lot going for her. First of all, she might be the best bred horse in Equinics (SADLER'S WELLS x MR. PROSPECTOR x BUCKPASSER). Secondly, she is red hot, arriving in the midst of a four race winning streak. Thirdly, Chilly is fresh. After a two month spell, Eirann Shady Business Farm found a nice easy spot for their star pupil's Equinics prep and she responded by crushing a short field in a listed stake. This one has already won two graded stakes and looks like a serious threat to add another.
The boss says I have to say something nice about every horse. Or else! OK, S R Stank Riot is...ummmm...well...ummmm...her trainer, the often controversial but never boring Lordpye, is a great guy. Even his most severe critics would have to admit that Andy has long been a tremendous asset to our community, especially so recently. Beneath the gruff exterior, The Pyester has a heart of gold, is one of the deeper thinkers I've ever known, has a wicked sense of humor, and is a sensational bowler and handicapper. Not to mention a trusted and loyal friend. So what if his horse lost a 2K mcl at one time? OOOOPS! I almost forgot. Nice! Or incur the wrath of Roys (shudder). Hmmmmm...OK, I think I got it! The East-West Connection's five year old is improving. She only got beat 28 lengths last time out after being distanced the time before. There! Nice.
BENELUX sends out Stal Landen vzw's classy Chilly Causeway. The flashy chestnut sports solid credentials. She is a stakes winner and graded placed in addition to riding the crest of a two race winning streak. The Giant's Causeway lass from the Point Given matron, Bliss This, has produced big speed number lately and must be taken very seriously.
Minnesota Downs is counting on millionaire mare Kantia to bring home the gold. Another classmaster from the powerful Rafa Barn, this five year old daughter of Alkaased has already won four graded stakes in just twenty four trips postward. She consistently posts superior speed figs and this deep closer should benefit from a favorable pace scenario. So it is no surprise that the oddsmaker has installed her as a solid favorite. Clearly the one to beat.
How good is Foxon? Good enough to run four stables with 300+ wins. Good enough to be nominated for trainer of the year. Good enough to win 25% of his starts for ten years. So you know his Alpine Wings will be as ready as possible to chase the elusive pot o' gold for the Alpine Turf Club. She's won three graded stakes and finished fourth in this race last Equiniad. The six year old Azamour mare arrives from France off a perfect prep race, an easy allowance victory. All set for this test.
