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Let's take a look at our bulky field of nineteen�in random order.� �
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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.
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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.
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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.�
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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.
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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.��
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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.�
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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.
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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.�
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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.��
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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.�
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.�
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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.�
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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.�
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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.������
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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.
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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.��
