Mike's Race Analysis June 10, 2007
Race #1
1st - #3 Dataari | 2nd - #1 Philly Flynn | 3rd - #5 Chilling Kat
COMMENTARY : The #3 DATAARI looks to be the lone speed in this dash and if he can repeat his latest effort which was a decent third with $15,000 maidens he should best this group of $8,000 maidens; adds Lasix as well. The #1 PHILLY FLYNN closed up nicely to be second after getting away last early in the running; he has a much better post so I expect him to be far closer to the pace and give the #3 DATAARI a run for the money. The #5 CHILLING KAT was a scratch last week after being fractious on parade; he raced with $35,000 maidens in his career debut so with this big class drop we should see a better showing today.
Race #2
1st - #1 Starlight Strike | 2nd - #4 Montero | 3rd - #5 Virtuous Lady
COMMENTARY : The #1 STARLITE STRIKE was a solid runner-up to the reigning queen at Hastings Monashee in the $52,000 Senate Appointee and with this race coming up far easier it appears that a repeat of last run will get her the money. The #4 MONTERO was in victory a couple of weeks back as she looped the field four wide and defeated $35,000 mares; this dash has come up tougher for her but I think she'll run well. The #5 VIRTUOUS LADY has been unstoppable at this level (won her last four in a row for $50,000) her speed makes her dangerous at all times so if she can shake loose early she could be tough to catch.
Race #3
1st - #4 Peacebethejourney | 2nd - #1 Anointed One | 3rd - #5 Bullseye Bess
COMMENTARY : The #4 PEACEBETHEJOURNEY hasn't really run a bad sprint in her career, she's been a solid performer and deserves the favourite's role in this spot even though she's tackling open company for the first time. She raced the same day as my second and third picks and her final time was almost a full second faster. The #1 ANOINTED ONE was very game in winning last time at huge odds and with the rail today will no doubt try to go wire-to-wire. I'll give the #5 BULLSEYE BESS another chance as it looks like rain for the weekend and all five of her career victories have come on wet tracks.
Race #4
1st - #7 And All That Jazz | 2nd - #3 M L's Indian | 3rd - #1 Entry
COMMENTARY : The #7 AND ALL THAT JAZZ ran extremely well but was outrun by a nice colt in his debut; he's come back to work nicely and I think he gets the job done today. IMPRESSIVE IN HIS DEBUT !!! The #3 M L'S INDIAN was an expensive claim in Northern California and makes his Hastings debut this afternoon; he doesn't have any speed which will be a drawback in this race but I still like chances of running on late to be in the exotics. Both the #1 ARAGORN (half brother to Spaghetti Mouse) and the #1A DYLAN'S PROSPECT (goes first time Lasix today) make up a strong tandem that could be heard from.
Race #5
1st - #2 Winning Waves | 2nd - #3 Kokeeno | 3rd - #7 Rock It Rita
COMMENTARY : The #2 WINNING WAVES has taken home two small pay cheques with pricier ($20,000) conditional claimers but down here for $8,000 she should get the big cheque. The #3 KOKEENO looked good in her '07 opener as she broke well and won the battle on the lead although the fractions were quite slow; there isn't much pace in this one so she could get a similar trip which would give a big chance of winning another. The #7 ROCK IT RITA has been in this same condition for quite some time but judging by her morning trials she could be ready to move on; excellent final prep in 59.80.
Race #6
1st - #3 Classy Vixen | 2nd - #6 Portrait | 3rd - #7 Perfect Peggy
COMMENTARY : The #3 CLASSY VIXEN was a much better filly when put on Lasix last fall and with the barn setting out many horses to run well first time out this year I'll gamble that she's ready and call her a wire-to-wire winner. The #6 PORTRAIT encountered a lot of traffic trouble at the far turn in her last and if she can a little luckier with the trip she'll be a force in the late going. The #7 PERFECT PEGGY continues to run well but just can't get that elusive second victory; maybe today ??
Race #7
1st - #5 Nineleventurbo | 2nd - #3 Halo's Storm | 3rd - #1 Entry
COMMENTARY : The #5 NINELEVENTURBO has been another great claim for the Gilker barn and still going strong at the age of nine; he hooked into a former stakes winner in his comebacker at Emerald while finishing third but he's back at Hastings and in at a level and distance where he's been very tough to beat. The #3 HALO'S STORM hasn't had much luck since arriving in Vancouver last spring but this is by far the easiest spot he's been in for some time and I think he'll run big. The #1 WINTER WARNING looks like the stronger half of the Troy Taylor duo; he could be tough on the pace after his game score in Alberta.
Race #8
1st - #9 Fearsome Foursome | 2nd - #8 Osolucky | 3rd - #1 Hopingandwishing
COMMENTARY : The #9 FEARSOME FOURSOME would've won easily last time with a clean trip but he was stopped cold on the final bend and had to settle for an unlucky fourth place cheque. He gets to stretch out to his best distance and doesn't really face too tough of a group so if he gets a good trip he should get his revenge. The #8 OSOLUCKY is taking a massive drop in price so there are many question marks surrounding him although he has a good work and gets leading rider. TOUGH CALL ??? The #1 HOPINGANDWISHING was better in his latest sprint and will enjoy the longer trip.
Race #9
1st - #4 C.L.'s Tiger | 2nd - #6 Jusnorton | 3rd - #7 Max Day
COMMENTARY : The #4 C.L.'S TIGER chased a runaway leader around the track in his last and was getting to the winner but had to settle for second. He should be the pace setter in this mile and a sixteenth test and I think he'll lead all the way. The #6 JUSNORTON gets an easier assignment today as he exits the maiden $15,000 ranks in favour of this $5,000 maiden spot; his form is deceivingly better than most in here and I expect to run well on the drop. The #7 MAX DAY was making up ground late and looks like one that will appreciate this longer trip.
Race #10
1st - #6 Beckenbauer | 2nd - #5 Californiatruegrit | 3rd - #1 Stephanson
COMMENTARY : The #6 BECKENBAUER is a promising colt that looked good in winning his maiden but this tall long striding youngster looks like his best races will be at the longer distances and he'll get his first shot at going long today. The #5 CALIFORNIATRUEGRIT was an impressive winner in his '07 debut winning despite hesitating briefly at the start in a flashy 1:17 flat. He looks like the speed of the race and if he got enough conditioning out of that one sprint he could be tough to catch. The #1 STEPHANSON is bred to run long but looking at him he's not really built to be a distance specialist; he's been very good in his two races so far this year (winning the Sales Stakes and third in the Province) and has a class edge on his five rivals. The #2 BAD SNEAKERS is bred to love this trip and has been sharp in running through his conditions and he adds more talent to already tough race.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND ENJOY YOUR AFTERNOON AT HASTINGS !!!