Mike's Race Analysis May 6, 2007
Race #1
1st - #5 Masterpeach | 2nd - #3 Mullumbimby | 3rd - #1 ENTRY
COMMENTARY : The #5 MASTERPEACH was a two time winner at Woodbine when Lasix was added for his third career start, he seems to be training in fine style and isn't facing a very tough field so I think he'll win his Hastings debut. The #3 MULLUMBIMBY showed some promise is his first start then proceeded to have a couple of rough trips against tougher allowance company, he's in cheaper this afternoon so look for him to be more of a factor. Both the #1 REGAL MAJESTY and the #1a MONEYS DEFENSE have put in significant miles in the a.m. and if the top two falter they could be dangerous in the stretch.
Race #2
1st - #1 Dancing Allstar | 2nd - #5 Can't Put Amy Down | 3rd - #7 Laurel's Gold
COMMENTARY : The #1 DANCING ALLSTAR hails from a good barn and looks to have speed so I'll take her to upset the Tom Longstaff quartet (sound like a band doesn't it ??) is this three and a half furlong sprint to the wire.. The quickest of the four Longstaff runners is likely the #5 CAN'T PUT AMY DOWN with leading rider in the saddle and the #7 LAUREL'S GOLD also training in the Tom Longstaff barn (Jim Ellickson gallops for Tom Longstaff) appears to have some early speed as well.
Race #3
1st - #4 Atchelitz Lad | 2nd - #6 Koga | 3rd - #9 Nickety Split
COMMENTARY : The #4 ATCHELITZ LAD is way down in class today for his three year old debut, he's been impressive in the mornings and with Alvarado taking the call (doesn't ride too many for this outfit) this one is probably pretty 'live'. The #6 KOGA is also down in price and a couple of no-threat runs, he has five five-eighths works so he certainly won't be short and he's bred to be a better horse than he' showed last fall so I'll give him another shot today. The #9 NICKETY SPLIT has turned three solid works in the last few weeks signaling that he could be ready for a big effort first time out.
Race #4
1st - #4 Vir tuous Lady | 2nd - #1 Regal Pusher | 3rd - #3 Montero
COMMENTARY : The #4 VIRTUOUS LADY was a perfect three-for-three when in with $50,000 mares here at Hastings last year so with her resurfacing at the same tag today she's definitely is the one to beat. The #1 REGAL PUSHER is another consistent mare that probably deserved to win three or four races last season but fell victim to hotly contested paces that could her to narrowly lose on a few occasions. She has the ability at this level, speed and the rail so I'm sure she'll be a major player in this dash. The #3 MONTERO might be able to take advantage of a contested pace.
Race #5
1st - #6 Alwayswantmore | 2nd - #1 Funky Friends | 3rd - #3 La Hoagre
COMMENTARY : The #6 ALWAYSWANTMORE was pretty solid in this same condition (non-winners of three $8,000) last year and with him appearing to be doing better (judging by the work tab) than his main competition the #1 FUNKY FRIENDS I'll take him to win it. The latter was scratched at the gate for $15,000 on opening weekend and quickly gets back in at a reduced level, he's drawn the rail and with his speed he will be dangerous. The #3 LA HOAGRE won two of three here in the fall coming from off-the-pace and if the top two get into a heated battle early then his chances of winning greatly improve.
Race #6
1st - #5 Classic Show | 2nd - #3 Mudchute | 3rd - #1 Gold Ticket
COMMENTARY : The #5 CLASSIC SHOW was a narrow loser to a next-out winner in his only start so it's very surprising to see him in for $25,000 today. He hasn't worked in 29 days which is an obvious red-flag but I'll CAUTIOUSLY take him to win today. The well-bred son of Dixieland Band #3 MUDCHUTE made his debut (finishing a distant fifth) in a stakes race and really never did recover. He seems to be going reasonably well and I think he'll improve as a three year old. The #1 GOLD TICKET has a long string of good works and with Gutierrez jumping in the tack I think this guy might be able to run a bit.
Race #7
1st - #3 How Bout Jose | 2nd - #6 Alferrari | 3rd - #2 Howe Sound
COMMENTARY : The #3 HOW BOUT JOSE is as solid as they come, this 10 year old just keeps turning in game efforts and he hasn't missed the board since coming up to Vancouver from Southern Cal. He has a nice post and the speed to either get the lead or settle just in behind. SOLID HORSE !!! The #6 ALFERRARI had a brutal trip (four wide) in his race last week, he's coming back on just 7 days rest but at this level he should be tough regardless. The #2 HOWE SOUND seemed to get things all together in the fall last year as he rattled off four consecutive good efforts. He's better doing good things in the a.m. and if anyone upsets the top two it could be him.
Race #8
1st - #8 Anziyan Flyer | 2nd - #1 ENTRY | 3rd - #7 Area Code
COMMENTARY : The #8 ANZIYAN FLYER never really seemed to adapt to our oval last year but with the winter off and a new attitude he's been very good in his morning preps and if he can cruise up into a good spot going into the first turn then I think he'll be tough to beat at a decent price. The #1 COMMODORE CRAIG and the #1a CELT have been awesome soldiers throughout their careers but 'father time' catches us all and these two aren't as gifted as they were a couple of seasons ago but these two 8 year olds are eligible to fire huge off of a layoff so it wouldn't a surprise if one them jumped up and won the money. The #7 AREA CODE had a banner year in '06 and could be the off-the-pace TRIACTA threat.
Race #9
1st - #5 Monashee | 2nd - #2 Slewpast | 3rd - #3 Spirit To Spare
COMMENTARY : The #5 MONASHEE has been very good in her preps for her comeback, she only started five times last season but took home the big prize on four occasions and in her last two wins she toted 125 pounds. Her only loss came to the #3 SPIRIT TO SPARE in last year's renewal of this same race and that one looks to be her main danger once again although the #3 SPIRIT TO SPARE isn't coming into this race with the kind of form she did last year which is why I put her in the third spot. The runner-up spot I have given to the #2 SLEWPAST who I think has trained better this year than she did last so we should a better SLEWPAST in the Brighouse Belles.
Race #10
1st - #3 Favour For Joey | 2nd - #7 Five Wild Cats | 3rd - #8 Bullseye Bill
COMMENTARY : Wow !!! the #3 FAVOUR FOR JOEY in for $5,000, he was always one of my favourites but I guess nagging injuries have caught up with him which is why he's in at this low price. His works have been okay and I think he'll win on class alone. The #7 FIVE WILD CATS reared as the gates opened (don't think it should've been a refund) and was non-factor throughout, he also has tons of back-class and should be respected in this spot. The #8 BULLSEYE BILL does his best running after a freshening, he's been working quickly in the mornings and basically looks at good as anything else for third.
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