Back to doing the Spotlight feature and we’ll take a quick look at a $40,000 claiming race in Surrey which is opened to 3 and 4 year olds that are non winners of 2 races of the last 6 months. It’s a 5 furlong turf race with a full field of 14 entrants. Here’s a snapshot of the field:
1 SOOTHING 12/1-Dropped out of allowance in last to this claiming and went off at 4/1 finishing third after brief lead late in race. Bettors not that confident this time around.
2. UNBRIDLED DYNAMO 10/1-Back to turf for second time this year, last won on turf back in April, albeit, a Hot race in a photo with 75 speed. Speed is not that promising going same distance as last turf run where she was 1/10 fave.
3 SPARKLINES 11/1-Makes 12th start of year and hit board only three times. Aggressive racing style hasn’t worked at the higher claiming prices, could be better in lower ranks.
4 KOKOMO TB 20/1-Went into hibernation last September returning in May, with third in allowance, dropped into $5k claim, improved to second at 20/1. Both on dirt and moves to turf. Longshot could be the upsetter.
5 HIGH CLODIRAL 55/1-Likes to run near lead but has tendency to crash badly after mid-marker. Finished second when dropped into claimers for first time two races back. Returns to claim level with hopes to strike again.
6 SMILE THANK YOU 4/1-Racing at higher claim levels of late and drops a few notches and scales back in distance. Could wire field and able to hit 100 speeds. Maybe smiling when all is said and done.
7 SPLASH OF YELLOW 56/1-Thirteenth start of the year doesn’t look promising. Speeds have been better in turf than dirt and has one win in 25 starts. On the board once this year. Looks unlikely.
8 ROWDY CREEK 13/1-A front runner who has finished 2nd or 3rd in his last four races. Climbing the claiming ranks and has a shot to earn something in this race.
9 KINGSTON LIGHT 4/1-Has front speed and will fight with other speedsters to get early lead. ITM 6 of 7 during 2018 with consistent speeds in mid-to-upper 90′s and able to knock off a 100. Can’t discount.
10 EMPEROR’S GARDEN 9/1-Earned upset win at 11/1 on poly back in June but failed two weeks later going to dirt in $60k claim, fading to 6th after contending early. Gets a bit of rest between starts and could improve.
11 SHOWCASING WIDOW 6/1-Gets class relief as he drops out of allowance level and opts for pricey claimers. Last three outings were speeds of 95-100 with a win and second. Some value at 6/1.
12 BABS INTENSITY 21/1-Form has changed since gaining a win back in March. Ran 4th twice after the win and last two were 7th place finishes. Has tough time getting speeds into 90′s.
13 SPACE PIRATE 5/1-Front runner has raced high end claiming and allowance hitting board once this year in four starts. She’s been going 7f to 8f and cuts back on distance and slices the claim tag by more than half. Shorter distance may help the early speed last.
14 DUESENBERG SIMONE 58/1-Makes 2018 debut in this race and touches track surface for first time since April 2017. Will need a race or two to shake out the cobwebs and I’m not expecting much in return to track. He does drop out of allowance class to claimers for first time. Worth watching a few races down the line.
Smile Thank You is my top pick and looks to be in right setting at right time.
Kingston Light is hard to fault of late, will need to fight to get to the front with other speedsters.
Kokomo TB ran nicely after long rest in second start back. Has done well in turf races before. Worth a deuce.
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