Buckeye Blitz – 02/16/2019 Good Vista Handicap (Grade III)

Hello, and thanks for reading the Buckeye Blitz, your premiere insider to Ohio racing. These articles will give you some quick commentary on the runners you will see contesting the races, as well as some bold predictions. Todays race we’ll be focusing on the G3 Good Vista Handicap for 4yr olds and up, fillies and mares division.

 

$150,000 Good Vista Handicap G3 (Post Time 2:00pm EST)

4yr Olds and upward, Fillies and Mares

9 Furlongs – Turf

 

 DRAGONSLIVEFOREVER(5/2)– Trained by balthamel

Coming in off of a G3 win in the Red Bird Handicap is this lovely looking mare by Galileo, from the stakes placed mare Danzing Pirate. Claimed back in February of 2017 from the enamored barns of kingab. All she’s done for her new connections has been posting 100+ SP ratings in 8 of 10 starts, and won three of her last four starts with the latest being the aforementioned G3. In the best condition of her career right now and her early turn of foot may help her out here. How she handles the rest is a concern, but I’m still using.

 JOHANNESMAN(4-1)– Trained by catylyst

Johannesburg sires this 5yr old stakes placed mare. Never seems to come up with her absolute best when the bigger dollars are on the table. She’s got tactical speed, which could suit her well in this matchup. Did exactly what she had to do last out when utilizing the drop and pop angle, pulling away in a NW2Y allowance by 2 lengths. Last couple races have been run right here with the race 2 back being a stakes, where she finished a close 3^rd. Should be well rested, but which version of her will we see?

 THE PASSAGEWAY(6-1)– Trained by grundy

She’s the best offspring to date for her bargain sire London Bridge. Stakes winner last out in Surrey, making her first bow in the states. Has tried graded company just once before, with a disappointing finish in the off-going Japanese Oaks back in May of 2018. A good turn of late foot has aided this filly to a nice record, being in the money in 9 of 12 in her career. Faces an extremely tough challenge here as it’s probably the best field she’s seen since the Oaks. Been improving every race though and is worth a long look.

 FAPPIARDINI(8-1)– Trained by saratogaspa

This 5yr old mare by Bernardini, is will be making her first start vs stakes or graded company in her 29^thcareer race. Normally you see horses winding down their career around that point, but this one seems to be heating up. Career best SP’s in two of her last three outings, the most recent coming over this track in a NW4L allowance event. Best work has come over the grass. Has very good bloodlines that scream capabilities, but one has to wonder if the big jump in class or the bounce off of a big effort will come back to bite her. Going to make some stallion very happy one day.

 THE DELIVERER (9/2)– Trained by darkdancer

Dirt phenom Orb, sires this 5yr old daughter by the stakes winning mare Grapehounds. Mom enjoyed a lot of success routing over the turf course so there’s no mistake that this girl belongs on the grass. Running well within the restricted allowance ranks but hasn’t quite been able to hold on in her attempts vs stakes company and that’s a concern. She is a front-runner or just off type that could get a very good trip in here that could catch a piece at the wire if she’s ready. Won last out, making second start off of a layoff.

 SHOWCASING A LOSS(9-1)– Trained by harrylanlow11

Attempted the drop and pop scenario last out to no avail, just didn’t have the closing kick the trainer was looking for. This daughter of Showcasing still has a pretty good turn of foot if she’s given an honest pace to run at. This will be her second start off of a three-month layoff, so she could be ready now. Has met some tough opponents in the past, and is a stakes winner with two very good runs vs graded company. Maybe.

 JUST CRAZY LV(11-1)– Trained by xixa3

Just A Way sires this stakes winning, 4 yr old filly by the stakes placed mare Dissent. Been climbing her way up the ladder every race, improving on her SP until she ran into a buzzsaw in the QE2 Challenge back in October. She comes out of the same last race as STORM SPARK, who also resides in this race, and that rival beat her by 4 lengths that day. Layoff could definitely help this gal as well. Needs a swift pace to run at and to turn the odds around on STORM SPARK.

 STORM SPARK(5-1)– Trained by kevoman9

This 4yr old filly, by Dance In The Dark, has been lights out for her entire career. Winner of 9 of 13 lifetime, a G3, over $500k, and sported an 8 race win streak that ended back in July. Loves this distance, and comes in off of a nearly 4 month freshening which she probably needed due to her traveling around the world and back over her last handful of starts. Numbers say she’ll be strong in this as long as she is ready.

 

Handicapping the field:

Everyone in the field has a chance in this one. THE DELIVERER is the likely pacesetter, with DRAGONSLIVEFOREVER and JOHANNESMAN nipping at her heels through the 5 furlong pole. If the early fractions are hot up front, look for STORM SPARK, THE PASSAGEWAY and SHOWCASING A LOSS to come charging down the lane late. FAPPIARDINI and JUST CRAZY LV have a good turn of foot as well and wouldn’t surprise if they snuck in the exotics, though I view them just a touch behind the others. 

 

Picks: 1 – 8 – 2

 

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