Smaller fields are the look for Saturday’s New Mexico foaled races here at Zia Park Racetrack. Some of the events came up short to fill today’s card of racing, but this event did manage to find four willing to put it all on the line.
- NM Classic Cup Derby- Purse $145.000
- Zia Park Racetrack – For Three Year olds, Foaled in NM
- Six Furlongs- Main Track
- October 27th, 2019
This should turn out to be a very interesting affair being that each of these four trainers are winning at a clip of 17% or better, with Drabfantasy coasting along at a nice 24% win ratio. Three of today’s runners are colts, with John Henry sending out the lone gelding along the rail. Both his horse Opus Dane ( former Drabfantasy owned ) and Drabfantasy’s Pirate On Fire have been staying home in restricted events at RUI and SUN. with the exception of the lone DMR try. Here’s a look at today’s race;
So from the rail will be John Henry’s recent purchase of Opus Dane, who is picking up two pounds due to his win in the $50 Land Of Enchantment Stakes at RUI. John was bold with his new purchase and moved him to DMR for an Alw70 event where he would finish fourth, just two shy as the post time favorite. Slide back to this event will suit him as the distance has produced victories. Results will depend on if we see any kind of speed from one entry in this event.
From the two hole will break Greeko Holdem’s Hurricane Laffin, who is coming off a brilliant runner-up effort missing by three quarters of a length going six panels. That however came over at Belmont which leaves plenty of time for closer’s to get there late with its long front stretch. Has three show efforts in six starts this season, and his only win came in his maiden effort. This track may not afford the luxury of a late kick, but with only four entries, could show up for a share.
Number three silks will be worn by T Boy Racing’s Timber Rattler. Has had some success going out quickly on the front end winning by seven lengths in the Road Runner Handicap, and he will also carry and extra two pounds for that effort. The advantage of the early speed in that event came at RUI, which only has a 660 front stretch, so speed will hold up. When pressed at ALB with its 1100 plus stretch drive, would slip back to third by a length. Watch for this one to steal on the top, but will someone press on late and steal his thunder?
The final runner of this group is Drabfantasy’s Pirate On Fire. This trainer has focused many of his runner in this state, and this homebred bay colt has been knocking down a few doors. Has been away since late July when he tried to matched strides early with Timber Rattler in the Road Runner, but placed second by those seven lengths. It looks like the trainer may have found the answer for him, as his most recent works went from a 1:11 and three on October 13, to a much quicker 1:10 and two fifths just three days later! His last four races have been a win, runner-up, win and runner-up. If the pattern continues, we will see him in the winners enclosure.
Duffer
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
