10/22/22
5 KEE Raven Run (GII)
$350.000 3yo F&M 7f Dirt 122lbs
oh boy… a field of six for the Raven Run (GII)… what could go wrong? I’d bring the cotton candy, just in case we get a merry-go-round. It’s a solid field for this filly sprint, going 7f on the KEE main track, and I’ve landed on Hawkes Bay as the top choice. She had won three in a row prior to that fourth place finish her last out, but give her some slack as it was a large field and she was shuffled around a bit. I think she gets it done in this smaller field. Another that has been sharp is Bella Chica, and she looked good in that win at CD last out, showing speed and guts in that victory.. more of the same could land her back in the winner’s circle. I could make a case for a couple others, but let’s try to nail this down.
Here’s The Field –
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Spearmint Rhino | Arindel | Ferrer J C | 122 | 6/1 |
All or nothing this year as she shows two wins and everything else has been off of the board. She won over this track back in the spring, taking the Beaumont (GIII) and that is at the same distance… does the home cookin do her some good?
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To The Beach | Arindel | Jaramillo E | 122 | 8/1 |
Her only seasonal win came back in Jan, beating Alw types at GP, but she has been close in a number of other races including a second in the Jersey Girl at BEL. She seems to like a wet surface, so they may be doing a rain dance.
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Hawkes Bay | Smokey Stover | Cedillo A | 122 | 5/2 |
Three wins from her last four starts, the other was a fourth over this track last out in the TC of America (GII) where traffic may not have been very kind to her. I think she bounces back big today.. if she runs back to that SAR win, she’s going to be tough to get past.
|
Kalthoff Repeater | Spankys Barn | Van Dyke D | 122 | 5/1 |
Only one win this year, back in Jan, and that was the first start for this owner after the claim. But, don’t let that stop you from putting a few bucks on her… she’s been close in a number of big races… she could be a handful today.
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Neon Moon | Smokey Stover | Velazquez J R | 122 | 7/1 |
Got back on the winning side of things last out, taking down OptAlw types at AQU going a mile and an eighth. That’s been her M.O. for a while, so the cut-back in distance makes her a bit of a wild-card. She can run.
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Bella Chica | Mb Stables | Saez L | 122 | 3/1 |
Three wins and three seconds from nine seasonal starts, so you know she’s always around when the hand out checks, and would the big barn have it any other way? Nice win in the Locust Grove (GIII) last out, so she’s sharp and will be a threat.
COZMAN 3 / 6 Willie’s Green Card 3 / 5
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
