NM Classic Cup Sprint
 ZIA   Race #6   6f   Dirt   Stake
statebred.gif   Purse $170.000  For Three Year Olds And Upward Foaled In NM.

1 Masterlicious, trained by Night Rider Stables
Made all to win an starter allowance at ELP last time which wasnt a bad effort but you get the feeling looking at his form that is pretty much his mark. Claimed for $5.000 at the end of last year he competed in a couple of statebred black type races this season but although he showed speed in both he didn’t beat much home. The fact that he’s even in a $170.000 stakes race shows the weakness of statebred racing but if he gets out quickly he may be a tough old nut to crack.

2 Five Ghosts, trained by Drabfantasy
Unbeaten in two races he looks on paper like the main choice. He made all to win the RUI Thoroughbred Championship last time but only had two rivals and you cant read too much into that. His works are a bit slower than these and because of that last win he doesnt get much of a weight break for his age in this. He may start favourite but his form looks pretty weak when you take a good hard look at it.
3 Broomsticks Force, trained by Drabfantasy
A ten race winning four year old he gets the penalty which put him up on the 125Lbs. He is a pacey sort of sprinter though and has soldi enough form in a lwoer grade as e showed when winning the NM Classic Cup CG on this day last year. He is a bit of a statebred specialist and could well be the one to beat despite the big weight.

4 Old Broomstick Dance, trained by Drabfantasy
A half brother to the horse inside him he has only won 5 from 10 but seems to be in much better form than his relative. He was two lengths in front of Broomsticks Force in The Darnell Handicap last time and I see no reason why he cant confirm those placings on level weights. So in a race that is sure to be all down to tactics he may well be coming late to mow them down.

SUMMARY
This race isnt a great advertisement for statebred racing and to be honest looks a bit farcical. Drabfantasy has 75% of the runners and will probably win with Old Broomstick Dance with Broomsticks Force and Five Ghosts chasing him home. Having said that i wouldnt write of Masterlicious because if he gets an uncontested lead and kicks on the turn he may pick up an unlikely win. All in all this race is only interesting to two people.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded