Philadelphia Park 25 October 2009
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CUDJO is offered for sale first time off the claim for a lot less than his purchase price which is often a bad sign. But such are the inflated purses at Philadelphia these days that connections will make a profit if they win the race and lose the horse. He didn't run too badly, despite a wide trip over seven furlongs, here last time and has plenty of form at this shorter distance. Even if he runs to his last race he'll be tough and may improve off that. Sunshine Ronnie has not won for ages but plenty of form in better races that makes him an exacta choice at very least. Rocky Macan's last run can be ignored as he had a trip from hell. He has longshot appeal.
The last time ALY PIE raced she won an allowance race by six lengths. Now almost a year later she is offered for sale cheaply which is a negative sign. The trouble is if she is anywhere near her best she wins this race for fun as this is a weak group of gals. She is the most likely winner but looks likely to be overbet. The inconsistent Sage's Dream has a shot at an upset. Her last two races were duds but her last win came off a pair of similarly poor efforts. Expect her to try to wire this field. Highland Lass and Talking Flirt may sit nice trips off the speed and make some appeal.
IN FOR A DIME is not big on winning but her defence she has mixed it with much better gals than these over the last year. She showed signs of a return to her best when beaten a neck when dropped to this level in her last race. With the prospect of a fair pace to chase down should go close today. Gold Stones looks to have been well placed first time off a claim. She was a decisive winner in the grade below this last time and stands for much better grade at her best. She may be a mare on the way back up the class ladder. Kat's Mystery was overmatched in her latest race and on the turf to boot. This is her level and surface but her stable is struggling for winners.
DEPEND ON BONNIE was disappointing in her last race when dropped to this level after a promising comeback effort. She did have a very wide trip in that event and could be worth another chance against gals she should compete well with. She has the ability to sit close to the speed and gets weight as connections opt to use a promising apprentice. Baby On the Go almost wired similar types to these last time but was reeled in close home. She should be a factor from the get-go. Feel the Dance on the other hand needs speed to chase down. She should be much better with the benefit of a pipe-opener this month.
HONEY SNIPPETS is realistically spotted at this claiming price after win in a first level allowance race last time. She would struggle at the next non claiming level and a $25,000 selling price is not unreasonable. She has won her only two dirt routes and has tactical speed to sit close to no more than an average pace. Regretable Romance is another good fit on class and comes here razor sharp after two fine efforts at Charles Town. Her trainer has excellent stats with limited starters locally. East to Eden is well rested for a sizzling barn and has ran well fresh before.
BERT'S TOO KINKY only just missed by a length at this claiming price at Del Mar and has good prospects on his first start on The East Coast. He is unexposed over two turns and may have more upside than the competition. He has to transfer his good synthetic form to dirt but if he does he should pick these up with a strong late move. Forbidden Cigar has come close at this level many times and should win a similar event soon. It may well be today for a low percentage trainer. Awixa appeared to show improvement on his first route with a good second place. That was only a six horse field taken off the grass however.
SNOW COUNTRY had looked an exposed maiden going nowhere until her was claimed. Since then he is two for two and may be up to winning at the next claiming level. He looked particularly impressive in his last race where he closed behind a slow pace and could be worth following. G'day Mate comes out of better races in Maryland and had previously shown a liking for this track. He looks a threat if he can handle the extra distance. Hefferman has serious claims on speed figures but hasn't won for a long time. He may be best used underneath in the exacta or trifecta along with a similar type in Valridge.
MILWAUKEE ACTION ran well in swiftly run race over seven furlongs last time and has form over this extra distance. She goes first time for a barn with a tremendous record with new acquisitions and may move forward again. She has speed but can stalk and should appreciate the less frenetic pace of route racing. My Sweet Nenana is a potential 'blot on the handicap' if her second beaten a neck at 66/1 in state bred stakes race at Laurel can be believed. That may have been a fluke on a wet track but she could be an improved filly over this sort of trip. Minor Issues will take money but she is hard to win with and may be best used to round out an exacta or trifecta.
SKINNY PANTS didn't run a step when upped in class first time off a claim but is realistically spotted here. His form when a close up second at this level in September would make him a strong contender and his stalking style in a speed-laden field should ensure a good trip. Julianna's Boy should also get fast fractions to suit his closing style. He has had many chances to win career race number two but is a strong player if no bargain on the tote board. Unknown Foaldier is interesting on the class drop but could be compromised if gunned for the lead. Partner George broke his maiden over course and distance and has longshot appeal now eased in grade.
