Weekend Review

Weekend Overview: Two weeks ago we saw almost nothing but favorites winning. This week the favorites took a battering. Prior to this weekend I'm not sure you could have sold me on the fact that Proud Spell, A.P Arrow, Go Between, Daytona, Z Fortune, Noonmark, Magnificience and Zanjero would all lose. Music Note, Mast Track and Frost Giant are now G-1 winners. Seems to me like this weekend was a real life argument in favor of downgrading and reworking the stakes schedule. We have too many G-1's and although Music Note looks like a high quality animal she was facing just 3 fillies. Frost Giant has no discernable quality other than the fact that he can stay. Solar Flare would have won this race if it was any shorter. Also for those who may not have noticed Barbeque Eddie made a successful return from Dubai when he wired an allowance field at Hollywood.

Performance of the Week: For anyone not following the meteoric rise of Storm Mesa check out the Iowa Oaks. After 3 open length victories and a gaudy 108 Beyer Storm Mesa has transformed herself from a little known maiden from the bayou to a legitimate threat in the Three Year Old Female division. The Iowa Oaks was her sternest test to date and she passed with flying colours. Sure the margin of victory was less than in her other races but I really loved is the way this filly was pricking her ears while under pressure. The competition was full out and pressing but she held them safely and seemed to even be enjoying herself.

Race of the Week: For my taste the best race of the weekend was the Iowa Sprint Handicap. It ended being a cavalry charge where Noonmark, Sing Baby Sing and Native Ruler forged to the front. These three battled it out through the lane until Native Ruler finally put them away.

Flop of the Weekend: He was far from the only favorite to fail this weekend but Daytona's demise was the most shocking to me personally. The horse has been a machine since last fall. It was sad to see him struggling against those inferior horses. Perhaps he had some sort of physical issue or maybe he just needs a good long break.

TCR Mover’s and Shakers: It was a week of disappointment for several top divisional players. Proud Spell, Daytona and Intangaroo all had great chances to either gain position or solidify an already lofty placing but they achieved just one third place finish among them. Proud Spell does finally take over top spot in the 3yo filly division, but on the visual evidence she provided it will not be hers for long. Daytona missed a huge opportunity to go second in the Turf Male division. To highlight the relative lack of depth in the Main Track Older Male division, Mast Track and Frost Giant are now the 6th and 8th best ranked Older Males. Grasshopper (27th), Circular Quay (33rd) and A.P. Arrow (38th) should be ashamed of themselves.

Tip O’the Cap: It was a massive weekend for John Sadler. He accounted for the scalps of Cosmic Queen, Daytona and Magnificience with a nice stakes triple.

KC Handicapping: Wow, the curse continues and not because of low quality selections. 5 of the 7 horses selected ran in the money. Solar Flare looked like a winner in the stretch but didn't stay the trip. Sing Baby Sing did indeed fight off Noonmark but he couldn't hold off Native Ruler who took a big step forward. Poor Go Between has become something of a "nearly" horse. He ran well it's just that with Heatseeker out there was no one to keep Mast Track honest. Emmy Darling impressed and showed once again the potency of certain 2yo angles.

Cumulative record of selected horses: 7(4)-1-3-1 (-$5.60 -40.00% ROI)
Overall record: 555(282)-99-98-79 (-$129.20 -11.64% ROI)