SC Synthetic Juvenile Races Preview

[Karl Smythe]

Just in case you don't read the Feature Race Articles.

The third race on the card is the Juvenile Fillies. The Grade 1 event carries a purse of $300k and will be run over one mile.

The Ricky Stamm runner, Spinner’s End should take the favourite’s spot once the betting is finished. She is a three time winner from three starts with stakes wins in the Plastic Debutante and Ivory Crown. ‘Spinner’ is a front runner and will take some beating as she likes to control the pace and has yet to see another filly in front of her at any call.

Nena Olson runs a nice entry in Fairest of All and Absolute Scarlett. ‘Fairest’ is a two time winner in three starts with her major victory coming in the Start Sizzling Stakes in her latest. ‘Scarlett’ is a one time winner with two stakes placings to her credit in three starts. She was 2nd in the All Aboard and 3rd in the Ivory Crown behind Spinner’s End. She will have to be at her best to upset this field.

Lee Cara is another with an entry in the Juvenile Fillies. He has entered Sizzling Flop, a one time winner with two stakes placings in three starts. She was 2nd in both the Promising Stakes and Ivory Crown. The off the pace runner could topple the favourite should there be a tussle on the front end. Shut in the Snow is the other Cara colour bearer. She has three seconds in three starts and even though she has run against nice fillies, it would be tough to pick her over her stable mate and Spinner’s End.

Anselan carries the silks of Bob Green. The homebred filly is a two time winner including the All Aboard Stakes two starts ago. She was 4th recently in the Start Sizzling behind Fairest of All. She has won her only stake over the course and could be in the thick of things off her best.

The final starter is Faith Divides Us. She is owned by Kenzie Larkin and enters here with a win, second and third place finish in three starts, all stakes. She won the Promising Stakes two starts back and enters here off a good third in the Start Sizzling. ‘Faith’ is another looking for the front runner to falter.

The Juvenile Fillies looks like a walk in the park for Spinner’s End. She will be extra tough to beat and I am not willing to bet against her.


The fourth race on the card is the Juvenile Colts. It also carries a purse of $300k and Grade 1 designate to go along with its Filly counterpart.

The role of favourite goes to A Holiday Prayer, from the Clinton Jacinto barn. ‘Pray’ is undefeated in four starts, all added money events. His best speed figures come at Artificial Arena as he looks to make it three straight over the track.

There are another couple of lightly raced undefeated runners that wish to challenge A Holiday Prayer. The first is Start Storming. He will represent his owner Kyasuriin Matsumoto in the Juvenile. The homebred has two victories including a last out win in the Dr. Ghazi Stakes. His front running style will be an asset in what looks to be a paceless race from the past performances which will benefit him. He could be tough to catch if he goes with an uncontested lead.
The second colt is Optimistic, from the stable of Todd Lucas. The son of West took the Juvenile Bound in his latest and has two top speed figures in two starts. His only worry is the cut back in distance as he has taken both victories over 1 1/16 miles. A come from behind runner, he will be looking to pick up the runners late in the lane. In with a top three chance.

Regina Moore enters her nice homebred colt Hot Dream. He is a one time winner with three stakes placings in four starts. He enters here off two good seconds in the Plastic Juvenile and Seeking a Storm Stakes. The off the pace runner looks for a good pace to run at in the lane.

Greg Mey has Battle Line entered. His lone win came in his latest in a maiden victory at Artificial Arena. He likes to stay close to the pace and may end up on the front end if no one else takes it early. He has to improve off his latest but his speed figure puts him right in the mix.

The final two entries will represent Lee Cara, one of the biggest all weather owner/trainers on the circuit.
Grassy Chaser is the more likely of the pair as he took his maiden victory in his first start and has added stakes placings in his latest two behind A Holiday Prayer and Start Storming. He will have to be at his best to pick up a cheque in this spot.
Dawn Approach is a maiden after three starts but has run well in all three races. He will be force to reckon with in the coming season.

I will go with Start Storming in this race with Optimistic for second and A Holiday Prayer for third. A tough race to gauge but I am going with the higher speed figures to make my pick.

Jon Smythe

Disclaimer:
All opinions are in fun and not to be taken seriously by anyone entered in the Synthetic Juvenile races.