Who Doesn't Like Fast Women?

-by Patrick Patten, author of Handride.

The F&M Sprint is the first BC race, and I hate to say it, but it’s the one I’m looking forward to the most.  This will be the most competitive race, and the proof I use to claim this?   The horses entered are in the money 77% of the time.  Adding up all their lifetime performances, they’re in the money a collective 133 out of 172 times.  WOW.  The horse with the worst record, Psalm, has Goldikova, Lush Lashes, and Zarkava in her past performances.  That’s some pretty good company she was keeping.  You also have Lady Sprinter, Indyanne, and Indian Blessing, who have all been favorites pretty much throughout their career.  Not all these horses can finish in the money, and someone will have to be a favorite.  

I’ll keep my real handicapping to a minimum as there will be many things to read by people more qualified than me.  So, let me just say this:  There is a ton of speed in this race.  I see Dearest Trickski, Dream Rush, Indyanne, La Tee, and Lady Sprinter all needing the lead, or at least probably going to go for it if their post allows, with horses like Indian Blessing and Zaftig not too far away.

Which leads me to my girl:  Intangaroo.  A horse who hasn’t been favored since an Allowance race this time last year, but who since has won three Grade 1’s, all at this 7f distance.  She gets no respect.  No respect I tellya.   She’s been working every week out in Hollywood and appears not to have had a bad work since her last win, in the Ballerina at Saratoga, a race in which she tied her high Beyer mark of 99.  True it’s not the 100+’s of Indian Blessing, Indyanne, Ventura (ooh that Frankel and his turf fillies), and Zaftig, but I’ll take her record in big spots.

The pick: Intangaroo.  Minor Awards:  Indian Blessing, Ventura, Zaftig.