K2 gets his first start in front of the home fans today and while it’s a short field it is by no means an easy race. It’s a $10,000 claiming race going six furlongs over the main track. We will have a spot signed off for us at Silks so Heather and I will meet the gang there for Race 1 and then any group 1 folks can head on over to the paddock. The past performances for the race are below.
Here is a look at the field:
KIPPER KEY (BRINSON/FRANCO)
Tester (Diodoro/Carreno) – He is 3 of 6 in 2016 with a stalking running style. His figures and connections are solid and in his most recent start he scored at Turf Paradise at this level.
Red N Black Attack (Diodoro/Rosier) – Recent claim by the Jacobson barn has made his way into the Diodoro fold and is moving from California. He had a tough first out after the claim in a conditioned $10K at Los Alamitos. This may be a bit of a softer spot but will still need a better effort. Also will want to stalk the pace.
De Facto (Ashford/Canchari) – Winner of two in a row in New Mexico prior to his claim. Outclassed in his lone run at Prairie Meadows in an optional claimer/starter. He may be a notch below these but what he DOES have is a unique and possibly deadly running style in this race: lone speed.
Moon Gun (McKinley/Hernandez) – He was a solid router in 2015 taking a Lone Star allowance as well as a $20,000 claimer at Remington. HIs 3 Canterbury starts were not impressive, but two were on the turf and one a stake. Coming in of the long layoff could be problematic and team could be prepping for longer later.
For those of you new to the Club, I try and use this space to talk a bit about how we can win this race. My hope is that Moon Gun will be a little keyed up and raring to go which could give De Facto some pressure up front. Clay mentioned in his interview yesterday that he’d like Geovanni to keep K2 a little closer than he was in his last – no more than 6 or 7 behind. We all know how hard it is to close into sprints here so we don’t want to be too far off.
The inside may be a bit of an advantage which could help us save some ground and keep the stalkers wide. He’ll be coming late but I am concerned that nothing will melt down in front of him.
The wildcard will be the weather. It’s been a bit rainy and there is a chance of thunderstorms tomorrow with an 80% chance of rain. Our boy has one win in five starts over a wet track and his PPs also show a good 4th in a Remington Park allowance over a sloppy course. Only Moon Gun shows a win over an off track.
Rain or shine it is paddock group 1.
Here is the track analysis of the race from their website:
Canterbury Racing Club 
Racing Club Caps!!!!!! We will be at the silks area early (around 11:30 or 11:45 am) with the caps. If you have already contacted me for a cap or are just now deciding to get one we will have caps, stop by to pick one or two up.
Whether you are in paddock group 1 or a later group show your support and hopefully bring K2 and the group a little extra luck.