Closing weekend is a big one at Canterbury this season – two days of 13 races each, really big fields and the Canterbury Racing Club trying to take home victory number 3 in the final race of the 2017 season.

Belle will be breaking from post 8 in the 12 horse field with Orlando Mojica aboard.  The race is a $7500 claiming race going a mile and a 16th over the turf course.

Here is a look at the field.

Chub’s Charmer (Westerman/Mawing) – Just missed at this level last out and gets a bit more distance to work with in this race.

Betyar (Robertson/Loveberry) – Cleared her conditions at $12,500 so it’s not unusual to see a horse drop after that but ran so well in optional it does surprise me a bit for the low tag.  Should be on or near the early lead.

Tactical Girl (McShane/Hernandez) – Started her CBY season at this level and performed admirably before a pair of sixth place finishes.  Definite off the pace type.

Stellabrini (Donlin/Lindsay) – Minnesotan has five straight seventh place finishes though against tougher company.  Gets some class relief here.  Could surprise late.

Looking at Beauty (Rhone/Escobar) – Well beaten 2nd last out but well clear of third.  One with a bit of speed so should help determine the shape of the race early.

Bear Facts (Lund/Ramgeet) – Winner by a nose last out when Belle finished 4th.  She came from well out of it under a well timed ride.

Lady Babako (Bravo/Hamilton) – Speedster moves in from the outside post in the last where she was only beaten 2 1/4 in her last (where we finished 4th).

BRILLIANT BELLE (LITFIN/MOJICA)

Emma Lea’s Song (Silva/Goodwin) – Winner at this distance and level 2 back where she beat several in here. Will be looking to pounce late.

Victory Ice (Scherer/Velazquez) – Had a rough go of it last out when re-entering open company.  Regular pilot shifts to another mount.

Lil Mighty Mo (Anderson/Lopez) – Minnesotan has had a rough go of it but hasn’t run this low before either.

Waytogo Trish (Anderson/Delorme) – Won two back at a mile over the turf in this level and did it, like most turf races, from off the pace.  Bounce back race last out, though, was a disaster, trailing nearly the entire way.

Pretty exciting to be able to close out the meet. We’ve had a pair of winners already and to close out the season with a win would be tremendous.  Can she do it though?

She seems to have the right style for a race like this.  She can stalk the pace without needing the lead and then get first run at the leaders late.  She really ran okay in her turf debut and was able to close a bit.  If Orlando can keep her relaxed and in position to pounce, hopefully she’ll have enough to get by the fading speed and hold off the late chargers.

The last day of the season is really crowded so we do not have a spot for this race.  Remember that we’re all welcome into the paddock but please keep it to members since it could be a lot of people and there is a full field.

Good luck everyone and thanks for a great live racing season, you all have been terrific!