As we crank up for the summer at our “home course”, I Never Give Up will lead us off this evening in the 2nd race.  Mr. Ark will follow tomorrow afternoon.

Today’s race is a maiden special weight carrying a purse of $28,000 and will be a mile over the main track.

Midnight Gypsy (Van Winkle/Lindsay) – After a trio of 2nd place finishes in Arizona running on or near the lead in sprints, this Miss couldn’t keep up in her first start her in Shakopee.  Projects to be close to the lead.

I NEVER GIVE UP (LITFIN/EIKLEBERRY)

Mille Baci (Swan/Hernandez) – One of two in here with first time blinkers.  They should keep her more involved in the race than her starts thusfar where she has fallen out quickly.

Looking Good Carol (Padilla/Loveberry) – First start over the dirt.  She hasn’t been able to break through on the turf but has been competitive, especially over the Tampa turf.  She likes to be close and, should she take to the dirt, she’ll be a threat in here.

Fiftyshadesograyce (Lund/Mojica) – Three very competitive starts and her Beyer Speed Figures make it look like no contest on paper.  Most definitely the one to catch and beat.

Sunset Dreamer (Swan/Gonzales) – Has a had some rough goes of it in Oklahoma, perhaps a change of scenery will help.

Tamariu (Padilla/Sanchez) – Other filly to add blinkers for this start.  Ran some solid races at Tampa over the grass but last start, rained off the turf, she was decidedly not as good.

As mentioned above, this looks like a one horse race on paper.  Fiftyshadesograyce has the best Beyers in the group and pitched three solid races in a row.  If we’re hoping to beat her – and we are – the key will be staying close enough to strike and seeing if she repeats the bit of a fade at her one try at a mile in Arizona.  If she comes back to her earlier efforts and cannot repeat the 60 out of her last race, we have a fighting chance.

Additionally, we really don’t know what to make of Looking Good Carol.  The Irish bred has never done anything but train over the dirt so it’s hard to tell how things will translate for her over the dirt.  Tim Padilla, however, is no slouch and wouldn’t be in this spot if he didn’t think she could win it.

Eikleberry has been hot and our girl has been training well and we’ll see how it all plays out on the track tomorrow.  With a $28,000 purse, hitting the board is still a nice outcome – though the goal is always winning.

Safe trip and good luck!