Churchill Downs, Race 7 – Friday, November 3, 2023
By 2YO EdgeMan
CD7:110323 – Seven furlongs over the dirt. Ten fillies have been entered and are expected to make their way to the starting gate. We’ve got four newbies trying the racing gig for the first time, two that have competed once, three that have raced twice previously and the most experienced gal in the field will be making her fourth start today. Let’s dig in and find some pearls of wisdom…
#2 – Bang Bang Fury (7/2) – This filly was bred in Virginia and is by Violence, out of an unraced More Than Ready mare. However, mom has done some good stuff in the breeding shed having thrown two of five horses of racing age that were winners at age two. This gal was an $80,000 yearling (13/37) and has raced one time. Back on 9/16/23, Donnie Von Hemel saddled her up here at Churchill and she ran well in her debut finishing within a half length of the victor in third place (and posted a 79 Equibase Speed Fig). He’s sent her out for four works at CD’s Training facility since her race (two at four furlongs and two at five panels).
#3 – West Omaha (2/1) – The Morning Line fav is conditioned by local hero, Brad Cox (8 for 38 – 21.1% – with Non FTSers in 2YO MSW races at CD in the fall from 2018 thru 2022). She’s sired by West Coast and is a homebred from Mary and Gary West. Her dam is by Medaglia d’Oro and she’s foaled three others of racing age – none of note. She’s made one start and it was at Churchill on 9/21/23. Similar to the filly above, she finished a very close third (less than one length back), but was ultimately moved up to second place, due to a disqualification (her EBSF was 76). Since her race, Brad has sent her out for three half mile drills under the Twin Spires.
#8 – Hey Olivia (12/1) – This filly is a First-Time starter from Gun Runner. Trainer Helen Pitts has started three firsters in ‘our races’ in the Fall Meet at CD over the previous five years and has had one winner. Her Pioneerof the Nile mare was 3 for 10 with $127K in earnings, including a score in her third outing as a two-year-old in November right here at CD, while posting a sparkling 89 EBSF. Today’s runner is a homebred from 100% Racing Stables. After two breezes of 3/8th of a mile in late July / early August at Skylight Training Center just outside of Louisville, Helen put her to work at today’s track for ten morning efforts. She’s never gone under 12 seconds per furlong, but her last was close – 48.2 seconds for a half mile (3/13). That breeze was done in company with Laughinalltheway (a 4YO colt that has never started) over an off track and she galloped out big.
#9 – Pun Intended (10/1) – Another debut performer, this Curlin filly comes out of the barn of Steve Asmussen. Steve is 6 for 45 (13.3%) with FTS in our races at CD’s Fall Meet over the past five years. Her Midnight Lute mare was precocious – she won her first two starts at age two and then came second in a G2 event that year. Ultimately, she was 2 for 15 and won $259K. She has one other foal of racing age – a 3YO gelding who is yet to be named. Today’s competitor is a Spendthrift Farm homebred and has been working since early/mid-July. Steve started her prep with one work at Keeneland before vanning her down to Churchill for ten more breezes. Her best effort was on 8/25/23 when she went five panels in 1:00.6 (1/28).
Pick – #2 Bang Bang Fury – This gal was all heart in her first try over this strip back in mid-September. I’m a fan of her daddy and like that mom has produced a few 2YO winners. She looks to be rested, but fit. The excellent stable of First In Second Out Racing owns this filly in the exciting Game of Silks – so I wish them lots of luck cheering this gal on, too.
Enjoy the Breeders’ Cup – but don’t forget about our wonderful two-year-old MSWs. You know we’ll be covering the babies here at PastTheWire.com!
