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Anybody’s race for Hot Line Stakes

Published:Thursday | March 9, 2023 | 1:20 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
BAZINGA, ridden by Reyan Lewis, wins a three-year-old fillies non-restricted maiden condition race at Caymanas Park on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
BAZINGA, ridden by Reyan Lewis, wins a three-year-old fillies non-restricted maiden condition race at Caymanas Park on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

A TRICKY Hot Line Stakes presents a minefield for punters on Saturday. Anthony Nunes’ ROYAL ASH and VOLATILITY return off lay-ups against race-fit rivals, three of whom – ACKNOWLEDGEME, SPEEDIE HARE, and BAZINGA – will run on lasix for the first time.

Fillies with topweight in a speed duel could lead to a pace breakdown, giving Gary Subratie’s mile-winner ALL FOR LOVE a look-in after chasing United States-bred DIVINE FORCE down the backstretch and into the lane at seven furlongs on January 29.

Betting could favour barns such as Feanny and Nunes. However, tickets don’t win races, especially events with improving, and unproven fillies, non-winners of two races.

Though returning off lay-ups, Nunes’ ROYAL ASH and VOLATILITY kept company with top two-year-olds last season. VOLATILITY proved her class off a four-month break early January, making all against WHIZZ KID at five furlongs round.

THIRD OUTING

ROYAL ASH hasn’t raced since October’s Cash Pot Trophy, but it should be noted that was her third outing, and she had won on debut, beating VOLATILITY at four furlongs straight. Nunes has booked leading rider Tevin Foster astride ROYAL ASH, who has worked reasonably well, clocking 1:02.2 for five furlongs round.

Feanny’s BAZINGA also posted 1:02.2 on the round, the same morning ROYAL ASH galloped, suggesting that she has improved and could use speed displayed against AWESOME ANTHONY to run rivals into the ground.

ACKNOWLEDGEME and SPEEDIE HARE are not to be underestimated. Similar to BAZINGA, they report with lasix administered and could be anything after recording contrasting victories when last out.

ACKNOWLEDGEME, who fought off SHE’S A MIRAGE at five and a half furlongs, placed second to BURLAP at the same trip on her fifth outing, having a foreigner, FRED THE GREAT, behind her that afternoon.

SPEEDIE HARE not only won at five furlongs straight, but won easily. She totally outclassed TRULY BEGOTTEN SON and CURLIN’S NOON, taking down a field that included SHE’S A MIRAGE.

Don’t play hero and get burnt in the Hot Line Stakes. It is better to spread than be sorry.