The time we all at Vermont have anxiously been awaiting is here...the Equinics !! Our horses are all well rested, and prepped to go. My job is to cover the Aphrodite Filly Sprint, a $400,000 Grade II race that I sponsored. This race is the 9th on the full card of 15 graded races. Fillies 2 years old will be going 6 furlongs on the fast dirt. As I look down the program I see we have a wide range of entries from the twelve participating tracks. Lets see how they all stack up.

Post Position 1 -AVENGER DANZIG
Trainer - theavenger
Odds - 20/1
Representing - Delaware
Comments - This is a lightly raced filly of Danzig. She threw up a 77 in her 2nd race to break her maiden at 5.5 furlongs on the dirt. Since then she has had 2 considerably lower speed ratings in a stakes race and an allowance try. I don't look for her to really be in the mix.

Post Position 2 -TOOTSIE WOOD
Trainer - drpag
Odds - 99/1
Representing - Ireland
Comments - This daughter of Bridlewood is still a maiden after 6 tries. She has only gone 6 furlongs once where she had the lead until the finish and posted a 58 speed rating. Doesn't look like Ireland has much chance taking home a medal in this one.

Post Position 3 -LOOK AT HER GO
Trainer - keast
Odds - 19/1
Representing - Iowa
Comments - A Storm Cat filly who has hit the board in all three of her races. She has never went longer then 5.5 furlongs but I think she will improve with the extra half furlong.

Post Position 4 -TORRIDLY SEE
Trainer - jf1
Odds - 11/1
Representing - North Carolina
Comments - The #29 ranked filly and a daughter of Real Quiet has 8 starts under her belt 6 being wins. She has won her last 4 races in both allowance and stakes company including one against the boys. Her best speed rating was last race in a 6.5 furlong race where she posted an 84. Look for her to be close to the lead if she is to be a factor. I think I would put soem $$ on this one as your long shot bet.

Post Position 5 -RICKY'S NIGHTMARE
Trainer - hilofarms
Odds - 2/1
Representing - Minnesota
Comments - The favorite for the race is a daughter of Storm Cat and is ranked #2. Out of 6 starts she has 5 wins including a Grade II win and two Grade III wins. She will also be going for the lead and I look for her to definitely be in the top three.

Post Position 6 -BEASTIE PEAK
Trainer - arion
Odds - 38/1
Representing - Turfstar
Comments - This daughter of Horse Chesnut has 4 dirt tries and only hit the board once. That was a win in a small allowance race going 5.5 furlongs. She came from the back of the pack to win by a length and posted a 77 speed rating.

Post Position 7 -SEAWOOD
Trainer - alexxx69
Odds - 9/2
Representing - Nevada
Comments - Woodmans daughter is the #7 filly in the SIM. She is coming off her best race ever winning a Grade II race with a 94. The race was on the slop and was going 6.5 furlongs. I think that the bounce factor might affect her chances. If she is in the mix I look for her to be just a few lengths off the pace.

Post Position 8 -BELLE TRUMPET
Trainer - trumpet
Odds - 9/2
Representing - Vikings
Comments - Another daughter of Storm Cat, this one is ranked #6. Though she only has one win, she has been second or third in all her other starts. Looks as if she would be sharp after a 71 in a 5.5 furlong last time out. She looks ready for a great race.

Post Position 9 -POMPOUS CAPOTE
Trainer - crystalluv
Odds - 10/1
Representing - Vermont
Comments - Daughter of Capote. Her best speed rating was an 88 goign 6.5 furlongs. Lets hope she improves of her last race to be in the top 3 for Vermont.

Post Position 10 -BUDA QUEEN
Trainer - bigb
Odds - 9/1
Representing - California
Comments - A Kingmambo daughter coming off a win in a 6 furlong allowance race. Will be up in front battling for the lead as well.

Post Position 11-MURF RAY
Trainer - browns2
Odds - 7/1
Representing - Nebraska
Comments - #14 ranked filly out of Nureyev. She hasn't won in the past 3 months, but did finish 2nd in a Grade II going 6.5 furlongs. I think that the 6 furlongs wil be too short for her but she might hit the board.

Post Position 12 -ALYCANDLE ROAR
Trainer - xeeyaa
Odds - 14/1
Representing - New York
Comments - Daughter of Roar won a 6.5 furlongs stakes race by wiring the field. She will be battling for the lead with a few others but I don't think she will get it.

I would like to wish all horses, jockeys, and trainers participating in the Equinics the best of luck !! I hope it will be as much fun as we have been working for it to be !! See you for the recap