Elegantimage: A Look at the Field

Below is my horse-by-horse lowdown for the C$530,000 Elegantimage Final on June 16 at Mohawk Racetrack along with my morning line. I’m not giving out my selections here (you’ll have to wait until Thursday for that), but maybe you can read between the lines.

Thursday I'll cover the C$1.5 million North America Cup for 3-year-old pacers.

(1) ON THE BRIGHT SIDE (20-1) pulled from last before the half and set up behind poor cover. She closed some late ground but really hung in the final stages. This gal will need a miraculous wake up call to even hit the board.

(2) WIN MISSY B (8-1) flashed good speed to the front but wasn’t able to sustain the entire mile. That said, all reports point to the track being tiring that day (only two horses won on the lead). She was one of the top 2-year-olds last year but has yet to step forward in 2012. I may need 6-1 or higher to consider playing her.

(3) CHECK ME OUT (7-5) moved uncovered at the half and rushed by easily enough. She won easily but posted a slow final quarter. She is probably best in here and could be as good as the boys, but the Schnittker trainee hasn’t been awesome and will come with a very short mutuel price. Underlay?

(4) MAVEN (4-1) came uncovered at the five-eighths and was able to get a braven-up tuck at the three quarter pole. He quickly popped back out of the pocket and pounced on the leader to win under only some light whip reminders. This daughter of Glidemaster clearly has a ton of talent. Does she have the 1:52 mile it might take to win on Saturday? Good question.

(5) LOVELY VACATION (12-1) left and found a tuck before lining up behind cover. She gapped off that foe for a period but eventually swung wide and was okay yet unspectacular late. She has early speed and a good post in her corner but doesn’t seem fast enough to win.

(6) SAND VIOLET BLU (25-1) had the front for a brief moment before yielding into the pocket and tiring. Her elimination effort did nothing to make you think she can handle Saturday’s foes.

(7) SUPERSTAR HANOVER (20-1) did nothing of note and never fired in her elimination. Hard to believe this was the same filly that trotted 1:53 2/5 at Philly. Maybe she didn’t like the Mohawk surface? Well, she won over this track in 2011. I’m really not sure what to make of her chances.

(8) VALDONNA (15-1) went to the front but was quickly back in the pocket. She began to gap out on the final turn and broke but when she recovered, no one was moving faster at the wire. Her previous mile at Philly says she can go with these. Yeah, she will need to behave and pick up her game slightly, but I can’t rule out those possibilities.

(9) MISS PARIS (10-1) was slow away and finally angled from last past the five-eighths. Kadabra filly showed steady late trot under only light asking. The screws haven’t been tightened on her yet. She is another live longshot for a board spot.

(10) PERSONAL STYLE (8-1) gained along the inside before angling in the stretch and showing a decent late rally. She overcame post 10 in the NJSS final at the Meadowlands. Saturday’s task will be even tougher. I fear she may be looking at no better than a minor award.