Minnesota Festival of Champions - The Classics

As the dawn of Championship Sunday here in the upper Midwest breaks crisp and clear, this final preview looks to the two Classics: Distaff and Open. Both will be competitive and feature newcomers as well as horses looking to defend their titles. Post time for the first race is at 1:30. I hope to see you out there.

MINNESOTA DISTAFF CLASSIC
Distance: 1 mile and one sixteenth
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $50,000

Pretty as a Smile (Goodwin) - Defending champion has not won in 2009 yet, but has taken on a challenging campaign as well. Runner up to one of the favorites earlier this season in an Optional Claiming race.

Minnesota Mafia (Rivera) - Lightly campaigned this season, she's notched two wins in three starts, including the Princess Elaine. Both wins were on the turf and her only dirt start was a disappointing debut.

Nirvani (Pizarro) - Clearly does not even belong in this field. Has finished dead last in all but one race this season (that was a second to last effort) in rock bottom claimers.

Cousin Sue (Von Rosen) - Beaten by 38 in this race last year, she's prepping at even lower levels this year than she was then.

Hills of Ireland (Ferrer) - She has some back class and a nice 3rd in the Lady Slipper earlier this year. however she also has a habit of not winning as she's 0-13 over the last two seasons including three recent attempts at the lowest levels on the grounds.

Sweet Ole Somerset (Morales) - She has notched her two wins this season against state-breds but has faltered in her others. She may just be a cut below the top in here.

Chick Fight (Butler) - Three year old is five of eight lifetime including three stakes wins - two this meet (Francis Genter and the MN Oaks). The one to catch.

PICKS:

1. Chick Fight
2. Minnesota Mafia
3. Pretty as a Smile

MINNESOTA CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP
Distance: 1 mile and one sixteenth
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $50,000

The Real Story (Nolan) - An interesting horse whose Beyers say 'yes' but class levels say 'no'.

Tez Azadi (Eikleberry) - Only has managed a couple of seconds at low levels this meet.

Jr Hills (Bello) - Another Vargas trainee (see Nirvani in the Distaff) that clearly does not belong. Still a maiden after 16 tries with the latest effort being a 16 length loss in a state bred $25,000 Maiden Claiming race.

Suddenly Silver (Bell) - The defending champ was a weakening 3rd in the Schoepf and trounced by Perfect Bull earlier in the meet. Should be in the mix, but will be tough to pick on top.

Silver Wilbur (Stevens) - Coming in off a win in a state bred $7500 claiming race, may be over-matched by the best of these.

Perfect Bull (Butler) - Minn Derby winner will be the rightly favorite, though is not without fault. However if my horse crush fires, he wins.

PICKS:

1. Perfect Bull
2. The Real Story
3. Suddenly Silver