G2 Queen Liz Commemorative Preview

Here is the field of 11:

#1 Milly Bloom (MIDAS) 5/1

Experience: This one sure had a great start to the calendar year with 5 straight victories, including the G2 Rich and Famous Handicap for her last win. Not really sure what has happened the last two, as she hasn’t gotten back to being overly competitive in graded company. Her race in the G1 Yellow Submarine she did hang on for 4th, but lacked any sort of finish late.

Outlook: Vulnerable co-favorite in my mind. If this race was 2 back, sure she was trending up but the last two have to be considered a bit of a disappointment. For that price I will pass and look elsewhere. Speed figures are a bit light too.

#2 Pure Wonder (All-Stars Racing) 7/1

Experience: 3 year old ready to face older for the first time. Lightly raced as she has only seen the starting gate 8 times, but has won 5 of those. Won the G2 Lake Flacid back in August with a huge move down the stretch. Tried to replicate that in the G1 QE2 Challenge last out, but didn’t quite get there finishing 3rd, 2 lengths behind.

Outlook: Always a tough challenge facing older, but the speed figures are some of the best in here. The added furlong probably benefits her as well, since she probably could have used it to get up last time. Has never finished out of the money and I like her to keep rolling against these. Podium finish likely and a definite contender to take it down.

#3 Sepoy Growler (No Residency) 6/1

Experience: A bit of an inconsistent sort in her career but I guess she has won the last 3 of 4. The only blemish during that run was when she faced the boys in the G3 Stockholm International. She basically ran mid-pack all race and was a non-factor. The win in the Pantigana last out raised that speed figure enough that she could be competitive here with another similar race.

Outlook: Not sure how the cutback to 10F will change her. She is 0 for 3 at the distance, and probably likes the added distance a bit. I’m not sure I would play her anyway, so I will look towards others. 

#4 Awesome Little Gal (No Residency) 5/1

Experience: Has only won once since November 2020, but that was G3 Good Vista she took down in February. Results haven’t been there and she did scale back the last race to a local stake and did get up for third to finally get back into the money. Just haven’t found her form against company like these.

Outlook: I can’t back her as a favorite with the results she has been posting. The speed figures aren’t that off the mark, but you have to get on the board in some of them. Pass, pass, pass.

#5 Getridofyouridols (GR Simsters) 6/1

Experience: This one didn’t have much stakes luck earlier in her career, but after a nice run of allowance victories tried the G1 Liz Taylor last time out. She made a move after sitting mid pack most of the way and took down the field by a length. Will bring a three race win streak at this distance into the race today.

Outlook: The result was there last race, but the speed figure is behind the top group here. Will need to bump it up a bit to compete against the best in this one. Been consistent around this number, so not sure we will all of a sudden see a jump. Can’t knock the wins, but will pass for others.

#6 Prospering Frank (All-Stars Racing) 6/1

Experience: Hasn’t been out of the money since December 2020 and it isn’t like she has been battling nobodies. The graded victory has eluded her though as she has a pair of seconds in the G3 Stockholm and G3 Longest Distaff the last two out. Won the last two local stakes she has tried so this is the next logical step.

Outlook: Another one who probably likes a bit more distance, but her consecutive podium finishes isn’t something I want to bet against here. If she can get an earlier kick I’d like her on top, but see her coming top 3 here with a late charge.

#7 Hafthor (Empire State Racing) 16/1

Experience: 3 year old who will be facing older for the first time. She has won half her races, but this is a big step up. Tried this distance for the first time last race and she did come a hard charging second in the G2 Corn Shucker. Won the G3 Wynn Point earlier this season as well, so she did hold her own against her fellow 3 year olds.

Outlook: Tough ask here so will pass for others. Her speed figures are a cut below those here and I get that she has room to improve only being 3, but I think even if she trends upwards she will be just outside the podium.

#8 Jabuk Cadmean (MIDAS) 9/1

Experience: Her efforts into graded racing have been nothing short of a disappointment with her best finish being a 6th. Makes sense to give it another go though as her last 3 races outside of them have been victories including the Mongoose Jedi Turf last time. Also seems to prefer this distance.

Outlook: I want to see her be competitive in a graded race before I can pick her in one. Her figures fall well below the best in here, so I am definitely sitting back and not playing her here.

#9 Shepouredpurenard (GR Simsters) 11/1

Experience: Well, well, well what a race that was last time out. Posted the highest figure this field has seen as she ran away with the Timeclock Turf.  She is only 3, but that one was against older already and was a huge bump. If she runs back to it, she will take down this field.

Outlook: Might have found her sweet spot at 10F. Always a bit cautious though as it was such a huge bump. Will she regress back a bit. Even if she does, probably still challenge for a podium spot. Nice price to play at 11/1 also.

#10 Spirit Persephone (European Union Racing Organization) 7/1

Experience: Old gal has only raced 13 times in her career. If she can run back to that win in the G3 French Alley that she had in April it would definitely put her in contention. Problem is she hasn’t found that form since. Did have a nice allowance win last out to get a prep in before here.

Outlook: I can’t pick these that seem to be trending a bit in the wrong direction. She should have run back to that figure by now and it worries me she hasn’t.

#11 Game of Shadows (GR Simsters) 17/1

Experience: 3 year old who has been competitive in the local stakes she has tried in her last 3. She won the Falvenic and seemed to lack the added distance. Has been ITM 8 of 9 times in her life, so knows how to be competitive. Like the progression she has made and probably a logical next step even against older.

Outlook: She has been in the mix every race she has been in, but this is a different beast. If she can keep trending up, then sure, she can be competitive here. The extra distance will help her too. Intriguing at her odds.

The Field In Numbers

Horse	Speed – Career	Speed – Distance	Speed – Last 6M	Total Points
Shepouredpurenard	119.4	119.4	119.4	33
Awesome Little Gal	115.2	115.2	114	23
Pure Wonder	117.7	104.4	117.7	22
Sepoy Growler	115.5	106.6	115.5	20
Spirit Persephone	116.7	116.7	110.6	20
Prospering Frank	118.2	103.8	113.2	18
Milly Bloom	112.7	112.7	112.7	15
Game Of Shadows	113.9	—	113.9	13
Jabuk Cadmean	113.2	113.2	108.2	13
Getridofyouridols	112.3	112.3	112.3	12
Hafthor	111.2	111.2	111.2	9

My Prediction

#2 : 3 year old who is ready to take the next step.

#6 : Would like her if it was slightly longer, she still gets up for a piece.

#9 : Can she run back to that figure?