Tenacious V Stays at Head of the Class
The How Are You Gentlemen Cup Stakes
Grade 1 Stakes
A mile and one sixteenth on Firm Turf
$500,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old
We are here in New South Wales and having a ball trying to decide who will win the How Are You Gentlemen Cup Stakes. This mile and a sixteenth turf Grade I for three year old fillies is paying out half a million dollars and has drawn some of the best horses in this class. Let’s take a look:
1 – CHOP NEVER STOPS ODDS OWNER WIN% JOCKEY WIN% TOP SPEED AVG SPEED RANK 10/1 JSimpson 0.0% K.Heller 0% 88.8 83.5 21
(GREEN DESERT x CAPE TOWN x STORM CAT) JSimpson’s filly is lightly raced with only four outings but just missed winning a GI in her last outing, She did beat two others in this field, TAKETHECAR and COSMO GIRL. She loves the lead and will certainly hop into it from this inside post position. Jockey Heller is still looking for his first win this year as is trainer JSimpson but they both have a shot with this girl.
| 2 – TROLLEY | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/1 | Wish | 15.4% | E.Barger | 7% | 88.4 | 85.4 | 16 |
(VICTORY GALLOP x FORTY NINER x THEATRICAL(IRE)) Other than her dirt race, this filly has only finished out of the top three one time and that was a respectable sixth in the Breeders Bowl. Add to that fact that she continues to improve and you know that could be trouble. She hasn’t quite hit that big SPF yet but it could happen at any time. Trainer Wish has groomed this filly well and is waiting to reap the rewards. Perhaps it will be here.
| 3 – COSMO GIRL | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/1 | TheOC2 | 40.0% | R.Owen | 17% | 93.5 | 87.7 | 15 |
(STORM CAT x GONE WEST x NIJINSKY II) At the beginning of this year, this filly looked like the top of a great class of three year olds but she has struggled her last couple of races. She was running 9f races and the slightly shorter distance may do her good. She has jockey Owen holding the reins and he can certainly get the job done. Trainer TheOC2 has a tremendous win percentage and will do what it takes to get his girl back on track..
| 4 – PRABHA(AUS) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/1 | United | 9.5% | A. Trembath | 0% | 89.0 | 85.2 | 96 |
(TESTA ROSSA (AUS) x WARNING(GB) x MR. PROSPECTOR) She’s run more races than anyone in this field and you start to wonder if it has contributed to her recent falling off. She has struggled in the Graded Stakes and has see-sawed between good and mediocre over the past few. It won’t help that her jockey, Trembath has had his own struggles this year, still looking for that elusive first win. Trainer United needs to get this all straightened out in a hurry or his filly will drop out of the top 100.
| 5 – CARSON TOUCH(NZ) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/1 | HolyChow | 11.1% | O.U.Nog | 7% | 90.2 | 85.5 | 10 |
(ZABEEL(NZ) x SADLER’S WELLS x CARSON CITY) Since a near miss in last year’s Breeders Bowl, this filly hasn’t been able to finish better than fifth in her three races. She is cutting back a little from 9.5f in her last race and that should suit her. You have to really hope that this wonderful girl wasn’t a 2 year old flash and flame out as a three year old. I for one don’t believe that is the case. This would be a good time to prove it.
| 6 – TAKETHECAR | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/1 | OnTarget2 | 15.4% | A.Butcha | 0% | 84.8 | 81.1 | 18 |
(STROLL x RAINBOW QUEST x CAERLEON) This filly is another in this race that seems to have leveled off after a rocket-like start to her career. Her last four, all Graded Stakes were finishes of ninth, eleventh, seventh and sixth. Certainly nothing to write home about and you have to think that she may be better served to move down to the regular Stakes races and see what she can do there. Trainer OnTarget2 likes to run his filly against the best competition and that is the chance you take.
| 7 – VERDANT FIELD(IRE) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/1 | Lender3 | 15.0% | D.Phillips | 24% | 91.4 | 83.2 | 19 |
(EL PRADO(IRE) x SLIP ANCHOR(GB) x CON BRIO II) This Irish bred filly has never finished worse than second in her six starts and led in her Equinics race until right at the end in her last outing. She took a well deserved six week rest and looks ready to do battle once again. She could be the surprise long shot in this race especially with Phillips up in the saddle as he has been red hot this campaign. Lender3 has been very quiet about his filly this week but there are plenty of others willing to talk about her.
| 8 – RAZZY BBOR | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/1 | Wahoo2 | 7.7% | B.Budgies | 8% | 83.4 | 79.3 | 322 |
(ARAZI x RAINBOW QUEST x GLITTERMAN) This good looking chestnut filly has started the year off right with a first and a second but both were in allowance races. She keeps improving but it has been baby steps and she still needs a giant step up in speed figure to compete in this race. She drew the right post as she loves the middle of the field but she had better save something for the stretch run as it could be fast and furious.
| 9 – BIT OF A RUSE | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/1 | GradeOne | 13.0% | L.Fontain | 10% | 86.8 | 82.2 | 4 |
(SEEKING THE GOLD x DANEHILL x RIVERMAN) Other than her disaster on the off track at the Equinics, this well bred filly has looked great since she switched to the grass. She hasn’t thrown a huge SPF yet but is always in the mix and knows how to finish. This would be a great time for her to step up as some of the other three year old fillies seem to be struggling right now. Perhaps she can take advantage.
| 10 – BLUE SMOKE | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/1 | Eomer | 20.8% | T.Kirkland | 18% | 90.5 | 84.3 | 56 |
(SMOKE GLACKEN x A.P. INDY x CARO(IRE)) Although most of her best races have been sprints, this pretty roan filly has been as consistent as anyone lately including back to back wins in her last two outings. It will be very interesting to see if the added distance will be handled and she is ready to take off in her three year old campaign. She has an awesome team behind her with trainer Eomer and jockey Kirkland both having nice seasons so far.
| 11 – LARGE MARGE(IRE) | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/1 | Socko | 10.5% | M.Ridenour | 0% | 82.5 | 80.2 | 55 |
(THEATRICAL(IRE) x KINGMAMBO x NIJINSKY II) This big brown Irish bred is appropriately named. She may be large but she is lean and mean when it comes to her running. She seems to prefer shorter distances and is taking a step up to this distance. Her jockey Ridenour has been struggling but has always been capable in his seven years so should be able to fight his way through it. This filly could help him out if she can take the distance.
| 12 – TENACIOUS V | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/1 | Peeps4 | 26.3% | P.Bangs | 24% | 94.0 | 89.0 | 1 |
(VINDICATION x LEAR FAN x BUCKPASSER) The number one ranked filly seems to like this distance better than some that she has been running and has looked really sharp in workouts this week. Trainer Peeps4 has been hot this year and she has the tracks hottest jockey in the irons. This all bodes well for this talented filly and I expect her to be there at the end. The last two times that she had an outside post position were two of her best races. That’s bad news for the rest of the field.
| 13 – POST HASTE | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/1 | SnakeFoot | 16.7% | A,Collins | 7% | 89.1 | 78.3 | 255 |
(LOUP SAUVAGE x AJDAL x INTREPID HERO) She went to Hong Kong and ran a mile for the first time in her last outing and really seemed to enjoy herself. It was her first win in nearly a year and her best SPF to date. Granted it was an allowance race but may translate well here. Was that last race an aberration or is she ready to bloom? Those questions may be answered in a big way to owner Snakefoot in this race.
| 14 – LOWLANDS MOVIE | ODDS | OWNER | WIN% | JOCKEY | WIN% | TOP SPEED | AVG SPEED | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/1 | Zeco1 | 0.0% | B.Perkins | 9% | 87.3 | 80.6 | 144 |
(CRYPTOCLEARANCE x MT. LIVERMORE x RIVERMAN) This nice looking chestnut filly’s only win came in a MSW race a while back but she has looked pretty good in her Stakes campaign. She seems to be still learning how to finish and hasn’t run her best race yet. She has a tough task to do that in this race with the tough field and outside post but stranger things have happened. Trainer Zeco1 is entrusting his filly to the capable hands of jockey Perkins but it may take more than he has to give.
Morning Line = 3-12-2-10-4-5
Yoss Tipsheet = 12-10-3-7
Paz Picks = 12-2-3-10
A lot of stories in this race. Some of these young fillies seem to be taking a step back while others are stepping up. I would have liked to have seen BLUE SMOKE run a little more distance so I am choosing her to finish fourth. I really believe that COSMO GIRL is going to get it back on track and could actually win this race. I think she will have a near miss in third. It may be time for TROLLEY to have her coming out party but will just miss and finish second. TENACIOUS V looks like the whole package and should cross the wire first.
Good luck to all runners!
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