TOP FILLIES SQUARE OFF IN DAHLIA MARATHON

New York-It’s great to be back and what a race to cover.  Eleven three year old fillies will vie for a mile and three quarters over a firm turf course in the $500,000 Grade I, Dahlia Cup.  What a field that has been assembled for this baby, we have the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 17^th ranked fillies squaring off in the longest race any of them have ever run.  Sure most of these fillies have had success going twelve furlongs, but can they go fourteen furlongs?  Number one ranked Usoz’s La Pata Daisy is the 3-1 morning line favorite and it will take a big race to beat her.  Who has the stuff to do so?  As always, Official Hong Kong Track Handicapper, Pete ‘The Hatchet’ Wang will examine each filly and tell us who has the ability to dethrone La Pata Daisy or if La Pata Daisy is a sim legend in the making.

PP1, Zambaygo’s Nexis Rainbow(8-1, Ryan).  “Daughter of Peintre Celebre is making her nineteenth career start.  She has really improved since she began racing longer distances.  Her bloodlines suggest that the distance of this race will not be a problem for her.  Her sire is an obvious distance pedigree and she gets more stamina from her mother’s side in Woodman.  This is her first big stake race so class could be an issue.  If she can surmount that then she could be a major player.  Her last race was a twelve furlong allowance.  She closed impressively to win in hand with a 95 speed rating.  That figure puts her in the thick of things.  She may not have yet won any big races, but I think she can surprise at a price based on her bloodlines and current form.  For those reasons I’m making her my Tsing Tao long shot, so bet her accordingly in your exotics.”

PP2, Goldsmith’s No More Options(Gb)(16-1, Dundey).  “This was a very nice claim.  This daughter of Diesis has won her last four races including three consecutive stake scores.  She’s been awesome since she began stretching out on the turf and currently she is ranked 17^th in the division.  In her last race she won a twelve furlong race with a 92 speed rating.  I almost made this early speed horse my Tsing Tao long shot, but I think the pedigree of this filly does not have stamina that Next Rainbow has.  It was very hard for me to pick Next Rainbow over this filly and I would not be surprised if my selection blows up in my face.  I like this filly under in my exotics.”

PP3, Graywolf’s Captain Of None(24-1, Israel).  “Daughter of Captain Steve is zero for one when routing but her pedigree suggests that she might be able to successfully route.  I think this is a tough spot to find out how good of a router you are so I can’t recommend using her in wagers.  Last win was in a claiming race.”

PP4, Usoz’s La Pata Daisy(3-1, Dirks).  “The favorite and the number one ranked turf long filly.  There is much to like about her.  Lifetime she is six of twelve and has earned over $1.2 million dollars.  In her twelve starts, she has never finished worse then third.  In her last four races she has won three grade ones and a grade two.  Her best speed rating at twelve furlongs is a 99 which is the best among the competitors of those whom have raced that distance.  It will take a huge race to beat her, but she may be vulnerable.  Her jockey has not won a race this year.  The jockey is 0 for 58 and has only hit the board seven times.  Not good, not good at all.  Plus, I worry about the Jules dam sire.  Jules could be a bit short, however that may be balanced out by the Sadler’s Wells and Vice Regent in the dam dam’s sire slot.  She’s still the champ so I’m putting her on top on my ticket.”

PP5, Sheen’s K’s Western Magic(8-1, Jenkins).  “Another Sadler’s Wells filly.  This girl has never run past 9.5 furlongs and in that race she never fired.  Closer does have a stake win while racing 8.5 furlongs.  Dam sire and dam’s dam sire (Gone West and Blushing Groom) suggest that the distance of this race could be a problem.”

PP6, Alluvial’s Mockingbird(6-1, Lawton).  Number two ranked filly is a daughter of Atticus out of a Kingmambo mare.  Closer has run against the top horse and has been found wanting.  Additional distance and Lawton up could give this closer a shot on turning the tables on her rival.  In her career she has won three of thirteen and has earned over $622,000.  I think she can handle the additional real estate and I’m using her under in my exotics.”

PP7, Kpsparrow11’s Bonersaur(6-1, Child).  “Fifth ranked filly is a daughter of Sadler’s Wells out of a Fu Peg mare.  Alleged is the dam’s dam sire.  Even though she has yet to win past 9.5 furlongs, I’m high on this breeding to handle the distance.  She can close, stalk or lead and is ridden by a very capable jockey.  She was second to the favorite in Sydney and won a Grade III in week 2517.  Use her under in the exotics.”

PP8, Bergfly’s Bulletfly’s Honor(5-1, Davis).  A winner at 9.5 furlongs this daughter of Red Bullet could have the legs to handle this distance through her dam sire of Honor Grades.  The farther she’s raced, the more impressive she has looked.  Her early speed should stretch out, it is just a matter of how far it can carry her.  Logical horse to use under.”

PP9, Bigeasy’s Yall Go Love Me(18-1, Tuten).  “Daughter of Dollar Bill is zero for four when routing and was beat badly when racing nine furlongs.  This is her second grass start and her prior one was not very good.  Would be a major surprise if she hit the board.”

PP10, Johnnyc24’s Already Gone(27-1, Dishman).  “This filly has never won a route, but she raced the routes early in her career.  Her breeding (Sky Mesa x Gone West x Red Ransom) suggests that she should be a decent router.  Perhaps she hadn’t matured enough when she tried racing long.  Claimed by her current connections two starts ago.  Could be a good claim, but this is probably not the right spot for her to see if she can race long.”

PP11, Palmisland’s Lacrima(5-1, Coomer).  “The fourth ranked filly is a daughter of Forty Niner out of a Storm Bird mare.  Was third in the Sydney Oaks and boasts a Grade II win.  Closer has run best at twelve furlongs, but I’m unsure that she can go past that.  Overall in her career she has won three of thirteen and has earned over $533,000.”

Until next time, may the racing Gods favor you.