Race To Protect A Masterpiece
The Mona Lisa, one of the most celebrated paintings ever to have been created, is apparently under severe persecution. Over the years, she has been the victim of caricatures, mustaches, and conspiracy theories, which is surely more than anyone can be expected to bear. Poor Mona Lisa indeed.
This is what a group of Little Rock women (whose median age is 86) said to themselves one day over sweet tea and biscuits. They claim to have created a list of no fewer than eleven woes the painting has had to endure throughout the course of its existence. Prompted to action, the women began to organize a series of charity events geared toward raising money for a “protection fund.” While several of the women were in favor of an appearance on “The Price Is Right” to raise awareness, most of their efforts went into a cruise to Florida, several cake and crumpets luncheons, a book club related raffle, and a nine furlong race for fillies and mares three years old and up. Sadly, all but the race were either rained out or overshadowed by the cross-town Knitting and Crocheting League. The race lives on, as the Grade III Poor Mona Lisa Handicap. Surely now the message will be heard.
With eleven entrants, the race card eerily matches the ladies’ original list of woes, a point which many of them feel is far more than coincidence. Conspiracy, anyone? Perhaps a twelfth entrant “disappeared” Wednesday morning? A reluctant long shot coerced into running under threat? We may never know. But the group of Little Rock women are here this weekend and would appreciate it if you would purchase a cupcake from their table.
The first horse in the parade is five-year-old Congressional. Dawgpound’s mare comes in from a fourth place run in the Grade III Bringing Up The Rear Classic. The daughter of Storm Cat has tried going to the lead in the past, but has been more successful when rated so that is what we should expect to see. Congressional ran 100 in her last to starts, both of which were over 9.5 furlongs. Her last speed figure over 100 came at nine furlongs, so the extra eighth is not absolutely necessary to her success. Her only recent finish out of the money came in the rain, so this will be a girl to watch at 5/1.
The two horse is seekin49er’s Glorious Morning. The is the three-year-old’s first run with older horses, but she must be feeling confident after a stakes win in the GR Simsters Kentucky Oaks. Glorious Morning, by Johannesburg has been first or second in every start except a try on turf and a mile stakes. Her highest speed is a 99, so with a step she might be able to do something here. She is 17/1.
In third is another three-year-old, ocanada’s Too Close. This filly ran third in the Bringing Up The Rear Classic, finishing only slightly ahead of Congressional. This was her first placing in a graded start, and she looks forward to adding more. She seems to fluctuate between good runs and not so good runs, so there is always the chance that she won’t fire. Too Close, who is by the often overlooked sire Menhal, improved her speed figure to 100 in last start and seems to be improving against older company. She is 18/1.
In fourth position we find four-year-old Technically T (IRE), a daughter of Theatrical (IRE). This filly from the youngnhung stable has been occupied as of late in running stakes, earning a first and second in her last two starts. She has been improving in her last three starts, as she appears to be experimenting with varying degrees of rating behind the leaders. Technically T (IRE) may have found the magic combination in her last start, running a 103 where her speeds are usually in the mid 90s. She is at 6/1.
As we move toward the middle of the field, we see number five, Corzaffair (IRE). Corzak’s Black Tie Affair (IRE) four-year-old won the Grade III Sand Castle Distaff, as well as two Grade Is: The I’m Still A Sophomore Classic and The Topicount Special. She will probably go to the lead and try to stay there. Corzaffair (IRE) comes off a ninth place finish in the Return Of The Dragon Stakes and hopes that four weeks and a return to running against girls will help improve on that. She is the second ranked dirt classic filly and the favorite in this field at 3/1.
Breaking sixth is foxon3’s Forty Winx. The four-year-old Forty Niner filly has been moving stakes and graded races trying to find the right combination of elements. She did well in the allowance ranks, winning two, and even finished sixth in a try at twelve furlongs. Forty Winx regularly runs speed figures in the 100s, which will carry her far in this race. She is at 5/1.
In seventh is Openino, deuces’ Red Bullet filly. The four-year-old has been running in allowances, and her connections have decided that she is ready for a bigger challenge. Openino has a recent stakes start, a ninth in the Elf Mercy Stakes, and clearly hopes for better here. She does have a speed figure of 103, although her runs are usually in the 90s. She is a deep closer, and if she does factor into this race it will be by flying down the stretch in the final stages to surprise the leaders. She is 10/1.
The eight horse is five-year-old Skip Dancer from the russ stable. The daughter of Skip Away has a win in the Grade III Cubic Zircona Path Stakes, and although her only nine furlong start was in an allowance she won that as well. Skip Dancer put together a string of dirt allowance wins after breaking her maiden in a $3500 claiming race on the turf. With only eleven starts, this mare is lightly raced enough to have a big run here. She is 12/1.
In ninth is Kase Dismissed. The four-year-old filly by Gone West comes out of the verdugote stable. She finished second in a ten furlong Grade II, but has been running mainly in stakes. This route has been successful for Kase Dismissed as she has been finishing no worse than fifth. She is another deep closer who could potentially be seen charging down the stretch late in the race. She is 8/1.
In the tenth post is three-year-old Strong Prospect. Buttons’ filly marks a few firsts by starting in this race. After seven sprints she attempts her first route, and this will also be her first start against older horses. The Strong Hope filly has run in graded races before, winning the Backward Gal Stakes, but has been unable to repeat the success. After two poor runs, her connections decided it was time to try some distance. She is the long shot of the field at 23/1.
On the outside is Pentagram, casino’s four-year-old. The Awesome Again filly comes off of two allowance wins, although she finished a disappointing seventh in the Grade II Cotton Handicap. She has run several races since her last 100 speed figure, but Pentagram is due to bounce back. She is 7/1.
While the ladies’ club counts their pennies toward the Mona Lisa Protection Fund, these eleven fillies look to make an exciting day at the races. Corzaffair (IRE) looks like the strongest contender in the field, while Congressional could make a strong run. Skip Dancer and the three-year-old entrants could make this into quite the story should any one of them pull an upset.