The Rest of the Story
The leftovers in the Grade I, Chestnut are a dandy bunch so we will start with the morning line best, which is Hancock Pond (7/1). A nice looking bay filly she has yet to win a graded stake but is well-bred (Gone West) so that should count for something. Ably trained by Salamander, she is ranked # 24 in part, by virtue of running second in the Grade I, Frickazee and a third in the Grade II Boca. She comes into this race off a closing sixth last time out in the Grade I, Bluegrass Oaks and with some luck could get part.
Ben will saddle his fine roan filly Point To Ben (10/1) who is sired by Grand Slam and is on a roll. She has won four of her five starts and while lightly raced, has the potential to possibly be a nice one. She won four in a row including the Queen Bee at distances of six to eight furlongs and then was a closing second last time out in the Grade III, Go For Broke at 8 /12 furlongs. I like this one who has nowhere to go but up.
Breaking from post seven will be Northern Red (12/1) a dark brown, daughter of Redoubt’s Choice. Trainer Jockeymax is one of the more knowledgable trainers around and this number eight ranked filly has some nice credentials. She has won five of 14 including the Grade I, Movieland Starlet as a 2 YO and although she hasn’t won a race since she has been close. She finished third in the Grade I, Jerry Bailey and was fourth in the Grade I, California Oaks before finishing well back in the Grade I, Bluegrass Oaks last time out. With all else being equal – this trainer could make a difference.
Post ten will hold Miswaki Missile (15/1). She is a nice looking bay filly by Golden Missle and is trained by Streakin6s (who was a rather nice quarter horse). She is ranked number 23 and has won five of 17 making her one of the most experienced fillies in the race. She was a winner last time out in an overnite stake, the Secret Memory, over an off track but it won’t be muddy on Saturday and this is a big class jump. She won’t have any problem with the distance though so that is a plus.
Rude Stella (15/1) is another lady with lots of experience. The dark brown filly by Danewin has won eight of 13 starts and better yet, has won four of her last six. Unfortunately all but one of those were on the grass. Not to worry though, this is a fast filly and has won two of four starts on the main track. She is trained by Freeky and may or may not be a rabbit, set to go with Strong Achiever and whoever else might try for the lead. This filly can definitely handle the distance as she finished third last time out in the mile and a half Grade I, Adelaide Oaks. Hopefully that distance and the shipping didn’t take too much out of her.
Strong Achiever (16/1) is trained by the soul who took me away from taking care of 27 horses, a field full of sprinklers that needed fixing so I can irrigate and numerous a sundry chores – Given2. Ranked # 32 this bay filly is by Strong Hope and has won five of 10 starts including the Dawn Treader and the Your Bungholes – both ungraded. She did finish third in the Grade II, Lifetime Achievement at 11 furlongs where she led to the turn. She has a lot of gas and will try to keep the pace honest. Given2 will probably up the lasix and back it with ???? – then hope the concoction will give his horse the help to make the distance.
Hijacked was surprised to find his chestnut filly, Re Western Groom (19/1) even made the field. He was even more surprised that she wasn’t the longshot and unfortunately he never showed up at the draw, picking up a low percentage rider on the shake who is looking for his fourth win of the year. I suppose he has the Super stables to thank for his entry since they entered so many of their good horses early and made the race look very tough for everyone else who had a thought of entering. It didn’t scare away Hijacked and when the Supers scratched them all – his filly was still listed. Re Western Groom can’t read and that is a good thing as she hasn’t won since an allowance win eight races back. She has perked up recently and lost by only a nose in a 15 minute photo decision last time out in the Afleet Alex Is An Ohio Derby Horse Stakes. She will need her best and hopefully the jockey can hang on and not do much damage.
The longshot of the group is Pro Dubai (32/1) who is the 7th ranked filly who’s form has slipped since the she won the Grade I, Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile Filly as a 2 YO. Trained by Capsized she holds her ranking and her entry here due to her prowess as a 2 YO, as she has not been exactly stellar since turning three. By
Good Luck to all and please – no feedback. My vacation that I had hoped would start this morning – starts right now.