Big Race Preview 2979
We are just six weeks away from the Breeder’s Bowl which is odd timing if you plan to race this week and make the Breeder’s Bowl. None the less some impressive filly and mare turf milers take to the
Race: 2979.3315 Queen Ascot Stakes – Grade I – $750,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: One mile on the Turf
Quite a field of fillies and mares have assembled it what could be labled the premier one mile event for the ladies. The morning line favors Back in Your Arms. It is her ability to fire the big speed figure of 110+ that has earned her favoritism. She had won four in a row prior to her last race where she finished a dull fifth. She can be close to the pace or well off so keep an eye on her no matter where she is at on the track.
Thirteenth Date is a super consistent runner. Now as a four year old she has placed in every single race all of them at the graded stakes level. She gives a good effort every time out so it would be no surprise to see her step it up another notch to win a race like this. Goodbye Kiss always seems to find her best form about this time of year. She ran nicely in her last race running second and her stalking style will put her in a good position to succeed.
Spicegirl loves the Pepperton Mile as she has won the last two runnings. She defended her title last time out in a big way. She threw down a quick pace and never got caught. She could do the same thing here and is a danger if left alone on the lead. Deputy Hunter is another pretty consistent runner that is a multiple graded stakes winner. She also has a stalking style that should set her up to do well here.
The two most interesting are Devil’s Slide and The Aus Boss (AUS). Devil’s Slide is more accomplished at longer distances. She has only one win this year but she has been hitting the boarded in graded stakes all year. She cuts back in distance and that could be a change that gets her back in the winner’s circle. At this distance she will probably be closing from well off the pace.
The Aus Boss (AUS) is one of my favorite runners in recent years. She is a grade I winner on turf and dirt and can run in sprints or go a mile and a quarter. She does it all seemingly. She has run just once this year and that was a while back. This is a very hard place for a come back race she is on the outside looking in.
Race: 2958.0116
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt
Number one ranked Swift Kick leads the short field of eight runners. She has just one win this year after a great three year old season. She has seemed to have slowed down a bit this year however she is still running at a high level. She is not overly raced so she is not done yet. She runs well at this distance so expect another good stalking performance from her.
Corzaffair (IRE) has been pretty good this year. She has a strong front running style and at longer distances is holding up well winning two of her last three including a grade II. This slight cutback in distance is in her wheel house and as solid as she has been all year it is tough to see her not being a factor. Fall Classic is the young gun that has been running pretty well. Her recent speed figures and the fact she has only made twelve starts indicate she still may have room to improve. She looks the best to upset the top two.
Race: 2979.3516 The TELLING LIES AND GETTING PAID Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Longchamp
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: Six furlongs on the Turf
I Make Stuff Up is the slight favorite in a field of twelve turf sprinters. This ran huge in the Never Ready Sprint last time out just missing at the wire by a nose. That speed figure was a large 111. He has really improved over the summer and will be looking at the Breeder’s Bowl Turf Sprint if he can keep up the top level performances.
Raktavija has been consistent all year long. He is a multiple stakes winner and has broke the 100 speed figure mark in his last four races. He finished behind I Make Stuff Up in the Never Ready Sprint and if he comes from off the pace here like he did in that race he may not give a top performance. When Northern Pirate first tried the turf two starts back he found another level. It has been at the allowance level but this deep closing runner could be a factor here.
Borracho (IRE) won his first six starts as a three year old. A couple were on dirt and when he tried the turf he found himself competing at a stakes level. His only loss of the year came last time out when he went to the lead which is something he does not do a whole lot. He is normally a stalker and will probably find himself in that position from this outside post.
Race: 2979.4616
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf
Only nine runners enter this grade I event. None of the top turf runners from this division are here and the field is not exactly full of graded stakes performers. There is only one graded stakes winner entered and somehow she is not the favorite. Grassy Smeltzer has a grade III and grade II win under her belt along with solid speed figures. She comes from way off the pace and that may make her a bit vulnerable especially when other contenders here are front runners. She has the pedigree for the distance and is already a proven graded winner so she is hard to over look.
The favorite has just one race that suggests she can compete with Grassy Smeltzer. She ran a 103 speed figure a couple back but that is ten points higher than her what she normally does. She will be close to the pace so will have the jump on Grassy. Icy Slumber is another front runner type and she comes out of a grade I run where she finished third. When she gets to the front she is dangerous.