Top 3YO turf filly Tenacious V takes on her elders in Yellow Submarine(G1)
California– The #1-ranked Turf Classic 3YO Filly Tenacious V tests her elders for the very first time in the Grade 1 $500,000 Yellow Submarine Stakes. Only eight other fillies and mares challenge peeps’ youngster in the 7th running of this time-honored Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff prep. Among them, Estrogen defends her title — tnilsson’s grand racemare won last year’s Yellow Submarine renewal.
Scroll down the page to read some Yellow Submarine(G1) race history! Meanwhile, let’s meet the field………
T For Tenacity, V For Victory
Peeps4 has this year’s 1,000 Guineas(G1) champion perfect! Tenacious V (9/2) rides a two-race win streak into Saturday’s big event. She cemented her #1 3YO Turf Filly Classic ranking with a resounding 3-length score here at California in the Del Webb Oaks(G2-9fT) LTO. It was her 3rd victory of the season. The win sure made us all forget her earlier drubbing over 9f last January.
Top California jockey F Gossett pilots the Vindication daughter. Gossett must overcome two things: first, distance questions. The jury’s still out on whether or not Tenacious V can handle the mighty 10. However, he piloted her so magnificantly in the 9-furlong Del Webb. She won going away with plenty to spare.
Secondly, there’s not a lot of speed here. Estrogen presides as the likely pacesetter, with only mild longshot pressure. If the older mare can break loose, then Tenacious V will have lots of ground to make up. she can come from far back when on target, but it’s a legitmiate worry.
Post position won’t matter in the short field, so Tenacious V has herself to beat most of all in this race. Lots of excuses if she pulls a clinker. Her dual 106 SP#s recently factor well into the older mare level. We’ll see what happens as she looks for her 8th triumph from 16 starts.
It’s An ESTRO GEN-eration
Back to defend her Yellow Submarine title, Estrogen (7/2) pulls the ol’ dirt-to-turf switcheroo yet again. Tnilsson’s Sim treasure won last year’s Yellow Submarine renewal in an exciting 1/4-length photo finish. The victory was part of her splendid 4YO campaign that saw her taking grades not only over both surfaces, but against males *and* females as well!
Indeed, Estrogen tried to defend her title this year in the Movieland Turf Cup(G1). Her win in that 10f grass event over males in 2005 was so memorable and thrilling. So much so that the Sim Eclipse Award Committee honored Estrogen with a nomination for the Champion Older Mare award (along with her other versatile graded victories). Unfortunately, the 5YO mare floundered in this year’s Movieland, finishing well beaten.
But that’s not to say that Estrogen can’t pick up her feet anymore. The Sadler’s Wells daughter still finds the winner’s circle in listed company and nabbed her first ’06 graded victory last time out too. Remarkably, the victory was her 2nd straight in that race: the Grade 2 Big Dessert Stakes over 12f dirt. She won wire-to-wire, pressed the entire way in her 40th trip to the post.
So, Estrogen switches surfaces (and she is Grade 2-placed over 10f turf this year too!) and it really seems likes she’s found some fabulous form. Hopefully, though, that form carried over her 7-week breather. But as the only legitimate speed in this group (there are a couple of soft longshots for the honor), I think Estrogen has a great shot to defend her title. If Tenacious V and Tommy flop over the added furlong, and Dreaming Of Love proves to be past her prime, then Estrogen has to hold off Getaloadofthis’ late charge. Very possible. Classy gal. Scroll down the page to read more about her wonderful career!
Locked-n-Loaded
Fabman trained Getaloadofthis (7/2) to 5 victories in a row over the late spring through summertime. The Distorted Humor 4YO was red hot, taking ALWs, listed stakes, and a Grade 2 from 11f-13f turf. She represented her trainer’s residency well, trouncing her respective division on Smackdown II day.
Millionairess Getaloadofthis gets her staying power from granddaddy Ela-Mana-Mou(IRE). Everything looked perfect for her Grade 1 debut two starts ago in the Brisbane Distaff(G1-12fT). The filly ran splendidly, rallying from her usual midpack position, but only to snare the place spot. Perhaps a lack of race choices forced Fabman to cut Getaloadofthis back to 9f LTO. She acquitted herself well again, finishing 3rd in the Princess Di Cap(G1). A pretty weak field in that race though — I had the runner-up. 🙂
So, lucky jockey N Bonus (yeah!) in the irons. There’s really no reason to suspect that this filly wont throw a big number over 10f. Frankly, I love her midpack running style in this group too — not too far back like Tenacious V or Dreaming Of Love to suffer from lack of pace. Great placement by her trainer. Gotta beat the big 3YO filly, but has an excellent shot.
Hear Tommy’s Anthem
Fresh off of a fine runner-up rally in the Cedora D(G1-9.5fT), Tommy (7/2) comes in here on 6 weeks rest. Trainer artistway brings this Danzig royal bred on a mission to the West Coast. The late-blooming 4YO filly hungers for some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. She’s a dual graded winner over 9f earlier this season (with some gorgeous 105+ SP#s). However, Tommy’s struggled a bit of late.
You can toss out the dirt debacle and perhaps she missed the break in that graded mile. Her trainer gave her a breather last July and brought her back to a nice rally when stretching out to the Cedora D’s 9.5f. Lots of questions with this gal. Don’t like the 98 SP# LTO — but she came off a break for that race too (so cut her some slack, Snowchief!). Then again, did she struggle over that extra sixteenth and will that definitively translate now here at 10f?
Hmmm… a lot to prove for the #8-ranked Turf Classic Older Mare. Crummy green jockey on board adds to the mystery. However, she’s best stalking and figures to get a clean trip behind Estrogen and the longshots. It’s now or never. We’ll see what she’s made of in her 15th career call to the post.
Dreaming Of A Grade 1 (please!)
And that about says it all for my entry Dreaming Of Love (3/1). Millionairess daughter of Sadler’s Wells desperately seeking that elusive Grade 1 score. She’d splendidly retire with an A-ranking then for my snowchief stable and I could look forward to her wonderfully royally-bred babies. 🙂
DOL won LTO at the listed level, nudging her SP#s back over the 100-barrier. Even though she won a Grade 3 earlier this season, it was a pretty weak field and she’s since been well-beaten versus the likes of Cold Storage, et al. Additionally, my 5YO mare is pretty much a 9f grass specialist. She did win over 10f last year at the graded level and even placed versus males as well. That was a long time ago — just trying to flip a coin and see if she’ll fire big.
Did cherry-pick this race, figuring that she might get a placing. If the faves fall too….. ya never know! Soft chalk — the bookies are smokin’ something at 3/1. Cross my fingers and hope for the best! Ha!
The rest of the field:
- Sprintbarn brings another Vindication filly in Barb’s Little Lion (12/1). The 4YO filly beat a short field over 13f two starts back and has some prospects here for a minor share. The closer won over 10f in ALW company this season too. Hard knockin’ filly who earns her feed and mucho BP. Over a half-million $$$ in the bank too as she makes her 30th lifetime start. Highly doubtful whether or not she can pull off an upset of these.
- Bigtate02’s Storming Tate (13/1) won a division of the Northwest Racing Circuit Series LTO. It was a turf sprint and she did rally for a placing over a Series mile too. Crowning Storm daughter 0-for-5 lifetime in routes and would be a huge shocker if she made any dent here. No chance. Sorry Terrel! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
- A. P. Andy (25/1) bagged an 11f listed stakes score this season. The 4YO A.P. Indy daughter should be in the pace hunt. No 100 SP#s though this year. Frankly, she’s overmatched. Races for andycapper on 2 weeks rest after distanced in listed company LTO. That’s no way to enter a Grade 1. Shot in the dark. Maybe a minor purse share.
- Finally, former claimer Regis Beste(GER) (78/1) picked up a nice ALW score over short field LTO. However, she absolutely has no business here in this Grade 1. Figures to play in the pace picture…. but not much more after that. Races for bellu1 stable.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Estrogen grabs the lead or inherits it by default after longshots A.P. Andy and Storming Tate crumble.
Tommy might factor into this scramble, but probably sits behind this early show alongside Barb’s Little Lion.
Getaloadofthis, Dreaming Of Love cruise in midpack with Tenacious V and Storming Tate bringing up the rear.
So, it comes down to how frisky Estrogen’s feeling after her vacation. LOL! Also if Tommy decides to go early, fresh off of her layoff too. If they creep along which I think is highly likely, then Tenacious V and the rest of the field might have a lot of ground to make up.
I’m gonna go with Estrogen on this one over Getaloadofthis and Tommy. Tenacious V rallies late for 4th with Dreaming Of Love taking the final money position. If one of the closers (or even Estrogen or Tommy after their layoffs) hopelessly chuck it in, then Barb’s Little Lion or A.P. Andy duke it out for the final money spot.
Win: Estrogen
Place: Getaloadofthis
Show: Tommy
Good luck to all!
Grade 1 Yellow Submarine Stakes History
2000: Lil Pot – 2:02 flat
Lil Pot was a hard-knockin’ mare by Capote. She won over $2.9-million in the Sim’s early days and played the turf specialist part well, winning Grade 1s in consecuative seasons. Her Yellow Submarine triumph came as a spoiler: although Lil Pot herself numbered among the faves, she upset highly-regarded mares Private Motor, Virgin Kelly, Texas Project, and the great Seattle Hit in a deep field.
Lil Pot is best known for her rather pedestrian 1999 Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff victory. Her final time of 2:17 3/5 was the slowest by far (2 whole seconds!) in the history of that race over 11f. Alas, poor Lil Pot has never had the chance to pass on her Sim genes — she remains active at age 11, albeit existing in an *inactive* rencapone stable.
2001: Jeanne D’Arc – 2:01 4/5
Jeanne D’Arc only beat six other mares in a rather forgettable ’01 renewal. A daughter of Singspiel(IRE), Jeanne D’Arc won the Yolkshire Oaks(G1) and finished 3rd in that year’s BB Turf Distaff too. Her trainer, Tobiman, was webmaster of a site called Turfstar-Paris Races. It was a residency for the Longchamp track in the game’s early days. Great site for its time. Unfortunately, Tobiman exited the game in ’02, came back briefly in ’03, before leaving for good.
Jeanne D’Arc is the dam of two winning foals, including an allowance-level Lohnro(AUS) 3YO colt for scout5 stable. Mark her down for your October inactive owner mare scramble! 🙂
2002: Deadly Con – 2:02 3/5
Rivals Deadly Con and Vision Of A Dancer finished one-two in a splendid Yellow Submarine renewal. Colorful message board poster Jbarba and David37373 (trainer of talented turf racemare Vision Of A Dancer) enjoyed a wonderful rivalry with both of their mares competing often and loudly against each other in ’02 and ’03.
A daughter of Law Society(IRE), Deadly Con raced against some of the greatest turf mares ever in the Sim, including the great Amanda Jane (’01) and all-time great Storm Dog (’03). In between, she managed to capture a Breeders Bowl Turf Distaff for herself (’02). With over $2.2-million in the bank, she seemed assured of the very best stallions. Indeed, Deadly Con had a date with Sadler’s Wells and the match resulted in a stakes-placed colt. Her current 3YO filly by Royal Academy hasn’t done much though. She remains unbred this year, so mark her down for October!
2003: Locked Blade – 2:01 4/5
Longshot Locked Blade upset a decent group that included 2001 BB Turf Distaff winner Jo Ann Christmas as well as the Sim’s winningest stakes winner, High Cozzene.
Then a 4YO filly, Locked Blade had been toiling at the allowance level for a year and a half right up to that summer of ’03. The filly went on a roll, hitting the board in all 5 of her graded stakes starts (including the Yellow Submarine victory). She thus earned a ticket to that year’s BB Turf Distaff, enjoying all the hype. Unfortunately, Locked Blade left her race in the post parade, finishing a well-beaten 12th. She was never the same afterwards, eventually returning to the ALW level.
Sired by obscure stallion Dr Danzig, Locked Blade outran her modest pedigree, earning just shy of $1-million from 60 lifetime starts. She’s the dam of two foals including recent MSW 2YO winner Locked Gold, by Formal Gold.
2004: Wonderwoman(IRE) – 2:01 3/5 (Stakes Record)
Another upset in ’04… this time by a 3YO filly who hadn’t won a race since January! The Galileo(IRE) filly Wonderwoman(IRE) positively ran the race of her life, shockingly knocking off faves including $3-million earner Grand Caffreys. Trainer cjt3 placed this filly high in stakes races, racing her often and hard. They saw their sophomore filly run 10th in that season’s BB Turf Distaff and finish also-ran later versus males.
Wonderwoman won a pair of listed stakes at age 4, but didn’t prove effective anymore at the graded level. She retired earlier this year (2006). Despite an 0-for-6 record, Wonderwoman’s Montjeu(IRE) 2YO filly displays some liking for two-turns according to pedigree.
2005: Estrogen – 2:02 1/5
What a thriller with tnilsson’s grand racemare Estrogen in a photo finish over The Aus Boss(AUS). Both mares are two of the most versatile runners in recent Sim history. The Aus Boss(AUS) is a graded winner over both surfaces and so is Estrogen too!
A daughter of Sadler’s Wells, Estrogen began her career mostly over the dirt. As a 3YO in early 2004, she won the celebrated Fantasy(G2) over 8.5f, a victory that earned her a trip to that year’s Bluegrass Oaks where she finished 4th. Almost a year later, Estrogen became a Grade 1 winner over 11f on the dirt. Immediately after that score, tnilsson boldly entered her in the Movieland Turf Cup(G1) over 10f turf versus males! What a gritty gamble, and, boy, did it pay off too with Estrogen memorably winning wire-to-wire. In addition to her Yellow Submarine score, the remainder of Estrogen’s 4YO season saw her compete admirably versus classic division dirt males, win a Grade 2 versus females over 12f on the dirt, and place over 14f at the Grade 1 level. She qualified for the Breeders Bowl Mile, but ran a forgettable race (10th). Nevertheless, the Sim Eclipse Award committee recognized her achievements, nominating her for Champion Older Mare title (Elsinore won the award though).
Estrogen defends her Yellow Submarine title Saturday. She won her 2nd straight Big Dessert(G2-12fD) this season and has pocketed a few listed events. Again, it’s a bold entry from dirt-to-turf….. will it pay off again in spades this year?