What a G2 Field Pennsylvania Cotton Handicap

Welcome to Pennsylvania for the Grade 2 8.5 furlongs Cotton Handicap worth $250,000 on a fast dirt track, Hello all LOL who would have thought i would be the reporter for this years race.The last time i was involved with this race i had Squall is a Storm who eventually won this race and went on to win the BB Distaff.In fact 2 winners in the last 3 years who won this race went on to win the BB Distaff.
This years field is a beauty it makes you LOL at the quality we have the top 3 ranked fillies plus 5 others in the top 20 and some up and comers in fact this could be the best field ever.Now lets look at the field i cant promise you it will be the best review but its my first LOL

1-RE Western Groom 21/1 Jockey J.Hefferman
Trained by Hijacked
Another Sadler’s Wells Filly in this race, this one has won 2 out of 21 starts, with winning only 1 race this year which was an 9 furlong Allowance , she also ran 2nd and 3rds in stakes plus a 4th in the G2 Fantasy Stakes.
RE Western Groom last 5 runs are the lowest compared to the rest of this field, they have been 90, 93,87,87,92 with her last run finish 4th in an allowance.
RE Western Groom’s record capable of being better

Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 4 – wins – 2nd 1 3rd 1 4th
Track na
The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL Trainer Hijacked has found a very tough G2 race for his horse to regain some form. It is hard to see RE Western Groom getting anywhere near the speed to win this race, in saying that she did ran (93 in the slop) 4th in a G2 at this distance which gives the long shot backers a little glimpse. Where will she run ?
If she shows anything in this race, back her when she runs again in an easier race then this.

2-Whip Smart 6/1 Fav Jockey S.Camp
Trained by Wistful
Stravinsky Filly who has won 7 out of 18 starts, this year she has 3 wins which includes G1 Black Middle Flower Stk 9 furlongs,G2 Fast Feline Stake 9 furlongs, The Water Cad Stakes 9 furlongs. She also ran 3rd in the G1 California Oaks & G1 Sister Hen Stakes, earning her over $ 930,000 she is ranked 2nd in her division.
Whip Smart last 5 runs should give encouragement for her trainer as her speeds were 102,81 which was 11 furlongs,94,100 and her last 104 was her highest speed which she won by 2 lengths.
Whip Smart’s record shows that she is capable at this distance.
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 5 1 win 1 2nd 1 3rd 1 4th
Track 0 na

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL Throw out that 11 furlong race and Whip Smart is the favourite here, her last run in the fast feline will put her in great shape for this race. Can she win this race and be a threat in the bb distaff.
No doubt she can I feel she is going to improve more! But she may get a scare!

3-Lakunza 8/1 Jockey T.Bernard
Trained by Rioja
Bachelor Duke Filly who has won 5 out of 20 starts, she has won 4 races this year with one of them being G1 The 2nd Annual Grace Kelly Memorial 9 furlongs, The Cool Horn Memorial Stakes 9 furlongs & 2 others were Allowances at 9 & 9.5 furlongs. She has over $515,000 in her bank and is ranked 17th.
Her last 5 speeds been 102,95,89,103,102 her last race where she ran 102 and finish 4th in the G2 East Coast Mile 8 furlongs.The race before that she won a G1 by 2 lengths with her highest speed of 103.
Lakunza has not won at this distance before but been placed
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 3 – wins 1 2nd 1 3rd 1 4th
Track 0 na

The CRITIQUE Opinion
Out of 20 starts the worst Lakunza has finish is 5th and that was in a 10 furlong G1 Hummingbird on a good track. She has shown she can step in class and going on her recent 2 efforts her trainer might be drooling, she has the ability to be a bigger star then she is now. One would think she needs to win this race to have a chance to run in the bb distaff can she do it?
Whip smart look out!

4-Stormy Breeze 8/1 Jockey A.Osborn
Trained by Lenny 2
Storm Cat Filly who has won 4 out of 6 starts, as her very short career just started the 4 wins are G3 Ontario BB Oaks 8.5 furlongs, 2 Allowances 8 & 8.5 furlongs plus a 8 furlong maiden win, also a 2nd and 3rd in stakes races. Earnings of over $204,000 and her ranking of 69 which will improve.
Stormy Breeze in all her starts, she has been improving her speeds last 5 speeds are 88, 94,100,104,105 with the 105 being her highest and winning the G3 Ontario BB Oaks by 3 lengths.
Stormy Breeze’s record is near perfect at this distance
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 3 2 wins 1 2nd – 3rd 1 4th
Track na

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL If you think the trainer of Lakunza might be drooling , just think the amount of drooling Lenny is doing at the moment with this filly and her win in her last race LOL. What a wonderful start to her career if you go by her form she might be running a 106+ speed. Will the drooling from Lenny be stopped in this race?
Can’t blame Lenny for drooling over this filly, but I think it can be stop in a minor way though Lenny might be still drooling if she runs a place.LOL

5-Armed With Money 8/1 Jockey J Piotrowski
Trained by Monksfield
Military Filly who has won 7 out of 15 starts, this year she has 5 wins and big wins they were too. They include G1 California oak 8.5 furlongs, G1 Bluegrass Oaks 9 furlongs, G3 Myocardial Infarction Stakes 8.5 furlongs, G3 Little Evil Sophomore 8.5 furlongs & The Star WIngo Challenge Stakes 8.5 furlongs. And throw in a couple of G1 2nds and with a touch over $ 1 million, you can see why she is the number 1 ranked 3yo filly.
Her last 5 runs have been up and down until her last race she was running 90,91,95,88 in saying that 3 of them were @ 10 furlongs and she did run 2nd in a G1 at Dubai. She then returned to her favourite distance in the G3 Little Evil Sophomore 8.5 furlongs and ran her highest speed 105 to win by 2-3/4 lengths.
Armed with money’s record at this distance is one of the best in this field
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 8 5 wins 1 2nd 1 3rd 1 4th
Track 1 1 win

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL she has class and is going to be hard to hold out in this race particularly if she runs like she did to win the Bluegrass Oaks and her recent race, that is what she needs to do to win this. That is the query can she do it
I don’t think she can! Why? The lack of 100 sp + in a row is a concern, wouldn’t be surprise if she proves me wrong.

6-Pro Dubai 20/1 Jockey E.Heat
Trained by Capsized
E Dubai Filly who has won 5 out of starts, she has won 2 this year which were Allowance @ 8 & 8.5 furlongs.She has earned over $885,000 most of it was made when she won the 2yo G1 Breeders Bowl Juvenile Filly and she is now ranked 21st in her division.
Pro Dubai seems to be recovering from an injury which she occurred 5 runs back when she ran a 23 in the G1 California Derby 9 furlongs against the males.Since then 77 in a 11 furlong G1,98,96 and 95 when she finish 4th in the G1 The 2nd Annual Grace Kelly Memorial 9 furlongs behind the smart Lakunza.
Pro Dubai’s record in handy
Starts @.5 furlongs 3 2 wins – 2nd – 3rd – 4th
Track na
The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL Has injury ruined Pro Dubai don’t know but this race could find out whether she can still put it with the best she faces the number 1,2,3,10,11 ranked females here, you cant be tested more then that. But remember she has won the Breeders Bowl Juvenile at this distance.
It’s close to a year later now and Pro Dubai isn’t the same, can’t see her doing much here.

7-WonderGirl Elf 16/1 Jockey W.Williams
Trained by Zeco 1
Danzig Connection Filly who has won 3 out of 12 starts, this year she has 1 win which was the G1 Lool Oaks 8.5 furlongs, also a 2nd in the G2 Fantasia Handicap & 2nd The Baby Carson Special 8.5 furlongs. In her short life time she has earned touched under $450,000 and ranked of 19th.
Her recent 5 runs haven’t been over impressive or disappointing with speeds of 85,96,100,84,97 her last run was in the G3 Little Evil Sophomore where she finish 6th 6 lengths behind the winner Armed with money.
WonderGirl Elf’s record at 8.5 furlongs pretty reasonable
Starts @ 8.5furlongs 4 2 wins 2 2nd – 3rd – 4th
Track 1 1 win

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL WonderGirl Elf’s Last 5 runs been in Graded company where she has mixed results,her highest speed was when she won the G1 lool Oaks. She got plenty of improvement in her and this race is just one more to add to the improvement. Will she do anything in this race?

8-Carols Of The Bells 12/1 Jockey B.Herbert
Trained by Deyoto 3
Hennessy Filly who has won 4 out of 9 starts, another filly who has started this year and her 4 wins have been 3 Allowances wins @ 8 – 8.5 furlongs and a maiden win @ 8 furlongs after
a 2nd in a maiden clam race.She also ran 2nd in a G3 Ontario BB Oaks 8.5 furlongs. She has earned over $149,000 so far and is ranked 139.
Her last 5 runs have been reasonable 89,95,91,95,101 with her last run being her first Graded race and highest speed and ran 2nd .
Carols of the Bell’s record is still early.
Starts@ 8.5 furlongs 3 1 wins 1 2nd – 3rd – 4th
Track na

The CRITIQUE Opinion

LOL Deyoto is probably smiling to himself for making a great claim. Odds of 12/1 look juicy after her last run where she ran 2nd in G3 Ontario BB Oaks 8.5 furlongs to Lenny’s drool over horse (Stormy Breeze).Her other efforts have been in allowances where she competed well, is she the roughie that can cause the upset ?
Maybe for 3-5 spots, can’t see her troubling the top 2

9-A.P.Sadler 8/1 Jockey N.Bedford
Trained by Lostcode
Sadler’s Wells Filly who won 6 out of 16 starts, this year she has won 3 races which are G2 Fantasy Stakes 8.5 furlongs, The Baby Carson Special Stakes 8.5 furlongs, The Croc Caliope(IRE)Stakes 7.5 furlongs, And 3 thirds G1 Isaac Murphy 9 furlongs,G2 Florida Oaks 9furlongs,G3 Ontario BB Oaks 8.5 furlongs. She has so far earned over$580,000 and ranked 11th.
Her speed of 80 was on turf in G2 Celine Stakes, other then that her last 4 races have been 92,102,99,101 with 102 being her highest @ 7.5 furlongs. Her last run of 101 running 3rd in the G3 Ontario BB Oaks at the distance of this race, should give her trainer hope.
A.P.Sadler’s record shows she enjoys this distance
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 6 3 wins -2nd 1 3rd 1 4th
Track 0 na
The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL It is hard to say how A.P.Sadler will run in this race,she has won at this level before on rain effected and dry tracks. Like Zytown if she can stay close enough she is not without a chance.The question is can she be close enough to win?
If the track was wet I would give her more of a chance then I would now.

10-Part Exchange 8/1 Jockey A.Jeffires
Trained by Foxon 5
Dixieland Band Filly who has won 6 out of 14 starts, this year she has won 4 races the wins include G3 Timber Stakes 8.5 furlongs, The Car Ginny Stakes 8 furlongs, The May Emblem Special Stakes 8.5 furlongs, Allowance 8 furlongs and a 2nd in the G2 Denny Tario Oaks-.
Part Exchange ‘s last 5 runs have been interesting 99,78 in a 10 furlong race,90.Her 2nd last run speed of 106 is her highest and the field highest, that was in an allowance race against the boys where she ran 3rd with that speed. She then followed it up with a 99 4th in the G3 Little Evil Sophomore 4 lengths behind the winner Armed with Money.
Part Exchange‘s record at this distance is also nothing to sneeze at
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 4 2 wins – 2nd – 3rd 1 4th
Track 1 1win

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL If Part Exchange runs a 106 here she will nearly win it, even though she ran 4th in her last race she is showing signs that she could also be a super horse in the making. Can she match it with the top fillies here?
She might not be able in this race, but she will be fighting for a top5 finish.

11-Espresso D’Italia 16/1 Jockey U.Douglass
Trained by Lasthorpe1
Medaglia D’oro Filly who has won 3 out of 17 starts, this year she has won none but had a 2nd and 3rd in G1 races ,which were G1 Jerry Bailey 8 furlongs,G1 Lool Oaks 8.5 furlongs at this track.Her earnings are over $586,000 with a ranking of 18th in her division.
Her last 5 outing have mainly been in G1 &G2 races with speeds of 96,94,73 on turf,81,100 with her last run of 100 sp is her career highest so far when she finish 3rd 2-1/4 lengths behind the winner in The Cheap and Easy Stakes 8 furlongs .
Espresso D’Italia’s record at this distance is nothing to sneeze at
Starts@ 8.5 furlongs 5 1 wins – 2nd 1 3rd 3 4th
Track 1 1 3rd

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL though Espresso D’Italia hasn’t won this year, her form isn’t as bad as its looks particularly at the distance for this race. But in saying that she does need to improve and her last run of 100 could be the improvement starting to show. Will she improved enough to challenge?
May improve but not enough to trouble, may be a rough hope for 5th

12-Raider Is Class 13/1 Jockey I.Pollara
Trained by Glennwins
Razeen Filly who has won 6 out of 21 starts, this year the filly has won 2 both have been Allowances @ 8 furlongs. Her career earning so far slightly under $ 100,000 and ranked 93rd.
4 of her last 5 runs have been decent, and even though one of 5 runs only brought a 63 that was on turf which may have been a great tactical move.Speeds were 90,63 on turf,101 back on dirt,102 and her last run 5th in the G3 Little Evil Sophomore with a 99 what the 4th horse ran too.
Raider Is Class has a fair record @ 8.5 furlongs
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 5 1 wins – 2nd 1 3rd – 4th
Track na

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL Raider Is Class is @ 13/1 and not longer is for a few reason, she is not hopeless and her first attempt in Graded level she ran a 99 which could be a placing hope. It seems Glennwins done the right thing in switching dirt to turf then back to dirt it made this filly wake up. How will this roughie go?
Even if she gets beats by 10 lengths or more, she still might not be far off 5th.

13-Indy’s Giant 8/1 Jockey Q.Miller
Trained by Commbank
Giant’s Causeway Filly who won 8 out of 16 starts, and won 6 races this year which includes G1 Birmingham Stakes 10 furlongs, The Cryptojai Challenge Stakes 9 furlongs, The Favallau Stakes 9 furlongs, The Western Ridge Challenge Stakes 9.5 furlongs, The Ray’s Dancer (IRE) Memorial Stakes 9 furlongs, & allowance 9 furlongs.She has close to $700,000 in the bank and she is ranked number 10
Indy’s Giant last 5 efforts been consistent with speeds of 101,82.102,99,97 she loves to be the front runner in her races and the distances don’t seem to bother her. Despite that she did falter as a hot favourite in her last stakes race @ 10.5 furlongs where she ran 3 by 3-3/4 out of 4 runners.
Indy’s Giant is unbeaten at this distance yet to be tried in this level
Starts @ 8.5 furlongs 1 1 win
Track 0 na

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL Indy’s Giant has a magnificent record this year, she has won or been placed in all bar 1 race that was in the G2 Fast Feline which was won by Whip Smart. In that race she was run down to finish 6th with a speed of 99 which isn’t bad. Most of her races been in stakes and longer then this distance. Can she handle the class and distance?
No got a feeling she will be run down, she may give 4th or 5th place a shake

14-Zytown 8/1 Jockey D.Hinnani
Trained by Zyro
Speightstown Filly she has won 9 out of 18 starts, this year she has won 3 races. The wins were in G1 Isaac Murphy 9 furlongs,G2 First State Oaks 8.5 furlongs, The Lottsa In A Record Handicap Stakes 9.5 furlongs, and a 2nd in G1 Hello, Goodbye Stakes 9 furlongs.She is the highest money earner in this field having touch over $1.2 million she is ranked number 3
Zytown’s last 4 efforts have been reasonable with speeds of 98,97,103,100 with her lowest speed figure five runs back of 69 in a 12 furlongs stake. Her last 2 runs where she ran 4th in both races should give her trainer confidence.

Zytown’s record shows that she is capable at this distance.
Starts @ 8.5furlongs 4 2 wins -2nd – 3rd 1 4th
Track 0 na

The CRITIQUE Opinion
LOL If Zytown can stay close enough to the leaders , she is capable of being the winner in this race. Her effort in the Fast Feline behind Whip Smart who she faces in this race was good and also in the Chubby Vista against older females where she ran her highest speed of 103.Is she the knock out horse?
She might just miss out on a place if she gets too far back.

There you go the run down of this great field now the selections before i do, LOL @ Half of the field is 8/1

Now here i go

1st 2 Whip Smart
2nd 3 Lakunza (this should make the trainer drool more)
3rd 4 Stormy Breeze (Hope Lenny has his keyboard covered lol )

4th 10 Part Exchange
5th 14 Zytown

This race is too hard to pick but i had a go as you can see there are are some nice horses to drool over in the top 5

Best of luck to of the trainers and horses

LOL