Otto History, K’s Joan Bach eye Three Smokestacks(G1)
Kentucky– It’s the final Breeders Bowl Distaff trail prep for fillies and mares, three years old and upwards in the Grade 1 $500,000 Three Smokestacks Stakes. As an annual pinnacle event here at the Bluegrass racetrack, the Three Smokestacks traditionally boasts solid fields of the very best distaffers.
This year’s no exception too — what a wonderful group of gals await the bugler’s call! We’ve got the exciting late-bloomer Otto History and the thoroughly professional K’s Joan Bach. Versatile Empire Reef and red hot Bush Wins Again. We’ve got a mix of milers trying to get the extra furlong, sophomores testing their elders, and more.
Let’s meet the field going nine furlongs over a fast main track………………
History Shaker, Championship Maker
Fresh off of her head-turning victory in the million-dollar KY Horsemen Mint Julep Distaff(G1), Otto History (6/1) spent a six-week breather here at the Bluegrass Racetrack. Trainer Capsized has his Deputy Minister filly primed for another go at the BB’s 9f distance. The splendid pacesetter barely lost the Go For the Gold(G1) two back over 9f, but won at the Grade 2 level earlier this season. The 4YO makes just her 12th career start Saturday. Gorgeous SP#s and consistency comparable to K’s Joan Bach. Will Capsized tell the jockey to not push ‘History this time out in preparation for the BB or will she have more than enough to bag her 4th G1 of the year? Ranked #2, in the division, she’s a leading contender for Champion Older Mare honors.
K For Kentucky
K’s Joan Bach (5/1) was a leading sophomore filly in 2005, earning the bulk of her $700k bankroll back then. A year later and she’s still at the top of her game, though it’s taken her most of 2006 to hit the big show. The Forestry daughter pretty much stayed in the listed ranks, winning race after race. She sandwiched in a couple of graded efforts before finally re-entering Grade 1 company LTO, missing by a heartbreaking half-length in the Superfilly(G1). The closer ran a huge 108 SP# in that loss and most notably ran a 110 SP# over 9f this summer on Smackdown day. An absolute sizzling filly for verdugote stable. She’s got the form and the class, but can she catch Otto History in time at the wire?
California Dreamin’
For the past 5 starts, Pleistocene Epoch (8/1) called California her home. Nextbonus’ Capote filly didn’t do too bad either there, winning the Vogue(G3) over 9f and earning cheques often. The stalker finished 3rd LTO in the Del Webb Distaff(G3) over a mile. Quite a lively chance here with her speed figures consistently in the 100s. Well-suited to this distance. As good a chance as any for the prize if she can knock off the flashier faves. One to keep an eye on.
When In Kentucky, Do As The Kentuckians Do
Glorious career for lenny’s Empire Reef (8/1), one of the leading ’05 sophomore fillies. She’s a versatile gal over both surfaces, winning the Cedora D(G1) three starts ago over 9.5f on the grass. Speedster daughter of Empire Maker figures to give Otto History a run for her money. Placed earlier this season at this distance on the dirt. Classy gal with over $1.8 million in the bank. She got passed late LTO in the Superfilly(G1), but perhaps that was due to the short 8.5f. A furlong more this time around might be just the ticket. What a year it would be for the 4YO filly if she could capture Grade 1s on both surfaces! Tough pacesetting assignment though if she winds up duking it out with Otto History. Possible if the favorite lets ‘Reef handle the pace.
Hit The Tip Jar
Cooldude stretches out Jarabe Tapatio (9/1) from Monster Mile speciality. The El Prado(IRE) daughter has been on a roll of late, winning 4 of her last 6. She ran pretty even-steven though when stepping up to graded company LTO. The 4YO makes her 25th call to the post. No reason to suspect that she won’t take to the extra furlong and her SP#s over the mile warrant inclusion here. I agree with this entry, but ‘Jarabe faces the very best over the distance in one swoop. Outsider but very interesting.
Triple Dose O’ Class Uno: Autumn Beauty
Fatattack’s Fall Classic (9/1) appeared primed for a breakout score in the 9f Rio Secco(G1) LTO. Alas, the royal bred daughter of Deputy Minister had a ton of ground to make up from off pace. She finished a strong 3rd though, six lengths behind winner Bush Wins Again. The multiple graded-placed 4YO filly keeps on knocking on the door. She makes just her 14th career call to the post Saturday. Due for a win. Gets larger field and thus hopefully more candidates to push speed up front. Her name sure boasts the fall karma — loves the distance, but can she finally see her name in winner’s circle lights? Great shot.
Triple Dose O’ Class Dos: Miler Plus?
Tabasco Cat daughter Classic (10/1) tries n extra furlong. Sunkitten’s miler specialist won the Boquet o’ Daisies(G3) and placed a few times in miler Grade 1s this season. She had a tons of ground to make up in Otto History’s KY Horsemen Mint Julep Distaff(G1), finishing an eye-catching 3rd. Unfortunately, the #11 ranked 4YO suffered a disastrous trip in the Superfilly(G1), struggling home well-beaten in her 2nd attempt of the year beyond an even mile. Gorgeous gal joins the off pace group in search of speed up front. Her pedigree sure indicates that 9f won’t be a problem, but who knows? In her 20th career start, definite possibility if she can handle the distance. Certainly has the SP#s.
Triple Dose O’ Class Tres: Little Lassie
It took a little while for sophomore Classic Jacklad (32/1) to finally break her maiden in her 4th career start. But trainer jacklad’s lassie was bound for black type company in a hurry afterwards, bagging her first stakes race two starts later. By Sahkee, ‘Classic J dominated that level before finishing 3rd versus her age group at in a Grade 1 this summer. Most of those races were over 10f or thereabouts. She didn’t get a good trip in the Birmingham(G1) over 10f, but recovered nicely with a placing in the Little Evil Sophomore(G3-8.5f) LTO. That effort was her 1st 100 SP#. As the longest shot on the board, ‘Classic J needs some help — she’s got to bring her best effort-to-date this Saturday. She also displays a bit of speed and faces Otto History and Empire Reef in that department. Could apply pressure and that bodes well for the closers. Might be a bit in over her head, but should run her race.
Tiz A Winner, Mr. President!
What a tremendous victory for waremblem stable when their Bush Wins Again (10/1) won the Rio Secco(G1) with a 110 SP#! The Tiznow 4YO went off as a mild $8.00 longshot, but wow! A huge stalker-style score for the filly who was fresh as can be off of a victory in a Grade 3 mile event. She had been struggling prior over the summer, trying turf, listed level dirt stakes, and of course suffered a lousy debacle on Smackdown Day. Don’t know if it was a one-shot deal in that surpemely swift Rio Secco though. This fily has to prove that she’s got the consistency akin to the favorites. If so, watch out!
She’s A Runaway
Super stables sends out an entry here in Ran Away (20/1). Sadler’s Wells sophomore won the Denny Tario Oaks(G2) a ways back versus her age group over 9f. Closer threw a couple 5th places over 10f classy company bwefore cutting back to mile LTO. The result worked wonders with Ran Away flying down the stretch to fall short a scant length in the East Coast Mile(G3-8f). It was a big 104 SP# too. Gotta hand it to the supers — they sure know their stuff. I agree with this entry — this filly’s ready for the G1 level *and* definitely over favored 9f trip. Very, very, VERY interesting. Dark horse.
My Ol’ Bluegrass Home
This year’s Bluegrass Oaks(G1) runner-up Casa Bonita (18/1) breaks from the 14-hole. Ravencard’s Forestry sophomore hasn‘t won in a long spell, but pays her dues hitting the board at her division’s topmost level. She was 2nd in the Sister Hen(G1) over this distance earlier this summer. Closer finished a fast 2nd around 8.5 panels LTO, recording her first 100+SP# since the Bluegrass Oaks. Still eligible for a NW4L, but merits respect, ranked 6th in her division. Will get the pace up front… could that be what she’s lacked all season long?
Dixie Flower Power
Black Middle Flower(G1) runner-up Dixieland Deputy (14/1) has a big shot if she can step up her SP#s. Lurch’s Dixieland Band sophomore placed twice versus her age group around 10 panels in the Birmingham(G1) and Players Club(G1). Absolutey top-level company kept by this gal all season — she debuted versus older mares LTO in the East Coast Mile(G3). It was a rallying 5th-place trip over 8f for ‘Dixie. She comes from way back in the pack, but can also sit about midpack or so. Blossoming and well-suited to the 9f distance, though I like her better over 10f. Needs to better her current 101 SP# ceiling. I think she’s in form and well worth a longshot play, though I like Ran Away better. Enticing!
Dreaming Of The Big Show
Kyladar4a’s I Dream Of Debbie (12/1) rides a two-race win streak into Saturday’s contest. Chief Seattle 4YO scored in both races around 10f and placed in a Grade 3 over 9.5f earlier this season. Lower 100 SP#s, but certainly has the form to capture this race. Has to prove she belongs. Flashes some speed but can also sit behind the pace. Faces tougher challengers for pacesetter honors Saturday. Difficult assignment, but not without a shot for some money.
Santa On His Way?
Sam812218’s Donner (13/1) pretty much stays the marathons. The $1.5-million earner began the season well enough, taking an 11f Grade 2. She’s been winless since though, competing in the Equinics and Sand Castle Festival. In the latter, the 4YO filly ambitiously competed versus males in the $6-million Classic, finishing well up the track. The Thunder Gulch gal took a couple starts to recover. Recently, Donner was last of 11 over a sloppy 8.5f surface. Not really in form then, but always merits respect with that bankroll and 9-for-27 lifetime record. Will the real Donner we know and love show up?
Snowchief’s Picks:
I love this field! Tremendous group and I really can’t seperate most of these. Very classy Grade 1 group.
Otto History and Empire Reef might get into a duel, opening it up bigtime for the closers. I’m gonna go with the favorite K’s Joan Bach on 3 weeks rest to rally for the win. Fall Classic should be there near the wire too. Also the supers’ Ran Away as a excellent longshot.
Win: K’s Joan Bach
Place: Ran Away
Show: Fall Classic
Good luck to all.