Breeders Bowl Juvenile dirt fillies vie for Classic dominance
Hello race fans and welcome to a special edition of Hoof Beats . The rolling hills of Kentucky loom invitingly , filled with promise and dreams unrealized for 14 trainers vying for a place in history . Only one name will be remembered when the results post and the Champion’s neck is enveloped with a garland of flowers in the winners circle . A year of training and patiently developing a budding contender has come to an end as this weeks final preparations are done and over with … all that is left is the waiting and the worry . This week we have the honor of covering a Breeders Bowl race in the juvenile filly dirt division . The Breeders Bowl Juvenile Filly -G I is set over a grueling 8.5 furlongs of fast dirt with a purse of $ 2,000,000 waiting at the wire . Some of these fillies are testing the waters at this distance for the first time today , a select few have been tried and successful already … definitely an advantage yet the odds would tell you differently .
The current reigning princess of the dirt division makes her appearance today undefeated in 3 starts including 2 G I wins running comfortably in her heart attack late dashes that have made her so popular . You’re A Towel puts it all on the line today for the Watershed racing stables against a star packed field , the finest gathering of genetics and training the Sim has yet to witness . Challenging for supremacy are conquered rivals Battle Cruiser and Cybertown ; undefeated fillies Ghostly Breeze and Braddock (IRE) , # 1 ranked sprinter KatherineOfAragon and lets not forget the morning line favorite # 2 ranked classic filly Jacobite Hot Sauce at 5 / 1 representing trainer Thearkle . The fillies are all saddled up , final instructions have been given to the jockeys and the post parade is motion so lets have a look at the field .
Drawing the wood at 10 / 1 is Coldstone ( Dixieland Band x Blushing Groom (FR) x Pleasant Colony ) representing trainer Lenny26 and ridden by the masterful W . McClendon . This jet set filly has yet to finish off the board bringing in record of 5: 2-2-1 and $ 207,000 in earnings . Her last 2 starts have been at 8.5 furlongs and won last outing week 3000 in the Camlaw Stakes -G II in 1:44:2/5 garnering an 87 SP in the process . Ranked # 4 in the dirt division , she is a feisty competitor and lacks nothing that you want to see in a racehorse . She likes to run mid pack and make a bid at the third call , today should be a very comfortable ride barring any mishaps at the start . With that pedigree she should have plenty of gas in the tank for the stretch run .
In post 2 at 13 / 1 is the Crash77 trained Jumping Barker ( Quiet American x Lion Cavern x L’ Enjoleur ) ridden by California sensation B. Renfroe . A winner at 2nd asking , this brown filly has been on the board ever since then . Her juvenile record is at 6: 2-2-1 with earnings of $ 94,000 with a 2nd place finish week 3000 in California’s Walnut Tree Stakes -G II over 8 furlongs 1:37 flat earning an 87 SP in the process on an off track . Ranked # 12 in the Classic dirt division , she has shown great improvement of late and is certainly not to be counted out of the hunt today . With her running style I would imagine to see her eye to eye with the filly to her left all the way to the last call .
In post 3 at 10 / 1 wearing the colors of trainer Okiedokie is the fiery Dixie Burning ( Dixie Union x Aptitude x Miswaki ) , California journeyman P. Harzheim gets the nod . A winner at second asking over 8.5 furlongs by 4 lengths , this brown filly brings a record of 4 : 2-2-0 to the table with $ 87,000 in earnings to date . An impressive win week 2986 in The Nijinsky Scooping Bonanza -Stk 1:36:3/5 89 SP was the deciding factor for this fillies appearance today . Lack of graded experience is unlikely to hurt this # 16 ranked classic dirt competitor although a more recent appearance at 8.5 furlongs would make me feel more comfortable from a trainers standpoint . She is comfortable stalking the lead or running mid pack . I would imagine she is going to run mid pack today given her history and distance of the race and wouldn’t blink if she makes a big splash at the end . In post 4 at 14 / 1 is the Simsters5 trained Braddock (IRE) ( Giant’s Causeway x Opera House (GB) x Danzig ) with yet another big named jockey aboard F. Gossett . The first foal of 5x winning Stakes mare : If U Like Sal (GB) , she is making her own mark in the racing industry as a juvenile bringing an unblemished record of 3 : 3-0-0 with $ 62,000 in earnings to date . Her last win came by a week 2993 victory at 8.5 furlongs in 1:44:4/5 83 SP for Nebraska’s The Unnecessary Shin Challenge -Stk . With 5 weeks of rest she should be in excellent form for today’s challenge , Ranked # 15 in the classic dirt division and improving every start are positives in her corner for certain . The big unknown for this classy filly is if she has enough speed for this field although I have a feeling she will be just fine regardless of her lack of graded field experience . 
In post 5 at 14 / 1 is the Lrh trained My War Hero ( War Chant x Hay Halo x Nureyev ) with R . Harzheim in charge . The first foal of Stakes winning mare : Invade the Throne , she has shown the grit of her breeding winning her last 3 races with flair . Boasting a record of 4 : 3-1-0 with $ 226,000 in earnings , she is ranked # 6 in the classic dirt division . Her last win came by a week 2986 devastation in The Duchess of New York Stakes – G II where she ran down today’s betting favorite in a hotly contested finish for her first graded exposure . That 8 furlongs was ran in 1: 37 flat for an 86 SP , improving with every start and with her breeding showing a love for more distance .. she figures to be a prominent presence felt at the wire .
In post 6 at 9 / 1 is Battle Cruiser ( Unbridled’s Song x War Chant x Sadler’s Wells ) from the stables of trainer Kyclocker2 , rookie sensation K . Ledwith gets the nod for his first BB appearance . This gray filly boasts a record of 5 : 2-2-0 with earnings in excess of $ 378,000 and is ranked # 5 in the classic dirt division . A graded winner at 6 furlongs , she has fallen on hard times of late losing by a nose to the # 1 ranked classic dirt filly week 2937 KY Horsemen Debutante – G I and a disastrous run week 2986 in New York The Duchess of New York – G II in preparation for today’s race . A true test of heart and determination looms ahead , can she shrug off her recent misfortune and return to her winning form … the answer lies at the wire . In post 7 is KatherineOfAragon 10 / 1 ( High Yield x Kingmambo x Ferdinand ) representing Kyclocker2 and ridden by youngster M. Ketron . This filly is the # 1 ranked sprinter and # 9 ranked classic runner in the dirt division . She brings a record of 6 : 2-3-1 in with a $ 419,000 bankroll to boot . Her latest win comes by way of a week 2965 heart stopper in the Getaway Stakes – G I over 7 furlongs in 1:23:3/5 winning by a head with an 89 SP . She keeps improving the more she is stretched yet 8.5 furlongs is a big question mark for this precocious filly as well as her Kamikaze come – from – behind running style that has endeared her to the racing public . Always game … always fast and never counted out is her mantra .
In post 8 from the Levers stable is # 3 ranked sprinter and # 10 ranked classic filly Sisson’s Chant 8 / 1 ( War Chant x Mr. Prospector x Nijinsky II ) electrifying veteran jockey T. Loesch gets the assignment today . Exquisitely bred and very game , this filly appears with a record of 5 : 4-1-0 and $382,000 in earnings riding a 3 race win streak including her week 2930 win in the Hoserhead Juvenile Fillies – G I over 6.5 furlongs resulting in an 85 SP 1:17:2/5 . She’s never gotten close to today’s distance but you just can’t dismiss a filly like this , she might just blossom with the challenge . In post 9 at 8 / 1 is the Lenny2 trained Ghostly Breeze ( Ghost Zapper x Pine Bluff x Meadowlake ) with gritty journeyman P. Bangs in the irons . The Second foal of multiple stakes winning mare : Meadow Breeze , she is also the second Graded winner out of this mare ! Undefeated in 4 races , she has earned $ 192,000 this season and is coming off a big win in week 3000 over 8 furlongs of off dirt in California’s Walnut Tree Stakes – G II 1:37 flat for an 87 SP effort . This filly is comfortable racing anywhere in the field so who knows what tricks trainer Lenny2 has up his sleeves this race . She’s fast … she’s furious ; she’s Ranked # 3 in the classic division and dangerous to underestimate . In post 10 is the # 1 ranked classic filly You’re A Towel 8 / 1 ( Elusive Quality x Saint Ballado x Mill Reef ) from the Watershed stables with the ever dangerous D. Givins aboard . Undefeated in 3 starts with earnings in excess of $ 921,000 , this filly is the real deal winning 2 G I’s in her last 2 appearances including her 8.5 furlong prep in New Jersey week 3000 in the Frickazee Stakes – G I 1:44:3/5 85 SP by 2 3/4 lengths . Shadowed by the morning line betting favorite , she needs a huge effort today to retain supremacy in the juvenile classic dirt division and set the tone for her 3 yo campaign . She may want to be a bit closer to the pace today as well but as the mechanic says ” If it taint broke .. don’t fix it ! “
In post 11 is # 2 ranked classic filly and morning line betting favorite at 5 / 1 Jacobite Hot Sauce ( Temescal Ridge x Tale of the Cat x Mr. Greeley ) trained by Thearkle and ridden by $ 60,000,000 earning veteran N. Lawton . Definitely not a stranger to setting the pace or running right off it , this filly brings a record of 8 : 4-3-0 with earnings in excess of $ 459,000 . A winner in 2 of her last 4 starts , this multiple graded winner never fails to put on a good show every time she steps on a racetrack . Her last win came by a week 3007 wire to wire victory in Massachusetts The Viking Son Special -Stk over 8 furlongs 1:36:3/5 by 2 1/4 lengths 89 SP . In this PP it’s a good bet she will go for the lead but the big question is if she will like the 8.5 furlong distance first time going . She is truly a gutsy filly and will certainly give a great effort as usual … will it be enough to place her name among other BB juvenile champions ?
In post 12 is the Mav1764 trained Windreaver 13 / 1 ( Saint Liam x Unbridled x Nijinsky II ) veteran sensation T. Small gets the nod . Winner of 2 out of 4 starts with $ 105,000 in earnings , this filly is coming off a 2nd place finish over 8.5 furlongs in Ontario’s week 2986 Margarine Stakes – G II in the Slop and is ranked # 13 in the classic dirt division . Unknown is this fillies quality , her breeding shows an aptitude for the distance and today’s track is a fast one . For the betting man the odds are attractive for sure .
In post 13 is the Brazilian bred Pico Penqueno (BRZ) 19 / 1 ( Pico Central (BRZ) x Forest Wildcat x Seeking the Gold ) with veteran marvel J. Stivers aboard the jewel of Db stables . Always in the money with a record of 5 : 2-2-1 and earnings exceeding $ 182,000 , this brown filly has won last outing in Ontario’s Margarine Stakes – G II in the slop week 2986 over 8.5 furlongs 1:44:4/5 84 SP . Ranked # 8 in the classic dirt division , she’s relatively new to graded company and once again overlooked by the betting public . Betters beware … this filly can certainly make a stink at the wire .
On the outside in post 14 is # 14 ranked classic dirt filly Cybertown 11 / 1 ( Speightstown x Sadler’s Wells x Danzig ) trained by Kyclocker6 and ridden by the ever reliable veteran jockey J. White . Certainly no stranger to graded company , this filly has yet to break into the win column when running there . Her last win came by a week 2937 romp in The PRO I. Memorial-Stk over 7 furlongs 1:24:4/5 77 SP . Her prep in week 3000 resulted in a 3rd place finish over a New Jersey 8.5 furlong Frickazee Stakes – G I . Kingman