Queen of the Turf
They say that pace makes the race. Yet, often overlooked in that axiom is the decision-making process of a full field of horses and riders. With an eighth mile to run in the Breeders Bowl Filly & Mare Turf, 13 of the 14 jockeys in the event realized, they had made a serious blunder in letting the Springtime Farm’s fleet and classy homebred, Cold Storage loose on an uncontested lead.
What a year it’s been for amazing 4yo mare Cold Storage, winner of 6 Grade I’s in 9 starts. This Saturday she looks to tie the SIM record for most Grade I wins in year currently held by Sunnybank Memorial( 04′ and 05′) and Horseshoe Bay(05′ and 06′). Although the later is looking to make history of his own with his 8th Grade I win in 2006.
An outstanding group of fillies and mares are assembled this year for the DPCD Filly and Mare Turf Distaff Grade I. The before mentioned Cold Storage,the defending champion in Devil’s Slide, dual Grade I winner on both surfaces Empire Reef, plus 6 others that are ready to take their shot at immortality.
Let’s have a look!
PP 1 Tree Spirit- Up and coming 4yo filly out of the sire Woodman. Trainer, anymore, has kept Tree Spirit in allowance company for most of the early part of the year. Moved up nicely to stakes company by early-summer and got her acid test in Graded company by mid to late summer. She notched a very nice win in the Grade 2 Empire State Cap over Devil’s Slide. Followed that win up with a very nice 2nd in the Grade 1 Black Gold Stakes to Joe’s Angels. Her stalk and pounce style might be ideal with the anticipated speed duel up front. 7-1 is a very generous price.
PP 2 Cash In The Bank(IRE)- 4yo filly Cash In The Bank is out of the Sadler’s Wells son Barathea. Cash In The Bank is the winner of $623k in 27 starts. Lightly raced in her 4yo season with 9 starts. Cash In The Bank has had moderate success this season, with the Grade 3 Lil’ Drummer Boy Hdcp. being her biggest score in 2006. She will certainly benefit from a speed dual up front and jockey R. Johnson will bid his time with this gal from mid-pack. Has a powerful kick from time to time, which she showed LTO in the Grade 3 He’s A Charmer to just come up just short. 5-1 is a square price. Your call?
PP 3 Otto Capital- 4yo filly out of Empire Maker representing nocalbred(epic) will certainly have a say in the outcome of the race this weekend. Epic’s done a good job in getting this nice filly to stretch her speed increasingly over the year. While, not Grade I tested this year, she looks to have the class to compete at this level. Finally, notched her 1st graded win LTO, albeit in a Grade 3 two weeks ago, winning with a swift 105 SP#. Acid test is going to be the class and pace of the race, will likely press Cold Storage and Empire Reef early. The question remains, does she have the class and speed to hang around late? 6-1 is a fair price.
PP 4 Cold Storage- Possibly the greatest turf filly and mare to ever grace the game. The story isn’t finished on this gal’s career, so we have some time to debate her place in SIM history. Winner of over $4 million dollars and 8 Grade 1 wins, with six of those coming in 2006. Takes her shot at SIM history this weekend while trying to add her 7th Grade 1 of the year to her resume. Her Breeders Bowl Filly and Mare Turf win was absolutely dominating and left many fans breathless. With her F/M Turf Eclipse all but wrapped up, a win this weekend could certainly propel her into the mix for HOTY. 5/2 is very, very very…. generous, when your talking about one of the best f/m’s to ever grace the turf.
PP 5 Joe’s Angels- 6yo mare Joe’s Angels is out of the sire Septieme Ciel and a winner of $1.9 million in the bank. The oldest runner in the field at 6 years of age and 52 starts. However, she seems to age like fine wine, competing in the 04′ and 06′ Equinics to show her durability. Competed in and out of grade company for most of career, while notching her greatest win over sure Hall of Famer Krishna in the 2005 Grade I Virgin Mary Stakes. Hard knocking mare is going to give her all every time out. Couldn’t think of a better way to cap her career with a win this weekend. 9-1 is a major overlay in this spot.
PP 6 In The Bin(GB)- 3yo filly out of Apprehension is making her graded debut this weekend. Hard to see her running on in this spot, however she’s trained by one of the games grit’s Theatrical,Roberto, etc….Phil has had a decent horse or two in the past, so wouldn’t just dismiss this horse at first glance. Trained to run off the pace in her last few starts seems to have worked wonders with this gal. 45-1 is a bargain if you have faith in the trainer.
PP 7 Odarp Le Azroc(IRE)- This 3yo filly out of El Prado(IRE) makes her 13th start this weekend, hopefully, for her the #13 is lucky. Has shown some life as of late since stretched out. Faces a huge, class test this weekend. Seemed to break her 1x with relative ease in stakes race two back at 10.5 furlongs. Hard to see her having an impact from a placing standpoint in the race. However, she will be up on the pace pressing Cold Storage, etc….so could be a factor from a pace standpoint to affect the outcome of the race. 54-1 seems about right.
PP 8 Empire Reef- Hails from the powerful Lenny Barn. A multiple Grade I winner on both surfaces with over $2 million in earnings, her greatest win being the 2005 Black Middle Flower Grade I. Speed, speed, speed is her game and everyone thinks she’s going to play catch me if you can. Well, not so fast my friends! I spoke with her trainer on Tuesday night and was asked my opinion on the race. My advice, to come from the back. Recent MB indications are this is the plan. Nothing like a monkey wrench to the pace scenario here. At 3-1, she is the 2nd choice in the field at fair value. Wouldn’t be a shock at all.
PP 9 Devil’s Slide- The one they all talk about, at least behind her back. The “Mistress of the Mayhem” is back to defend her 2005 title in the DPCD F/M Distaff. The pride and joy of the AFC stables is as solid as they come with almost $3 million in career earnings. It’s been tough sledding all season long for this gallant gal with only 1 win from 13 starts. That being said, she’s hit the board 8 of those times, against the best the SIM has to offer in her division. Tony has called his shot, much like the “Babe” or “Joe Willie”. He’s guaranteed a win, who’s to doubt him….Bentnose has administered the milkshakes,cracked a few knees, paid off a few jocks. 7-2, your money has to be on this guy.
Good luck to all !!!