The LOUISIANA FOX Stakes
Welcome to the preview for the feature race at Ostend, Belgium, where we pay tribute to the 10 year old retired mare, Louisiana Fox, who finished in the money at over half of her 40 race starts, earning over $100,000 in turf routes.
This race sees the 3yo filly, She Goes, taking on the older horses for the second time, in what should be a very competitive race. There doesn’t seem to be a natural leader here, with most of these fillies preferring to sit back just off the front and accelerate on the home turn. Therefore, it could be a sit and sprint to the finish, unless one of the trainers can change their tactics and give the rest of the field something to catch.
PP1 ID#20988 SHE GOES 5/1 djones4321
This 3yo daughter of Roar stepped up to Stakes class against the older fillies last start after stringing 4 wins together in a row. Despite running an impressive SP# of 95, it found the favourite too slick and finished in 4th place, 6 lengths off the winner. She will be better for that experience and after a month off, and top jockey, A Smith on board, she should be able to give a good sight in this.
PP2 ID#56514 BALINOR 5/2 gregchilds
The top ranked Turf Long Routing horse in the race (ranked 84) is aiming to top $350,000 in prize money with a finish in the money here. This is her 15th race of the year, and all but one have been in Stakes company. Although she has only won one of those, she has finished in the top 5 on 12 occasions, including the last 9. Her only Stakes win came after leading the field wire to wire, and if she can take up the leading position again in a race with not a lot of natural leaders, she’ll be in it for a long way. Bottom ranked jockey, M Boudzidi may not help her chances though.
PP3 ID#89101 LOWLANDS LUCKY 5/2 stalfrank
Stepping up in distance and class is the equal favourite, Lowlands Lucky. She hasn’t missed a place in her last 6 starts in Allowance company and will be put to the test over 11 furlongs in this event. Backing up at Ostend for the second start in a row, she once again has BB Thornton in the saddle, and if she can sit back off the speed and get a late run at them, she could get her first stakes win. At 5/2, the bookies seem confident that she can handle the extra trip – her previous longest journey was 9 furlongs.
PP4 ID#69748 DARING CORPORAL 9/1 libledlady
6yo mare, Daring Corporal, tried her luck at 14 furlongs last start but weakened to finish well back in the Mother Sadie Bonanza at Ascot. She comes in here after a nice break in the paddock of over 4 months, but libledlady is setting her a tough assignment against some of these. She hasn’t won a race since her first appearance of the year, but has been competitive in weaker company. Will need to be at her best to knock some of these off first up, especially with pornstar namesake, R Jeremy, riding her home.
PP5 ID#38782 SHIRAZ 9/1 celticcros
Was found to be out of her league last time out when well beaten at big odds in the Talented Machine stakes. She managed to put together a hatrick of wins over this trip on the turf mid-year in Allowance company, but has struggled of late, not finishing within 10 lengths of the winner at any of her last 5 outings. Will need a form reversal here to be the first home, but is a place chance if she can recapture her mid-year form.
PP6 ID#109984 DREAM TICKET 5/1 silks2912
This 4yo filly is no stranger to stakes company. 12 of her 19 starts have been in this grade with just the one win to date, when she surprised with an authoritative win back in April went sent out as the roughie of the field. Since then she has shown an appreciation for her 3 ventures back to Allowance class to win 2 of these starts, but 2 shows is the best she has managed in stakes class. Comes in for her 3rd start in 6 weeks, so should be super fit, and if she can get to the front as they turn for home, she’ll take some catching.
PP7 ID#85985 GENTILEZZA (IRE) 17/1 szemere
Coming in for her 23rd start of the year, the outsider of the field may be wanting a spell after stepping up for her first stakes appearance here. Has generally been finishing mid-field in weaker company, so will need to vastly improve to get a share of the prizemoney here.
PP8 ID#89213 PJ BOLD JESSIE (IRE) 6/1 stadecxx
This Danehill Dancer filly has been in good form of late, finishing 3rd in her last start in the Project Project Memorial Stakes, following 2 wins in a row over a mile and a half on the turf in restricted Allowances. She has been lightly raced this year with just 8 starts and her SP#s have been gradually improving over her career, breaking into the 90s for the first time 2 starts back. Another one who likes to sit just off the pace and make a break coming into the stretch. This race looks to be a good opportunity for her to continue on her improving ways.
In summary, the 3yo filly, She Goes, looks the best value at 5/1. There are a few consistent types that seem to finish in the money often, but haven’t shown the zip at the finish to hit the line in first place at this level. Lowlands Lucky is a risk at this distance, despite looking the classiest of the rest.