Life’s a Beach in Athens for Solana
Welcome to sunny Athens, Greece, for the running of the Capssasal Memorial Stakes for 3yo fillies. This race has attracted only a small field of six, for the handsome purse of $75,000.
Run over 7.5 furlongs on a fast dirt track, the morning line favourite will go from the outside post, and looks to have a class edge on the rest of these from looking at exposed form. However, with many runners, including the favourite, only having less than a handful of starts to their names, it is an opportunity for these fillies to step up and show their trainers, and the sim, their true potential.
PP1 POETIC LICENCE ID#124676 bevron 7/1
Outsider of the field broke through at her fifth start to win on the sloppy track over this distance, and followed it up last time with a well beaten seventh in a listed stakes. Yet to prove she is up to this class and may struggle here again. Best results have come when up handy to the early speed, but was blown away last start. Smaller field may suit her better, but place best.
PP2 SPORTIN’ FORTY T ID#29051 pup 7/2
Interesting filly by Van Nistelrooy, who has won a stakes race, but not any other kind of race, including a maiden. Hasn’t been able to follow up with any more wins since her second race start, but has been stakes placed twice. Was sent back to an allowance last time out after struggling when tried over a route, and put her best SP# on the board in running third. Further improvement would see her challenge for a share of the prize here again.
PP3 BARB’S VICTORIOUS ID#132147 maxie 9/2
Followed up her maiden, first start win with an encouraging third place in a listed stakes over 6 furlongs. Went wire to post in front for a comfortable win over a mile in an allowance two starts ago, before finding them too slick last time when back to a 6 furlongs stakes race. The step up in distance looks ideal, and will challenge for front running honours here. Daughter of Forty Niner who is still finding her way in racing, but is sure to make her presence felt.
PP4 TEN HUNTERS ID#118140 leeclaim3 5/1
Front running filly who put 3 lengths on a Grade III field last start in the Myocardial Infection Stakes, before tiring to finish ninth. Drops back one furlong, and down to a small stakes field, both factors which appear to be in her favour. Will be fitter following her one run of this campaign, and was a stakes winner over this distance at her previous start. Should be able to find the lead here, or at least a top two position in running, and will take some catching.
PP5 BENEFITS ID#38415 pg24 5/1
Winning form is good form, and this Touch Gold filly is looking for three in a row here. Both wins have come in a similar stalking fashion, where she has sat back off the pace and then exploded before the stretch to open up a winning break. Steps up in class here and won’t have it quite so easy, but looks to be naturally improving with racing, and will sure to be running on. Has claims.
PP6 SOLANA BEACH ID#126165 cobleskill 3/2
Coming through the same Grade III race as TEN HUNTERS, this filly stands out as having run the best SP# by quite a margin. She impressed when winning her first two starts, and followed it up with a big 3 length win, going an SP#94 in an owner restricted stakes at her third start. Went the same figure last time in the Myocardial Infection Stakes when fourth. Looks highly promising, and on paper, she looks the one to beat here, and is the deserved morning line favourite.
Selections – 6 to win. The rest of the field are an even bunch which all show promise, but haven’t put as strong results out as the favourite.