Fourteen Fillies and Mares offer their brilliance and beauty for all to see in The Personal Sign G1.
G1 The Personal Sign
Post time for this spectacular race is 3:00pm EST. Fourteen will go to post, trying to add another pristine gem to their already brilliant careers. Let’s take a closer look at field below and see who might come out victorious.
#1 THEREWILLBEPEACE (10-1) – This 5yr old mare out of Violence has taken a step back in her two starts this year. Although SP numbers were still good, she didn’t have the kick that was shown last year. Will look to return to form after another layoff. She’s the GR Simsters champion from last year with much to prove from the barn of thewordstables5.
#2 SHOWING POTENTIAL (11-1) – megabps sends out this daughter of the great sire Awesome Again. Achieved her only stakes win to date back in November, and will tackle graded company for the first time. She’s of the speedball type and will certainly be gunning out of the gate. Problem is that she has had the least amount of rest of the bunch and plenty of other speed to her outside. Has never ran back this quickly, and that is concerning.
#3 THEBEGINNINGANDEND (32-1) – One of two 3yr old fillies in the field. Won the GR Simsters Kentucky Oaks earlier this year and followed that up with a fast closing third in the G3 Denny Tario Oaks next out. Didn’t quite have enough in the G1 Players Club Oaks over off footing last out. Improving filly in search of her first graded win today. This will also be her first start against older. The oddsmaker says to look elsewhere, but I believe she has a shot at long odds.
#4 COMEBACK RACING (49-1) – Trainer elit1 sends out his G1 winning millionaire. She’s the only other 3yr old in the field, and seems to be up against it in here. All of her success has come over the turf courses across the pond, but very nice wins they are. Wins include: G2 The Mallrat, G1 Japanese Oaks, G3 The Penelope Cruz, and the G2 New Zealand Oaks. Has not faced elders before, and SP numbers definitely need a huge boost to contend here. Looking elsewhere for winner.
#5 IBAKA (12-1) – This daughter of Tiznow is a multiple stakes winner, and a daughter of a G2 winning mare. Has been with graded company before with mixed results, best finish coming in the G3 Cassie Filly Route back in June of 2016. Shows a worst to first running style that she will have to time right and get the jump on a few others that will be hanging in the back with her. Going to side with others here.
#6 WIDOW’S EMPIRE (9-1) – Comes off a very impressive win last out, defeating the likes of WINTERNACHT and EXCELSIS D’ORO in the G2 First State Distaff, both of which she finds here today. Uses a mid-pack running style that could give her the edge on the deep closers if there’s a pace to run into. Trainer fairhaven11 keeps her in the states where she has had her largest triumphs. Should vie for a top three finish if the career best last out didn’t take everything out of her.
#7 SIA (7-1) – The second of three millionaires in the field. This daughter of Malibu Moon has been facing the best of the best since the start of last season. She’s posted very good SP numbers recently, but appears to have lost some of the late kick. Well beaten in 4 of her last 5 races. The second place finish three back in the G2 MD Distaff came over an off track. Finished ahead of HAILEY, but owned by UMEREZ last out. Seems to pop off a strong one here and there, but can’t endorse for win given the sporadic finishes.
#8 GOIN’ FOR THE GOLD (12-1) – This 4yr old by Arch is the last of the three millionaires sent into the starting gate for this. Has only 2 in the money finishes in her last 8 races, and is without a win since the August 20, 2016 triumph in the G1 Birmingham Stakes. She’s a back of the pack runner that seems a notch below the other closers. Needs a blazing speed duel up front for a chance to hit the exotics. Trainer saratogaspa wont like it, but I believe she’s best used as a backend to trifecta or superfecta wagers.
#9 WINTERNACHT (7-1) – tripwire brings us this beautiful 5yr old mare sired by Street Cry. Thought she was going to wire the field last out in the G2 First State Distaff until tiring late finishing 6th, beaten by 6.25 lengths. Will be pressing the pace again here, trying to turn the tables on WIDOW’S EMPIRE, who soared past her in the final stages. Will be very tough to beat if she can control the pace or be able to sit comfortably behind the leader. A lot to like in second start against graded company.
#10 A THOUSAND STARS (10-1) – Highly touted mare since her upset win of the G1 Equinics for 3yr old fillies at a mile distance. One of the infamous turf sire turned classic dirt producer, by Sea The Stars. Dam is a Hall of Famer, and has produced 5 graded winners and 2 millionaires. Failed to capitalize on great position last out, losing ground to finish 3rd in the G2 D-Day Distaff. Winner of 2 straight in listed stakes before that. Should be in a perfect spot again, will need to find that extra umph to score here for trainer correction.
#11 EXCELSIS D’ORO (9-1) – Medaglia D’Oro sires this G1 winning filly from the barn of mtkbps. She’s been red hot in the last three outings, 2 wins and a Second. Must get the jump on WIDOW’S EMPIRE, whom beat her last out, to have a chance at the winners circle. She didn’t do well in this race last year, after her victorious run in the G1 Equinics for 3yr old fillies at 10 furlongs. Comes in fresh, must time her rally perfectly.
#12 ORANGE CRUSH CADET (8-1) – Has lightning fast feet and will be a pace dual candidate. She’s a scratch bred mare, sired by Dubawi for the obvious trainer cadet3. Her sire is another turf stud who’s offspring has found a home on the dirt. No doubt the jockey has been given the “go fast and win” quote from the movie Let It Ride. Doesn’t have a graded win yet. Big question is, can she hold up over this distance, with the pressure she is sure to feel today? Your guess is as good as mine.
#13 UMEREZ (6-1) – She’s earned over $780k for trainer nocalbred, and seeks another graded win in pursuit of the millionaire club. Sired by Tiznow, she’s done most of her best work on the front end which spells disaster if that continues here. Ran a fantastic mid-pack styled race four back, that would increase her chances of winning here. Beat the likes of SIA and Hailey in her last, which was in her typical front running fashion. I will note that she was caught that day by a horse that was over 10 lengths back at the third call.
#14 HAILEY (7-1) – This daughter of Harlan’s Holiday has ran in the mud in 5 of her last 6 races. Was back to a fast track last out and offered nothing. This mare, from the barn of chloedawg2, will be able to see them all as they leave the gate. I call these cloud droppers, as they come from nowhere to vie for the win in the final stages. Although, that task seems daunting today. Was in this race last year and only beat one horse to the wire, finishing with her worst SP number since April of 2015.
Swami Selections: 11 – 13 – 6 – 12