Six Fillies Brave The Snow in Stakes Race in Massachusetts

Assuming the track stewards’ plan to have inmates from the local correctional facility clear out the snow following the latest Nor’easter is effective, Massachusetts is set to host six three-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Saddle Up Partner Turf Filly Mile on Friday.

The field is filled with promising young prospects, and looks to be wide open. Something will have to give when the horses finally leave the starting gate, as all six entrants are coming off of wins on the grass in their last race!

1 – MISSY LUSIVE (9-2)

One of two stakes winners in the field, this pointguardb-trainee (pointguard) has won three times in six trips to the post, earning more than any other horse in the race. A daughter of Elusive Quality out of the nicely bred dam Miss Danzydar, Missy Lusive has won both of her previous attempts on the grass as an odds on favorite in small fields, including the Queen Amy Turf Filly Sprint last time out. That said, her speed figures look light against this crew. Will need to take a big step forward to make it three in a row on the turf.

2 – VALLOMBROSA (2-1)

This finely-bred filly (Galileo x Kris S x Seeking The Gold) has finished in the money in five of seven starts, all on the turf. Last time out she won an Allowance race at today’s distance, posting a speed figure of 93, the best of any horse in today’s field. Vallombrosa has earned over $100,000 for durkastan3 (durkastan), and looks well-positioned to add to that figure in her second attempt in stakes company. Ignore her at your own peril.

3 – MOONLIGHT TAP (2-1)

Like Missy Lusive, Moonlight Tap has won three races in six trips through the starting gate. The oldmoonfarms29-trainee (oldmoonfarms) has won three of four since moving to the turf. This well-bred filly (Tapit x Uncle Mo x Bernardini) has posted speed figures in excess of 90 in her last two tries, both of which were wins. Looks poised to notch another victory in her first try in stakes company.

4 – CLASH OF ROYALTY (7-2)

Clash of Royalty has won twice for sprinter5 (neonshadow), finishing in the money in five of six races in her young career. She’s tangled with the boys twice already, with a third place finish in the EWC Sire Showcase to show for her efforts. The daughter of Deep Impact, out of Grade 3 winning dam Cause I’m Queen, has easily won her last two races, which were both at today’s distance. We’re looking elsewhere on top, but she figures to be in the photo in a tightly-contested race.

5 – GAIN A STRIKE (12-1)

This daughter of Intrinsic is getting no respect from the morning line oddsmakers, even though she’s never finished worse than second in four trips to the post. Last time out she won The Misallocation in California at today’s distance. She’s making her 2018 debut today, and the experts seem to think this tbres0-trainee (tbres2) needs a race before she’ll be back in peak form. Given the generous odds Gain A Strike is offering, we’re willing to risk a few bucks that the experts are wrong.

6 – MY DISAPPEAR BAG (5-1)

This daughter of Kyllachy has the best winning percentage of any filly in today’s race, with three wins in four starts. My Disappear Bag is undefeated in three starts on the grass after a disappointing debut on the main track. The brasco29-trainee (gobidon) posted a strong 90 speed figure at today’s distance her last time out. A lot to like here.

POINTGUARD’S PICKS:

WIN – MOONLIGHT TAP (2-1)
PLACE – VALLOMBROSA (2-1)
SHOW – MY DISAPPEAR BAG (5-1)
BEST LONGSHOT – GAIN A STRIKE (12-1)