SMACKDOWN III Grade I 3YR OLD FILLY MILE

Welcome to sunny Northern California where all the girls are pretty down on the beach . But it to the track we go to see some pretty good fillies strut their stuff in the SMACKDOWN III Grade I A mile and one quarter Firm Turf $500,000 Fillies and mares, 3 years old. A small field of seven greet the starter here . But befitting this great contest they are all top notcher’s. Any capable of winning this race on their best form. Good luck to those in the three residencies contesting this time honoured series GRSIMSTERS, DUR & NWRC. Well done the DUR guys under trying circumstances to field your runners and to stick together through this. Lets take a look at the field . I am joined by leading trainer in Northern California Jerry Hollendorfer for his comments .

PP1 120 CULINARY CUTIE(IRE) buzz G Kernutt 8/5

EL PRADO(IRE) x GONE WEST x SEATTLE SLEW

The ruling favourite has drawn stall number 1 she is from the G1 winning he-mare WEST OF SLEW the winner of nine turf routes and $1,485,147 in stakes . She is proving to be a chip off the old block having raced 11 times for 6 wins and 4 placings as the distances have increased so have her performances culminating in a fabulous last start win in the G2-Lillispelis Cup over 8f in a remarkable time for a 3yrold filly 1:34 3/5 with a 108 sp like many in this field she is yet to run over this distance and this looks like the only hurdle in her way to success .

Jerry’s comments : Saw this filly win in North Dakota as a 2yrold in the St-The MALT STORM Bonanza over a mile with a 90sp and thought she was a filly with a bit of scope about her . I have no doubt she will stay 10f .

PP2 118652 CATCH TWENTY TOO(KY) willsyam12 C Winter 5/1

TAPIT x LEAR FAN x NORTHFIELDS

Lightly raced filly who has yet to win on turf since being switch from dirt 4 starts back . Still she has run some good races and ran 2nd two starts ago in the G3-Appalooza Stakes over 8f to the $million performer BUDA FOR A DAY(KY) so on that run alone must be a great show if she can go the journey. Her mother raced only once so we can get no guide there she is by a dirt sprint sire but has a bit of stamina on dam side will be very interesting to see if she stays .

Jerry’s comments : Like you i am a bit worried by the sire here but pulpit has left some staying types like EL INDUSTRIAL(KY) so she has some chance we will have to wait and see.

PP3 124540 CAMP CAMARADERIE(KY) peeps10 T Silk 6/1

VINDICATION x UNBRIDLED x ALYDAR

Stakes performer who has yet to be out of the money in 10 starts . Bred to be a tough staying filly and she has shown that in her racing . Last two runs have been in GR Simsters restricted stakes races for two 3rds should be there or there abouts again here one that will find the distance no worries 1st run in graded racing its always hard to tell if they will make the step up to grade we shall see.

Jerry’s comments : Lovely bred filly who always runs on and thats what i like to see in these types of races with the favourite being on the pace runner its gunna take a closer to beat her.

PP4 56051 HESTER ST.(IRE) rohan T McGriggs 9/2

SADLER’S WELLS x RAINBOW QUEST x NORTHERN DANCER

One of the joint 2nd favourite bred in the purple by the great SADLER’S WELLS from the stakes winning mare TESS CARLISLE she has only race 6 times for 4 wins and 2 placing . All her racing has been in allowance company 8 – 11f resulting in 2 wins over this journey in last 2 starts . Another filly who it is hard to get a line on with the big jump up to graded racing . I personally think she can from one of the mighty Galileo Stables you can expect her to be trained to the minute.

Jerry’s comments : You have got to respect the trainer here he knows what hes doing and wouldn’t start this filly in this if he didn’t rate her chances. He is also the trainer of the mighty LEX LUTHOR so he knows his stuff.

PP5 107551 SLINGING ROCK(IRE) lenny13 J White 9/2

ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) x SEEKING THE GOLD x LYPHARD

The other joint 2nd favourite also appeals on the breeding front . She proved distance and class will be no hindrance with her last start win in the G3-Filly Turf Bonanza over 11f in repectable time leading all the way with a 96sp rating. Has won 5 from 9 and over $200,000 in earnings . Has the services of 1 of the top jockeys and should get a safe economical trip on or near the pace . From THE EVIL EMPIRE she is trained by lenny who we all know and respect for his training prowess .

Jerry’s comments : Personally i like the stock of ROCK OF GIBRALTAR so i’m gunna make this filly my pick for the race will be handy and may run the others into the ground.

PP6 137305 SNAPP E(AUS) graywolf7 MC Mac 21/1

SNAPPY LANDING x MEADOW MONSTER x FORMAL DINNER

Budget bred runner who may find herself well out of her depth here . All runs have been in claimers or stater racing hard to see her figuring in finish.

Jerry’s comments : Just making up the number would be a Hugh upset if she ran in the money . But good luck to her trainer you have a G1 runner.

PP6 122687 DESERT ALLEY(ENG) lenny25 T Bay 5/1

GREEN DESERT x BROAD BRUSH x ALYDAR

Found the 12f of the G1-Sydney Oaks a little to tuff 2 starts back . Better guides to her chances may be the G1-How Are You Gentlemen Cup over 8.5f where she was running on well 3L from the winner and her last start run over 9f in the St-The QUIET PROJECT Handicap where she stormed home for 2nd . 8 starts on turf have bought 3 wins and 3 placing . Trained by the master of the IRELAND residency Nickesyd racing club this filly out of the unowned mare ALYBROAD has done him proud.

Jerry’s comments : I have seen this filly race a few times in New South Wales where she’s run well. I went and had a look at her in person last start out here in Northern California and she looked to have strengthen up a lot and the trip has done her good.