7 Fillies & Mares Set to Contest the 8 furlong Lobo and Yochem Grade 3 Eclipse Stakes
Race ID: 3315.3616
Lobo and Yochem Eclipse Stakes
Grade 3 Dirt One Mile for fillies and mares 3 and Up
A small but talented field of 7 lineup to take part in the one mile Lobo and Yochem Grade 3 Eclipse Stakes at Ostend. Since we know all of the would be studs are checking out these fine fillies and mares lets do likewise:
1. Aza Crystahl – The longshot in the field at 17-1 this 3 yr old mare has one stakes win at a mile under her belt but has failed to make much of an improvement speed figure wise since that effort in February. She put in a fine run her last race out at Delaware Park in the Grade 2 First State Oaks and just missed by ¼ length. featured
2. Diablerie – Four year old Storm Cat mare ran a lights out career best 107 speed figure last out over 7 furlongs during the Smackdown (She finished 2nd).
She has yet to win at the Graded level but she has over $500,000 of lifetimes earnings and looks to add to that figure today. Chances are if she continues to run in the 105 speed figure range she could breakthrough here.
3. Wakiwild – This Forest Wildcat X Miswaki 4 yr old mare bounced downward last out at 6 furlongs in the Grade 2 Scary Carrie but she returns to the mile distance today which seems to be her forte. She is the most accomplished in this field with 792k in lifetime earnings and she ran an absolute monster 3 back in the Grade 2 Whizzer Stakes in posting a 109 speed figure in a winning effort.
4. Also Sweet – This 5 year old Point Given mare by Point Given is the odd maker’s slight 5/2 favorite. Her recent stat line is filled with speed figures of 108 and above and she has really been a true monster over 8 furlongs for quite awhile. One cause for potential concern is she had a bad race last out after a prolonged layoff. The question for bettors to answer is will she recover in her 2nd after a layoff or is it the sign of an impending down trend? I am guessing the former and she is a major player in this race
5. MA’ADIM Vallis – Sired by In The Wings (Sadler’s Wells) this 6 yr old mare has had a solid career at the allowance level but has never quite been in the same league as others in this race. Do not see her breaking through against such a talented field today, so seek others.
6. Time Expired – four-year-old mare by Australian sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill) has two stakes wins to her credit and is trying graded company for the first time today. Would rate her chances better if the race were taking place on an off track or a slightly longer distance, as she seems to be even better at 9 furlongs. Will look for others but will not deny her talent.
7. Perfect Pitch – Broke through at the graded level on May 12th in the slop and has been run hard since then with 4 races since the Grade 3 victory. Has been putting up competitive speed figures and the odds makers like her at 3-1. If this race was run on an off-track she would be my pick but I will pass at odds of 3-1 and stake my handicapping reputation elsewhere.
Outlook:
This is one of the most pace less races on papers that I have handicapped thus far and it is very questionable if any of these horses will want to go early but I am placing my bet with Also Sweet who showed impressive front-running ability three back at a mile in the Grade 2 Pick Six Jamboree at a mile when she posted a 110 speed figure in a wire to wire effort. Diablerie will be closing hard at the end but will fail to run down Also Sweet but will place and round out the exacta. WakiWild will run an even third and post a respectable speed figure in the process.