Red Tejas, Grass And She, Elsinore lead star-studded Grade 1 distaffer turf sprint
Delaware– The Grade 1 $500,000 Nail in the Coffin Stakes boasts an excellent distaffer assembly of one-turn specialists. Over six furlongs on the grass, the bookies declare a close match between splendid Red Tejas (recent Grade 1 winner), competitive Grass And She (Grade 3), and Elsinore (champ of 4 graded stakes in a row).
Though she’s only the third choice in the field of nine, wombat’s Elsinore (4/1) deserves headliner status. The 4YO daughter of Danehill has won 4 in a row including the Grade 1 Baylee’s Dreamer Memorial here at Delaware. The closer most recently rallied to capture a Grade 3 over Saturday’s 6f distance with a 103 SP#. On a roll, she’s very dangerous and at the top of her game.
Breaking a bit outside Elsinore’s sixth gate in post 8, heythere’s Grass And She (7/2) won two of her last 4, but on both other occasions, finished 2nd and 3rd to Elsinore in graded company. The 4YO daughter of Mt. Livermore just misses — she has a similar off pace running style like Elsinore. Gets an experienced jockey this time around and hopes to become a millionairess after a win. Contender as always if she can outrun her rival.
Texasace’s Red Tejas (racetime favorite at 2/1) attracts the top Delaware jockey H Ross. By Red Ransom, the 4YO filly won the Maple Act Memorial(G1) here at Delaware three back, then finished a fast-closing third to Elsinore in the Baylee(G1). She just missed LTO in the DelPenn/GR Simsters Smackdown, recording a 107 SP# second place over 7 furlongs. Extremely consistent, this gal fires near each time out. She makes her 30th trip to the post from the rail Saturday. The one to beat SP#-wise, but has to outrally fellow closers Grass And She and Elsinore.
At 5/1, Fourteen Comb finished second to Elsinore and beat Red Tejas in the Baylee(G1). The 7YO mare by Danzig Connection fired big in her 39th start, but then ran into traffic problems when asked to close over 5f LTO. A classy gal from rintintin stables — she’s earned over $1.4 million in a long career. Again, must rally alongside the favorites and that’s gonna be a wild scramble. Good jockey in the irons helps. A decent shot if she can put it all together and defeat younger rivals.
In post 3, we have shawninwy’s Unsung River (8/1), by Unbridled’s Song. The 4YO filly recently climbed out of the ALW ranks and boasts a win and two other placings from 4 stakes starts. Legitimate speed in this tasty longshot — must overcome real classy closers though capable of big SP#s. So, can this filly elevate her SP#s from a recent 102? Should be there at top of stretch, trying to hang on. Interesting longshot.
The rest of the field:
- Surely Swain(IRE) (12/1) from 2die4 stable makes just her 15th career start. By Swain(IRE), she’s still trying to find best distance and surface. Currently rides two-race ALW win streak — but over dirt. Looks really rushed here and out of place. Nice filly — regroup afterwards.
- Easygoer1’s Zero Tolerance II at 12/1 leaps from ALW ranks, having won 2 of her last 3 over the dirt in decent time. Storm Cat daughter is lightly raced at age 4 — this will be her turf debut and what a spot it is. Nice gal, has the pedigree to at least try the lawn too. But this is a grade 1 race — she’s ceratinly ready for listed stakes level and she might’ve had an outside chance in a dirt grade. Puzzling entry.
- At 16/1, Mel’s Prize could stalk the pace from midpack. Veteran 5YO mare by Prized needs the race of her life to beat this group. In the running for a minor piece of purse at best for 2furlongs.
- Slappy’s Hmmm (24/1) flashes early speed in listed events… but those 80 SP#s don’t place her on the board at least. Rainbow Quest daughter unplaced in her last in graded company. Should be in thick of things early due to lack of pace with this group. Doubtful she’ll be around at the end though. Talented, but needs to find best distance and build consistent SP#s. The only way you’re gonna due that really is in the ALW ranks with possbile listed stakes efforts.
Snowchief’s Picks:
Not a lot of speed here, so Unsung River is an interesting longshot. However, I’ll go with the classy closers to sweep the board — they shouldn’t have too much problem defeating the weak pace group. Tough call, but Red Tejas over Elsinore and Grass And She.
Author’s Note: I’m a bit under the weather today, so please forgive the brief preview. 🙁