A Test in Italy for 3yo + Fillies and Mares.

The Lydia Test – Italy – Saturday 24th October 2020 at 2.30pm EST.

Grade 2/Group 2 $375k to 3yo+ Fillies & Mares.

10 Furlongs/2000m Turf.

Nice field of fillies and mares had gathered in Italy for the running of the G2 Lydia Test over the classic distance of 10F. Weather is fine and track rated firm for the meeting. Let’s have a look at the field.

1. 94426 – Fly or Free (Orfevre) Owned by wyndaway9 – Jockey – F. Marshall – 31/1.

4yo filly with an overall record 23-2-4-2 and banking $123K. She has been in ok form of late but will need to step up a notch to be competitive here. Last start she was 6^th in the G2 Flight Mile on a shifting track. Sat back in 6^th around 5 lengths from the lead. She was struggling on the turn and was beaten over 7 lengths, running an SP of 101. Prior to that she was 2^nd in an 8.5F Allowance race. Sat 4^th in the run close on the speed. She ran on okay but was held by the winner, running an SP of 104 and beaten ¾ of a length. Prior to that she was 4^th in a 6F Allowance. She sat 6^th in the run under 2 lengths from the lead. She battled on okay to be beaten a length. Her last win was in December 2018. It has been a long time between drinks for this filly and it will be a while longer, I think. Maybe an outside place chance.

2. 61413 – Good Conduct (Dansili) Owned by silversun4 – Jockey – M. Anitou – 7/1.

Nice 5yo mare with an overall record of 15-5-2-3 and banking $442k. Has been racing very well of late and is a big chance her today. Last start she was 3^rd in the G1 Friendly Wager 10F. Sat well back 12^th in the run around 13 lengths from the lead. She ran on very strongly in the end although well beaten by 6.5 lengths and running an SP of 109. Prior to that she won the G2 Epicenter 10F. Sat 4^th in the run only 4 lengths from the speed. She ran on strongly the last furlong to win by a length and running an SP of 111. Prior to that she was 4^th in the Blondie Turf Mare Route 9.5F. Sat 6^th in the run around 9 lengths from the lead. She ran on okay but was well held, beaten 5 lengths and running an SP of 109. She won a 10F Allowance prior to that in impressive fashion. She won by 3 lengths with an SP of 107. Likes the distance and in pretty good form. She has a chance, just depends where she sits in the run.

3. 34461–Will Guide U Home (Candy Ride) Owned by jarrod3. – Jockey – H. Knott – 16/1.

5yo mare with an overall record of 35-3-3-6 and banking $152k. Has been racing in Allowances of late and will need to step up to be competitive here. Last start she won a 10F Allowance race. Led all the way opening up by over 7 lengths at one stage. Stayed on strongly for the win by just over 3 lengths and running an SP of 98. Prior to that was 6^th in a 9.5F Allowance. Sat 2^nd in the run but was quickly beaten in the stretch going down by nearly 7 lengths and running an SP of 97. She was 4^th in a 11F Allowance race prior to that. Sat 3^rd in the run close up on speed. Stayed on strongly to be beaten just under 4 lengths and running an SP of 103. Her last stakes run was back in February where she was a well beaten 6^th, by 15 lengths running an SP of 93. As stated, she will need to improve here to be competitive. Outside chance of placing.

4. 21114 – Shampagne Twist (Sharmadal) Owned by mightyforego40. – Jockey – B. Schardein – 9/2.

4yo filly with a nice record and one of the favourites here. Overall record 19-6-5-1 and banking $322k. Has been in terrific form of late and in this up to her ears. Last start she was 4^th in the G2 Beat Up Ford 10F. Sat 4^th in the run around 6 lengths from the lead. She ran on okay without threatening to be beaten 4.5 lengths and running an SP of 110. Prior to that she won the Pleasant Damper Turf Mare Challenge 10.5F. She sat 3^rd 3-4 lengths from the lead. She quickly took over on the turn and kicked away to win well by 2.5 lengths and running an SP of 114. She won an 11F Allowance on a shifting track prior to that. She led all the way there and stayed on strongly to win by over a length and running an SP of 108. She won a 10.5F Allowance before that. Sat 4^th in the run before quickly putting pay to them in the straight to win by 1.5 lengths and running an SP of 114. She comes into this race in solid form. She will sit up behind the speed and will be a terrific chance to win this.

5. 52121 – Not Very Often (Frankel) Owned by db3.  – Jockey – M. Bia – 7/2.

4yo filly with a terrific record and favourite for today’s event. Overall record 14-6-3-2 and banking $874k. She has been in sublime form of late and she will probably lead here and be hard to beat. Last start she won the G1 Yellow Submarine Stakes 10F. She led all the way opening up by nearly 5 lengths at one stage. She held on to win comfortably by 2 lengths and running an SP of 113. Prior to that she was 2^nd in the G1 Maybe Johnny Hcp 9F. Sat 4^th in the run, close on speed. She did make up some ground and stayed on strongly to be beaten ¾ length and running an SP of 115. Before that she won an 9F Allowance race. Sat 4^th again on speed. She took over on the turn and won easily by 2 lengths and recording an SP of 118. Prior to that she was 2^nd in an 8F Allowance race. Only beaten ¼ length after stalking the speed and recording an SP of 110. Has raced well her last two in G1 company and this distance holds no fears. If she can lead on her own, then she will be very hard to run down.

6. 13626 – Blushing Sea Star (Sea The Stars) Owned by jastables5. – Jockey – V. Drosos – 8/1.

4yo filly with nice overall record of 18-3-6-2 and banking $240k. Has been up and down lately but has run some nice races. Last start she was 6^th in the G2 Beat Up Ford 10F behind Shampagne Twist (4^th). She tried to lead all the way but was gone on the turn and wilted late to be beaten over 9 lengths and running an SP of 105. Prior to that she was 2^nd in the G2 Romanet 10F on a shifting track. She led most of the way in the run only being caught the last furlong. She stayed on well, beaten 2 lengths and running an SP of 107. Prior to that she was 6^th in the G3 Scandinavian Distaff 11F. Led early and was back to 2^nd on the turn, she wilted from there to be beaten 9 lengths and running an SP of 106. Before that she was 3^rd in the Case In Point Turf Mare Route 10F. Tried to lead all the way only to be run down the last furlong, beaten nearly 5 lengths and running an SP of 107. Has been racing ok of late but would need to improve to take the win. Lot of speed engaged here. Minor money hope here.

7. 16112 – Courtright (Lawman) Owned by kody14. – Jockey – R. Engel – 9/1.

5yo mare in good form at the moment. Overall record of 25-8-7-1 and banking $375k. She has been racing well in the longer trips and will be interesting to see how the drop here goes. Last start she was 2^nd in the G3 Glen is Falling Hcp 11F. She sat back in 10^th around 9 lengths from the lead. She ran on very well but was held by the winner by over 4 lengths and running an SP of 109. Prior to that she won the Mango Tootsie Turf Mare Stayer 12F. Sat 2^nd in the run only 3 -4 lengths from the lead. She moved up on the turn and put paid to them quickly winning by nearly 3 lengths and running an SP of 101. Before that was an easy win in a 14F Allowance race. Sat 2^nd in the run before taking over on the turn and racing away for an easy win by 5 lengths with an SP of 87. Prior to that she was 6^th in the Senorita Erica Turf Mare Memorial 11.5F. Sat 4^th in the run but was gone on the turn, beaten nearly 11 lengths and running an SP of 102. She was won over 10F so that is no issue. Just needs the breaks to go her way. Chance.

8. 12741 – Tumultuous Times (Paco Boy) Owned by darkstars11. – Jockey – V. Wright – 13/1.

4yo filly with an overall record of 18-3-6-0 and banking $75k. Has been racing in ALW and SA races and failed in two goes in stakes company lately. Last start she won a 9F Allowance race. Sat 4^th around 8 lengths from the lead before finishing very strongly to win by 1.5 lengths and running an SP of 104. Prior to that she was 4^th in the Local Championship Stakes 12F at BRK. Sat 7^th in the run around 7 lengths from the lead. She made ground up to the turn but faded in the stretch to be beaten 8 lengths and running an SP of 104. Prior to that was 7^th in the G3 Dulcimier Stakes 10F. Sat 7^th in the run around 7 lengths from the lead. She stayed in that position but wilted in the run, beaten 12 lengths and running an SP of 103. She was 2^nd in a 10F SA race prior to that running on but well held by the winner, beaten 2 lengths and running an SP of 107. She has struggled in two stakes run lately and hard to see her winning this but chance for minor money.

9. 35211 – Galagaina (Awesome Again) Owned by trapper17 – Jockey – T. Redding – 49/1.

3yo filly taking on the older horses. Been in good form but this is a huge step up hence she is the outsider of the field. Overall record 7-2-1-1 and banking $74k. Last start she won a 9F Allowance race. Sat back in 5^th nearly 8 lengths from the lead. She finished very well and won comfortably by nearly 2 lengths and ran an SP of 103. Won her maiden the start prior over 10F. Sat 3^rd about 6 lengths from the lead. She finished very well to win easily by over 3 lengths and ran an SP of 94. Since she has been switched to turf, she has really turned the corner. This is a huge class rise and only won her maiden 2 starts back. Think she will be good later on but not today. Outside chance.

10. 11134– Hollywood Rain (Americain) Owned by gcliffo15. – Jockey – N. Labreche – 6/1.

6yo mare who is in good form at the moment. Overall record 30-7-5-4 and banking $302k. Distance is perfect for her and she is in with a solid chance. Last start she was 4^th in the Seriously Bow Turf Mare Memorial 9.5F. She was well back 9^th around 11 lengths from the lead. She ran home strongly although well beaten by nearly 6 lengths and running an SP of 103. Prior to that she ran 3^rd in the G3 Giving Thanks 12F. She was back in 3^rd around 11 lengths from the lead. She lost ground in the stretch but held on to 3^rd, beaten 14 lengths and running an SP of 98. Before that she won the River Pam Turf Mare Stayer 11.5F. She was up running 3^rd around 7 lengths from the lead. She finished very strongly in the stretch to win running away by 2.5 lengths and running an SP of 106. Her last start over 10F was a win in an Allowance race 4 starts back. She settled 9^th around 11 lengths from the lead before finishing very strongly for an easy win by 2.5 lengths and running an SP of 110. Smart move to bring her back to this distance which is her best I feel. Will be running on strongly with pace on to suit. Big chance.

11. 23695 – King Kam’s Lady (King Kamehameha) Owned by dkstables4. – Jockey – E. Bernstein – 5/1.

5yo mare and one of the favourites for the race. Overall record 24-5-7-4 and banking $773k. Think she needs to improve to win despite what the odds makers say. Her form has been okay of late. Last start she was 5^th in the G2 Romanet 10F on a shifting track behind Blushing Sea Star (2^nd). She sat in 8^th around 11 lengths from the lead. She made up some ground late but was well beaten by over 6 lengths and running an SP of 103. Prior to that she was 9^th in the G2 Landshark Oaks 12F. Sat 6^th around 12 lengths from the lead. She was gone on the turn and wilted badly to be beaten nearly 18 lengths and running an SP of 101. Prior to that she was 6^th in the G2 Hannah Barbera Cup 10F. Sat 9^th in the run around 8 lengths from the lead. She made up some ground but was well beaten by nearly 4 lengths running an SP of 111. Her last win was in last year’s G2 Romanet 10F in August. She sat 4^th before running on strongly in the straight to win by 2 lengths and running an SP of 111. Think the market has her assessed on previous form as current form would have her much bigger odds. Needs to improve. Chance.

12. 21237 – Juba Tale (Juba) Owned by graywolf16 – Jockey – D. Saylor – 21/1.

4yo filly who was in form prior to last start. Overall record 17-3-5-2 and banking $174K. Think she is a better chance than the odds reflect. Last start was 7^th in the G1 Princess Di Cap 9F. She sat 2^nd in the run on speed before fading in the stretch to be beaten over 8 lengths and running an SP of 105. Prior to that she ran 3^rd in the G2 Hot Polly 10F. Sat 2^nd early and took over before the turn. Wilted late in the race to be beaten over 6 lengths and ran an SP of 111. Before that she was 2^nd in the Mass Grass Stakes 9F. Sat 3^rd only 2-3 lengths from the lead before taking over on the turn and run down late to be beaten 2.5 lengths and running an SP of 109. Funnily enough she won a 4.5F Allowance prior to that. Sitting up on speed and winning easily bu over a length and running an SP of 91. Her last few runs have been quite good, and she is better than the odds suggest. Chance in an open race.

Tips: Very tough race to handicap with many chances.

5. Not Very Often – Think she can lead this and be very hard to run down. 7/2.

4. Shampagne Twist – Will stalk the early speed and chase strongly. Big chance. 9/2.

2. Good Conduct – Likes the distance. Will sit close and be hard to beat. 7/1.

Roughie: 12 Juba Tale – Think she is silly odds and has an outside chance. 21/1