Graded winners Sainte Chappelle, CK Ghost Prospect star in Pebbles Flintstone(G2) show
Nebraska– Flinstones! Meet the Flintstones! Or, in our case, the 2008 Grade 2 $200,000 Pebbles Flinstone field! Thirteen gals from the town of derbyfever.com Bedrock vie for a page out of Sim history this Saturday. They’ll hoof it faster than the Flintmobile through seven feisty furlongs. Look out Dino! The cyber-tooth ladycats are out on the prowl! Meow!
Grade 1 winner CK Ghost Prospect leads the morning odds by smigdeon. She won a World Cup race last year. We also have another graded gal in Sainte Chappelle, winner of the Cadoka Stakes(G3) in her last start. Lots of listed stakes winners also challenge — they’re led by recent 101 SP# stakes victoress Gilded Edge.
I’m struck by how modestly-bred this field is! Sure, we’ve got a few bluebloods, but, the pedigrees are pretty much on the humble side for the most part. Let’s meet our Pebbles Flintstone family!
The Faves
5/1 CK Ghost Prospect(KY)
A blueblooded damsel kicks off our coverage with Team CK’s CK Ghost Prospect. The Ghostzapper daughter boasts a mouth-watering Storm Cat x Mr. Prospector female family and she’s lived up to those bloodlines for Team CK. The ‘Ghost has won 6 of 12 so far, including a rousing photo finish in last year’s World Cup Juvenile Filly Sprint(G1). The ‘Ghost rallied from way off the pace in that victory, and she ran big time again, albeit falling shot by 4 lengths in the BB Juvy Fillies.
The Breeders Bowl began a three-race string of two-turn efforts for CK Ghost Prospect. The filly didn’t move forward though around two-turns. She was well-beaten in the Golden Rod(G2) and even missed a win against Minnesota Downs residency-restricted company. Team CK set their sights back on the sprints for the filly’s sophomore debut. She spoiled over the grass, but then magically turned it around with a huge 101 SP# listed stakes score around 7.5 panels.
CK Ghost Prospect looked set for the Grade 1 Hello Mama Special last time out. The filly ran well, but must’ve suffered from a lack of speed up front, finishing also-ran. This has got to be a lighter spot for her against fillies without much graded experience. Bottom line, you really gotta love the chalk in the race. She’s #2-ranked in the 3yo filliy sprint division. Hopefully she can get something to run at up front and has to overcome post #12 too.
6/1 Sainte Chapelle(KY)
LSUMark from the Ireland residency brings our first modestly-sired gal, Sainte Chappelle. She’s the best offspring so far by the Montbrook-sired stallion Chapel Royal. Saint Chappelle looked postively majestic winning the Cadoka(G3) over seven panels last month. The midpacker cruised to lead at the top of the stretch, then switched it into overdrive 1 1/2 lengths on top. Her 103 SP# in the race is the highest so far in our field. She’s 2-for-2 as a sophomore so far then after winning a listed stakes after her wintertime vacation.
Sainte Chappelle had some graded experience last year. She was Grade 3-placed around 7.5f. She finished out the season earning some good dough. It looks like she just really that time down on the farm to rest up, because, boy, she’s a sharper knife in the drawer as a 3yo. The little gal might be in a better position to pounce down the lane if the frontrunners dawdle through the opening quarter.
You just can’t fault this filly. Cover-up her sire and she’s the one to beat in this race moreso than CK Ghost Prospect. Great form.
6/1 Gilded Edge(KY)
Wow! Gilded Time x Cutlass x Baederwood sure looks like a bargain baby to me! Olwhisper of the EAAA Residency sure got BP-value for Gilded Edge. The filly’s already ranked #7 in the division after having hit the board in 4 straight graded stakes last year. She was in CK Ghost Prospect’s World Cup photo finish, and missed again on DelPenn Champions Day in the Thnksmsslew(G1). The starlet even hit the board against graded colts too.
What an impressive individual with those stable yet slowly climbing speed figures! This season, Gilded Edge finished 4th in the EAAA Inter-Res Challenge versus colts before mish-mashing her way home on top in a listed stakes versus the gals. She ran a beautiful 101 SP# in the 7f race. Like rival CK Ghost Prospect, Gilded Edge needs something run at up front. I like how she’s fresh off of a two-month layoff. If she’s on target, she might throw a huge number. Just call her “Little Miss Dangerous!”
In The Wings
7/1 Gulch Quay ETS(KY)
Thunder Gulch isn’t used as much these days, so I guess we can qualify Gulch Quay ETS as a modest bred! Theo (Teddy), web guru of Minnesota Downs, trains this little lassie. Gulch Quay ETS is quite experienced already with a 4 for 15 lifetime record. She was a stakes winner in just her 3rd career outing last season and has competed consistently in sprint and short route stakes races ever since.
The filly has lots of natural speed, but Theo and the jockeys have tried to turn Gulch Quay ETS into more of a stalker this season. She’s hit the board in 3 of 4 stakes stakes and those races weren’t slouchy-type events either. The fily ran stable 90+ SP#s and really seems to be knocking on the door in preparation for a breakout run. There’s not a ton of speed in this contest, so she could find some easy going up front. She races on only two weeks rest though. I’d expect two-weeks for a listed, but it might be stretching it to step back up to the grades. Still, ‘Gulch is quite a talent and deserves backing in your exotic wagers.
9/1 Woette’s Wide Web(TUR)
The bluecollar entrants march on with Woette’s Wide Web, daughter of Mountain Cat. This gals got a rather turfy stamina female family, but just adores the one-turn, so go figure. Woette of Benelux trains this gal. The filly recently won a listed stakes with a 96 SP#. It was a very tough win though as she fought tooth-and-nail on the lead for the photo finish score. It was her 2nd lifetime stakes victory.
There are a couple keys with this filly. First, she has backclass. She actually finished a mere 1/4-length behind Gilded Edge on DelPenn Champions Day in the Thnksmsslew(G1). Secondly, she’s quite versatile on the pace or happily closing from the back of the pack. Finally, she’s fresh off of a nice long break.
I like how her SP#s keep climbing as well. She’s maturing. I don’t know if she’s at the favorite’s level yet, but could affirm her readiness to us all Saturday! Must overcome outside post #13. Possible.
10/1 Street Crying (KY)
We jump back to bluebloodedness with this Street Cry daughter from reman12000 stables. Street Crying is still pretty green with a 4-for-8 lifetime record. Reman took her through the ranks slowly last year and she became a stakes winner rather quickly in just her 5th start. Indeed, Street Crying continued the fine form with a photo finish runner-up spot in her 3yo debut. The 95 SP# was the filly’s lifetime best.
Unfortunately, Street Crying through a stinker in Sainte Chappelle’s Cadoka(G3). I worry Reman may be pushing this filly a bit too fast. Or, perhaps the speedster just missed the break and was due for a clinker. Classy filly, but is she ready for her first 100+? Wouldn’t be too far of a stretch, so keep an eye on her. Races from the GR Simsters Residency.
10/1 Silver Splendor(KY)
This gal might have a royal female family, but Badge of Silver is still modest by all rights. You got to like the 3rd-crop sire’s Sim stats though with 2 Graded Winners (including Silver Splendor). Badge of Silver also noticeably has a very fast 3yo turf sprinter named Enchanters Endgame (trained by Brundlefly) that I spotted in the ranks a few weeks ago. Mmmhmm. One to watch.
But I’m stealing Baggio’s fire here with Silver Splendor! This is a lovely filly. She was dual-Grade 3 winner last year over the lawn and I wonder if she qualified for the Breeders Bowl. Instead, Baggio paused a bit after the Silver Splendor threw a bad race around two-turns on World Cup day. I agree with Baggio cutting her back to one-turn. The filly finished decent enough with a DelPenn Champions Day 5th. She just wasn’t breaking out of those 80 SP#s though.
So Baggio placed Silver Splendor on the dirt in her 2nd outing this season. The filly responded excellently with a listed victory over 7.5f. Maybe she was a little rushed into Saint Chappelle’s Cadoka(G3) last time out. The filly finished 9th, but with the same type of 90-ish speed figure. Hopefully she pulls it all together this time around. She should be lesser odds — maybe 7/1 or 8/1 here. Very possible, but something to prove. Races for Minnesota Downs.
10/1 Thug Niner(ENG)
Bigrick stable from Minnesota Downs sends out a Tiger Hill(IRE) daughter. This little gal’s rather green with just a 2-for-6 lifeitme record. After winning a sprint ALW in her 4th start this season, Thug Niner ran 3rd with a very swift 100 SP# in her stakes debut around 7.5 panels.
Talented stalker, but we just don’t know how she’ll do at this level yet. And, indeed she seems a little rushed. The speed figure warrants a start here though. Needs to cruise on or near the lead and we’ll see if she can hang on against her more experienced rivals.
The Longshots
11/1 Wells Rules T(P.R.)
Hijacked’s DelPenn division sends out Wells Rules T. This filly is by an obscure son of Fusaichi Pegasus, but is out of a gorgeous Sadler’s Wells x Kris S. female family. I’m sure Ted will select a much better sire this year for that mare! Because this little filly is pretty good with two stakes wins so far in her 9 start career. The stalker seems well-suited to one-turn. She did try Grade 1 company LTO an faded badly. However, that was over 8.5f. She was an extreme longshot in that race too and finds softer company this time around.
The filly has already won a stakes race after cutting back from routes. Can she win a grade when doing the same? Big outsider who must improve on low 90 SP#s. Interesting though.
11/1 Derelect Noonan(KY)
Huhtamaki Stables brings a 5-for-10 lifetime Johar filly to Saturday’s starting gate. Derelect Noonan has two stakes scores already to her resume. Her recent victory came stalker style versus a short 7.5f listed field. Her top SP# so far (90) came around 8.5f and that came late last season versus graded company. It was also her lone two-turns outing.
Derelect Noonan was well beaten in both of her graded stakes sprint efforts. One must wonder is she’s gonna do any better in this spot. Granted, it is a softer spot though. I just don’t see the midpacker/closer truning it around even in this spot.
12/1 Danetoyou(AUS)
Japrufrock’s Pastures of Green division sends out a Dane Shadow(AUS) x Forty Niner filly. The little gal strung together a 4-race win streak recently. All of those victories came in stakes races too. Love how the closer improved in speed figures up to 95. However, she ran evenly and about the same when stepped up to Grade 1 company in her 2nd start this year. She’s since run 3rd, firing little in a short field stakes.
Danetoyou has been spaced out very well by her trainer. She tried 3 weeks rest in her last start and flopped. Did she just need a fast pace up front or was the quicker turn-around not the ticket? This filly needs a superior performance, a lifetime best effort so far effort Saturday. A nice little gal, but we don’t know if she’s at this level yet.
12/1 Bo’s Bomb(KY)
Here’s a royal bred. Gulch x Mr.Prospector x Storm Cat sure qualifies. Bobangod steps this stakes winner up again to the graded level. The filly had a moderate SP# start last year, but won a stakes in her 6th career call to the post. She finished up her freshemen season unplaced in a Grade 3 around two-turns.
Bo’s Bomb then sat on the sidelines for a spell before hitting the board with a 93 SP# in a one-turn stakes start. That was back in early March. Honestly, this stalker looks a bit rushed. We just don’t know how good she is and it’s kind of tossing caution to the wind here. I’d a prefer to see another stakes win first since she’s 4-for-9 lifetime. Has to step up and throw her best.
47/1 Hot Sand(CA)
Sired by In Excess stallion Bring The Heat, Hot Sand debuted as a 2yo in a $25k Maiden Claimer. Bryanj79 kept the filly after she won the race and naturally sent her to the higher ranks. The filly won an ALW and competed at the graded level late in her freshman season.
Bottom line, her 82 SP# is her top speed so far and it’s nowhere near what she’ll need to be much of a factor in this. This is a “reach and roll the dice” entry at best.
Snowchief’s Picks:
A lot of sweet fillies in this race. It’s not too tough of a field, but I expect it to go over 100+. CK Ghost Prospect and Gilded Edge have the class. Sainte Chappelle the impressive form. Woette’s Wide Web could be a sleeper. Gulch Quay ETS could grab a minor share. Silver Splendor is an overlay.
I’ll take Gilded Edge over the chalk CK Ghost Prospect. Longshot Street Crying surprises in 3rd.
Win: Gilded Edge
Place: CK Ghost Prospect
Show: Street Crying
Good luck everyone!