Grade 1 – Cedora D Stakes

Race ID: 3679.0713

Cedora D Stakes

Grade 1 – A Mile and Three Sixteenths on the turf for fillies and mares 3 and Up

A field of nine is set to do battle in the Grade 1 Cedora Stakes.  The 2007 edition of this race was won by High Ransom who won by setting just off the early speed and drawing away to a one length lead posting a 109 speed figure in the process. She has since been retired and lives on through her first foal filly Maximum Mambo who has yet to show the aptitude of her famous mother. Let’s take a look at today’s field.

1. KEPLER OF RAINBOW – Four year old Rainbow Quest X Sadler’s Wells mare has 35 lifetime races to her credit of which she was the victor in 12 of those. She has been doing her best running from 12-16 furlongs so it will be interesting to see how she shortens up here. I absolutely love her last two 12 furlong efforts where she won Grade 1 and 2 events with a front running style. She should fight for the lead early on for Marre Stables but the shorter distance looms large in my mind. On a side note she will likely go over a million earned in this race as she only needs 25k to cross over that important threshold.

2. ABSOLUT EGO – Apparently the connections of this one do not lack for confidence (although a spell checker is in need unless this is a strategic advertisement for the vodka distiller). Abosult Ego is a beautiful light grey daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm with over 500k in lifetime earnings. Her recent form appears off as she has posted 91 speed figures two of the last three races but she is very versatile distance wise and should press the early pace. She has the looks of a talented need to lead type so steelers will likely direct jockey D McCants to get her out in front at all costs.

3. SINNDEE SLEW – This 5 year old out of mare Foxy Seattle (Kingmambo X Seattle Slew) is clearly the best of her respective family. She has been In The Money in half of her lifetime 30 races and has been holding her own in graded races around today’s distance. She has yet to break through for that big score but should improve from the bad bounce last out to run a nice race. She will be coming from mid pack and could make some noise around the 7 furlong marker. Question for trainer goody, is this the race goody gets it?

4. LEAD ACTRESS – Cobra Kai Stables presents to us this Theatrical X Roberto X Lyphard 4 year old mare who has won 5 of 12 lifetime races. She is extremely lightly raced and has put together 5 solid efforts in a row and has earned this graded try. Ran a blazing 105 at today’s distance last out in winning the The Wrist Timing Special which the odds makers noticed when they installed her as the 7-2 favorite. She prefers to blaze it out on the front end like a lot of today’s other entrants so while I love this mare’s future I am only lukewarm on her chances today due to the anticipated pace duel for the lead. On a side note Cobrai Kai had a mare in the other race I covered this week as well, so it appears he really gets the ladies.

5. THUNDERATION – This 91-1 shot is a bps accumulation related entry from the tsunami stables team. She was claimed for 5k last time out and this is just her 2^nd try on the grass (finished 13^th 17 ½ lengths back). Illinois jockey’s were seen playing paper/rock/scissors not to draw her as a mount but B J Tolliver won the reigns when his rock was firmly beaten by N Dubbs’ paper.

6. CHAMPIONSHIP HOPE – Representing Dixiedotco stables of the Pastures of the Green residency, this Seeking The Gold mare has a fine back end (Kris S. X Seattle Slew). She had a bit of a resurgence four back when she was switched back to turf after 13 dirt races prior to that. She won an allowance at today’s distance with a very impressive 107 last out but she’s making a big class jump today. She seems to be finding her best running foot just now after her 29^th race so she may have a few big ones in her. Look for her to be closing late which could be an advantage today.

7. SEEKING NIJINKSY – Seeking The Gold X Nijinsky II is an ultra successful sim nick and owner balata used a nice tweak by throwing Key To The Mint in the DDS slot. This four year old has been in the money in 14 of 17 lifetime races and has posted speed figures over 100 in her last six races. She is proven at today’s distance and although she is trying graded for just the second time I think her connections have chosen a good spot for her to try again here.

8. TIGER’S STRIPE – The 2^nd longest shot on the board at 45-1 this Hennessy X Nashwan loves the grass and is 90% in the money on that surface. Didn’t break her maiden until her 9^th career start she has been motoring through the allowance conditions at 10 furlongs since then and finished a distant 3^rd in her only open stakes try. Takes a major jump up to graded in this one and although she has the type of running style I like for this race I can not recommend in this tough spot.

9. BLING – The most modestly bred of this group out of sire Horse Chestnut this six year old has amassed over 500k in earnings in 31 lifetime races. She has ability at this distance and if she runs back to her 6/7 form where she posted a 106 she becomes a major contender in this race. She won graded races previously back in 2006 so has a lot of back class and has done battle with groups far more accomplished than most in this race. Look for this dragnil entry to hit the board with a big late move.

OUTLOOK: SEEKING NIJINSKY is my top choice in this race as I think she will avoid a likely speed duel and be flying at the end to run down LEAD ACTRESS who will hold on for second (and have a bright future I might add). BLING will also come on late and round out the trifecta to do his papa Horse Chestnut proud.