The Superfilly Handicap Gr.1

The Gr1 Superfilly Handicap

A Mile and one sixteenth

$400,00

Fast Dirt

Fillies and mares 3yrs and up

Welcome to NY, the best and biggest racing in the country. Today’s feature is the Gr1 Superfilly Handicap for 3 yr old fillies and up, contested at a mile and one sixteenth. We have 14 fillies and mares going to post. The Saratoga blues are over and we get back to some real action here. A few BB entries are here, to prep for their big day in 5 weeks. The track is lightning fast and the total purse is worth $400,000. An upset here today can get someone into the BB and many are here for that. The crowd is standing as the horses make their way onto the track. It is now POST TIME.

The number one horse is Night Listener, a beautifully bred daughter by HOY Ghostzapper. Trained by Billeex, and ridden today by F.Foster (10%), Night Listner comes into today off her last race in the Smackdown Restricted. In that $500,000 race, Night Listner went off at 13-1 and finished a solid closing second. Trainer Billeex liked the effort which prompted him to enter her into today’s event. “She’s shown that she belongs with these fillies. We’ve been training her to finish more strongly and we put some long gallops into her. We think it will pay off, and more importantly it may in 5 weeks if we get into the BB.” Night Listner defeated several horses that are in today’s event. Although this will be her first Graded effort today, Night Listner has actually run against some of the best already. You see, 3 residencies put together a series of races called the Smackdown. IMO, they are just as competitive as Graded races and usually have some top ranked horses run in them. In Night Listner’s prior race, The West Into Dancer Stakes, she again ran second. Her previous 2 speed numbers of 110 tells you this filly deserves her shot at graded company, and if she can hold off a few in here, she can win in her first graded try. Look for Night Listner to be in the middle of the pack and make a determined run through the stretch. She seems to have a good kick, but seems to fool around late and get caught. Billeex says “ the owners and I are confident today, and we flew in a lot of family, hoping to have our picture taken and take home the winners share of $240,000.” With an estimated winning time of 1:46 3/5, that puts her into the picture late. Her odds of 9-1 are great for exotic wagers.

The blue clothed #2 horse is Incontato. The 4 year old mare is a daughter of Wood Memorial winner Congaree.  In the fillies last race, the prestigious Equinics event at 8f, Incontato finished a very good 3^rd. Going off at 16-1, and trying graded company for the first time, she laid midpack before unleashing a powerful kick to get the show spot. Trainer Taffy stated of that effort “we loved the race. For a horse to go into their first graded race, never mind it was the Equinics, we were ecstatic for our RASH residency and for the efforts that we put into the horse.” In her prior event, an allowance4x spot, she came charging late to get the win by a half length. This is a tricky filly to read. She’s the kind that that runs according to her competition. She seems to want maybe a tiny bit more distance than today’s event, which is why Taffy is hoping for a fast pace. “I would love to see a good pace in front today, for that surely would help us down the lane late. I thought about entering a rabbit here today, but we have 1 or 2 that should do the job for us.” Her last 4 speed numbers have been above 105, which shows some good consistency in this horses training and placings. I think today, Incontato will have to run her best to get up late, but she is definitely capable. She is listed at 10-1 ML.

The white #3 belongs to the favorite for today’s feature in A Quiet Year. She may get that distinction from her last effort which was anything but quiet. In Quiet’s last race, the Gr3 Rose Garden Handicap, Quiet rambled on the front end and drew off in the stretch. Her final time of 1:47 flat and her 115 speed number indicates this filly is ready for bigger and better things. Trainer Kevoman told the BTB, “we had her primed for this race 2 months ago. I hope we didn’t fine tune her too early, because she ran her socks off last race .We haven’t really done much with her in the a.m., but some long slow gallops. She has good tactical speed and we just have to make sure we don’t tighten the screws too much.”  This race revolves around A Quiet Year. Every jockey in this race will be counting fractions in their head and making sure they see this fillies rear throughout the race. She is the kind of filly that likes to roll on early and keep doing it through the stretch. A. Sailor has been given specific instructions for the race. Control her speed without impeding her ability; a tough task for any jock. A Quiet Year has better than a 50% win percentage, so she knows where the wire is. Today’s question, Can she do it against a field of all class fillies? Without an abundance of speed in here, she has the betting public believing she can. Look for her to be sitting second, then take the lead at the top of the stretch and try to fight off a long list of closers. Kevoman likes his chances.

The number four horse is Ringo Bastion, trained by Superdog. Ringo comes into this race with a record of 4 wins in 22 starts. In Ringo’s last effort, the Kingdom Jove Challenge, the 4 yr old filly finished 5^th, beaten 5 1/2 lengths. Trainer Superdog said of the effort “we  now firmly believe that she doesn’t like an off track. We had an idea that she didn’t, but now she confirmed it for us. We’re throwing that race out and hopefully she will bounce back and run well here today. We know that she must step up, but we are confident that she can shock everybody here.”  In Ringo Bastion’s race prior to that, she ran a closing 5^th, making up ground late. Her speed number of 103 was the best ever and is a sign that the horse is improving. She will have to run her best here to hit the board, but it’s never impossible. She will be one of the crew of closers, but she may have to try to get the jump earlier than usual if she is to have a shot here. T.Johnson 9% gets the mount here today and she is listed at 26-1.

Desperado’s Song totes the #5 and is ridden today by N.Painter (10%). The 4 yr old filly is sired by Unbridled’s Song. In her last effort, The Gr3 Rose Garden Handicap, Desperado’s Song finished an uncharacteristic 8^th, beaten by 14 lengths. Trainer Desperado was quoted by a reporter as saying “it was our biggest fear that she would bounce off the Smackdown race. She didn’t get into the bit at all, and she was very disinterested. We think we got her back ready for today’s effort and we think she’s respond nicely.” In that Smackdown race, Desperado’s Song showed what kind of filly she is. Going off at odds of 11-1, the grey filly broke mid pack and steam rolled through the stretch to win by a widening 1 ½ lengths. Her winning time of 1:47 1/5 second was impressive and the effort earned her a 112 speed number. “we haven’t touched her since her last race. We brought her to the paddock for a little schooling, but that’s it. She gets anxious sometimes and leaves her race there sometimes. We expect a big effort from her today.”  I think Desperado’s Song belongs in here and I think she could fire after her bounce. I think she threw in a clunker and is poised for a big race. She will be sitting mid to rear and will be one of the first string of closers to make a move. If she returns to the previous effort, I see her in the first 3 positions. The public has made her 9-1.

Blur is the #6 horse today and is the entry mate of Desperado’s Song. She also comes from the talented Desperado stable and is listed at 3^rd choice in 7-1. An improving and talented filly, Blur has won 3 of her last 4 races and comes into this race as the now horse. In her latest victory, the daughter of Eclipse sprint champion Aldebaran, she contested 10 other fillies in the Gr 2 Chubby Visa Stakes. Blur sat right off the pace, made a move for the lead and never looked back. Her winning time 1:41 2/5 was her career best and earned her a speed number of 109 (also a career best). Desperado told the NY Bugler “I gave her that race to prep her for today’s Gr1. I think she’s ready to be continuously tested in graded races and I feel that she belongs here. I was a bit disappointed in the Smackdown race, but I thought she was better than that, and she came back to show us just that.” 2 starts back, in the Smackdown race, Blur gave way in the stretch. I think she wanted a bit more rest, or she just got too tangled up in a fast pace. Either way, this horse, along with A Quiet Year, will decide how fast early this race wil be run. Trainer Desperado and trainer Kevoman were seen talking to each other in the paddock. Rumors were that they were trying to talk each other into not playing to many pace up front games. If Blur can relax early and save her energy off the turn, she has a big shot in here today. She will get a nice jump on the many closers and will be fighting it out through the stretch. Consistency has been Blur’s strong point, and she’s gonna have to do that today. She is listed at 3^rd choice, 7-1.

The orange #7 belongs to KatherineofAragon, a daughter of High Yield. She has earned over $2,000,000 and is ranked number 7 in the dirt division. She is one of those horses that know how to perform at high levels. In her latest effort, in the Gr.2 Chubby Vista, KatherineofAragorn closed boldly to miss narrowly by a head. Going off at 4-1 in that contest, she sat mid pack and just couldn’t get past the winner, Blur. Trainer Gipper says of his filly “ she’s a wonderful filly to own. She gives her best every time out. Yeah, we’d like her to win more, but we get a lot of paychecks from her.”  KatherineOfAragorn has in fact not won this year. The problem is that she runs well every race and it’s hard to lock down a specific distance for the horse. She can run well at 7 or 10 furlongs. In KatherineofAragorn’s race before, she again came late to finish 2^nd, going 10f. In that Gr2 event, she earned a 106 speed number and she is the model for consistency, if hitting the board defines that. She definitely has class in her form and to her, it’s just another race. Trainer Gipper says “she’s one tough filly to train. We try to get her off her front lead early, but she likes hanging back with the crowd sometimes. Today, we are hoping that jock Cecil gets into her a bit earlier and let her get to her business.” KatherineOfAragorn will be tough today, especially if she responds to the jock’s calling to move a little earlier. She’s got the class, now just needs to respond in time. Her odds of 2^nd choice 6-1, show the punters like her chances today.

Teferi’s Realm wears the # 8 saddlecloth and is trained by the Mav man himself. The bred in the purple filly is by BC winner War Chant out of a Blushing Groom damsire.

Teferi’s Realm comes into today’s race off a non Gr stakes race. In that event, Teferi’s Realm finished 2^nd going off at even money. Her lowest 7 race speed number of 97, means watchout today. Trainer Mav told BTB radio, “it was perfect. We didn’t get the win, but we got her bounce out of the way. She has been putting up some real strong times and speed numbers, so we knew it was just a matter of time before that happened. We are glad it happened in that race. She’ll be on her toes today.” In Teferi’s Realms race before that, the Gr3 Snownut Handicap, Teferi, toyed with her rivals, widening her winning margin of 1 ¾ lengths. In that effort, she earned a 108 speed number, and won her first graded race. In June, she raced in a ng stakes race at 8f and earned a solid 109 speed number. Her 3 wins in last 4 efforts, shows that she is ready for the monumental task of trying to become a Gr1 winner. Teferi’s Realm should be right off the leaders, and with her sprint style turn of foot, she will be the horse to put this race into full gear. She will be guided today by jockey Anderson and is listed at 9-1. Her consistent speed numbers and tactical speed have her a major player today.

The number 9 horse is Pravda, sired by world renowned Kingmambo. Pravda comes into this race with a 3^rd place finishing in the Delpenn restricted race Go For Wand. In that race, Pravda, sat mid pack, took over the lead at the top of the stretch, but couldn’t hold off the other 2 horses. Her speed number of 101 was below her previous 2. Trainer Super says “I think she ran well, but the off track that day was heavy and she got a little leg weary. Today, I expect her to rate a bit better and respond when the jock asks. She has been prepped for this race and I feel good that she can rate comfortably.” Pravda knows what it means to be in graded races. Out of her last last 5 races, 4 of them were graded. 2 races back in the Gr2 D-Day Distaff, Pravda again sat right off the flank of the frontrunner. She made her move, but was overtaken and finished 4^th. Pravda has some good things for her going in this race. First, she can sit on or right off the pace and decide when it’s time to go. 2ndly, she has been plenty tested in graded company, so there will be nothing in here she hasn’t seen already. Her major obstacle here is the timing of her jump. S. Buda’s main job here today is to try to perfectly time her go button and get the jump on the long list of closers. She is capable and class tested. Super says of todays race “we’ll we’re here and she’ll tell us a lot about her upcoming start today. We expect good things today and we would like to get a graded placing.”  The bettors have made her 10-1 today and will be used in triples and superfectas.

The number 10 horse is Early Spring and is listed at 9-1 ml. The 6 yr old mare is sired by Loup Savage. In Early Spring’s last race, an allowance nw1in6, the brown mare finished a good second, losing only by 2 ¼ lengths. Her speed number of 103 tells you that she ran a good race , and was prepped today from that event. In her prior, the Gr2 Beer Pitcher Handicap, Early Spring ran a solid 4^th beaten only by 3 ¾ lengths. Early Spring has an uncanny ability to fight and not let down. Her trainer Matress states “she’a a fighter. She loves to go eyeball to eyeball with other fillies. She may not have the most class, but I’ll take her heart over any one of theirs. We prepped her for today and we made some equipment changes. We added blinkers so that hopefully she’ll keep her mind to her business.” In her race prior to that, Early Spring in in the Gr3 MD Distaff. In that race, again she finished a determined 3^rd earning a speed number of  104. Early Spring loves to pick up paychecks ($291,000) and she is a gutsy filly. Today’s challenge is tough. She like to sit off the leaders and fight to the finish. Only problem is, today she’ll have a whole bunch of horses rumbling late. She may change tactics here today, and wouldn’t be surprised to see her out front and use her big heart to hold off many in here. She has consistent speed numbers averaging 103, just like many in here today, but will have to up that to about 106 to 108 to win today. But with her fight, she’s capable. Schauer gets the mount today.

Balance, is the number 11 horse today. Like her namesake, she is sired by Thunder Gulch. Balance comes into today’s race off 2 very disappointing efforts. In her latest, the Gr3 Rose Garden Handicap, Balance finished 10^th, beaten 17 lengths. In her attempt prior to that, the Equinics Gr1, she finished 10^th as well. Oh well, thanks for entering and good luck with that one, you might say. Not so fast. Balance is one of those fillies you have to read between the lines, or the programming of the game. Things aren’t always what they seem. In June, at this same racetrack, in the Gr1 Steadhemp Handicap, Balance ran a hard charging 3^rd, missing only by a ½ length earning a speed number of 107. 2 races before that, Balance ran in the Gr2 Mike Homestown Cap and finished 2^nd, again missing by a ½ length. Her speed number that day was, you guessed it 107. When this filly is on, she’s got game. Now how can we just manage to throw the last 2 races totally out? Here’s how. 2  Races ago, she ran against the very best there is and didn’t fire at all. She didn’t run 10^th, because she was a 10^th place horse, she just hit the wall as this game has us all do once in a while. In her last, she didn’t run a lick either. So in her prior 4 graded efforts (not counting the off track one), she hit the board in every one of them. Trainer Chloedawg puts it this way, “I think maybe the consecutive graded races were to much for her in a row. Her last 2 were unexplainable and we were left scratching our heads as to what to do next. She’s been training like her old self and we hope the real Balance, balances out. On her best, she’s competive here and we like our chances today.” Balance can defintly run back to her prior record and will be very dangerous in here if she does. 3^rd leading rider P.Davis gets the call to reverse this filly’s latest form.

Dixie Surprise is the 12 horse today and will be ridden by 2^nd leading jock in B.Child. The 34-1 ml shot has been competive in 2 of her last 3 races. In her last effort, Dixie Surprise finished 7^th by 13 lengths. Trainer Luckydaze told us “she just didn’t fire that day at all. Being her 3^rd consecutive Gr1 event may have taken its toll on her that day. She’s been resting now 4 weeks and we expect her to run better today.” 2 races back, Dixie Surprise ran a solid 3^rd in the Gr1 Alone That Baby Classic. Her speed number of 100 was decent, but they know they’ll be needing more than that today. On June 28^th, in the Gr1 Sister Hen Stakes, Dixie Surprise ran like her name and lit up the tote board, paying 36.00 to win. The biggest issue today is the trainers dreaded nightmare. Today, she has to look at older fillies as she gets into the gate. It’s a big question to ask a 3 yr old filly to mature against olders, especially in a Gr1. But, she seems to handle the track (2 out of 3 in money in NY), and trainer Lucykdaze will use this race as a springboard for her 4 yr old campaign. Although it’s a very competitive Gr1, she can run decent if she fires her best. The bettors are leary even though Child is in the saddle.

Sweet Sister Mercy, trained by Zwango, is the #1 ranked mare in all of horse racing on dirt. The long in the tooth mare totes a 33% win percentage and has earned $2,454,000. Sweet Sister Mercy does not hide from horses. She takes on the best from race to race and she deserves the top ranking. In Sweet Sister Mercy’s last race, a Delpenn restricted stakes race worth 250,000, Sweet broke toward the rear and made a nice move turning for home, but couldn’t make up the ground late. Trainer Zwango said of that “she’s better at 8-9 furlongs and I told Sprague to be more patient with her. When they went the half mile in 49, I thought he would adjust, but he didn’t. She needs pace in front of her. We know today that she’s ready for a good effort and will prime her for the BB.  Sweet Sister Mercy has a lot going for her today. She’s run gainst the best there is and has performed well. It is only a matter of time and circumstance that she gets her picture taken again. Don’t be surprised if it’s today or in 5 weeks. Her speed numbers are very consistent, and Zwango has done a good job spacing her races. Her average of 103 puts her in the mix today and she will have some nice pace to run at. This bred for turf filly seems to like the dirt and will definitely have a say in the awards given out. Two races back, Sweet Sister Mercy ran 6^th in the Equinics race, running a 103. She usually runs against the highest qualities of fillies and today she may have found a bit softer field which she can control. In the Smackdown Restricted race, 3 back, Sweet Sister Mercy came closing powerfully to finish 3^rd, losing to Desperado’s Song. Sweet Sister Mercy has won back to back Graded races at this distance and seems to relish it (one Gr1 and Gr2). She ran consecutive speed numbers of 110 and 112 which, if she runs back to her early year performances, puts her in the winners circle. Zwango called in a favor long overdue from top jock Lawton to get in the stirrups today. I look for Sweet Sister Mercy to be mid pack and make a big run late. She is the number 13 horse in the field.

The horse on the outside post today is Gold Auricle. The strapping 4 yr old filly is by Distorted Humor. The 4 yr old chestnut has 5 wins in 19 starts, but she hasn’t seen the likes of some of these today. Can a horse that ran in claiming in April, win a Gr1?  Well, let’s look deeper. In her latest, Gold Auricle won a competitive Alw4x race by 2 ¾ lengths. Her speed number of 102 matched her other 2 highs of 102. Gold Auricle seems to be finding her stride lately and is developing into a stakes caliber horse. Does she deserve a shot in here today, some may say no. But if she can run better than her last few, and get some good pace in here, she will be picking up some horses late. The question is of course the class. Trainer Racingqueen admits “yes she’s in a tough spot, but we ran through our conditions and we feel like she’s ready to run the big one. If she runs her big race today, why have it be in allowance, when we feel she can competitive in this field.” That may be a wise decision. Trainers have to know when their horse is ready to fire the big one, and place it accordingly. Gold Auricle on paper may be a solid allowance horse, but one that merits a Graded level shot.  She is listed at 19-1 today.

Anaylsis:

A good race to watch and there will be a few in here to run back in 5 weeks for the BB. From a handicapping perspective, I’ll just give the top 5 I think. (trust me, don’t go to the bank with it.)

1)Desperado’s Song (has to get going tiny bit earlier but good spot here today)

2)Night Listener (model of consistency and can run big here)

3)KatherineOfAragorn (wouldn’t be surprised at all with win, class horse)

4)Blur (ready for some high Gr1 action)

5)AQuietYear (ran moster last out, can duplicate? If so can easily win)

Good Luck to all and it’s now post time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1