Talent, Speed and XXX Racing

Cedora D Stakes

Grade I 

A mile and three sixteenths 

Firm Turf 

$750,000 

Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up 

The Cedora D Stakes, Group 1 Level Class here so you can’t get much higher class than that.  In fact you can’t get any higher at all ever.  A good field here and some really good classy mares to compete in this what has become a fantastic race.  With regards to the trainers, well there are the usual mix of hopefuls, talented and downright dirty ones (not mentioning any names like juju, lenny or peeps…).  Still that’s why we are all here to enjoy the competition and make some cash.  If you haven’t already made up your mind as to who will win and even if you have made up your mind below are some comments which may swing you one way or the other depending on whether you think I’m on the money or lost the plot.  

I think there are a couple of very good runners here and in particular I really like the last runner in Buda At The Dance just based on her record – she looks fantastic.  Definite winner for me.  Other horses I like are World Cup Wonder who I think who is also a genuine chance here and I also like XXX Rated but that has nothing at all to do with racing.  Before my mind goes into another spin please read on to see which one you like the best 🙂

The World Cup Wonder out of A.P. Indy and some other famous sires such as Mr. Prospector and Northern Dancer until only recently was a long way from even being considered for such a grand title such as the wonder of the world.  Her last 4 runs though changed all that as she has steadily improved in both class and speed and results.  While she looks particularly good on a yielding turf track she looks equally at home on the firm track and with her last run a 111 at G2 level and 2nd across the line she looks like a real chance here.  Stepping up again to G1 today, she looks like she deserves both the chance and may well deliver a good result for her owner if she repeats her last run.  Every chance based on her recent form.  Win here and you are well on the way to being a World Cup Wonder.

  

Having recently come from the allowance ranks, in fact it was only 4 runs ago she was actually in the allowance racing, she is now having her 2nd go at G1 level.  And to be frank I dont think she is ready for it.  She did win well at Stakes level over 10 furlongs then backed that up with a well run 3rd place finish at G2 level over 10.5f.  Speeds were equally impressive at 109 and 107.  Her last run though was a significant drop in speed to 98 and finishing well back in the race, third last across the line. Now today might show us if it was just an erratic run, a once-off hopefully never to occur again or it may just be a form drop which you can always get out of over time.  Or is it simply too high too fast and she hasn’t learnt to cope with this level of class.  Place finish or better today and those doubts / questions will all go away.  Place at best though in my thinking.

   

This mare just by her name gives visions of a girl who has been through the massage centres, knows her way around the pole and maybe even one who has envisioned having a career in the movies.  That might be the impression you have if you are a dirty minded gentleman with nothing else on your mind.  And when your owners name is Lenny then I don’t need to say anymore do I?.  However, unlike her owner this mare is nothing like that and is totally focussed on racing and getting the results. Reasonably well bred 🙂 from Unbridled’s Song x Kingmambo x Northern Dancer, her last run  was a beauty with a speed of 105 and the win over 9 furlongs.  She did get some good placing results at G2 and G3 level earlier in the year so while not a registered Grade 1 runner, certainly deserving of the chance here today. Should like the distance, looks in form – a real challenger.    

  

The longshot of the race and by a fair way by her record. Her last run while not bad, at a speed of 102 over 10f at Stakes level for 2nd place finishing, wasnt really one that screamed Grade 1 material.  And that run was her best for a while after running mainly at allowance and stakes level.  Which probably accounts for the 14/1 odds on her – there is a chance – there is always a chance that she could figure in the top3 today but unlikely. There is also a chance that as I look out of my window I will see a spaceship fly past and aliens will wave at me.  Again possible but unlikely. She does have good closing speed and enjoys the distance so the only real question mark here will be does she have enough talent and enough class to compete at this level.  The answer is…………. no.  Back on the floor you go…

   

Well proven in Graded company, this 5yo mare out of A.P. Indy has had a great career to date.  Interestingly while coming very close she is yet to get a win at G1 level.  Her best was a 2nd place finish over 9.5 furlongs in this exact race last year where she ran a speed of 111.  While she closed strongly she just ran out of room in the end as the line came up for the finish.  Two runs ago she again finished 2nd over 9 furlongs in the G1 Ugly Breeders Bowl Distaff again closing well but running out of room again.  Really wanting longer but is back here again now. She couldn’t perform on her last run but she is still a definite challenger here today and you would think has a good if not excellent chance of finishing in the top 3.  As her name suggests, a dangerous runner to the field here.

  

6 CLOUD IN THE SKY(GER)  

In fine very fine form this mare out of Monsun(GER).  Her last run was particularly most impressive – massive speed figure of 114, off track, a win by 2 1/2 lengths.  If this was an off track she would be my winner hands down.  She looks far far better on that type of track. hint hint…  That said she looks very impressive anyway and definitely vying for a place if not win here over the distance.  Only recently running in graded company but not disappointing at all with two 4th place finishes and then her last win as I mentioned on an off track.  Love to see more of her on a track that was not firm.

  

Making a big step up here from what has predominantly been allowance racing recently. Late last year she was performing very well at G1 level including a 2nd and then a 4th place finish in the G1 Breeders Bowl F&M Turf towards the end of the year.  Her last race of the year also at G1 level after two previous good performances was a dismal failure hence living up to her namesake. Im told she came very close to being shot at the end of that race.  Both by her trainer as well as the punters.  But luckily she was able to evade the assassination plot through mysterious yet cunning tactics by disguising herself as believe it or not an apple.  Yes I know… hard to believe.  Still she came through and now is getting back into some form.  Still don’t think she is back at this level yet but today she will show that maybe she is.  OR she may just crush your hopes again.

  

Relatively new to Graded company on turf with her last 2 races at G3 level.  Her race in June was a win over 9 furlongs – speed of 102 but her last outing was down on both speed, class and the result rolling in 5th place across the line and some 9 lengths behind the winner.  So she looks as if she is down a little in form, down a little in speed so what better way to pick up her confidence and results but put her into a higher class race.  If she can get over this test she can do anything. The odds flatter her – she has a much harder chance than they suggest to finish top 3 here.  Good luck..

  

If you exclude her runs on off tracks which she either likes or doesnt like depending on her mood of the day, she is actually in quite good form with wins at Allowance, Stakes and most recently a G3 race.  This is harder of course and the class is a lot steeper but she may well step up and surprise a little.  Her odds suggests that maybe she is one of the close favourites – don’t think that is the case but definitely one with an outside chance of making a shot at it.  I think the distance is right for her and she probably deserves a chance at this level.  Congrats to the trainer on picking a race which looks pretty right for her to step up to.  Could well cause an upset here…   

Fifteen runs, 10 wins. Impressive no matter which way you look at it.  Even more impressive when you look closer and her last 3 runs were all at G1 level over this distance and they resulted in 3 wins. And 3 relatively easy wins.  She makes her runs well hitting the front quite early really but so far has managed to stay out in front and take the win.  There are others in this race with better speed figures but she has the form and results you have to say.  I like her and at the odds of 11/1 which is unbelievable she is a very very good bet to at least finish top 3 if not win.  Definitely like this one. The winner for me…