Cotton Handicap Draws 8 3yo Fillies
Pennsylvania Racing is the host for this Saturday’s Cotton Handicap, a Grade 2 event for 3yo fillies at 8.5 furlongs on the main track. Eight fillies have been entered, aiming at the lion’s share of the huge $750k purse and possibly a spot in one of the Breeder’s Bowl races in just six weeks. This one should be worth a look in the new viewer, whether you’ve got a runner in here or not…
EMPIRE ATTITUDE T seems to have recently figured this racing thing out. Her last two efforts have sparkled, especially her dominant win of a small stakes race at Nebraska in her last out. The field that day, while small, contained some quality racing stock. Trainer jockeyjenn puts her right back out on just three weeks rest, hoping to strike while the iron’s hot. The CPU takes a wait-and-see attitude, placing her at 7/1.
MARTY AND ROME is a shining example of trainer overconfidence (I can say that because this one’s mine). This little daughter of Smarty Jones was undefeated in two-turn races when trainer drbydude decided his filly was invincible and threw her into a Derby Lock race against colts… On short rest, no less. She ran pretty well in that race to be 4th, but the effort seemed to take the wind out of her sails and she hasn’t fired a big run since. The good news is, she has shown some improvement since that awful run in May. Maybe, just maybe… This is another “wait-and-see” according to the CPU at 6/1.
SALE OF MANHATTAN is a daughter of Cherokee Run trained by otistaylor. She has run well in allowances and a small stakes, but her one graded-stakes try resulted in a last-place finish followed by a 2-month layoff. Her last win was very strong, but there are lots of questions to be answered here, as reflected by the 14/1 odds.
ARTEMIS AND APOLLO is one of the most consistent 3yo’s in the entire Sim, never having failed to hit the tote board in any of her 12 career starts; she’s a strong 8/5 choice in this event. The #7-ranked daughter of Montjeu responded with big performances when trainer 2tohold moved her into graded ranks back in May, winning three of five starts while recording 3-digit speeds every time. It’s hard to see any scenario where she won’t come running here, except maybe the fact she’s raced 12 times since her October ’09 bow without a break in her schedule. She has been freshened slightly for this one, however. Is the six-week break enough?
INCREDIBLE RIPPA has just three wins, but one of those was a Grade 2; she has also been close in several other graded stakes. This Ghostzapper filly has been busy, running 17 times without any lengthy breaks showing in her career record. “When a filly keeps wanting to run, who am I to argue?”, reasons trainer tg1. The CPU begs to differ, putting her at 7/1.
HUNTERS POINT has been lights-out since she returned to dirt racing in February, with only one bad performance in eight tries. However, the Awesome Again filly has only managed one graded-stakes win in these tries. That win was at this track, but it was in a short 6-horse field. However, the 2nd-place finisher in that race has won two graded stakes since. Plenty of mixed signals to choose from here, but the CPU makes her co-second choice at 5/1. Trainer socalman wins a ton of races (28.7%).
K’S LOCK ‘N LOADED makes her graded-stakes debut for the excellent trainer vertigo2, and appears to certainly BE locked and loaded despite this lack of top-class experience. After a few decent runs on the grass, the spectacularly-bred Kingmambo filly was switched to the dirt and responded impressively. Her only loss on the dirt was in his stakes debut a couple weeks ago, a 2nd at ten furlongs. “That race took a little wind out of her sails but she’s training even better after a little rest, and I think she’s more than ready to make a big run here.” Might be a big overlay at 8/1.
MIDNITE SONG has one graded-stakes win, in her only sloppy track effort thus far. The Midnight Lute filly’s other graded efforts have been less-than-inspiring. According to unnamed sources, trainer whitby has hired every raindance expert in Pennsylvania to be on hand for the race, but the weather didn’t turn in the filly’s favor. Still, the CPU sees something, making her co-second choice at 5/1.
Crystal ball time:
It’s hard to argue with the quality of heavily-favored ARTEMIS AND APOLLO, owner of the only two speed ratings over 110 in the field. The one to beat.
K’S LOCK ‘N LOADED has been a monster since the switch to dirt racing, and should outrun her odds.
HUNTERS POINT appears to be the speediest in a relatively paceless field, and could inherit a fairly easy lead then hold off nearly all the late-finishers to earn a nice chunk of the dough.
Let’s go to the races!