Six fillies try to squeak out a win in G3 Miss Brillo

The first weekend in October, always a busy one at the track. Typically known as the last weekend to prepare for the Breeders Bowl, all the top and ladder climber trainers are out in full force. A glitch in the racing office shortened the entry time though, and shut out some of this week’s entries. None the less New York is packed full of graded stakes this weekend, including the Miss Brillo G3. The Miss Brillo is for two year old fillies running a mile and an eighth over a firm turf course for a purse of $150,000. A small field of six consisting of five maiden winners, and one allowance winner has been assembled. One of these lucky entrants will be a graded stakes winner by the end of the day, with a possible BB Juvenile Filly Turf entrant.

Drawing post one is tejanorun’s Shield And Sword, the European invader. Shield And Sword is a daughter of Medaglia D’Oro, out of of Archienland, an offspring of Kingmambo. On the track Archienland was a listed stakes winner with four wins lifetime. Shield and Sword has raced five times, with one win and place and two shows, with earnings of $43k. Shield started her career on the dirt finishing third both times but with slow speed figures. When she switched to turf there was a dramatic improvement, posting a 70 after a 57 previously, missing by one and a half. In her route debut she closed from nearly last by over seven lengths to win by a head, with a 74 at the end. After her maiden win she stepped up to stakes, facing the boys finishing fifth of six horses, beaten by more than eleven. In all of her starts she has shown a liking for closing, but her last effort was very lack luster. At 4/1 Shield and Sword does not get much of a break before coming back into this graded race, facing her own gender could help her, and if he runs back to her maiden victory form she could be tough.

The super conglomerate will be accounted for with super20’s Hopewell Valley. Hopewell Valley is a daughter of Cape Cross, out of Obstruction, an offspring of Pulpit. On the racetrack Obstruction won three of thirty four starts. Hopewell Valley has raced five times, winning once, placing three times and finishing third once, with earnings of $64k. Hopewell is currently ranked 28^th and a win today may give her enough earnings to make it to the BB Juv Filly Turf. Hopewell broke her maiden at second asking in April, sprinting on an off track wiring the field by a length, with a 65. In all of her other starts she’s attempted to track the pace in second always within a few lengths of the pacesetter and has yet to be able to successfully close the gap. One of her starts was on dirt, then she switched back turf which sparked an 8 point speed figure increase, but a tiring second. Last time out she became stakes placed in a route race running evenly through out, but posting an 81. At 3/1 her speed figures are consistent with the rest of the field, but she needs to find her true running style before being expected to win graded stakes, still would rule her out though.

Post three goes to stormboot2’s Career Revival. Career Revival is a daughter of Archipenko out of Box Office Star, a daughter of Storm Cat. On the track Box Office Star wasn’t a big star, but managed five wins out of twenty one starts. As a broodmare she has produced three horses of racing age, all winners, including a stakes winner. Career Revival has raced five times with one win, and show, and two places, earning $43k. Revival began her career on the dirt in Freshman Sire races, finishing second by closing her first time, then a disappointing eighth in her next start. When she switched to turf, she showed and slightly improved her speed figure, but really started to shine when stretched out to a mile. She tracked the leader in second by over two lengths to close and draw off by two and a half lengths in the end posting a 75. Last timeout she tried coming from further off the pace and closed to second being beaten two lengths posting an impressive 84. At 7/2 if she runs like she did in her last outing the increase in distance should not be an issue, and she could be a force to be reckoned with.

Given4 sends out the only multiple winner of this field, Divine Rage. Divine Rage is a daughter of After Market, out of Blessed Rage, a daughter of Galileo. Blessed Rage on the track was stakes placed, winning four of fourteen starts. Divine Rage is her first offspring, who is already stakes placed. Divine Rage has raced four times, winning three of those races and finishing third in the other race. She has earned $61k and is currently ranked 40^th in turf routes, a win today may get her into the BB turf fillies. In all of her starts she’s run free on the lead, winning by half a length to three lengths. Last time out she tried stakes for the first time, finishing third, being beaten for second by entrants Hopewell Valley. Being caught going a mile doesn’t make think she’ll be very successful at nine furlongs. She’s shown an affinity for sprinting, but did post her best win margin at a mile. At 5/2 she’s the morning line favorite because she has won before, but will have to prove she can stretch her speed out and not be caught by a closer.

Dragster sends out the long shot of the field, Lil’ Lemon Drop. Lil’ Lemon Drop is the daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, out of Wildcat Ballad, a daughter of Forest Wildcat. On the track Wildcat Ballad won three of thirty two times. Lil’ Lemon Drop is her first foal. Lil’ Lemon has started five times, with one win and two places, earning $24k. Lil’ started her career on the dirt, but on a rainy day finishing a disappointing eighth posting a 47 speed figure, after that she was sent to the turf. On the turf she has been hitting the board consistently, winning a five furlongs posting a 64 speed figure. Her best speed figure to date is a 68, which was going a mile, and was a fourth place finish. In her win and placings she closed from the back of the pack, which is what she’ll likely do today. At 9/1 the distance may be ideal for a closer like her, but she’s going to have to be able to step it up in speed figures to be in the mix in the end.

Rounding out the field is kjracing’s Blaze For Glory. Blaze For Glory is a daughter of Street Cry, out of Blazing Lights, a daughter of Sadler’s Wells. On the track Blazing Lights was grade one placed and a listed stakes winner. Blaze For Glory is her only foal of racing age and is already stakes placed. In five starts Blaze has won and placed once and finished third twice, earning $31k. Currently ranked 49^th it is possible with a win today she could make it to the BB Juvenile Filly Turf. Beginning her career on the dirt she finished third once, but didn’t look comfortable on the track. When she switched to turf she finished third first time out beaten only a half length when closing from four lengths back. Next time out she stepped up to a mile and wired the field by a comfortable length and three quarters posting a 75. Last time out she stepped up to stakes and went back to stalking the pace over three lengths to close to second beaten less than a length. With a horse in the race who likes to run on the lead, she would do best trying to track the pace and close in on the tiring front runner. At 3/1 I think the distance will be right up her alley, as long as she starts her run in time to catch the leader.

That’s the field, small, but full of promise. Any one of these horses could win it, but only one will. My choices are Blaze For Glory, Career Revival and Shield And Sword. Good luck to all, may your horses run fast and return to their stables safely.