Class Comes to California

The Motherly Love Stakes
Grade I
One mile
Firm Turf
$500,000
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up

1 MAMBO DE CALLE(KY) 

Record: 15-9-1-2
Owner: agk04 
Jockey: O Brim 
Odds: 9/1

Her last run was by far and away the best of her career with a massive 111 speed over the mile in the G1 The Last Woman.  Her only other top 3 result in graded company was way back in August of 2009 where she ran a third place finish. After trying her at longer distances putting her back to the mile in her last run was a stroke of brilliance as it looks like the trainer has found her distance.  At 9/1 odds, repeat that last run and you should have another win on the boards.
   
2 GUINEAS TOAST(KY)

Record: 26-7-4-2
Owner: desimster1
Jockey: M Staples 
Odds: 6/1 

Looks good and in form but I think the distance is going to be a little short for her.  Wanting more last time out and same again in her prior race.  She has won at this level over the mile in July this year with a big speed of 111 and will have to repeat that run to take this out today.  She has had one run recently at the 9furlong mark where she couldn’t run it out but I’d give her another try at a longer route distance.
  
3 WHIPPED(NZ)

Record: 14-9-1-2
Owner: snags
Jockey: F Gossett 
Odds: 9/1 

After an excellent run in the first part of this year which included 4 wins in a row at G1 level all over the mile. Was thrown into longer to try and push out her distance but she didn’t like it at all and she was back at the mile range last time out in the G2 New Zealand 1000 Dark Beers for yet another win.  This is pretty much her distance and she looks every bit as good as when she was winning earlier in the year.  Will go close if not win this one.
  
4 JERSEY PEACH(ENG)

Record: 15-4-3-1
Owner: jerseyman
Jockey: M Billig
Odds: 43/1 

Not really in the same class as these and certainly not good enough for a G1 race.  Could run the mile out in Allowance company but lost her way over 7.5 furlongs at Stakes level and her last run in a G2 well she was just never in it although running 2nd for much of the race.  Can’t see her doing anything miraculous here.  Odds are warranted.
  
5 VERDUGA VOLADORA(AUS)

Record: 22-9-9-2
Owner: verdugos
Jockey: K Murano
Odds: 9/1  

Has run some big speeds including a 110 in allowance company over 8.5 furlongs back in May for the win.  Her last win was actually her last run where she won over the mile in a very small field of 4 runners at Allowance level.  Still, this looks way way harder for her and there are certainly more than a handful of runners to beat.  Will be up against it here.  Will be doing well if she can finish midfield.
 
6 GREY GOOSE GIMLET(JPN)

Record: 16-6-5-2
Owner: skunkfeed2
Jockey: F Griffen
Odds: 6/1 

Has shown she has some pace with a 112 speed rating in a large field over 9 furlongs in the G2 The Jersey City only 2 runs back.  She won that with some ease.  Pushed out to 10 furlongs last time she didn’t have enough to finish strongly.  Back to the mile here as well as up a grade.  Has a chance – top 3 finish probably. Maybe.
  
7 FORGOTTEN TEMPLE(AUS)

Record: 13-8-4-1
Owner: astinator2
Jockey: Mc Cooper
Odds: 9/2

The favourite here and apart from some consistent good form, is most likely due to her run over 8.5 furlongs 2 runs back where she posted a 113 speed rating for the win.  Debuted at G1 level here today with her only other Graded run last time out over the mile where she ran a 108 at G3 company for the win.  Certainly has the consistency and form to win this one.
   
8 TOREUP(KY)

Record: 24-5-7-4
Owner: milkshaker
Jockey: R Simcox
Odds: 7/1 

Hasn’t got a chance here I don’t believe and not because she can’t run or can’t match the class of these runners. Simply because it looks too short for her.  The horse has been crying out for some more distance most notably in her last couple of runs and as a trainer you just have to sit up and take notice.  Push her out to 10 furlongs and she will run wonders.  At this level.
  
9 GOLDBUG(KY)

Record: 13-6-1-3
Owner: seveii
Jockey: J Pimental
Odds: 6/1 

Another for which this race will probably be too short.  Did win over the mile in August in Allowance company but since then has been wanting more distance.  Best recent run was a 3rd place finish in the G1 Queen Ascot Stakes over the mile.  Sort of held her distance from the winner that run but I’d still push her out.  What do I know though…
  
10 THE LAST DROP(JPN)

Record: 15-4-6-1
Owner: foxon5
Jockey: A Lewis
Odds: 8/1

This race is full of runners that to me look like they want longer than the mile.  While this one has been running over the 9 furlongs in her last 2 runs she has not really been closing that last stretch to the line so putting her back to the mile here hopefully will let her finish strongly across the line.  Big chance in my book here to finish top 3 or better.  Win in other words!
   
11 MIRO(KY) 

Record: 15-5-2-3
Owner: super3
Jockey: R Lombard
Odds: 9/1   

In form and consistent.  In fact so consistent has been posting a win then a 4th place finish, a win then a 4th place finish.  Last run was a win.  So I predict she will finish 4th today. Based on nothing but her form and experience.  Course I know nothing and Im just being funny but what if she did run 4th again?  Freaky?  Probably…  Good chance regardless here.