G3 MD Distaff is wide open!
THE MARYLAND DISTAFF
GRADE 2 $200,000
3 YEAR OLD AND UP FILLIES AND MARES
1 MILE AND 1/16TH ON DIRT
Welcome to Maryland on its biggest day of racing. Jam packed full of Stakes races, The Maryland Distaff shapes up to be one of the most competitive races on a stellar card. The weatherman predicted a beautiful day for racing and for once he was right. 2010’s Breeders Bowl distaff winner, Skidmore Indy(Ky) holds the stakes record 1:40 2/5 putting up a tremendous 117.7 speed rating in 2009. Let’s take a look at this year’s field of fillies and mares that will vie for the crown.
1. 7/1 CLEVER TRAP(KY) ID# 170615 5 Year Old Mare (SMARTY JONES x GULCH x BE MY GUEST) V Gardner ( 344 – 91 – 73 – 60 – 26% )
Bewitch’s mare is shipping in from New Mexico, where she had an off start and hopes to get back to form. This race marks this talented stakes winners first trip to Maryland, where she and her connections hope to break her Graded stakes slump.
2. 9/2 SAN FRAN GOLD(KY) ID# 189032 4 Year Old Filly (GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x DEPUTY MINISTER x ALYDAR) S O’Brien ( 172 – 20 – 16 – 17 – 12% )
This is Papsstables fillies first trip back to Maryland since her triumph in the G2 Black Middle Flower Stakes on this day last year. Coming off a win in the G3 The Route 66 where she put up a 110 speed number, San Fran Gold inserts herself as one of the favorites.
3. 5/1 MISTY EYED SLEW(KY) ID# 183585 5 Year Old Mare (UNBRIDLED’S SONG x SEATTLE SLEW x SECRETARIAT) C Ambrose ( 47 – 7 – 7 – 11 – 15% )
Snakebite sends out one of the most versatile mares in the race. Stakes winner on dirt and turf just missed on this day last year here at Maryland in the G3 Gallery Handicap. Has finished in the top 3 in all of her starts in Maryland.
4. 5/1 MIDNITE SONG(KY) ID# 193894 4 Year Old Filly (MIDNIGHT LUTE x DANZIG x NORTHFIELDS) J Caves ( 354 – 88 – 75 – 44 – 25% )
Whitby’s Filly finished 9th in her prep for this race, The G3 The Route 66. She looks to rebound today, always has high speed ratings but seems to get misplaced by her jockey. Johnny Caves gets the mount today and could be an upsetter!
5. 5/1 SO ANXIOUS(KY) ID# 173482 5 Year Old Mare (BROKEN VOW x STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR) W McClendon ( 338 – 85 – 74 – 50 – 25% )
This allowance winner is hitting her best stride at the right time. Coming off an impressive 2nd place finish in the G3 Dirtydirtydishrag in Iowa. Wfstables is hoping for a big showing out of this mare.
6. 5/1 CAUSE FOR ALARM(KY) ID# 186827 4 Year Old Filly (GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x FORTY NINER x A.P. INDY) D Givins ( 354 – 113 – 64 – 51 – 32% )
Desperado2 sends his Stakes winning Filly to Maryland for the first time. She has finished in the top 4 in her last 5 graded races. Most recently finished a close 3rd to San Fran Gold in the G3 Route 66 in her prep for this race.
7. 7/2 ANTIMATTER(KY) ID# 63999 6 Year Old Mare (STORM CAT x MISWAKI x DANEHILL)
R Clink ( 51 – 3 – 3 – 3 – 6% ) F
Fastnfirm’s is coming off a huge race in the Princess Hanna Dirt Route at Arkansas. This stakes winner comes into the race as the favorite but draws woefully in the jockey department. Mainly racing overseas this mare has gotten better in North America and is on the verge of big things.
8. 11/1 BAA BAA BLACKSHEEP(FR) ID# 173517 5 Year Old Mare (ANABAA x SEATTLE SLEW x NUREYEV) B Romberg ( 46 – 3 – 4 – 7 – 7% )
Coming off a race she would like to forget, Laz3man sends out their Blacksheep for the first time in Maryland. This stakes winner has had some success amassing over $300,000 in her career. She is going to need to be in top form to win the wide open race.
Prediction:
2 San Fran Gold
4 Midnite Song
7 Antimatter