GIII – The Waya

$200.000 Graded Stake 1 and 1 Half Miles on InTurf for Fillies & Mares Three & Up

2016 Champ: Broomsticks Copy

After back to back wins Broomsticks Copy has moved on to retired life. But her stable Drabfantasy is still here trying to defend the title and has a great shot with Smokin Nebula. But a few youngsters and an old veteran wont make it an easy title defense.

1- Bonkers (Trained by Team 7 Illusions, Ridden by Ortiz J L)

Getting rail position is Bonkers. This three year old filly tried out stake competition for the first time last time out in the GI BEL Oaks. She was the early pace setter but eventually faded off to a eighth place, six length lose. His previous start was his only win so far in 2017. His works and races don’t suggest much in the way of coming away with a victory here.

2- Taking Liberties (Trained by Gdp Inc, Ridden by Leparoux J R)

Six straight loses is never a good thing but it isn’t all negative with Taking Liberties despite the mounting loses. She has had some good performances without getting a win and been very close a few times. She is under new ownership and the change of scenery is what the owners are hoping can get her back into the winners circle. She is one that looks like she will handle the extra distance with ease.

3- Panic Button (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Bejarano R)

This will be her first career graded stake race. She is coming off a NY bred optional claimer win in June. As a three year old she will get the five pound allowance over the older horses. She is steadily improving but has yet to even win on turf in her first two attempts. Doesn’t appears as though she will be too much of a factor in the race.

4- Smokin Nebulae (Trained by Drabfantasy, Ridden by Ortiz I Jr)

After making a run at the BC Fillies and Mares turf last year Smokin Nebulae has taken it easy so far in 2017 with only a couple starts but looks ready to stretch it out and really get her season going. This will be her first time running the mile and a half distance but should enjoy the distance. Based on the competition she has run against in the past this field should not be overly daunting for her if she runs the way we know she can.

5- Done Over (Trained by D J C Racing Stables, Ridden by Albarado R J)

In the last few months Done Over has seen her stock rise from $10.000 claimer now to graded stake runner. She has won two of her last three starts including an impressive allowance at PRX near the end of June. She is a steadily improving three year old filly but not certain she will be able to handle going this far.

6- Mauna Loa (Trained by Crocker Ggs, Ridden by Alvarado J)

After being purchased for $100.000 back in April Mauna Loa has run off two straight second place finishes for her new connections. Both races she was well back early on and both times was able to close within a quarter length of the winner. With a little bit better timing she is a major threat to the winners circle here.

7- Viking Amy (Trained by Delta Farms, Ridden by Franco M)

Never too far off at the finish of a race is Viking Amy. She has attempted the mile and a half distance once in her career and was successful, winning the GIII Santa Barbara Stakes at SA in April. She will look to sit mid pack early on in the race and let them battle it out at the front before making her move at the mile mark and hoping to run them down.

8- Volare (Trained by Axeman, Ridden by Velazquez J R)

Getting the outside post in this one is Volare. This old veteran will be running in her forty seventh race of her career which has seen her compile over $2000.000 in earnings in her career. She has been one of the queens of the turf over the years running all but her first career starts on the turf. Even at seven years old she is very much a threat to win any race she is in, including this one. She has two wins already this year and has only finished out of the top three in one of her seven starts.

My Selections: 4/6/7

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES