The Bloom Handicap – Grade II
BEL   Race #9   6 1/2f   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $300.000  For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

1 Drill, trained by Mb Stables
The winner of the grade one DMR Debutante as a two year old she managed two thirds at grade one as a three year old but has only managed to win one race a season since her juvenile days. The daughter of Commanding has had a solid season this year placing at graded level three times in a row before a uncharacteristicly poor run last time out. A step back  to sprinting should suit her today and with very little differences in teh weights she must have a good chance off a handy draw.

2 Asclepios Trail, trained by Axeman
She won the grade one Ballerina as a three year old but has been hard to follow since managing only one win in 11 attempts. She has changed hands a few times but her new trainer has taken a gentle approach since buying her for $65.000 running her in overnights in her two starts. She was pretty impressive in the mud last time but without anything obvious to suggest she is back to grade one winning form it may be worth waiting to see how she handles things as she comes back to stakes level.

3 Gottahotone, trained by Team 7 Illusions
A winner of 8 races she has flown a little under the radar until this summer choosing lower level stakes races to build her record. Hugely consistent she has no less than 7 ungraded stakes wins but as yet has not managed to cope with graded class but just recently under her new owner she has started to look like she’s ready to break through. Her last start in the Ballerina was a career best breaking fast from a wide draw but unable to beat the race engine and ending up a game and close second. A better draw today should help but despite never winning at graded level she has been given a fairly tough handicap mark and that may make it tough for her.

4 Que Seras Creeps, trained by D J C Racing Stables
She was behind Que Seras Creeps in The Ballerina and also had to cope with a wide draw but her race engine choice was to go back and she ran on but never reached the leaders. She has only won two races but one of them was the grade one Spinaway so she clearly has the ability and with her best effort and a bit of luck she could be a lively outsider with bottom weight.

5 Dashboard Rahy, trained by John Henry
A grade one winner and a close second in the 2015 Fillies and mares BC sprint she is one of the most accomplished and established sprinters in the race. She has been given an easy season so far considering her record winning at allowance and ungraded stakes level but she looks well placed here to return to this level and has a lot going for her. I am a bit worried that her recent track work didnt measure up to her June efforts and for that reason alone i may just leave her out of my calculations for the win.

6 Dreaming Of Lys, trained by Angelos Stables
A three year old with a big weight in a handicap shouldnt really be difficult to leave out but she has a decent weight because she is pretty good so you have to consider her on her merits. A grade three winner on two occasions, her last in the Groupie Doll she had a grade one winning four year old behind that day so clearly knows how to do it. The 120Lbs is enough to put me off her chances however considering she would be way better off if this was just a normal grade two stakes race.

7 The Bop, trained by Mb Stables
A consistent and lightly raced four year old she spent most of her early career making the trainers stats look better at low grade but was recently given a chance at stakes level and did pretty well to be a close second in the Bernardo Handicap. Her handicap mark went up for that effort and she doesnt exactly get in lightly here but if she can handle the widish draw she has the work times to be right in this.

8 Regal Portrait, trained by Mb Stables
Took the grade two Inside Information in March this year so it was a little surprising to see her taking a cheap little race at CT last time out but her trainer clearly thought she needed a run and didnt want to lose so took a confidence booster instead of aiming higher. A very consistent sort she is handicapped to her best and has a wide draw so may find it too tough today.

SUMMARY
I think this may go to Que Seras Creeps who is due a good win and may be on offer at attractive odds. Its a close race though and Drill may be the one to push her home.

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