The Herecomesthebride Stakes- Grade III
GP Race 4 1m 1/16 Turf
Purse $100.000 For Fillies
Three Years Old
Just like their male counterparts in the Palm Beach 3 yo fillies will vie for 100K on the grass at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. While this is not a star studded field it looks to be very competitive so let’s take a look and see if we can decipher a winner.
1 Beyond Strange, trained by TwinTowersRacing
4 of 5 in the money on the turf with two wins. One of those scores was a very impressive 6 length romp in the Wait a While over this same track. Both of her victories have been over the soft turf however and there does not look to be any rain in the forecast for Saturday. Her works and runs over the firm course are not as impressive so I am inclined to think she may not be at her best for this.
2 Terrific, trained by Keikowin Racing
Lightly raced filly has only gone to the post 3 times with her win coming in a low level maiden special weight. Her two turf tries were not terrible but they came against much weaker competition than she will face here. Would not be a total surprise but I will need to see more before I can recommend.
3 Britneis Sin, trained be Lemax Farms
Winner of 1 of 5 lifetime with all of her starts coming on the grass. Like several others in here she comes out of The Sweetest Chant where she ran a very good 2nd. Another one who has done her best racing on the soft going but her workouts indicate she likes the firm ground just fine. Jockey has won at a 38% clip on the grass and if he can slow this one down a bit early she should be right there.
4 Sweet Gail, trained by Smokey Stover
The high earner in the field who has won 3 of 5 lifetime turf starts including the Grade 3 Miss Grillo. She was heavily bet in the BC Juvenile Filly Turf but was never a factor from a very bad post. Changed tactics in her first start of 2018 and was sent to the front in the CA Cup Turf Sprint where she ran a game 2nd. I look for her to go back to her midpack ways here and be a major factor at the wire.
5 Splash Down, trained by Jkk racing stables
1 for 2 on the turf lifetime and will be making only her 4th career start here. She also comes out of the Sweetest Chant where she was able to pass some tired horses and finish 4th. Hard to get a good read on her true ability from her limited resume and works so I will not be backing at the window but would not be shocked if she pulled off a surprise.
6 Exposure, trained by Mb Stables
Leading trainer sends this filly who has been first or second in all 5 of her career starts. She has won her last two outings which were both on the turf and she seems to be steadily improving. This will be her stakes debut but judging by the works and her connections I do not think the step up will be an issue.
7 Maggie Greene, trained by The Sidley Stud
This filly had a long campaign as a 2 yo which included an appearance in the BC Juvenile Filly Turf and was capped off with a win in the Grade 3 Durante. Due to that taxing schedule she was given 3 months off and will be making her 2018 season debut here. Workouts seem fine and with the services of John V. she should be a factor but I think she may need a race before we get her best.
8 Panquita Laga, trained by Maletto
The horse that has drawn the far outside will also be the far outsider in the field. She was claimed for $15 in her last start which was a win at the free track. Her trainer is off to a rough start this year, looking for his first win in his 37th start while Prado is also struggling at 1 for 29. Workouts are much slower than the others in the field so would be an enormous upset if she were able to finish in the top half of the field.
Summary
There does not seem to be a ton of pace in this race which should make for some interesting tactics. I think Colon will be able to get very good position near a slow pace and guide Britneis Sin to a victory as she is able to hold off Sweet Gail and Exposure.
3-4-6-7
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
