The Fox – Grade III
GP Race #8 1m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.
1 Atlanta, trained by Chili King Stables
A winner of 5 from 12 she has been a consistent filly but seems just a step behind this sort of grade. She ran well enough in the Ballaston Handicap and in the grade three Valley View last year to suggest she had ability and her works do seem sharper this year after two starts for a win at overnight level. On bare form she needs to find a little but with the ace draw, two runs under her belt and a top jockey on board she could find this race in her scope.
2 On The Straight, trained by Mb Stables
She has a couple of ungraded stakes to her name but her trainer has preferred picking up lower level allowances rather than going for a higher level. That was until 3 weeks ago when given a chance to shine in the Hillsborough at grade two and she very nearly won it going down by just a nose to Killer Angels. She had some good sorts behind her that day and she looks to have sharpened up from four to five as some older horses can. A nice draw makes this a lively chance for yet another stakes win for her trainer.
3 Toni Rose, trained by Gdp Inc
Although this horse has only had 4 starts she has won two of those and i rather like the way she did the job in the second of them when winning an allowance on this track in a sharp time. Lightly raced she is the untapped potential in this race and going on her last work she looks ready for a big run.
4 Saddle Happy, trained by Our Athletes
A winner of 4 from 11 she was building a good record before the soft ground tripped her up in her last start. This may be her best trip and her works are strong enough to put her right in the thick of this race.
5 Rule Of Law, trained by Hambletonian Stables
The winner of the grade one Matriarch last year in a sub 1.33 time she has had an odd prep so far this year running in a couple of sprints at ungraded level. Considering her record over a mile plus i cannot see why she keeps going sprinting but back to her best trip today she must be a hope. My only fear is that a 1.10 and 2 work a week ago wasnt the sharpest and she may find that the four year old ‘jinx’ may ruin her season.
6 Well Built, trained by Smokey Stover
There isnt a doubt that this is the most accomplished filly in the race and of the many boxes that need ticking she is the one who ticks most. She went on a remarkable streak last year taking two graded stakes for Golden Stables before being sold to Team 7 Illusions and winning the grade one QE II Challenge Cup before a brilliant second in the BC Fillies and Mares Turf. She reappeared in the Endeavour where she was prominent before the lack of fitness found her out ending up a close fourth. Since then she became a purchase in Smokey Stovers shopping spree ending up in his barn for $500.000. The only box that isnt ticked for her is the draw but surely the draw can’t beat her even at HRP where the outside draw can be a death trap.
7 Switched, trained by D J C Racing Stables
The stable is flying at the moment so although this one looks an outsider on paper she must be considered. The draw wont help her much so this may be a mountain to climb for her but she is a solid sort who won her seasonal debut gamely.
SUMMARY
Well Built looks home here if there is any sort of form line at HRP. The best horse, the fastest worker and a trainer in form the only thing that can stop her is the draw. Second may be On The Straight or Rule Of Law and if you want an outsider to spice up the trfecta then Toni Rose could be a surprise package.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
