Wiley – Grade I
KEE Race #4 1 1/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $350.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.
1 Killer Angels TwinTowersRacing Castellano J J This fillies most impressive win came in the Regret last year when she made all and murdered the field by four easy lengths. The track was off that day but she has run well enough on a firmer surface to suggest she is no mudder. A close fourth in the DMR Oaks she then took advantage of the three year old weight allowance in the Rodeo Drive to very nearly win going down by a neck inside the last furlong. Two poor efforts either side of Christmas were a worry but she came back to her best last time out when gamely winning the Hillsborough by a nose. She has a good draw to do some damage today and she is more than capable in an even field.
2 Good Line Mb Stables Rocco J S Jr
She won the BEL Oaks and the BC fillies and mares turf last year suggesting she would be a pretty strong favourite for this race but she throws the odd clunker so its is hard to be over confident. A widish draw last time out in the Santa Ana Stakes saw her go to the front and weaken into second behind Sassy One much the same as she did in the Nassau Stakes the last time she tried that. Better from midpack her trainer wont be making the same mistake twice and i expect to see her run much better from this draw today.
3 Pip Kadabra Chili King Stables Talamo J
Her win in last years grade one Flower Bowl was super impressive but being run on soft ground at HRP means that fields and performances take on a surreal look and as impressive as that win was she has struggled to live up to it since. She was a solid third on seasonal debut in the Marshua River beaten only a half length but didn’t step up on that performance in the Very One last time out when a one paced fourth. She really needs everything to go her way to win but it just might so be aware of her presence in an ideal draw.
4 Commanding Faith Crocker Ggs Maldonado E
She ran some cracking races as a three year old winning the Honeymoon Stakes and placing third in both the DMR oaks and the grade one Taylor. A disappointing effort in the BC fillies and mares Turf saw her put out for a couple of months but when she came out as a four year old she looked as strong if not stronger than ever. She kicked off in The Meghertz and won easily against a small field but looked even better against a bigger field in the grade two Buena Vista Stakes last time out getting up by a head. I like this filly a lot and would expect a big race from her today.
5 Sassy One Smokey Stover Bridgmohan S X This winner of ten from seventeen is another top filly that had a terrific three year old season and has looked just as good in her two races so far this year. This may be one of the best buys in Smokey Stovers little shopping spree as she was super impressive in beating Good Line in the Santa Ana Stakes last time just three weeks after being bought for $300.000. Two wins in two starts this year, both with triple digit speed figures suggests she is in career best form.
6 Eastern Sky Maxmillion Farm Gutierrez Mario She looked like a filly that was going all the way last year when she took the Beverly D and the Sands Point but she had a little bad luck and didnt win again for the rest of the season. Fourth in the BC Fillies and Mares Turf she struggled a little in three starts after that and questions were being asked about her doing as well as a four year old. Those questions were quashed however last time out when she sauntered home in The Very One by three easy lengths looking right back to her best. This is a tight race but she must have as good a chance as any.
7 Devil Wears Prada Axeman Boulanger G This is one of my favourite horses on HRP as just when you think she is done she comes out and runs great races like she did last year in the BC Fillies and Mares Turf when third. Her two runs this year have both been as game as ever and at seven she doesnt look like she’s slowed down one bit. The outside draw will be a challenge but she is a serious horse with a big heart and could just bring a tear to the eye at the end of tha race.
SUMMARY
The heart says Devil Wears Prada who is such a quality mare that she will bring the house down if she wins, but that wide draw may just be against her in a tough field. Whats left is 5 four year olds who spent last season mopping up most of the stakes races thanks to the three year old weight allowance and they will race each other today to find out which is going to be the best four year old. Commanding Faith, Sassy One, Good Line and Eastern Sky are so close in ability it may a bit of luck in running that makes the difference.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
