Fleur De Lis Handicap – Grade II [BC]
CD Race #6 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

1 Misscarlet Broken Spoke Stables Geroux F

Gets a hefty weight for a filly that has done well but hasnt exactly set the world alight just yet. A big plus is the fact that her best ever start was her last when she was switched back to dirt for a much improved win in the grade three Adoration Stakes getting up by a quarter length at odds of over 200/1. That really is the only run that would give her a chance in this but her dirt works have shown improvement and a big run would not surprise.

2 Quiet Word Mb Stables Pennington F

The master of the handicaps once again squeezes one in with a low weight but this isnt a forgone conclusion as is usually the case. A good winner on the turf she showed enough on a muddy dirt track in the Top Flight Handicap to suggest she can run on both and with a perfect draw and bottom weight you have to put her in your top three.

3 Blackberry Our Athletes Velazquez J R

This grade one winner gets in here with a very winnable weight and is definitely the class act in the race. She ran well when just beaten in the Doubledogdare last time and whilst she may have declined a bit from her younger days she may still be good enough to take this race out.

4 Had Some Drinks Mb Stables Bejarano R

Tried to make all in the Doubledogdare last time but couldnt keep up the gallop and ended up third just under a length behind Blackberry. Before that she has won three in a row in lower grade but with no weight concession over Blackberry today i can’t see her turning the tables on that one.

5 Osmium D J C Racing Stables Ortiz I Jr

This one may be the best filly in the race but carrying top weight at HRP is like pulling a bus even of the spread is just a few pounds. Very consistent at this level i think she would win on level weights and may still do it with top weight but it certainly isnt as cut and dried.

6 Indian River Queen South Beach Racing Santana R Jr

Three year olds in handicaps is never a great idea but this is HRP and there is very little between the age groups at this time of year and she comes in with bottom weight so doesnt have to give anything away atleast. She showed enough when placing in both the Fantasy and the Honeybee to put her in contention but i feel his trip may stretch her stamina a bit too far.

7 Easy Time Mb Stables Talamo J

Mb Stables has nearly half the runners for this race and this is another he has squeezed in at the bottom of the handicap. Bought from Waldo she had proved her worth with a with in the MTH Oaks but her new trainer has been poaching lower grade races no doubt targeting a handicap like this one. An easy winner of her last two at lowly TUP she rates a chance in an open contest.

SUMMARY
If Blackberry is a shadow of her former self i think she wins. If not then take you pick of Mb’s three.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES