The Schurlerville, Purse $150.000, Grade 3, 6 Furlongs, Dirt for Fillies 2
On opening day at Saratoga there is always going to be great racing and this nice race for 2 year old fillies is no exception. To me this race signals the start of the big 2 year old races for the year, and could be the point where some potential BC horses start to show themselves. Let’s take a look at the field:
1-Freedom Flying (MB Stables)- Was ultra impressive in her first start winning a nice 6 furlong race at LA roughly 3 weeks ago. She was a nice fast worker going into that race and pulled away from the field at the end. She also came out of that race with a 1:12 1/5 track breeze, which had to give owner MB Stable the confidence to place her in this race so quickly back. The most recent track work has to give MB a bit of cause for concern as it was just a tick slower than his pre-race work. None the less her ultra impressive win first out puts this one right in the mix.
2-Aldonza (Jerry Garcia Racing)- Comes into the race winning her second lifetime start in a nice MSW race at CD going 5 and ½ furlongs. She came out of that race well and has had some very nice fast works in the morning working 111 flat on a couple of different occasions. Those are very nice works, and with her last win where she was starting to edge away from the rest of the field winning by ½ length. With a nice win and nice works she also has a shot in this race.
3-Silver Broomstick (Blushing Meadows)- Was a nice first out winner back in April in a MSW at EMD. She was then stepped up after coming out of that race in good form and placed into a nice stakes race in June going 5 furlongs at Woodbine. In that stakes race she ran very well and was a closing 2nd in the race finishing 2nd by ½ length. Since that race she has only posted 1 public work, and it is was a bit slower in some of the others in this race, but based upon her nice race form she has to be given a serious look in this spot.
4-Zabria Fever (Riggins Racing)- She has had 3 starts and broke her maiden in her most recent run, which was in June at CD on a sloppy track. She just missed in a statebred race at SA in the start before losing out by just a nose. In her recent public works I see a nice 6 furlong work at SA on June 8th which would put her right in the mix with the rest of these horses. I think that she may enjoy the 6 furlong trip today and has to be given a look.
5-Cest Creepy (Nightmare Racing)- She was an impressive first out winner in a statebred MSW race at BEL on May 23rd. She won that race by a ½ length in a very impressive :57 3/5 for a first time starter. Since that race she has come back and posted some nice public works on both turf and on dirt. Her 5 furlong dirt breezes that are public look to be very nice and improved off her pre race public breezes. If this horse can improve on the track as well, watch out.
6-Special End (Wynnewood)- Another one who comes into the race off an impressive win in her first lifetime start. She won her race at CD in May. The track was good that day and she still won the race in a nice time. Since that race she has done nothing to give any indication that a slowdown is in order. She has been a bit inconsistent with her public works going from a 111 an 3 track Breeze on June 30th to a 1:12 3/5 track Breeze on July 8th. I suspect that this was a change in work instructions or adds, so think that she may be sitting on a huge race here. For me she is the one to beat in this race.
7-Technology Sweep (The Sidley Stud)-She comes into the race having already raced 4 times with 2 prior shots in overnight stakes. She ran fairly well in the last stakes try at CD on June 27th closing and finishing 4th by 1 length going today’s distance. Her public works go back before her 2 stakes races so it’s hard to tell if she has come out of these races well or not. I am guessing that she did or she would not be placed in this race today.
8-Ariana (D J C Racing Stable)- She has started 3 times so far in her career, winning her second career start in a nice race at LAD by 6 lengths. After that race she was sold to DJC Racing Stable for $130.000. He then stepped her up and ran her in a stakes race in June where there she flashed early speed but faded back to 9th place by 4 lengths. She has no public works post stakes race but her pre stakes race works are very nice, I trust that she has come out of the race well and that is why she is given another shot here.
9-Primera Fajita (EasyMoney Stables )- She is a blazing fast horse who has been burning up the track both in the mornings and the afternoon. Her early morning works are very very fast and she has translated that speed to the afternoon. She won first time out in a MSW then stepped up to a stakes race in her second lifetime start. She ran great in the stakes race and had the lead at the 5 furlong mark in a 5 ½ furlong race, then he got passed in the end but finished a nice 2nd place by a head. Her most recent track breeze on July 7th is impressive and has to make her a top choice in here. Can she overcome being in the 9 post in this race?
10-Noterized Kate (Pristine Stables)-The only stakes winner in this field she was the one who headed Primera Fajita in their last race. She has started 2 times in her life and both have been wins. Her MSW win at PIM on May 8th in :57 1/5 is about as good as you can hope for a first time starter. She showed that was no fluke when she came back and won the stakes race. Her public works since that stakes win have also been impressive and she looks as if she will continue to improve as the year goes along. The only negative I can see here is the post position.
This is a talent laden field where the winner can come from a number of different places with many owners full of high hopes for their youngsters and what the future may hold. There are many talented runners in this race and it is very hard for me to separate them but I will try. Here is my prediction. 6-9-5-10
Warbucks
Categories: Grade III
