2/16 The Fritchie Stakes – Grade III
LRL Race #16 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.00 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Honey Dew Maxmillion Farm Roman E A

This race has come up pretty strong and three of the favourites are drawn the inside three draws so it will be a no excuses battle for them. This is the first coming from a stable that has had an impressive start to the year she has been one that has added to that success with a seasonal debut win in the La Canada Stakes. She improved throughout last year taking the Ballerina BC by seven lengths in the Autumn but many of her best runs have come in smaller fields and it will be interesting to see how she copes today.

2 Millinneal Mb Stables Gallardo A A

She is another that improved throughout last season ending the year with a win in the Falls City Handicap where she best Honey Dew by no less than five lengths. She is an on pace type so should have the speed from this draw to take up a handy position and she will probably start as the favourite.

3 Sports Creek Estero Farms Chirinos R

She only won one race as a three year old and that was the grade three DEL Oaks so whilst that record isnt exactly overwhelming the fact that she was beaten just a head in the grade one Zenyatta behind those two great older mares Wicked Heat and Viking Vania suggests she was better than her winning record suggests. She has been working very strongly at home but its been a while since her last start so she may just need this to sharpen her up.

4 Down And Out Mb Stables Lanerie C J

Five year olds have a slight advantage over the four year olds at this time of year ad this honest sort may just upset the more exposed fillies in this race. A typically game winner on debut she was good enough to win the Ruffian Handicap at grade two last year so shouldnt be written off just because she looks like the stables second string on paper.

5 Plucky Riddle Tiratzo Contreras L

Another five year old she is another with the benefit of a run and has proved she can run a bit although not at the level of most of these. A real sprinting type she may be best suited by this trip and that could make her dangerous.

6 Evidence Team 7 Illusions Carmouche K

A four year old by Ferro she has a good win strike rate and also is fit from a seasonal debut win. I liked the way she made all to race to victory in the Interborough last time but that was a weak field and she has yet to really face this caliber of rival.

7 Thalassa Maxmillion Farm Van Dyke D

Comes from a stable in form and is working very strongly, she too is race fit but doesnt carry the sort of form of some of her rivals. The draw may be tough to overcome at this level but this is a game sprinter who has every chance of getting some of the purse.

8 Projected Ahead D J C Racing Stables Centeno D E A little unlucky with the draw she is a real consistent sort who has enough form at this level to make her a real threat if things work out for her. A winner of the RP Stakes last year showing plenty of stamina she has enough speed to win at 6 furlongs on seasonal debut so should be suited by this trip. She is a live chance but will need some luck.

SUMMARY

Millinneal and Sports Creek look to have this between them but Projected Ahead and Honey Dew will be making them work for it. I like five year olds at this time of year and Down And Out may not be so down and out if you are looking for odds.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES