The Acorn – Grade I

1 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $700.000 Filly 3 Year Olds.

1st Cannolo D J C Racing Stables Gaffalione

I thought the draw would be tough for this lightly raced filly but as it was she stalked the pace and kept on very strongly to beat a talented field of fillies and this has put her very near the top of the female tree. She made up plenty of ground in the KYO last time when taken back but that had more to do with the draw and todays gate meant that the race engine put her where she likes to be and she won with a little in hand. The stable has handled some of the best fillies in the game in recent years and i am sure this one will cary the flag very well as we move towards the November Breeders Cup.

2nd Totally Baroque Fractious Pennington F

Although this filly only won her maiden in February she has quickly established herself with a win in the Gazelle and a thundering second in the KYO. Taken back from the wide draw she flew home for second again today and one felt with the same trip as the winner she may have been even closer to the win. This one has a bright future and will be involved in some mouthwatering rematches in the rest of the season.

3rd Z Command Joshua Stables Colon L H

Taken back from the wide gate she ran a cracker coming home strongly for third just a length off the winner. Like most horses she doesnt seem to have a preferred running style having finished second in the Ashland ahead of Cannolo after making the running and then flying from behind today for another great effort. This is a filly that was third in the BC Juvenile fillies last year so this was right up to her best and if she can just get a decent trip i am sure she will be winning black type again soon.

4th Maggie McGee D J C Racing Stables Franco M

Didnt have the form on paper that her rivals had here but ran a cracker to be just a length off the winner in fourth. Clearly improving she could build a good record off this effort.

The Rest

The easy KYO winner Tenrikyo got well back and finished well but never threatened. We have got used to these sorts of form turn rounds at HRP but i think this may have been down to the trip as she seems to need in excess of this mile to show her best. Dream Whisperer stalked a fast pace and like she did in the KYO found very little at the end of her race. KYO third You Just Have 2 Wait was close enough but didnt finish off either. Being that there was four lengths between first and last i am pretty sure we will continue to see form turnarounds as we have got used to at HRP so all of these fillies will probably get their turn before the end of the year.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES