The 14th Running of The Matchmaker G3
July 17, 2021 13:15
MTH Race #4 $150.000 11/8 Turf
3YO 119 Lbs 4+ 124 Lbs (+penalties)
Track Record-1:44.88 (Danzing Lil Pirate-2016)
Stakes Record-1:45.67 (Rock Warrior-2015)
Five fillies and mares have signed-on for the 2021 $150.000 G3 Matchmaker going 9-furlongs at MTH on Saturday. Not only are these gals running for the purse, but also valuable BC F&M Turf points; the winner will receive four points, the runner-up gets two, and the third-place runner gets one. Valibert is the only two-time winner of this race and she was trained and ridden by the only conditioner (Barcelona Farms) and jockey (C.H. Marquez, Jr) who have won two editions of this Jersey Shore staple. Here is this year’s field for the G3 $150.000 Matchmaker Stakes from MTH:
#1 Classic Princess (Maxmillion Farms/A. Cedillo 124): Purchased for $125.000 on June 8 and comes here after just missing in an 11-furlong ALW at CD on June 17. The 4yo daughter of Captain Rush was given three graded attempts and just missed twice before being turned over to “The Lord of the Lawn” here at HRP. Has yet to win past 11/16 and has still yet to prove she can beat the best in this division, but appears tactical enough to make her presence felt in this one. Trainer Thoughts: “Huge fit… great draw.. One race at a time.”
#2 Chili One (Chili King Stables/P. Lopez 119): Sophomore daughter of Notorious One comes here in sharp form with three consecutive exacta finishes. Two prior attempts at the ungraded stakes level were disappointing, but she may be just getting to the best we’ll see from her. She does sport a sharp CD ALW score over this distance and receives a five-pound weight break, but will need a career best performance to take advantage of it.
#3 Pink Kitten (Threshold/J.C. Ferrer 124): 5yo daughter of Scott The Great returns here after just missing a check in the G1 Just A Game at BEL on June 5. She was gobbling-up the ground in that one so she should appreciate the extra ground this G3 offers. That being said, she has never defeated the likes of these and will need to work out a trip to get the job done here. Trainer Thoughts: “Well she is a washed up sprinter who inexplicably seems to turn into a deep closer on the same instructions in a route. I threw her in there because anything could happen LOL. I guess as usual i am hopeful but not expecting much, if she wins then she will stay over longer trips, if she loses then she will go to BTP or FE with the rest of my barn. I may even try the fast instruction, who knows, it may be the magic instruction.”
#4 Giveaway (Nakamura Stables/V.R. Carrasco 124): Only two turf races on her ledger, but this daughter of Day Of Destiny has shown an affinity for the lawn. Was last seen setting the pace in the G1 Gamely before having to settle for 3rd over this same trip. If she can embrace her killer instinct, there is enough to like on her form to make her dangerous in this spot. Trainer Thoughts: “I think her chances are quite good moving down a bit. Just need a little patience out of the gate and she’s right there. If things don’t look competitive it’s back to the main track, maybe even shorten her up to one turn.”
#5 Party In The Brig (Mo Mentum Farm/Ru. Gonzalez 119): LaBriganderie sophomore takes her third swing at G3 foes after 3rd and 4th-place runs in the Eatontown and Gallorette, respectively. Shows versatility in her running lines as she has been on the lead, just off, and well back in money-earning races. In her only try at thi strip, she went to the front and improved position over a WO course listed as “Soft”. Should handle the distance and be able to work out a trip, but may need a bit of improvement to best this group. Trainer Thoughts: “In five lifetime graded stakes races Party in the Brig has two thirds, two fourths and a fifth. Agonizingly close – but no cigar. She deserves to be there but hasn’t exactly delivered the knock out punch you hope to see. I don’t think this field is the toughest shes seen and she’s one for one at the distance, so there’s hope – but realistically she’s not the favourite or likely to be anyone’s top choice to win. If she does finally get ahead at the wire, she’ll head to the Dance Smartly at WO or the Ballston at SAR as she’ll still need a few more BC points to make the BC F&M Turf in November.”
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
