18th Running of the Yellow Ribbon Handicap(G2)
August 7, 2021 18:40
DMR Race #6 $200.000 1 1/16 Turf
3YO+ Fillies and Mares Hcp Weights
Track Record-1:38.99 (Just Joey-2010)
Stakes Record-1:39.67 (Ali Sanlinea-2012)
Old DMR, where the turf meets the surf and where six fillies and mares have signed-on for the 18th edition of the G2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap. Eight and a half furlongs of California sod is all that separates the winner from taking the lion’s share of the $200.000 purse and the four BC points that go with it. Hash Tag Hash looks to go favored based on her last out G1 victory in the Just A Game, but she will have to give her rivals 4-7 pounds under these handicap conditions. The wealth from this race has been spread around the HRP community as Threshold (2013, 2015) is the only conditioner who has managed to secure two victories in this historic event. On the jockey side, V. Espinoza has been a dominant force, winning four renewals (2003, 2007, 2015, 2017). Here’s the field for the G2 Yellow Ribbon from DMR:
#1 Hash Tag Hash (Fractious/K.J. Desormeaux 123): Undisputed headliner breaks from the rail and carries the top weight in the field. 4yo daughter of Above Reproach was purchased for $150.000 April 10 and was immediately thrown into deep water. First-out for the new barn yielded a 6th place finish in the CD Distaff Turf Mile; however, she came back on June 5 and defeated G1 foes in the Just A Game at BEL. That BEL performance was much more on par with her pre-purchase form and anything similar would make her tough in this.
#2 Kiwi Sunshine (Smokey Stover/V. Espinoza 116): 4yo daughter of Grandeur gets in here at the low weight of 116 pounds, is well drawn from this post, and gets the services of the jock who has dominated this race like no other. That being said, she is a bit of an inconsistent sort; when she’s right, she is really good, but when she’s off, she doesn’t even bother with trying. She has shown an affinity for this particular distance as she’s only missed the trifecta in one of five races going Saturday’s trip. If she comes back sharp from the freshening she could find herself in the mix coming down the lane.
#3 Delinquent Assembly (Nakamura Stables/K. Frey 119): Second-highweight comes here off June 20 score in G3 Eatontown at this same trip. Hispaniola 5yo has a record of 12-6-6-0 at 8.5 furlongs over 11 different turf courses. As consistent as she’s been, appears to be racing better than ever as she nears 30 career starts. Quick enough to be involved from the get-go and the four-pound weight break only increases her appeal. Current form and love for the distance make her a major player here.
#4 Strewn Field (Mwn Racing/J.J. Hernandez 118): 3yo daughter of Rumble receives weight from just two of her five competitors in here and only a one pound difference to the Nakamura Stables runner to her inside. Will be making just the 5th start of her career and has progressed nicely since the $20.000 claim back in May. Not sure that she is capable of winning this right now, but she is definitely one to keep an eye on; and if she gets a piece of this, she could be really good down the line.
#5 Insist You Fail (Rock Creek/G. Franco 118): Been productive for this outfit since being claimed for $7.500 back in October. The only two poor performances for the 4yo daughter of Insist were her two stakes attempts, but one of those was over soft ground and the other was going the marathon distance of 12-furlongs. Neither of those apply on Saturday; however, this spot appears to be her toughest task to date. A repeat of the WO performance is not out of the question and if she can duplicate that effort, she could leave with a check at the least.
#6 Zalinda (Threshold/J. Bravo 117): The race’s only two-time winning trainer sends his 5yo Moment Of Madness mare to try and make it three of these for the barn. Has been really sharp since opening her season in February and benefits on the scale from all but one rival in here. Last three outings, while sharp, were all over courses with a lot of give in the ground and she shouldn’t get that luxury on Saturday. Good pilot will have to work out a trip to upset this group, but a minor award should be her floor in here.
Final Analysis: 3-1-2 Good luck to all involved in the $200.000 G2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap from DMR!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
