Penny Memorial Stakes – Grade III
PRX Race #10 1 1/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
1 Too Scared To Party Smokey Stover Vargas J A Jr
Considering the year this one had as a three year old it is pretty amazing to think she hasn’t managed a win this year. However the difference between first and second or indeed last doesn’t seem to be much so it is hard to knock what she has managed in 2021 with two second places at grade one level. There are some that would say her running style is not matched to the new race engine and an attempt was made last time out to rectify that but it didn’t really work in the Mabee Stakes. The fact is this filly is better coming from mid-pack and that isn’t the best place to be these days but in this field and with this draw i do feel that she may be able to overcome it in this race.
2 Burning Forest Maxmillion Farm Bridgmohan S X
Even with just two wins from fifteen races you cannot ignore a turf stakes runner from the turf king. She was pretty bold in the Presidents Cup last time going out to a big lead before being collared and she has been tried a couple of times with those aggressive tactics before with similar results. I think her best chance here maybe to get a good stalk but she is up against some classy girls today and may find that tough. What will the turf king do with this one that looks outclassed? Maybe a big lead is on the cards again.
3 Break From Holly Nakamura Stables Silvera Ru
The princess Elizabeth winner from last year she has been well tested this year and seems to be another that is at odds with the new race engine. Her best effort came in the SAR Oaks last time when she went to an early lead but didn’t last home ending up third. perhaps more significant in that last race effort was that she switched back to turf after a stint on dirt and in that role she has placed in all three efforts. Her biggest handicap seems to be her willingness in a finish and that may again handicap her in todays race where she looks destined to maybe run a place again.
4 Rosehunt Arindel Gutierrez Mario
Won the Appalachian earlier in the year but has hit a flat spot through the summer. Being a three year old she gets some weight relief here and she may be suited by what could be a sprint for the lead early on as she seems most effective coming from just off the pace. She was pretty good in the Pucker Up Stakes last time but i just get the feeling she may be up against here against some of her older rivals.
5 All By Myself TwinTowersRacing Jaramillo E
Pretty consistent over all she has done well this year finishing second in the Ruffian Handicap and running a good fourth in The NY. Though her win ratio isn’t too great her recent works suggests there is more to come from her and i feel she may turn out to be the dark horse in this race.
6 Fomalhaut John Henry Espinoza V
This seven year old is one of those great older horses that has been competitive at this level for many years. She did manage a grade three win at the start of the year but her form does have the look of a mare that is coming to the end of her career and her works bear that out a little. This may be the final roll of the dice for her but if she can find anywhere near her best form she could just pop up and surprise her younger rivals.
SUMMARY
The form around this race has a familiar ring to it this year with many of the field experimenting with going to the lead to try and match the requirements of the new race engine. So once again we may just have to wait and see who gets the lucky breaks and who doesn’t to really work out who can win and i have a feeling that the first quarter may be the biggest clue as to what the result may be. I am going for Too Scared To {arty here but i think All By Myself may be ready for a big run, i wouldn’t write off Fomalhaut’s class getting her some as well.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
