Rodeo Drive Stakes – Grade I [BC]
1 1/4 Mile Turf Stake Purse $300.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st       Yankee Stadium        Iolaus Racing      Lezcano J

I had a sneaking suspicion that the three’s were slowly catching up with the olders and this ones win confirmed that and brings into question whether there has been a development change that we don’t know about. Whether this is just an above average three that can live with the olders only time will tell but there is no doubt she did the job very well today and looks a real chance in the BC. with only 8 starts she has now won her last three and certainly seems a type that lends herself to the new race engine. Right on speed today as usual she just kept piling on the pressure and there were no answers from those behind. Bred by Iolaus Racing they have been waiting for a break through since their return and they have certainly found one here and the daughter of Bronx Bomber looks a very smart three year old. If the three’s keep improving and the race engine stays on speed then she will be very hard to beat in November.

2nd        Forbidden Blush      Smokey Stover        Bahen S R

This ones record goes to show just how gamey you can get on HRP with front running changed to closing and then back to front running again. She looks slightly better on speed but then that may just be the new race engine but though she traded blows with the winner she always looked held and couldn’t quicken in the end. A highly consistent filly she will get another chance in the BC after this second place and i guess we will have to wait and see what the trainer decides to do with her in that race.

3rd         Sweetness         High Voltage           Saez L

Ran from a horrible gate at a long price and certainly did better than some expected. I think this is an under rated filly who has been very consistent of you take out the awful run in the wet in the Diana. Sits just outside the qualifiers for the BC and she will need a bit of luck to get in despite the fact she would run well.

=4th       Delinquent Assembly       Nakamura Stables       Carrasco V R

Above Sweetness in the qualifying list so may still make it in but she looked to have every chance here and didn’t really finish it off. A consistent filly but a bit one paced she will need the Nak factor to come into play to be a contender in the BC.

=4th      Blondewithhandcuffs        Mb Stables        Gutierrez Mario

Kept on at the one pace and continues to be a bit of an enigma for the champion trainer.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES