The 15th Running of the G3 Fritchie Stakes

February 19, 2022

LRL Race #19 18:25 $250.000 

4+ F&M 124 Lbs 7 Furlongs 

Track Record-1:19.96 (Alpha Ultimo-2007)

Stakes Record-1:21.36 (Danzig Queen-2012)

Not to be lost among the shuffle of Saturday’s stakes action, the G3 Fritchie offers older fillies and mares the chance to strut their stuff going 7-panels on the LRL main track.  With the $250.000 purse, all of the seven runners will carry 124 pounds.  Last year’s BC F&M Sprint champion, Slckmoment Laga will be making her 4yo debut in this spot and she will have some familiar foes that she will have to deal with.  BC runners Top Billing and Precise Performance will try to turn the tables on the champ and Dialing finished in front of Slckmoment Laga in the sophomore finale for both.  What this field lacks in quantity, the seven runners more than make for with their quality.  Let’s meet the field for the 2022 G3 Fritchie Stakes at LRL:

#1 Canary For One (Mo Mentum Farm/J. Lezcano): 4yo returns three weeks after an encouraging graded stakes debut.  She could only finish 4th last month at GP but she made a run and took back a slice of the purse.  Broke from the 10-hole that day and fell a bit further back than she likes.  Advantageous draw for this and looks to be an improving sort.  Another minor share possible.

#2 Unspoken (London Racing/M. Franco): 5yo mare will be making only the 8th start of her career and ’22 bow was a stakes score at GP.  She steps back up to the graded level here and appears to be better prepared this time.  Has demonstrated an ability to win with varying tactics and will need to be ready for a career best to trouble the best in here.

#3 Dialing (Angelos Stable/Mar. Garcia): MSW 4yo will look to continue on her current upward trajectory.  Got the best of BC champ in ’21 finale, but still had to settle for 3rd that day.  Think she’s every bit as quick as the quickest in here, so expect her to sit a really good trip from this draw.  She’s improving and will need to take another step up if she wants to get her picture taken on Saturday.  Capable.

#4 Starting Over (TwinTowersRacing/T. Gaffalione): G3 12-furlong grass victory to start 2022 but tries a vastly different game in this spot.  Not sure how well that race sets her up for this assignment, but she did win at this trip for her sophomore finale in a TAM $100.000 FL-bred stake.  One thing’s for sure: she won’t lack for fitness.

#5 Slckmoment Laga (Night Rider Stables/K. Carmouche): Champion HRP female sprinter and a finalist for HRP’s 3yo filly award, BC champ looks to rebound after dismal finish to her sophomore campaign.  All that said, when your “dismal” efforts are two-length defeats in G1’s, you know you’re dealing with a serious horse.  Going to draw a line through that effort and expect the champ is ready to fire in seasonal bow.  Strictly the one to beat.

#6 Top Billing (Smokey Stover/F. Boyce): ’21 BC runner took a HOU allowance to begin her 4yo campaign and looks ready for this assignment.  Extremely tactical so she should be able to work out whatever trip she gets handed, but she probably wants to stick a little closer to the front of this classy group.  May get brave if she can get the jump on her two biggest rivals and the trainer hasn’t been wrong very often so far in ’22.  Definite contender for top honors.  

#7 Precise Performance (Mb Stables/J. Talamo): 5yo has encountered a case of second-itis in three runs following G1 score at SAR.  10-6-3-1 record in sprints with some of those six wins being at the graded level, this is her game.  This feels like her best chance to best the two talented 4yos drawn to her immediate inside as she gets them at level weight early in the season.  Think she’ll be fully cranked for this assignment and she’s going to be the pick in a loaded G3 Fritchie.

Final Analysis: 7-5-6 for Saturday’s G3 Fritchie Stakes at LRL.  Good luck everyone!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES